As the Reaper disappeared, Willow’s ghostly form began to shimmer and solidify. Her translucent skin became warm and real, her red hair cascading over her shoulders.

  She looked down at herself in awe. “I’m...I’m solid again.”

  Arlo and Alfie rushed to her, and this time, when she embraced them, it was real. “Mommy, you’re back!”

  Willow held them tightly, tears streaming down her green cheeks. “Just for tonight and tomorrow,” she said softly. “But I promise, we’ll make every moment count.”

  A Magical Christmas Day

  Christmas morning began with the smell of freshly baked cinnamon rolls wafting through the house. Willow, now solid and very much alive for the day, had already taken over the kitchen. She floated plates and utensils onto the table with a flick of her green fingers, the boys watching in awe from the doorway.

  “Mommy’s making breakfast with magic!” Arlo whispered excitedly to Alfie.

  “And you two are just in time to help,” Willow said, turning with a playful smirk. “You’re on decorating duty. Sprinkles, frosting—whatever you like!”

  The boys eagerly joined her, giggling as they covered the cinnamon rolls with colourful icing and candy. Every so often, Willow would conjure tiny dancing gingerbread men, who frolicked across the counter, only to be caught and devoured by the boys.

  Callum wandered into the kitchen, bleary-eyed. The sight of Willow, vibrant and full of life, made him stop in his tracks. “Willow...” he said softly.

  Willow turned, her expression warm but tinged with sadness. She walked to him and wrapped her arms around him. “Just for today,” she whispered. “Let’s make it count.”

  Callum hugged her tightly, feeling the reality of her presence, and his eyes misted. “We’ve missed you so much.”

  This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.

  “I know,” she said, kissing his cheek. “I’ve missed you all more than anything.”

  After breakfast, Willow led the family into the living room, where the Christmas tree sparkled with twinkling lights.

  “Okay, boys,” she said, clapping her hands. “How about we see what’s in those stockings?”

  The stockings weren’t just filled with candy and toys. With Willow’s magic, each item seemed to come alive. A toy car raced around the tree on its own, a stuffed bear roared playfully, and a miniature dragon flapped its wings and blew harmless puffs of smoke.

  “Best Christmas ever!” Alfie shouted, clutching his animated bear.

  Willow laughed, her green skin glowing softly in the morning light. “It’s not over yet. Let’s go outside!”

  In the backyard, Willow waved her hand, and the snow transformed into glittering shapes—snowmen that danced, snowflakes that sang as they fell, and an ice slide that spiralled down from the roof.

  The boys whooped with joy as they slid down the magical ice slide, while Willow conjured glowing snowballs that floated midair for them to throw. Even Callum joined in, pelting Willow with snowballs, only to have her retaliate with a flurry of magical ones.

  The family laughed and played until their cheeks were red from the cold and their sides ached from laughing.

  After warming up with mugs of magically stirred hot cocoa, Willow gathered the family around the fireplace. She pulled Arlo and Alfie into a tight hug, her green fingers brushing their hair.

  “I’ve dreamed about this,” she said, her voice thick with emotion. “Holding you both again. Seeing you smile.”

  The boys clung to her, their own tears falling freely. “We missed you, Mommy,” Arlo said.

  “We don’t want you to go,” Alfie added, burying his face in her shoulder.

  Willow kissed their foreheads. “I’ll always be with you, even if you can’t see me. You’ve got pieces of me in your hearts, and I’ll never stop loving you.”

  Callum joined them, wrapping his arms around all three. The family shared a long, quiet group hug, savouring the moment.

  “Let’s take a picture,” Callum suggested, his voice breaking. “To remember this forever.”

  Willow smiled and waved her hand, conjuring an old-fashioned camera that floated into the air. “Say cheese!”

  The camera clicked, capturing the glowing green witch, her red-haired sons, and her loving husband in a perfect family moment.

  As the day wound down, Willow gathered the boys for one last magical surprise. “Close your eyes,” she said, her voice filled with anticipation.

  When they opened them, they saw a life-sized snow globe in the middle of the living room. Inside, a scene of their family playing in the snow played on repeat.

  “It’s enchanted,” Willow explained. “Whenever you miss me, just look at this, and remember that I’m always with you.”

  Arlo and Alfie hugged her tightly, tears streaming down their faces. “We love you, Mommy.”

  “I love you more than anything,” Willow said, holding them close.

  As midnight approached, Willow’s form began to shimmer faintly. Callum and the boys watched as her solidity started to fade.

  “No!” Alfie cried, clutching her hand.

  Willow knelt before them, her green face calm but tinged with sadness. “You’ll be okay,” she said softly. “You’re strong, and you have each other. And I’ll always be watching.”

  She kissed their foreheads, then turned to Callum. “Take care of them,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

  Callum nodded, tears streaming down his face. “Always.”

  Willow smiled one last time as her body dissolved into glowing green light. The family watched as the light floated up, out of the window, and into the night sky, where it became a brilliant star.

  Arlo and Alfie clutched their Willow dolls tightly as Callum pulled them into a hug. Together, they stared out at the star, knowing that, even from far away, Willow’s love would never fade.