The Last Days of 2025

December 29, 2025 – The holiday glow lingers as the new year approaches

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December 29, 2025. Late morning sunlight streams through the bedroom window, warming the tangled sheets where Johnathan and Liora lie side by side, both awake but neither quite ready to move. It's 10:00 a.m.—a luxury they've been allowing themselves during these last precious days of holiday freedom before real life reasserts itself in 2026.

They stare at the ceiling, hands loosely intertwined between them, processing in comfortable silence. Barely two weeks ago, they were strangers. Just over a week ago, Angel arrived. And now—now they're a family of four, with routines and rhythms that feel like they've existed forever instead of days.

Johnathan's secret thought: How is this my life? Two weeks ago I was debugging code alone in my office, eating cereal for dinner, going to bed whenever I felt like it. Now there's a woman I love sleeping beside me, two girls down the hall who call this home, family breakfast every morning, grocery lists on the fridge. It's everything I never knew I needed, and it terrifies me how quickly it could all change. What if I mess this up?

Liora's secret thought: I keep waiting to wake up back in that cramped rental with Mia, drowning in freelance deadlines and daycare schedules. This feels too good to be real. A partner who actually shows up. A house that's ours. Angel safe in her own room instead of God knows where. But 2026 is going to test us. I can feel it. Angel's adoption, my business plans, Johnathan's career shift—it's all happening at once. Are we ready?

(turning her head to look at him, voice still husky with sleep) You've been awake awhile, haven't you? I can feel you thinking from here.

(small laugh) Is it that obvious? Yeah. I've been lying here just... processing. Marveling, really. Less than two weeks from our first meeting, barely over a week since Angel showed up, and here we are—living like we've been married with children for years. Morning routines, dinner together, bedtime rituals. It's surreal.

(squeezing his hand) I know exactly what you mean. Sometimes I have to remind myself this is real. That I'm actually allowed to be this happy. That it's not going to be snatched away the moment I get comfortable.

2026 is going to be intense. Angel's situation alone—getting her legally adopted, working through her trauma, keeping her stable. Then there's everything else we're both trying to build professionally. Are we crazy to be taking all this on at once?

(sitting up, stretching) Probably. But we don't really have a choice, do we? Life doesn't wait for convenient timing. We just have to figure it out as we go. Together.

They finally drag themselves out of bed and stumble toward the kitchen, still in pajamas. The house smells like coffee—Angel has already figured out the coffee maker, bless her. Mia is sprawling on the living room floor with crayons and coloring books, humming to herself.

Angel sits at the kitchen table with her new laptop open, headphones on, completely absorbed. She doesn't notice them enter until Liora gently touches her shoulder. Angel jumps slightly, then pulls off the headphones with an embarrassed smile.

Sorry! I was watching a graphic design tutorial. I got sucked in.

Angel's secret thought: I've watched six tutorials this morning already. I want to be useful. I want to contribute. If I can learn what Liora does, maybe I can actually help with her business instead of just being another mouth to feed. I need to prove I'm worth keeping.

(pouring coffee for himself and Liora) Coffee's already made. You're my new favorite person. Also, what's that smell? Did you actually cook breakfast?

(grinning) Just toast. Don't get too excited. I'm not a miracle worker. But I figured I should probably start pulling my weight around here.

(sitting down beside her, looking at the laptop screen) You're watching my industry tutorials? Angel, you don't have to—

(interrupting, earnest) I want to. I really do. When I was watching you work the other day, something just... clicked. The way you layer elements, choose colors, create something beautiful from nothing. I've never felt that way about anything before. Like I could actually be good at something real. Something legitimate.

Liora's eyes fill with tears. She blinks them back quickly, but Johnathan notices. He places a warm hand on her shoulder as she composes herself.

(voice thick) Then let's make it official. You're my apprentice. My first employee, actually. Once we get you enrolled in that home school academy, we'll set aside time every day for you to learn the software, the principles, the business side. I'll teach you everything I know.

Liora's secret thought: She's found something she's passionate about. Something that doesn't involve survival or self-destruction. This could be the anchor she needs. Purpose. Direction. A future she can actually believe in.

