The start of something new

The snow began to fall on Christmas eve, lightly at first, and then more seriously later on, just as Sandra had predicted. By the time it was morning, everywhere was white with snow, and so beautiful that it was breathtaking. Becca got up late, feeling particularly sluggish this morning, despite the fact that she had gone to bed quite early. Her lower back was hurting more than usual, and she kept reaching behind her unconsciously to rub at it.

By the time she took her bath and padded to the living room, Toby had already prepared breakfast and was sipping a cup of hot coffee while talking to what she assumed will be one of his friends on the phone. He hung up some minutes after she came to sit down opposite him.

“Good morning, big sis. You look like crap.” He told her matter of factly.

“Gee, thanks Toby for your kind words. You sure know how to raise a woman’s self-esteem a million notches. However, you're right, but I guess I not only look like crap. I feel like it too.”

“Well, I jus