Lone Winter - Childhood I

 

Birthday girl! Aurora enjoys some strawberry cake and waves goodbye to being a toddler. She has officially reached childhood. Zoe has raised a responsible and competent girl, and now has plenty of free time to wrap up her degree. She hopes to find a new job in her field in order to buy a new home, one where Aurora can have her very own room.

Aurora has lost her first baby tooth! An important milestone of childhood has already passed. Zoe is so proud to be witnessing these moments. She can't imagine what her life would be like without her daughter. 

Zoe is able to make friends while finishing her degree. She meets Faye, a young woman in the same degree program. While finishing her final course, Zoe also meets Erin - a young woman from Chestnut Ridge. They hit it off and Zoe feels a true connection with someone first the first time since high school!

Zoe spends more time with Erin and finds herself feeling romantically about someone for the first time since Jeb. Erin asks her on a date and Zoe accepts. They share their first kiss while swimming in a secluded pond. Zoe is scared but excited to explore a real relationship for the first time. 

Zoe wants to do things right this time. She takes it slow with Erin, and they go on several dates. On a date to Mt. Komorebi, she finally asks Erin to officially be her girlfriend. She accepts!

While starting a new relationship, Zoe allows Jeb to spend time with Aurora, not wanting to deprive her daughter of a father. However, the two do not get along and Jeb is mostly uninterested in anything parental. She quickly decides not to force Aurora to spend time with him.