Mia wanders in, dragging her coloring book, and climbs into Johnathan's lap without asking. He adjusts automatically, making room for her like he's been doing this for years instead of days.

I'm hungry. Can we have pancakes? Angel makes really good pancakes.

(laughing) When did I become the designated pancake chef?

Yesterday! And the day before! You put blueberries in them and they were AMAZING.

(standing, setting Mia down gently) Actually, I've got this one. Everyone sit. I'm making omelets today. We need actual protein, not just carbs and sugar.

As Johnathan moves around the kitchen with surprising competence—cracking eggs, chopping vegetables, shredding cheese—Liora scrolls through her phone, then looks up with barely contained excitement.

Oh! I almost forgot to tell you—I got an email this morning from Thompson Food Packaging. Remember them? They used to be one of my regular clients before AI happened. They've been trying to do all their product design in-house with AI tools, but apparently it's been a disaster.

(glancing over his shoulder) The store brand people? The ones who always wanted premium looks on a budget?

Exactly. So they fed their AI generator a bunch of prompts and got thousands of images—technically impressive, all very pretty. But generic. Soulless. Their products started looking like every other store brand on the shelf. They're losing market share because customers can't tell their stuff apart from the actual generic brands anymore.

(interested, leaning forward) So what are they asking you to do?

They want me to work as an "AI-Augmented Art Director." Basically, they'll generate images using AI, then I'll refine them—add the human touch, ensure brand consistency, inject personality and strategic thinking that AI can't replicate. Take their store brand packaging and make it look premium. They're offering a substantial contract, and they mentioned potentially bringing me on for other product lines too.

Liora's secret thought: This could be it. The bridge between freelance survival and actually building something substantial. If I can prove the model works with Thompson, other companies will follow. I could actually build an agency. Hire people. Scale this.

(setting plates down, sitting) That's exactly what you've been positioning yourself for. You're not fighting AI—you're directing it. Using it as a tool instead of competing with it. That's brilliant, Liora. Seriously.

(flushed with excitement) I'm thinking bigger than just freelance projects now. I want to create an actual agency. Hire employees. Offer comprehensive creative services—branding, design, strategic consulting, all augmented with AI but guided by human expertise. Be a leader in this space instead of just another freelancer scrambling for work.

(quietly) And I could help. Eventually. Once I'm good enough.

(reaching over to squeeze Angel's hand) Not eventually. Now. You'll start with simple tasks, learn as you go. That's how apprenticeships work. You're already part of this, Angel.

Johnathan takes a bite of his omelet, chewing thoughtfully. There's something weighing on him—they can all see it.

Okay, your turn. What's going on with your work? You've been stressed about something.

(sighing) The coding landscape is shifting fast. I've been a PHP developer for years—solid, reliable work. But more and more clients are specifically requesting Python developers now. That's what AI systems are built on. That's where the industry is moving. I've been taking online courses, writing practice programs, trying to get up to speed.

The thing is, I love freelance work. I love the autonomy, the flexibility, answering only to myself. But I'm starting to wonder if that's sustainable long-term. A lot of guys in my position are joining agencies—steady paychecks, benefits, team support. But the thought of giving up my independence, having a boss again, working on someone else's schedule... it makes me twitchy.

Johnathan's secret thought: What I'm really afraid of is becoming obsolete. Getting left behind because I clung too hard to doing things my way. I have a family to support now. Mia, Angel, Liora—they're depending on me. I can't afford to be stubborn about this if it means financial instability.

You're thinking about it the same way I am, though. Not just trying to outrun AI, but positioning yourself to guide it. Python developers who understand AI systems will be incredibly valuable. You're not becoming obsolete—you're evolving.

(small smile) Yeah. I guess we're both trying to ride the wave instead of getting crushed by it. It's just scary, you know? The whole industry is changing so fast. Nobody really knows where it's all heading.

(tentative) Can I ask something? You both keep talking about AI like it's this huge threat. But from what I've seen watching Liora work, it seems like just another tool. Like, a really powerful tool, but still just a tool. Why is everyone so freaked out?

