Page 50 of Johan.

I nod, offering her a reassuring smile as I gently squeeze her hand. “I’m sure, Mom. We’ll be fine.”

Just then, the soft patter of footsteps echoes down the stairs. The nanny appears, her expression calm but purposeful. “Ma’am? The children have fallen asleep in the guest room where they were playing.”

Oma steps forward. “You can collect them tomorrow,” she says gently, her eyes full of understanding.

Mom hesitates, glancing toward the clock on the wall. “But we were supposed to open their gifts tomorrow morning by the tree,” she says, a note of reluctance in her voice.

Oma checks her watch, her tone softening but still practical. “It’s already 1 a.m., Julia. Better to let them sleep and pick them up tomorrow after lunch. They can open their gifts then.”

Dad steps in, his tone supportive yet steady. “They can open their gifts after lunch. What’s the harm?” he asks, his expression calm and reassuring.

Mom sighs, the internal conflict still lingering on her face. “I know, but it just doesn’t feel the same.”

Sensing her daughter’s unease, Oma offers a gentle compromise. “If you’d like, I can place the gifts I have for them under the tree so they’ll have something special waiting when they wake up.”

Mom’s expression softens, the tension easing from her shoulders as she offers a grateful smile. “Thank you, Mom. That sounds perfect. We’ll be back for lunch tomorrow, and I’ll bring the rest of the gifts for them to open.”

“Great idea,” Dad agrees, placing a comforting hand on Julia’s shoulder, his presence steadying her as they exchange a look of understanding.

The foyer fills with the sounds of goodbyes and the rustling of fabric. Stuart helps everyone with their coats, his kind smile and gentle manner making the process smoother. Elise, Dan, Andries, and Roxanne join the crowd in the foyer, their laughter and chatter slowly fading as they step outside into the night. The front door closes softly behind them, and the house falls into a calm silence.

Once they are gone, I heave a sigh of relief. The air feels lighter, the tension dissipating.

Amelia, standing beside us, stretches and yawns. “I'm so ready to get some sleep.”

Oma chuckles softly, nodding in agreement. “It’s been a long night. But it was wonderful to have everyone together.”

I walk over to them, feeling the warmth and familiarity of their presence. “It really was. Thank you both for everything.” My voice’s filled with genuine gratitude. Then, turning to my aunt, I say, “Thank you for coming.”

Aunt Amelia gives me a gentle hug. “Oh dear, thankyoufor inviting me.”

Oma places a hand on my shoulder, her eyes soft. “True. Thank you, Hannah, for bringing my sister back.” She pauses for a moment, her eyes on mine. “Family is what makes these gatherings special. It’s so nice to have you here, especially during the holidays.”

I nod, feeling a sense of contentment. “It's good to be here. Sometimes I miss this when I'm away,” I admit, glancing at Johan, who is watching us with a soft smile.

“Well, you're always welcome back,” Oma says, giving me a reassuring squeeze.

“We'll see each other at lunch tomorrow,” I say, trying to sound cheerful.

“Of course, dear,” Amelia responds warmly. “Good night.”

“Good night,” I echo, hugging them each once more.

Heading to the bedroom with Johan, I close the door behind us, leaning against it for a moment as I exhale deeply. “What a night,” I say, my voice carrying a mix of exhaustion and relief.

Johan hums in agreement, kicking off his shoes and slowly stripping off his shirt and pants. I watch as his shoulders relax, the exhaustion of the evening evident in the way he moves. “But we survived.” His comment follows with a hint of a smile playing on his lips. He steps behind me, his hands warm and gentle as he helps to unzip my gown. His fingers brush against my skin, sending a shiver down my spine. I close my eyes, feeling the tension melt away.

After a moment, he asks hesitantly, “I noticed you went to talk to Elise and the group by the fireplace. Did you, uh, speak about me or something?” His voice is low, laced with curiosity and a hint of anxiety.

I take off my earrings, nodding. “Yep. I confronted my sister about her nosiness,” I say, my tone firm but weary.

Johan chuckles softly, but there’s a hint of tension in his voice. “She caught me speaking to Astrid,” he admits, his eyes searching mine for a reaction.

I gasp in horror, my eyes wide. “Are you serious?”

He sighs, running a hand through his hair, his expression troubled. “Yeah, and she caught her name too. But I mean, it’s not like there’s only one Astrid in the UK.”

“Yeah, but how many are following you on your socials?” I ask, worry creeping into my voice. The thought of Elise snooping into Johan's social media makes my stomach churn.

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