I grab it and ask him what it is.
"Just open it." is all he says.
I pull the wrapping off. Trying not to rip it. Inside is a plain book.
It was thick and blue. I open to the first page.
A single photo is taped to the page. Long chocolate brown hair.
Vibrant violet eyes look out to me.
A tear slides down my face. I look at him.
"Where did you get this?"
"I asked your father before he visited to send me these photos. It's a present from me."
"Why?"
"Because," he says.
Another tear slides down. He wipes them away.
He edges near. Places a soft kiss to my cheek.
Whispers, "Happy Birthday Fuyu," into my ear.
Leaving. Me alone in the room.
With a photo album of my mother.
A treasure is what he's given me

YOU ARE READING
Winter Song •「冬の歌」• CPN
Historical FictionCarefree isn't a word that describes Fuyu's Life. Bearing the burden of causing her mother's death during childbirth is heavy. When life can't seem to get worse she is suddenly whisked away into an arranged marriage with a mysterious half Japanese...