The little fire that stubbornly had refused to grow, now began to blaze, in various colours. And new lights appeared in the trees all about. They cast a patchwork glow upon the snowy ground that reminded Nicolas of his dear Kathleen's quilts.

burgundy

crimson lime

teal

canary violet

ruby

blue

And the eager night with its terrors and its long fingers flew howling into the sky and was held at bay.

Kelty stirred in her Papa Nico's warm embrace, then opened her eyes. She gazed in disbelief.

Papa Nico was smiling. At her.

"Papa?" she said, and Nicolas began to laugh a deep and rich sort of laugh. And a joyful and a kind.

The lights blazed.