Early the next morning, Little Rice Cake climbed out of bed. He had just turned three, and was already sleeping alone in the room next to his mom and dad.

Still thinking about the little snowman from yesterday, he slipped out of bed to the floor.

“Hmm, where are my clothes?” he muttered softly to himself, searching until he found them and put them on one by one, like a good boy.

He was still clumsy with his pullover sweater—his little head poked out but he couldn’t find the sleeves, leaving the whole sweater hanging crookedly around his neck.

He glanced at his reflection in the window and giggled. “Now it’s a big scarf!”

But Little Rice Cake was a patient kid. He kept at it, found the sleeves, and—more or less—got the sweater on. He tugged on his tiny puffer jacket afterward.

He pushed open his door and listened at the room next door. No sounds from mom or dad; they were still asleep.

“Alright then, Little Rice Cake will go see Little White all by himself.”

He’d given the snowman the name 'Little White' after much deliberation last night—because the snowman was all white.

Down the stairs he went; the house was quietly still. He slid open the big glass door, and there was Little White right where he’d left him yesterday.

“Wow, Little White, good morning!”

It was freezing cold outside, much chillier than the cozy, heated house. Snow had fallen all night. The red hat atop Little White’s head was dusted with snowflakes. Little Rice Cake reached out his pudgy hand and brushed them off.

By the light of day, Little White seemed even cuter than he had at night. He had a carrot for a nose, a chili pepper for a mouth, and eyes made of little stones he'd picked up.

“Little White, did you sleep well?”

“Are you cold?”

“Oh, I know what to do!”

He dashed back into the house, but tripped at a little lip on the floor by the door. “Thump!” Down he went, but he picked himself right back up, mumbling, “Doesn’t hurt, doesn’t hurt.”

He grabbed his own little scarf and, just like Mom had done, wrapped it twice around Little White’s neck.

Satisfied, he clapped his hands with pride.

Upstairs, Chi Chi was still fast asleep, oblivious to how early her son had woken up.

The first snow had fallen last night, and Xavier Foster insisted on cuddling her by the window, watching the snow and whispering sweet nothings. One thing led to another, and they didn’t settle down until half the night had passed.

Chi Chi felt like jelly, barely able to move. She drifted in and out of sleep, fighting to keep her eyes open.

Xavier Foster kissed her good morning, then went next door to look for their son.

He opened the door to an empty bed, peeked down the stairs, and spotted the little guy outside, butt sticking out, holding a tiny umbrella over the snowman.

He chuckled and hurried down. “Son, what are you up to?”

“Daddy!” At the sight of Xavier Foster, Little Rice Cake’s eyes lit up, the tip of his nose red from the cold. “I'm holding an umbrella for Little White, Daddy. Do you think Little White’s cold?”

Xavier Foster scooped him up and took his little duck umbrella. “It’s too cold to stay outside for long, okay?”

“But I’m bundled up, and I have a hat.” The little one pointed solemnly at his headgear.

Xavier Foster smiled. “So his name is Little White?”

“Yup, because he’s all white. Daddy, I wrapped a scarf on him, too, so Little White won’t be cold anymore.”

Puffing out his chest with pride, Little Rice Cake looked like he expected endless praise.

“Our Little Rice Cake is so capable!” Xavier Foster rubbed his hands, then his cheeks. “Come on, let’s go inside. Daddy will make you breakfast.”

“But Little White is scared of the cold. It’s snowing.” The little boy frowned, clearly worried.

Xavier Foster scooped up some snow, squeezing it hard in his hand. “Come on, let me show you something.”

Little Rice Cake followed his dad, a bit puzzled. The house felt warm with the heater on, and his little duck umbrella was set aside.

Xavier Foster crouched down and showed him the snowball in his hand.

With the room so warm, the snow gradually melted—shrinking, shrinking, until water trickled from Xavier Foster’s palm.

“Daddy…”

Xavier Foster dried his hands and smiled. “See? Little White likes being cold. If he comes inside, he’ll disappear—the snow turns to water.”

“No, he can’t disappear!”

