Yuki came out from the club, her heavily pregnant belly preceded her. Despite the late hour and the chilly winter air, her radiant smile and sparkling eyes shone brightly, illuminating the snowy scene around her. “Angela, wait!” Yuki called out, her voice husky from the club's loud music and her exhaustion. She waddled quickly towards Angela, her black, high-waisted leggings and fitted, white tunic struggling to contain her swollen belly. A bright pink, faux-fur trimmed jacket was wrapped snugly around her shoulders, adding a pop of color to the monochromatic winter landscape. Angela stopped and waited for her patiently. As Yuki approached Angela, her brow furrowed in concern. “I am sorry if I made you so mad. Don't worry about the gentleman, I just thought you two might hit it off, but forget it if you're not ready.” Angela shook her head, fighting back her tears. “I am the one to apologize, Yuki,” Angela said, her voice laced with regret. “I didn't mean to freak out on you like that. It's just… I don't know, I'm not ready for this whole dating thing yet, and you are just looking out for me… I was mean.” Yuki's expression softened, and she nodded understandingly. “Honey, you are not mean, and I shouldn't have pushed you like that. You need time to heal, and I'm here for you, not to rush you into anything. Take as long as you want.” “Thanks I appreciate your support, Yuki”. Angela sobbed. “Aww Angela”. Yuki wrapped her arms around Angela in a warm hug, her pregnant belly pressing gently against her friend's stomach. “Easy, I don't want to hurt my sweet baby inside of you”. Angela teased. “Oh, please. I can handle it”. Yuki laughed. Suddenly, her silver clutch slipped from her grasp, spilling its contents onto the snowy sidewalk. Angela laughed and helped Yuki gather the scattered items – a phone, a lip gloss, a pack of gum, and a small ultrasound photo with a pink ribbon. “It’s a girl?” Angela's eyes widened. “Busted!” Yuki laughed. “Oh Yuki, I knew it had to be a girl. Little Gojo will be happy to have a baby sister”. Angela replied, staring at the ultrasound picture. “I wish I had her before Christmas as a present for him, but I will be due in three months”. “New year season is still a great time”. Angela smiled back, after calculating the time with her fingers. “That’s a good one”. Yuki smiled wistfully as she tucked the photo back into her clutch. “I guess this little one is reminding me to be more patient,” she said, rubbing her belly affectionately. **** As Angela and Yuki arrived home, they were greeted by the joyful sounds of laughter and playful shouts filling the crisp winter air. The twins, Liya and Lia, now teenagers, were engaged in a friendly snowball fight in the front yard. Four-year-old Junior, bundled up in a miniature snowsuit and mittens, was giggling uncontrollably as he tried to catch the snowballs in his mitten-covered hands. His eyes sparkled with excitement, and his tiny nose was rosy from the cold. The scene was idyllic, with the snow-covered trees and the cozy, well-lit house in the background. As Angela and Yuki approached the house, Liya and Lia sighted them and exchanged nervous glances, their smiles faltering for a moment. They had been so caught up in the fun of playing in the snow with Junior that they had forgotten about their mom's warnings to stay warm and avoid getting sick. “Uh-oh, Mom's home,” Liya whispered to Lia, her eyes darting towards Angela "and she's going to kill us for playing in the snow without our coats.” Lia nodded in agreement, her eyes wide with concern. “We're so busted.” “Look she's with Aunty Yuki, she will save us!” Liya replied. Junior, oblivious to the impending scolding, continued to giggle and play in the snow, his cheeks rosy and his eyes sparkling with joy The twins quickly ran towards Angela and Yuki. “Aunty Yuki! You came!” Liya shouted. “We missed you!” Lia added. “Oh my babies I missed you too”. Yuki laughed as she embraced the excited twins. “Easy girls, she's pregnant”. Angela warned. “Yuki!” That was Junior. “Oh baby, my boy”. Yuki abandoned the twins immediately to give her full attention to the youngest. Angela couldn't help but smile at the happy scene before her. The girls are fond of Yuki and Junior is not an exception. However, she cleared her throat and turned to the girls, trying to sound stern. “What do we have here? I thought I told you two to stay warm and not play in the snow without your coats?” Liya and Lia exchanged sheepish glances, preparing for the worst. “We were just, uh, supervising Junior, Mom,” Liya ventured, trying to sound innocent. “Supervising?” Angela raised an eyebrow. “From the looks of it, you two were having just as much fun as Junior!” The girls cast their eyes down shamefully. “What do I say about lying?” Angela snapped at them angrily. Yuki, who had been watching the exchange with a smile, spoke up, “I think they learned their lesson, Angela. At Least, Junior had his coat on, forgive them for my sake”. Yuki intervened. The girls stood behind Yuki making sad faces so that Angela would consider them. Angela glanced at the girls one after another. “Lucky day, huh? But next time, please bundle up and stay warm. I don't want any of you getting sick.” “Yes mom!” The girls chuckled, they knew they were off the hook. “Mom, we made a snowman!” Liya exclaimed, pointing to a lopsided but charming snowman standing proudly in the yard. Junior, not to be left out, chimed in, “And I made a snow angel.” He lay down in the snow, waving his arms and legs like a tiny, fluttering bird. Yuki laughed, her eyes shining with happiness. “Well, it looks like we have some talented snow artists here." Angela helped Junior up, brushing off the snow, while Yuki snapped photos to capture the moment. “I am going to show Gojo and his dad these pictures”. “Will Gojo visit us during Christmas, Auntie Yuki?” Liya asked. “Of Course baby, he will love to”. Yuki replied. “Everyone, let's get inside and warm up”. Angela instructed. As they trooped into the house, Liya and Lia exchanged relieved glances, grateful that their mom hadn 't scolded them too much and their Aunt Yuki was there to save the day Meanwhile, Junior was still bubbling with excitement, chatted nonstop about his snow adventure.