Page 38 of Just A Dash of Holiday Magic
Chapter 4
RYAN
I never thought I’d be back here.
The skyscraper office building was home for all of my twenties, working over eighty hours a week, trying to help expand the family empire with my father. But it was never my passion. I enjoy a balance of home and work life too much. I wanted a wife and kids, soccer practice, ballet recitals, and camping trips. I didn't want to look back on my life and say that all I accomplished was killing myself for a company that wouldn't make me happy.
Julianna makes me happy. When I picture that family, she is the one I make it with. She is the one I can see growing old with, surrounded by grandkids and sharing a lifetime of happy memories. And she is the reason I’m here.
I’m surprised my credentials still work, but I think that’s because I’m the son of the owner and CEO.
The elevator takes me up to the twenty-fourth floor, and the doors open to reveal in bright red letters that read—Sterling Toy Company. I step off the elevator and look around. It’s eerie how quiet it is without anyone here. But I know that I’m not alone on this floor. My father is definitely still in his office working despite it being Christmas Eve.
I walk down the familiar hallways, going over in my head once again what I plan to say. Finally, when I reach his door, I knock once and step inside.
“Ryan?” my father looks up at me from behind his large oak desk. His hair is whiter than I remember it, and the only indication that he acknowledges that today is Christmas Eve is the bright red Santa suit tie he's wearing. It's one of the many crazy ties my mother would make him wear every day.
"Hi, Dad." I give him a nod. "Merry Christmas."
“Was I expecting you? I didn’t think I had any meetings on the books today.”
“No, meeting. I just came because I had a couple of things I wanted to talk to you about."
“Come on in.” He waves to me and points to one of the chairs opposite him. “How have you been? How is the coffee shop?”
I pause mid squat into the chair. “How did you know about the coffee shop?”
"I know that we may not have been speaking to one another these last couple of years, but you're my son. I wanted to make sure you were doing okay."
“I didn’t know that.”
“You’re a proud man. Just like me. I knew you wouldn’t want me checking up on you.”
“I’m not so proud that I wouldn’t want to know that you cared,” I admit.
“I’ve always cared. I'm your father, and I'm very proud of what you've made for yourself."
I'm in shock. I had no idea my father felt this way at all. But then again, when I left, he treated it like the ultimate betrayal. I would have never guessed that time and distance would change his mind about it.
“Thanks, Dad.”
He nods. “I’m surprised you don’t have plans today. Maybe with a young lady?”
“I am here partly because of a woman, but she’s not mine. At least, she’s not mine yet. I’m hoping to change that.”
“I’m intrigued.”
He listens as I tell him about Julianna and David. And the botched attempt to buy the knockoff scooter.
"And you were hoping we had a secret supply of scooters here in the office?” he asks.
“I know it’s crazy, but I don’t want this little boy to lose his faith in Santa. He still has time to enjoy the magic of the holiday before he has to grow up.”
“I agree.” He stands up and walks around his desk. “Let’s go see what we can find to save Christmas.”
JULIANNA
I barely got any sleep last night. What I wouldn't give to sleep in another couple of hours, but I know that David will be up soon. Since I couldn't get him the scooter, I want to do what I can to make this morning for him a memorable one.