Little Rice Cake shook his head fiercely. He only ever had Morning (the family dog) to play with, and now finally there was a little snowman.

“Right, so let’s leave the snowman outside. Come on, let’s see what’s for breakfast.”

Holding his son, Xavier Foster headed into the kitchen. He washed the little hands, rubbed on some hand cream, took off the puffer jacket—all with practiced ease.

He balanced his son on one arm and opened the fridge.

“What do you want to eat?”

“Hmm… I want bunny-shaped buns and soy milk. I think Mom wants soy milk too.”

“Got it. Bunny buns, soy milk…and how about some fried eggs and luncheon meat?”

“Yay!” Little Rice Cake clapped. “But, how come Mom isn’t up yet? Is she being lazy?”

A hint of embarrassment flashed across Xavier Foster’s face—he’d gotten a little out of hand last night, keeping Chi Chi up late.

“Mom’s just a little tired. Let her sleep in a bit.”

“Why is she tired?”

…Xavier Foster set his son down. “Uh…She was telling Daddy stories last night. Too many stories.”

“Daddy, you’re too much! I’m going to keep Mom company.”

The little boy scolded him, very serious, then left his dad behind, running upstairs on his short little legs.

Xavier Foster rubbed his nose and got started on breakfast.

The bedroom door opened. Chi Chi was awake, but not ready to get up.

Little Rice Cake poked his head in, saw Mom was awake, and raced over. “Mom!”

He planted a warm, smacking good morning kiss. “Mommy, don’t tell Daddy stories anymore!”

“Stories?” Chi Chi inhaled his sweet, soft scent and laughed. “What stories?”

“Daddy said you told him stories last night, that’s why you slept in late.”

…Chi Chi gritted her teeth and pulled him into her arms. “Alright, no more stories. Mommy will sleep with you tonight, and never tell him stories again.”

“Yay! I haven’t slept with Mom in forever!”

Little Rice Cake fluttered his eyelashes with excitement and snuggled right into her arms, telling her everything about his morning.

“Mom, can Little White stay there forever?”

Chi Chi warmed his hands. “Why, sweetheart? Do you like him that much?”

“Mm-hmm. Nobody plays with me except Morning.” He held up one finger, thought for a moment, and then a second, “And Tangyuan, but Tangyuan isn’t at our house.”

“Now I have Little White too.”

He wiggled three plump little fingers, innocence radiating from his chubby face.

Chi Chi paused. Little Rice Cake had always been with her and Xavier Foster—they’d been patient parents. But still, their child wanted someone to play with.

She’d always wanted to have a little sister for him, so the kids could grow up happy together, but Xavier Foster had never given in. Two years had just slipped by.

She snuggled closer and whispered, “Sweetie, would you like a little sister?”

“Tangyuan?”

“Not Tangyuan. I mean… a real little sister who would live with us, play with you, eat together, watch cartoons…”

His big eyes blinked and he nodded eagerly, just like a pecking chick. “Yes! I want a sister!”

“But she’ll be younger than you. If there’s a baby sister, Mommy, Daddy, and you will all have to take care of her—can you do that?”

“I can!”

“And your candies, cookies, and toys—could you share them with her?”

“Yes!”

Chi Chi smiled. “Good boy. Then Mommy will secretly make a baby sister appear—don’t tell Daddy, okay?”

“Okay!” He hooked his pinky with hers. “Little Rice Cake won’t tell Daddy.”

Chi Chi couldn’t help but adore him. She knew Little Rice Cake had always been loved—by grandparents, his mom, her, and Xavier Foster. He’d grown up surrounded by love, so his heart was generous enough to share it with others.

With a baby sister, he’d be a wonderful big brother.

She hooked his pinky with hers too. “It's a promise.”

“It's a promise!” Little Rice Cake’s joy was written all over his face, hugging a big secret between him and Mom. “But, Mom, when will the baby sister appear?”

“Hmm, Mommy will try to hurry. When you see Mommy’s tummy get big and round, that means your baby sister is on her way in.”

“Yay!”