Winter's Love

His Guide

Waking up at the crack of dawn was nothing new to Emma. Her irregular sleeping schedule was to blame for it. She could get away with her sleeping schedule before. She only had to take care of herself after all. Now she had a little one in the household and waking up early in the morning seemed to be part of taking care of a child.

She might be used to waking up at the crack of dawn, this morning all she wanted to do was head back to bed.

Putting the kettle on she let the water boil and went through the list Sara provided her. Making breakfast, preparing a lunchbox so Faith had something to eat at school, making sure Faith brushed her teeth and dressed for school. It was a long list with annoying tasks, but she had to power through it.

It was all for Faith.

Grabbing her phone she turned on some music and made sure to keep the volume low. Faith still had half an hour to sleep. She didn't know if Faith was a morning person or not but she definitely didn't want to find out the wrong way.

Some upbeat music started playing in the background while she collected ingredients to make banana pancakes. She swayed to the music, happy that her staff stocked the kitchen before she arrived at her new home.

The glass castle as William so sarcastically called it. The arrogant tone of his voice and the smug look on his face. She would have wiped it off his face with some sharp remark if Faith hadn't been there. He was lucky her niece seemed to be fond of him.

Magic, she called him. As if, the man was just an arrogant jerk who knew he was good-looking and acted like it God, she was starting to get pissed all over again and she hadn't seen him since their first brief encounter.

When the batter smelled sweet like vanilla Emma spun around, her heart jumped as she laid eyes upon the big white dog known as Snow. He sat there watching her prepare breakfast, his tail swaying from side to side. She pressed her hand against her chest, trying to calm herself down.

She let out a deep breath, "You scared me." She told him, "How did you get in here?"

She questioned, her eyes flickering to the sliding door leading to the backyard. It was ajar, but she couldn't remember opening this morning. The cold air was getting in making her n*****s tighten against her flimsy white silk top with lace on top. She wrapped her pale blue silk robe around herself and strolled to the door, sliding it shut.

"Your owner is not a responsible man." She told Snow, walking back to the kitchen, "He shouldn't let you run off like that." She stepped closer to Snow who was still seated right where she left him, "You are such a good boy, though." Smiling she reached out for him and patted his soft head.

"You want to keep me company?" She asked him, "Faith is still sleeping, so you have to make do with me."

He barked once and moved closer to her, his head nudging her leg once. He then sat beside her leg and watched her prepare banana pancakes which smelled like heaven. Singing along with the music she enjoyed herself a lot more.

As she slid the last pancake on the stack, she turned off the stove and washed her hands. She grabbed the red towel decorated with white snowflakes and dried her hands. Snow who had been keeping her company this morning suddenly straightened and walked over to the sliding door. He nudged it with his nose, then glanced at her and nudged it again.

It was amazing how smart the dog was. He wanted to go home so she didn't want to keep him longer. Tossing the towel on the kitchen counter she strolled over to the sliding door. She slid it open and smiled as Snow moved in and licked her fingers in response.

"It was nice of you to drop by." She told him.

Snow barked at her once and then casually left the house, strolling back to his owner's house. She shook her head, amused at how much that dog resembled a human. He was good company, she didn't mind having him around more often. The problem was if Snow came over more often so would his owner. The thought of letting William into her home which he mocked so subtly made her blood boil. She closed the door, her eyes flickering to the dining table she had to set. She stopped in her tracks when she noticed how the white flower pot she received from William looked a lot fuller. The sweet scent a lot stronger than yesterday.

That couldn't be true though. Now she was imagining things.

"God, I need some coffee." She muttered, shaking her head.

While the coffee maker was providing her with some amazing bean water Emma decided it was time to wake little Faith. Walking up to her room, she gently opened the door. Faith was sprawled like a starfish in her bed. She looked content in her sleep. Emma felt guilty having to wake up her little starfish, but it had to be done. Faith couldn't be late on her first day to school. Quietly approaching her niece Emma placed a hand on Faith's shoulder and quietly told her to wake up, shaking her gently.

"Don't wanna-" Faith rolled to her side, showing Emma her back.

Emma pressed her lips together, trying hard not to laugh. She took a seat on the bed, rubbing Faith's back gently.

"I know, sweetie, but you have to get up. I made pancakes."

"Hm." Faith muttered, she kept her eyes closed though.

"Come on, you don't want to be late on your  first day of school."

Faith groaned, "I don't want to go to school."

Emma knew it was hard starting at a new school. Faith only had two weeks of school before the Christmas break started so she knew her little starfish could pull through. Faith could make a friend or two, she was sure.

"I know, sweetie, but unfortunately school is mandatory."

"What's that?" Faith sat up, her blonde hair all over the place.

