Page 21 of Hello Dr. Christmas

Epilogue

The following November…

“Clara, are you still practicing?” Klaus asks, as he walks into my beautiful home dance studio. Cedar wood covered in mirrors, with two walls of windows to let in natural light—the architecture of his home is stunning. “We’re leaving Stockholm in four hours, and we’re barely packed.”

I finish the sequence of movements I’m working on, ending in a perfect arabesque and sissonne that I couldn’t even perform three months ago. “Yes,” I say, pumping my fist.

“Holy shit,” Klaus says. “Are you sure you’re strong enough for that?”

“Of course,” I say, moving over to him and sliding my arms around his neck. “Because my wonderful boyfriend is a genius on the operating table. If I keep practicing, I should be able to star in Romeo and Juliet with the Swedish ballet company, in the spring.”

“I will be in the audience with flowers, every single night,” he tells me, placing a tender kiss against my lips.

“I know you will,” I say happily. And I am happy. I never imagined that getting injured could be the best thing that ever happened to me, but it led me to Klaus, and now I don’t feel empty when I dance. I also work for a company that appreciates my talent, where every single person is supportive and caring—not cutthroat and brutal. I actually go out after work for drinks with my fellow dancers.

When my phone rings, I look around for a second, forgetting where I placed it. Then I see my sweater and purse in a corner, and rush over to answer. It’s a video call from Mary. I push accept, and see her looking very pregnant and exhausted.

“Mary! Holy crap, are you going into labor?”

“I don’t know,” she says with annoyance, panting through what might be a contraction. “I’ve never done this before, and I’m freaking out. Can you please get home soon?”

“We’re getting on the plane in a few hours,” I tell her. “But isn’t Mom there?”

“Yes, but Sven is driving mecrazy,” she whispers into the phone. “He keeps making me health food. I can’t eat any of that junk right now. I just want tacos. Ineedjunk food, and if I see another goddamned holiday-themed protein shake I am going toscream!”

I laugh softly.

“Is my cousin there?” Klaus asks from behind me.

“No,” Mary responds. “Because I had to get away from him. He has already decided this kid is going to be an athlete, just like his daddy and Auntie Clara, so I’m the one who has to suffer through all the protein shakes. I’m trying to explain to him that he’s going to have many years to feed the actual kid once it’s born, and it’s not going to pop out of me with giant muscles, pumping dumbbells, but you know Sven.”

“I’ll try to distract him from being too overbearing,” Klaus says with a laugh. “He’s just excited, Mary! It’s his first child.”

“Bring junk food,” she says with a groan. “Please bring lots of junk food.”

“I will try. I’ll bring lots of Swedish treats. What about Evie? Is she home yet?”

“She and Adam went to some charity event,” Mary explains. “Evie’s actually really getting into helping him with his fundraisers. And I think he’s planning to propose to her soon. Maybe even this Christmas, in front of the whole family.”

“Oooh,” I exclaim with excitement. “That’s going to be amazing. I’m so happy for her.”

“What about you two?” Mary asks. “When are you guys getting hitched?”

“Does it matter?” I ask laughing and holding up my hand. “I’ve already got this shiny rock on my finger.”

“It does, most definitely, matter,” Mary says. “Because we need plenty of time for wedding planning and everything.

“Don’t worry, we’re not as spontaneous as you and Sven,” I tell her, hugging Klaus around the waist. “You will have plenty of notice before I need to get a white dress and start popping out babies. It won’t be like fifteen days, or whatever the heck you gave us.”

“Well, when you know, you know,” Mary says with a smile, rubbing her giant belly. “I’m just happy you seem to be in such a better place than you were last year at this time, Clara.”

“I really am. Thanks to the change of scenery, and this amazing man,” I say, smiling at Klaus.

“Clara and Klaus!” Mary says with a happy sigh. “The only names that will look just as good together on a wedding invitation as Adam and Eve.”

“I think our names look even better together,” Klaus says with a grin. “But I hope you all are prepared to fly to Stockholm for the wedding.”

“I love any excuse to travel,” Mary says. “As soon as this little one gets out of me.”

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