Page 85 of A Festive Surprise

No way was that Santa Claus – not unless he’d lost weight and ditched the furry hat. Keeping his weapon in front, Farid tiptoed further into the room. His heartbeat was so loud the intruder might hear him. What should he do? Switch on the light? Go back to his room and call the police? Or grab him from behind? His feet had carried him to within a metre of the trespasser. He lowered the wrapping paper roll and poked the crouching figure in the shoulder. ‘What are you doing?’ he said, his voice low.

‘Aarghhhh!’ the person screamed, stumbling and groping on the floor. A blow hit the tube, almost knocking it from him.

He staggered back and flipped on the light.

Crouched on the rug was Holly, wielding a wrapped tube. ‘God almighty.’ She rubbed her chest. ‘You gave me a heart attack.’

Farid raised an eyebrow. ‘I gave you one? I’m not the one creeping around a house in the dark. What are you doing?’

She turned back to the rug, put the tube down, and stood up. Behind her, Farid spied a pile of presents on the floor in front of the grate. She held up her hands in surrender. ‘I wanted to deliver your presents on Christmas Eve. I sneaked in and saw you were sleeping.’

Farid rubbed his forehead. ‘I don’t get it. Why are you giving me presents? Why are you even here?’

Holly pushed out her lips and glanced away. ‘I made a mistake. I seem to do that quite a lot, but this time, I want to put it right before I lose everything I’ve always wanted.’

‘Which is?’

‘You.’ She looked back at him, her eyes glistening. ‘It might be too late for this and if it is, I accept the consequences, and on my own head be it. But, Farid…’ She took a deep breath. ‘Ana bahebak.’

‘Oh, jamilati.’ Farid closed the gap between them and drew her into his chest. ‘I love you too. Of course, it’s not too late. I won’t stop loving you that quickly. I won’t stop loving you at all.’

She wrapped her arms around him and clung to him. ‘I’m so undeserving of you. I messed up.’

‘You just needed time.’ He rested his cheek on hers. The warmth melted the lonely fingers gripping his heart, freeing his shoulders. He sighed into the crook of her neck. ‘I can’t ever say how much it means to me that you came back. Everything that has happened to me was part of a journey. The journey to you.’

‘And I’m staying with you. I know now I can’t be without you for long.’

‘This is wonderful, jamilati. And I too have good news.’ He rubbed his hand over her back. ‘Archie has given me a computer. I will try to get my qualification to work in programming here. Then I can get a better job and we can go anywhere.’

‘We’re not going anywhere. We’re staying here. This will be our home. For at least one year, I’m going to live here. We can go on trips and holidays, but our main home will be here.’

‘Really?’

‘It’s my challenge. Every day we can remind each other of something we love about home.’

Farid kissed her cheek. ‘And I will say the same thing every time. My home is wherever you are. You are my new home. My soul belongs with you. Together, we make one whole soul.’

‘You are ridiculously romantic.’

‘It’s Christmas Eve. That’s when the magic happens. It’s true and it’s not too late. We can still make a fire and cuddle. I even have nice chocolate and a fancy port, thanks to Per Hansen and his family.’

Holly stepped back and smiled. ‘Oh god.’ She gazed into his eyes. ‘How could I ever have doubted how much I love you?’

He dipped his head and kissed her full on the lips. Worry or concern didn’t temper the soaring joy tearing through his body. She was staying. They were free to make their home here, together. ‘Let’s not get carried away.’

‘Why not? It always leads somewhere rather nice.’ She trailed her finger down his cheek and across his short beard. He closed his eyes as she tripped her nail off the end of his chin.

‘Yes, jamilati, but I want to sample the chocolate first and the port. I’m a little late to leave a carrot and a mince pie for the man in the red suit. He’s been already.’

‘You can’t open them until tomorrow morning.’

‘Ah, ok.’

‘And it wasn’t Santa anyway.’

‘No?’ He flipped her a sarcastic glance. ‘I hope you’re not trying to pretend it was you.’

‘Of course not. We all know it isn’t Santa who brings presents but an immortal camel.’

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