Smiling Emma tried to fix her niece's messy bed head, "Required by law. On another note-" She watched as Faith rubbed her eyes, stifling a yawn, "Snow came to see you while I was making pancakes. He stayed for a while but then decided to head back home."

Faith's eyes widened, "Snow came over?!"

She sounded excited by that. That big white dog made quite an impression on Faith. She had to admit that Snow also made quite an impression on her. He was smart and kind and seemed to watch over them. It was odd to think so. He was William's dog, not theirs and they only met yesterday yet somehow Snow wriggled his way into their hearts already.

"He did." She got to her feet and pulled up the blinds, bright light filling the spacious room and making Faith whine about it being way too bright, "Up." Emma told her niece in a stern voice, "Brush your teeth and wash your face. I'll find you something nice to wear."

Faith jumped out of bed, she whined about it for a little bit, but still did as told. Emma watched as her niece stood on her toes and tried to reach for her toothbrush. She couldn't reach it. Strolling into the ensuite bathroom, Emma reached for the purple colored toothbrush, squirted some mint toothpaste on it and handed it to Faith.

Emma walked up to the closet and opened it, it wasn't filled yet. She had to do some shopping to buy them both a few more things to wear. It might be toasty in her glass castle, out in the world it was freezing cold.

She picked a light blue dress that had white snowflakes printed on it along with a fluffy light blue vest. She grabbed a pair of thick tights and tossed them all on the bed.

"I'm going to get dressed too, alright?" She called to Faith.

Faith mumbled something which sounded like her acknowledgment. Emma made her way into the master bedroom at the end of the hallway, passing two guestrooms along the way. She entered her new room. It was decorated in white, beige and grey. A big bed pushed against the wall, at the right side of the bed a big bay window. It was a window seat, perfect to read novels at with a cup of tea or coffee. She wasn't just a coffee person or just a tea person.

She loved both hot drinks.

Her eyes flickered to the big bookcases filled with books of all genres. The majority of it romantic novels. She wrote novels so those books inspired her, made her feel the passion for her work again whenever she felt down yet lately those books didn't spark the creative juices.

She felt nothing at all.

Not wanting to drown in the negative thoughts she kept moving. She grabbed a grey soft turtleneck, a pair of light jeans, thick socks and a white cardigan. Those were all from her favorite high-end brands. She was definitely spoiled and she didn't hide it. She could imagine the smirk spreading across her neighbors face. He'd probably call her princess ironically and mock her house again. She rather not run into that man again.

After getting dressed, she quickly did her makeup. Years of practiced made it easy for her to do her makeup within fifteen minutes and look flawless. She spritzed on a finishing spray and then reached for her newly discovered perfume. The bottle was different than most perfume bottles, the color a light orange and the scent.

She couldn't even put it in words, fresh yet subtle with a hint of orange if she had to explain it. She loved it and spritzed on more than usual. She ran her fingers through her hair, deciding to tie it back to make her look more put together. She didn't have time to style her hair after all. She grabbed a pair of boots that had chunky heels so she wouldn't slip and break her neck as she visited the town later today.

First, she had to support little Faith. She grabbed her white designer bag, tossed in her essentials, her nude-colored lipstick and left her room to join Faith again. Her niece was done with her bathroom routine, a big girl who didn't need help at all. She was done getting dressed too and now struggled to do her hair. Smiling Emma tossed her bag on the unmade bed and grabbed the brush Faith had a firm grip on.

"Let me, sweetie, I'll give you a nice braid."

"Like Elsa?" Faith asked.

"Sure, I can do that."

They sat down on the bed. Emma gently brushed her niece's hair, getting all the tangles out.

"Aunt Em?"

Faith's voice sounded small, it sounded like she didn't quite dare to ask her question. Emma wasn't having any of that though.

"Yes, sweetie?"

Faith took a minute before speaking up, her voice still small. It made it very difficult for Emma to hear her, but she listened carefully making sure Faith didn't feel like she couldn't speak her mind. They were beginning their new lives together. All Emma wanted to do was provide Faith with a positive environment where she felt safe and where she felt like she could be herself.

Then hopefully she could reunite with her mother.

"When can I go home?" She asked, "I know mom is sad right now because dad isn't there anymore." She inhaled deeply. Emma feared Faith would break out in tears, but the little girl continued on even though her voice was a bit shaky, "Doesn't mom want me anymore either?"

Dropping the brush, Emma gently placed her hands on Faith's shoulder and slightly turned her. They met each other's eyes, Faith's eyes filled with tears yet the girl didn't break out in tears. She was trying to brave which made Emma's heartbreak a little more.

"You're not here with me because your mom doesn't want you anymore. Right now your mom needs to find a way to make things work without your dad being around. She has a lot of grownup stuff to deal with and she can't focus on that when she has so many other things to deal with. It's not because she doesn't love you, it's just that your mom isn't actually a superhero. She's human, she needs a little help right now and I'm here to help you both."