Johnathan and Liora exchange glances. It's a perceptive question—the kind that cuts through anxiety to the core truth.

You're right, in a way. It is just a tool. The fear comes from how fast it's advancing and how many jobs it could replace. But the people who figure out how to use the tool—who learn to direct it, augment it, work with it instead of against it—those people will thrive. That's what we're both trying to do.

Exactly. AI can generate a thousand images in a minute, but it can't think strategically. It can't understand brand identity or target audience psychology or cultural context. It can't make judgment calls. That's what humans bring. That's what we're betting our futures on—being the guides, not the generators.

Angel's secret thought: They're so smart. Both of them. They see the world changing and they're adapting instead of just complaining. That's what I need to learn—how to be flexible, how to evolve, how to make myself valuable in whatever situation I'm in. That's survival too, just a different kind.

A sudden crash from the living room makes everyone jump. Mia has knocked over a plant, soil spilling across the hardwood floor. She stands frozen, eyes wide with panic.

(voice tiny) I'm sorry! I didn't mean to! I was just trying to—

(calmly) Accidents happen, sweetheart. Let's clean it up together. Angel, grab the broom? Johnathan, can you get some paper towels?

They all converge on the mess, working together efficiently. Within minutes, the plant is repotted, the floor is clean, and Mia has relaxed again. It's such a small moment—routine, domestic, forgettable—but it speaks volumes about how they've learned to function as a unit.

Mia's secret thought: When I broke Mommy's things at the old house, she would get so stressed and upset. But here, nobody yelled. Nobody acted like I ruined everything. They just fixed it. Together. This is what families are supposed to be like.

A knock at the door interrupts the quiet moment. Liora opens it to find Linda, bundled in a winter coat, holding a thick folder of papers.

(stepping inside, stamping snow off her boots) Good morning! I hope I'm not interrupting. I've been doing the legwork you asked about—getting things started with CPS, the courts, probation, the school district.

(gesturing to the kitchen table) Come in, please. Coffee?

Always. Okay, so here's where things stand. I've been in contact with Angel's probation officer, and I've submitted initial paperwork to begin the home study process for your adoption petition. I also spoke with Dr. Richardson about Angel's educational needs.

Angel appears in the doorway, nervous. Linda smiles warmly at her.

This is all good news, Angel. Nobody's trying to take you away. We're just making everything official and legal so you can stay exactly where you are.

Dr. Richardson strongly recommends homeschooling for now. She feels that putting you back into a traditional school environment too quickly could be destabilizing. There are... elements in regular schools that might tempt you back toward old patterns. She called it the 'dark side,' actually.

Angel's secret thought: She means the kids who deal, who use, who skip class and hang out behind the dumpsters. The ones who would recognize me, who would pull me back in. She's right. I'm not strong enough yet to resist that. I need more time.

So I've arranged for you to enroll in Midwest Virtual Academy. It's an accredited online program—you'll do all your coursework at home on your laptop, work at your own pace, but you'll have to go to their physical location once a month to take supervised tests. They have an office about twenty minutes from here. It's actually a great program—a lot of kids thrive in it.

(relieved) That sounds perfect. I can work around helping Liora, and I won't have to deal with... yeah. That sounds really good.

Enrollment paperwork is in here. You'll need to get her transcripts transferred from her last school—I've included contact information for that. She should be able to start after New Year's. Oh, and her probation officer wants to do a home visit next week. Just routine—she wants to meet you both, see where Angel's living, make sure everything's stable. Nothing to worry about.

Johnathan's secret thought: Nothing to worry about. Right. Just a government official coming to judge whether we're fit parents for a traumatized teenager we've known for barely over a week. No pressure at all.

For the adoption itself, you'll need a family law attorney. I can recommend several good ones who specialize in this. The process typically takes six months to a year, sometimes longer depending on complications. There will be background checks, financial reviews, home studies, psychological evaluations. It's invasive and exhausting, but it's also thorough—which is good. It means they take this seriously.

Whatever it takes. We're committed to this. To her.

(standing, gathering her coat) I know you are. That's why the Angels brought her to you. Oh, one more thing—Lynette has been begging for another playdate with Mia. Can I steal her for the afternoon? I'll bring her back before dinner.

