There were appointments, documents, waiting lists, and phone calls.

But the path began to have names.

Sophie approached with a drawing: a blue car under yellow stars, next to a house with smoke curling from its chimney.

“It’s our Christmas car,” she announced.

“But this is where we’re going next.”

Hannah took the paper gently.

“I hope so.”

Nathaniel did not tell Sophie that he could buy the house on her page.