Page 53 of Johan.

“What kind of story do you want?” I ask Arthur, trying to keep my voice calm and soothing, hoping to ease his discomfort.

“Dragons,” he says loudly from the bathroom, his voice echoing slightly in the small space.

I sigh, realizing I am unprepared for this. “Sorry, all I brought with me are books about art history.”

Johan quickly pulls out his phone, his fingers moving swiftly over the screen as he googles a YouTube video about dragons. He finds one and hands the phone to Arthur, who is now glued to the screen, his wide eyes reflecting the glowing light of the video. The narrator's voice begins to weave a tale of fire-breathing dragons and brave knights.

“Well done,” I whisper to Johan, impressed by his quick thinking. “It almost seems like you're the one who grew up with siblings.”

Johan smiles, a hint of pride in his eyes. “Just trying to help,” he replies softly, his voice filled with warmth.

As Arthur listens intently to the dragon story, his little body visibly relaxes, the tension melting away. Johan and I exchange a relieved look, the shared responsibility bringing us closer. Despite the unexpected interruption, there is a sense of warmth and family in the room. The night has taken an unexpected turn, but it is moments like these that make everything worthwhile. In Johan's arms, I find a sanctuary from the chaos of the night, and in Arthur's innocent trust, I find a reminder of the simple joys of having my family so close by.

22

Johan

I wakeup to the morning light filtering softly through the curtains. Beside me, Hannah’s long chestnut hair cascades over the pillow, framing her serene face. Her slim figure is partially hidden beneath the blankets, but the curve of her shoulder peeking out is enough to make my heart swell with affection. I can’t help but feel overwhelmed with gratitude as I watch her, her chest rising and falling gently with each breath. Carefully, I lean over and kiss her on the cheek, relishing the warmth of her skin. A surge of happiness fills me, and I realize just how lucky I am to have this moment with her. I wish I could wake up next to her every single day for the rest of my life.

Quietly, I slip out of bed and head to my luggage, which is propped up against the wall. I rummage through it, finding the small, carefully wrapped package I’ve brought for her. I hold it for a moment, feeling a surge of anticipation and a touch of nervousness. Turning back to the bed, I place a soft kiss on her lips to wake her.

“Merry Christmas, Hannah,” I whisper.

Her eyes flutter open, and she looks up at me, surprised and still a bit sleepy. “Oh wow.” She stretches out, yawning. “I had no idea we’d be exchanging gifts.”

“I know,” I say with a smile, my heart racing a little. “I just wanted to get you something.”

She sits up, a curious and delighted expression on her face, as she takes the package from me. Her hair falls over her shoulders in soft waves, catching the morning light and making her look like an angel. She unwraps the gift carefully, revealing a vintage oddities box. Her eyes widen with delight as she examines the intricate details of the box.

“I got it in an antique shop in London. I thought it’d look great with your collection.”

Hannah’s face lights up with joy. “Thank you, Johan. It’s perfect.” She lifts the lid of the box, her excitement palpable. Inside, she finds an assortment of odd and fascinating objects: a small brass compass, an ornate silver thimble, a tiny glass vial filled with colorful beads, an intricately carved wooden figurine, and an old-fashioned key.

She takes out the brass compass first, its surface slightly tarnished but the needle still pointing true. “This is beautiful,” she says, turning it over in her hands.

Next, she picks up the silver thimble, examining the delicate engravings that adorn its surface. “Look at the craftsmanship on this.”

The tiny glass vial catches her eye next. She holds it up to the light, the beads inside catching the light and casting small, colorful reflections. “These are lovely.”

Finally, she gently lifts the wooden figurine, a small figure of a bird in flight, its wings outstretched as if frozen mid-soar. She traces the delicate carvings with her fingertips. “This is amazing.”

Hannah kisses me hard, her arms wrapping around my neck. “Thank you, Johan. I love it.”

She gives me a big hug, and we linger in the moment, wrapped up in the warmth of each other’s presence. The way she looks at me with so much love and gratitude makes my heart swell. I can’t help but think about how much I want this—waking up beside her, sharing gifts, and creating memories together—every day.

After a few minutes, we start getting ready for the day. The air is filled with the scent of pine and the distant sounds of holiday cheer drifting up from downstairs. As we get dressed, I steal glances at Hannah, marveling at how effortlessly beautiful she is. Every moment with her feels like a gift.

As we descend the staircase, the sound of laughter and playful shrieks becomes clearer. Margaret and Amelia are in the living room, playing with the kids. We walk in to see Joris, Aleida, and little Arthur tearing into their presents. The room is a kaleidoscope of wrapping paper, ribbons, and delighted faces.

Arthur, eyes wide with excitement, holds up a large dragon toy, complete with a sword and shield. He rushes over to me, his small face beaming with pride. “Look, Johan! I got a dragon!”

I crouch down to his level, admiring the toy. “That’s amazing, Arthur! A dragon and a knight’s gear? You must be the bravest knight in the land.”

Arthur nods enthusiastically, holding the dragon close as if it’s a treasured companion. The joy in his eyes is infectious, and I can’t help but smile at his excitement.

Margaret looks up from where she’s sitting on the floor, helping Aleida with her new magical potions. “Good morning, you two. Merry Christmas!”

“Merry Christmas,” we reply in unison, the warmth and joy of the morning filling the room.

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