Mia is already running for her coat before Liora can answer. Within minutes, she's bundled up and heading out the door, chattering excitedly about what toys they'll play with at Lynette's house.

With Mia gone and the house suddenly quieter, Liora turns to Angel with a grin.

Alright. We need groceries, and you need more clothes. Target run?

(lighting up) Yes! Can we hit Walmart first though? Their grocery prices are better.

(laughing) Look at you being all practical and budget-conscious. Yes, Walmart first, then Target for clothes. Let's go before I change my mind and make Johnathan do it.

(calling after them as they head for the door) I heard that! And I would do a terrible job and you know it!

Walmart is crowded with post-holiday shoppers hunting clearance deals. Liora and Angel navigate the aisles together, falling into an easy rhythm—Liora adding staples to the cart while Angel scouts for deals and suggests meals she knows how to cook.

Angel's secret thought: This is such a normal thing. Grocery shopping with my mom. Except she's not technically my mom yet. But it feels like she is. Nobody's yelling, nobody's stealing anything, nobody's high or paranoid. Just... shopping. Like regular people. I could get used to this.

Liora's secret thought: She keeps steering me toward the clearance section, checking unit prices, suggesting cheaper alternatives. She's been poor for so long that thriftiness is reflexive. I want to tell her she doesn't have to do that anymore, that we can afford the name brand sometimes. But I also admire it—that survival skill, that awareness. She's so much stronger than she knows.

At Target, the clothes shopping becomes more animated. Angel has strong opinions about style—edgy but practical, comfort prioritized over trends. They debate jeans (skinny vs. straight leg), argue over whether cropped hoodies are actually warm enough for winter, compromise on graphic tees that toe the line between teenage rebellion and household-appropriate.

(holding up a shirt with a skull design) This feels very 'I'm going through a phase.'

(grinning) I am going through a phase. It's called being fourteen. Also, that skull is wearing a flower crown—it's ironic.

(laughing, tossing it in the cart) Fair enough. But nothing with drug references or profanity, okay? I have limits.

Deal. You're actually pretty cool for a mom, you know that?

Liora's eyes mist over. She turns away quickly, pretending to examine a rack of sweaters, but Angel notices.

Angel's secret thought: I made her cry. Happy crying, I think. God, I'm still not used to that—saying something nice and having it land well instead of being used against me or dismissed. This is what love looks like. I'm starting to recognize it.

They load bags into the car, drive home laughing about the woman they saw at Walmart wearing pajamas and a tiara. It's utterly mundane and completely precious.

Back home, Johnathan is deep into Python tutorials, laptop surrounded by coding books and empty coffee mugs. He barely looks up when they enter, muttering about syntax errors and debugging.

(setting groceries down) How's the studying going?

(rubbing his eyes) Slowly. PHP and Python have different logic structures. My brain keeps trying to write PHP solutions in Python syntax and it's... frustrating. But I'm getting there. Wrote my first functional program today—nothing fancy, just a calculator. But it worked.

(unpacking groceries) You're learning a whole new language basically. That's impressive. I barely passed Spanish last year and that was just vocabulary.

You speak Spanish though. I've heard you.

Street Spanish. Restaurant Spanish. That's different from grammar-test Spanish. I can order food and talk to my abuela's friends, but I can't conjugate verbs properly to save my life.

Johnathan's secret thought: She's brilliant and doesn't even know it. Bilingual, street-smart, adaptable. The school system failed her, but that doesn't mean she's not intelligent. We need to help her see that.

The afternoon passes in comfortable productivity. Liora works on the Thompson contract proposal. Angel alternates between watching Liora work and doing her own design experiments, asking questions, absorbing information like a sponge. Johnathan codes, occasionally swearing at his screen when something doesn't compile.

Linda returns Mia around 5:00 p.m., exhausted and happy. She immediately sprawls on the couch with her stuffed animals, chattering about everything she and Lynette did.

Dinner is simple—rotisserie chicken from Walmart, pre-made salad, garlic bread. Nobody feels like cooking elaborate meals. They eat at the table, conversation flowing easily.