She knew that was a lot to take in, she feared she confused Faith even more but somehow her niece got what she was trying to say. Faith nodded, sniffing once and wiping away a stubborn tear that dared to roll down her cheek anyway. She looked determined, ready to tackle the day without looking back. For a six-year-old, this girl was so strong.

Emma admired that.

She pulled Faith in a hug, gently holding her.

"I love you so much," Emma whispered to her.

Faith tightly held onto her, "Thank you."

Emma couldn't help but laugh. People always joked about the moment you expressed your feelings for someone and the response was a mere 'thank you'. Yet it never happened to her before. Now, this little creature was thanking her instead of saying it back.

She thought it was hilarious.

"For what?" Emma asked, pulling away and brushing Faith's hair out of her little, round face.

"For telling me the truth."

"I'll always try to be honest with you, I promise."

Faith turned around again, "Love you too, aunt Em. I'm ready."

Emma grabbed the brush and started on her task again. An Elsa braid is what Faith wanted so this precious girl would get one. She wanted to give Faith the world, but she'd start with smaller things like always being honest with her and surrounding her with positivity.

***

William placed his cup of tea on the kitchen island, watching Snow prance around. Snow had a mind of his own, always going off to do his thing. He didn't like to be questioned about it either. He got irritated by it and expressed it without holding back.

A stubborn jerk the damn thing was.

"Where did you runoff this time?" William asked, closing in on Snow who was settling himself on the big dog bed by the door leading to the backyard.

Snow turned his head, openly ignoring him.

"Seriously?" William asked he stood before Snow's dog bed. He caught a whiff of lavender and when he kneeled down and patted Snow he felt the anxiety which lingered around the girls he met yesterday, "You can't leave it be, can you?"

Snow then looked at him, not looking impressed with him right now.

William sighed, "No way." He held his hands up in the air, "I'm not involving myself in this one. You're on your own, buddy."

Snow barked at him, clearly, Snow didn't agree with him. He was displeased and he didn't hide it either.

"No," William said firmly, straightening up and passing the hanging plants around his dining table. He reached out a hand, feeling the life flowing within it. They were healthy and living their full potential. He smiled when they grew a little more as he nearly touched it. Behind him, Snow growled, "Stop pushing it." William warned him.

He walked into the kitchen, grabbed his cup of tea. Oolong tea with a hint of honey. Sweet enough to start the morning with positivity in a cup.

He turned around when he heard a car pass by. The white SUV owned by the uppity lady who moved in next door. The girls had a lot of issues to deal with, he felt it when he closed in on them. He wasn't getting involved in that no matter how much Snow tried to push him. He was done being the good Samaritan. It only got him hurt.

"I'm heading to the flower shop today, are you joining me?" He asked Snow, facing his stubborn dog.

 Snow didn't move from his dog bed, he looked at ease where he was. He didn't need to near him to know the stubborn guy wasn't in the mood.

"Suit yourself, I'll be back around five. I have a few things to take care of. Don't runoff again and don't bother the girls, okay? They have a lot to deal with right now."

Snow growled at him again.

William snorted, "One would think you're their dog."

Snow didn't correct him on that. Emma and Faith made an impression on him. He knew they weren't bad people. He disliked how materialistic Emma was, one look at her and he could just tell she was all about owning things. Keeping up appearances and not really living her life. She was good with her niece though. The concern in her eyes and voice had been real when she thought Faith ran away and got into trouble.

She couldn't fake that.

"You want to help them?" William asked Snow.

Snow stood up, walking up to him and sitting down beside his leg.

William chuckled, giving Snow a rub behind the ear, "Got it, I'll see what I can do."

Snow rubbed his head against his leg. His dog thought he made the right choice. The damn jerk always meddling into things that weren't his business. He couldn't imagine his life without this meddling dog though. Snow always guided him, helping him make the right decisions. Snow made him a better person.

"So you are joining me after all." He chuckled when Snow agreed with him.

"Creating an opportunity, huh?" William finished his tea, and left the cup in the sink, "I think I can arrange that too."

Snow barked at him, excitedly wagging his tail.

"Yes, I'm just that good."

He laughed, feeling the amusement radiating off his dog. He grabbed his jacket, shrugged it on and reached for his keys. The red truck he owned was given to him by his dad. It was an old thing but it worked and helped him with his business. He had the money to buy something new, but he kept it due to sentimental reasons. He was in touch with his feelings, never hiding anything. It was probably why he was good at feeling the energy around others, knowing exactly what they were feeling.

Sometimes it was overwhelming. He noticed that it got a little easier with Snow at his side. Snow was his guide in so many ways.