Chapter 313
Caitlin tapped on the photo and replied, *Wow, that’s beautiful. What a shame I won’t get to see Silverhaven’s first snow this year p>
After sending her message, she snapped a picture out her own window and sent it to Gordon.
*This is the snow in the Capital. It’s been coming down for days, but somehow it doesn’t feel as comforting as Silverhaven’s p>
Gordon was surprised-Caitlin had actually sent him a photo.
He stared at his phone for a second, not quite believing it, then opened the picture. It was taken from her window, her silhouette faintly visible in the glass. He zoomed in, just enough to make out the cozy details: she was wrapped in a loose, soft sweater-a gentle blush color-and on her feet were a pair of fluffy white slippers with bunny ears.
There was something unexpectedly endearing about her like this, so different from her usual cool, distant demeanor; she looked utterly at home, almost touchable in her humanness.
Gordon couldn’t help the smile that crept onto his face. He saved the picture, a line from a book floating through his mind: *Wanting to share is the purest confession p>
After saving the photo, he messaged her back: *Even if you can’t see
Silverhaven’s snow in person, you can still watch it with me. I’ll record a video for you p>
He went to the window and started filming. Right as he was getting a good shot, a shaggy head suddenly popped into view.
It was Skyler.
Gordon nearly dropped his phone.
Skyler grinned at him, eyes full of mischief. “Hey, Uncle G, what are you up to? Is my future aunt checking up on you, so you’re filming a video to prove your innocence p>
Even though he’d been caught, Gordon kept his usual calm, unfazed. “The Wi-Fi’s out in the house. I came out to check the signal p>
He coolly switched his phone to a work screen.
Skyler, not one to question his uncle, just shrugged. He couldn’t quite picture the aloof, icy Uncle Gordon-who always seemed above such things-sending daily updates to a girl.
Skyler glanced at the cable outside, heavy with snow. “Must be the storm messing with the signal p>
Gordon slipped his phone back into his pocket. “Was there something you needed p>
“Oh, right-Grandma asked me to see if there’s anything special you’d like for dinner tonight.” Since Skyler’s grandparents had passed away a few years back, his family had started spending New Year’s Eve with the Sylvesters-Beatrice, Gordon, and the rest.
“I’m fine with anything,” Gordon replied.
“Okay, got it.” Skyler nodded, turning to leave. Then he paused, remembering something. “Oh, Uncle G, don’t forget-it’s New Year’s Eve. You should text Caitlin and wish her a happy new year p>
Gordon raised an eyebrow. “I don’t go in for that kind of thing p>
Skyler scratched his head. Fair point. With Gordon’s status, people always approached him first-he’d never had to initiate a holiday greeting.
He tried again, “But Uncle G, Caitlin saved your life, remember p>
Gordon frowned. “If you want to send her a message, you do it p>
“Alright, alright. I’ll leave you to it then,” Skyler mumbled, deciding not to push further.
“Go on,” Gordon said with a faint nod.
Once Skyler had left, Gordon pulled his phone out again and recorded another short video for Caitlin.
They kept chatting, back and forth, and before he knew it, the clock struck half- past six in the evening.
Skyler came upstairs to fetch him. “Dinner time! Didn’t you realize how late it’s gotten p>
Gordon paused, hands hovering over the keyboard, just now noticing the distant crackle of fireworks outside.
“Yeah, it’s already six-thirty,” Skyler said, shaking his head. “Uncle G, you’re such a workaholic-even on New Year’s p>
Gordon waved him off. “You head down. I’ll be right there p>
“Okay.” Skyler left, and Gordon finished one last message to Caitlin before logging
off WhatsApp. He shrugged on his black overcoat and went downstairs.
Skyler was out in the backyard, fireworks in hand. “Uncle G, check this out! I bought these-Vast Horizons. They’re amazing p>
He lit the fuse, and with a sharp crack, the fireworks soared into the night sky, exploding in brilliant colors.
Gordon pulled out his phone and filmed the display, sending the video to Caitlin.
Back in the Capital, Caitlin was just sitting down to her own family’s New Year’s Eve dinner. When she saw the video, she wrote back, *Fireworks really make it feel like New Year’s. Too bad they’re banned downtown-we have to settle for digital ones p>
She sent him a short video of her family launching a digital fireworks show on their TV.
Watching the pixelated bursts on his phone, Gordon couldn’t help but chuckle.
Skyler, catching the sound, turned around. “What’s so funny, Uncle G p>
Gordon’s lips curled in a rare, genuine smile. “It’s New Year’s. It feels good to laugh p>