Can we watch a movie tonight? All of us together?

That sounds perfect. What do you want to watch?

Something with princesses!

(groaning playfully) Not another princess movie. Can we at least pick one with actual plot and not just singing?

Compromise—Moana. Princesses, plot, great music, and The Rock. Something for everyone.

I can live with that.

They pile into Johnathan's bedroom—the king bed accommodating all four of them with some creative arranging. Mia nestles between Liora and Angel. Johnathan sits propped against the headboard with pillows, Liora leaning against his shoulder.

Halfway through the movie, Mia falls asleep, her small body going limp against Angel's side. Angel automatically adjusts to support her, smoothing her hair gently.

Angel's secret thought: She trusts me completely. Falls asleep on me like I'm safe. Like I'm her real sister. I would die before I let anything bad happen to her. I would burn the whole world down to keep her safe. Is this what having a family feels like? This fierce protectiveness?

Twenty minutes later, Angel's eyes are drooping too. Her breathing evens out, head tilting to the side. Johnathan and Liora exchange glances over the two sleeping girls.

(whispering) Should we move them?

(whispering back) Mia yes, Angel... maybe let her sleep a few more minutes? She looks so peaceful.

When the movie ends, Liora gently shakes Angel awake. Angel startles, disoriented, then focuses.

(soft but firm) Time for bed, sweetheart. Your own bed, in your own room. This is my domain with Johnathan—you have your space, we have ours. Boundaries are important, okay?

Liora's secret thought: Dr. Richardson's warning echoes in my mind. Set clear boundaries now, before they become blurred. Angel needs to know that Johnathan's bed is off-limits. That there are appropriate spaces and inappropriate spaces. She can't start seeing this bedroom as somewhere she belongs.

(rubbing her eyes, nodding) Yeah. Sorry. I didn't mean to fall asleep here. My room is amazing anyway—I love my own space.

She stands, stretches, heads for the door. Then she pauses, turning back.

Thank you. For today. For everything. I keep waiting for the other shoe to drop, but it never does. You just keep being... good. To me. I'm not used to that.

Get used to it. This is your life now. Good is your new normal.

Angel's secret thought: Good is my new normal. I want to believe that so badly it hurts. Please let this be real. Please let this last.

Angel closes the door behind her, padding softly down the hall to her own room. She changes into pajamas, plugs in her phone, sets her laptop on the desk. The string lights cast a warm glow. Everything in this space is hers—chosen by her, arranged by her, belonging to her.

She climbs into bed, pulls the soft comforter up to her chin, and stares at the ceiling. Two weeks ago she was sleeping on concrete, in trap houses, in the backseats of strangers' cars. Now she's here. In a real bed, in a real room, in a real family.

Angel's secret thought: 2026 is going to be the year everything changes. The year I become someone new. Someone worth loving. Someone worth keeping. I can do this. I can be the daughter they deserve. I have to.

In their bedroom, Liora carries sleeping Mia down the hall to her room, tucking her in gently. When she returns, Johnathan is already half-asleep, one arm thrown over his eyes.

(sliding into bed beside him) Today was good. Normal. No drama, no crises. Just... family life.

(sleepy) Yeah. I could get used to this. Regular days without catastrophe. Revolutionary concept.

Liora's secret thought: We needed this. A day without intensity, without fear, without looking over our shoulders. Just living. This is what we're building toward—not perfection, just... steadiness. Routine. The boring, beautiful mundane.

Johnathan's secret thought: Two thousand twenty-six is shaping up to be massive. Career changes, adoption proceedings, Liora's business expansion, Angel's recovery, Mia growing up. So much uncertainty. But as long as we face it together, as a unit, I think we'll be okay. More than okay. We'll thrive.

Outside, the temperature drops as night deepens. The last few days of 2025 tick away quietly. Inside, four people sleep in three rooms—connected by choice, bound by love, building something that feels increasingly unshakeable.

Tomorrow will bring new challenges, new complications, new growth. But tonight, they rest—safe, whole, and grateful for the extraordinary gift of an ordinary day.