After dinner, Joy and Selina were all hyped up to have a snowball fight in the backyard. Devin declined their "childish" invitation but couldn't dodge their "petty" revenge.

Huddled together, whispering and conspiring, Joy and Selina launched the first volley of snowballs at Devin.

One hit him square in the chest, the other smack in the face.

Devin's proud nose almost took a beating. Cursing under his breath, he stumbled back, scooped up a handful of snow, and flung it at the girls.

Joy and Selina squealed and darted away, just as Skyler, who had flown in from Australia, and Jeremy, fresh from a business trip, stepped through the archway into the yard, only to be greeted by snow. Joy and Selina were stunned.

While brushing snow off his coat, Jeremy quipped, "Thanks, but no need for such a warm welcome."

Setting down a massive box containing a baby car seat inside, Skyler rolled his sleeves and dove into the fray.

The backyard erupted into chaos, snow flying everywhere.

Watching from the porch, Leanne nearly got caught in the crossfire several times, but Curtis pulled her close quickly.

She was having the time of her life, and Curtis, bending down to form a snowball, placed it gently in her palm.

Holding her "weapon" and taking advantage of her vantage point, Leanne saw Devin chasing Joy around. Spotting an opportunity to help her friend, she threw her snowball. Thud!

Joy face-planted into the snow, got up, rubbed the back of her head, and yelled, "Who did that? Who dares ambush me?!"

Curtis chuckled. "You hate her. Come on, how long have you been holding a grudge?"

"Shh!" Under Joy's searching gaze, Leanne discreetly hid behind him.

off his hands, looking utterly unfazed as if to say, "Yeah, I did it. What are you going to do about it?" "Sorry,

dare retaliate, especially since she had the delicious chicken noodle soup

Leanne, like a kid running home to tattle, and

was the

at Curtis'

didn't dodge, his eyes crinkling with amusement. "Could you do

couldn't bring herself

he was covering

Leanne could only dab the

His smile deepened.

"That's it," Leanne declared.

her, "Babe? Don't

her actions.

cover for him? Truly, a friend once married is

away, deeply disappointed

know

snow, was lively all day, surrounded

never faded,

and

et

from missing her

with her,

seen off the last of their friends, Curtis

insomnia had disappeared. She slept soundly,

one, casting a warm, golden glow

slender frame lay the serenity of

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