Roxanna had been back in Boston for a week when Henrik finally got word that Graham had arranged it so that he could have enough time to be with her for both Christmas and New Year's Day, though he would be working four weeks straight to make up for that extra time off. Knowing that he couldn't sit on the news for very long, he called Roxanna as soon as he was off shift, knowing that it would still be a decent time in Boston.

When she didn't pick up at her apartment, Henrik called the lab, knowing she was most likely there. "Hello?" an unfamiliar voice answered, and he wondered if that was David. "Hello?"

"Oh, sorry, I would like to speak with Roxanna, please. I'm assuming she's there?"

"One second, yes."

In the background, he heard David speak to Roxanna, and then she was answering moments later. "Hello?"

"Roxy!"

A small squeal erupted from her lips. "Henrik! It is so good to hear from you!" She must have pulled the receiver away from her lips, since her next words were muffled. "Davey! This is my partner, who I was telling you about!" There was a low murmuring before she spoke once more. "Oh, that would be brilliant, thank you!"

"Roxanna?"

"David's going to give us some privacy, just in case we say anything naughty."

They both let out a low laugh, and he settled onto the sofa as he gathered his thoughts. "You have me for nine whole days, Roxanna. I just have to book my flights and then I'll let you know when I'm arriving."

"Oh, Henrik, that's wonderful! I was hoping that we could see each other before the new year came. And I'll get both holidays with you? I'm so blessed!"

He smiled so widely at the excitement in her words that his cheeks hurt, and he nodded a little. "I think that we're both blessed, darling. It will be hell when I get back, though, since I won't have a day off for weeks. But that's a small price to pay for being with you for Christmas."

"And at least this gives me some time to plan everything out. But I imagine that you're tired, Henrik, it's nearly midnight there."

"A little, but it's worth it to hear your voice. Hopefully, you'll get my latest letter before I arrive, but we both know how fast the post moves between the continents. I, I may have gone into a little too much detail, but there was so much that I felt you should know."

"Henrik, my last letter to you was six pages long. I don't think that there is such a thing as too much detail between us." She let out a little trill of laughter, which covered up most of his yawn. "Oh, darling, you're yawning already. Please, hang up with me and go to bed. I want a healthy Henrik in my arms when you land at Logan International."

"Yes, Roxanna. Just…I love you."

"I love you, too, darling. And just think, we only have four weeks until we're together again. Oh, until we see each other again, know that you're in my heart and mind every day." They kissed into the receiver, and he hung up the phone before stretching out on the sofa. He knew that he should be reading from his backlog of journal articles that had piqued his interest, but he found that his exhaustion was too great to even think about concentrating on an in-depth article.

Reaching behind his head, he felt around for the picture frame he kept on the table there, closing his hand around it and bringing it around to sit on his chest so that he could look at Fredrik and Roxanna, imagining them as a happy family until his heavy eyes closed. He woke up a little while later, feeling sad. and he cradled the frame to his chest as he sat up. "I don't know if I'll be good enough for the both of you," he murmured as he ran his fingers across their faces.

A part of him wondered if his exhaustion was allowing his guard against his depression to weaken, and he shook his head as he got to his feet, carrying the frame with him into the kitchen and setting it on the counter by the stove as he rummaged around in his refrigerator for something to eat. Once all the ingredients were sourced, he made a quick meal, keeping his eye on what he wanted to be his family as he cooked.

What if she falls for David before you see her again? He is there every day, after all. In her space. Working with her. The intrusive thoughts bubbled up unbidden, and he tried to shake off his insecurity. Still, quiet tears managed to worm their way out of tear ducts, and he swiped at his cheeks as he tried to calm himself down.

"She wouldn't be so excited for you to come over if she was thinking about moving on. Quit giving in to these voices in your head," he muttered as he viciously stirred the ingredients in the pan. Just as he had almost worked himself into an awful mood, the phone rang, and he turned the burner off before hurrying into the living room and picking it up. "Hello?"

"I was hoping that you had woken up by now, darling. I just got back to my apartment and realized that I wanted to talk to you a little more. I hope you don't mind the intrusion?"

Every part of his body seemed to relax as he heard Roxanna's soft voice. "I would never mind hearing from you, Roxy. But what time is it?"

She giggled a little which caused him to look at his watch, seeing just how long he had napped. "You are not going to be able to sleep tonight, Henrik, if you've only just woken up. Are you making a meal for yourself at least?"

"That was the first thing I did when I woke up, darling."

"Well, bring me into the kitchen, so we can talk while you finish. Though I think I hear something in your voice that makes me wonder how you're doing. Did you have a bad dream?"

Henrik picked up the phone and carried it as far into the kitchen as he could, setting it on the counter closest to the door as he stretched the cord to reach over to the stove, turning the burner on once more to finish up his food. "I was having some troublesome thoughts, yes," he finally said before testing the food temperature.

"Oh, darling, once we're together…"

"That won't magically fix everything," he interrupted, hating that he sounded so sharp. The slightly indrawn breath on the other end of the line told him that he had hurt her, and he sighed as he plated his meal, setting it on the table before sinking into his seat. "Roxanna…"

"No, you're right, I won't magically fix everything just by my mere presence, but I would hope that I could at least ease your burden a little." Her voice trembled a little, and he let out another deep sigh as he picked up his fork and moved pieces of food around his plate, finding his appetite fleeing a bit. "Henrik, please, I beg just one thing of you. Don't shut me out? Yell at me, snipe at me, whatever you have to do to let your feelings out, but always talk to me. Even if it is to just say that you need a few minutes before you can tell me what's wrong. Please?"

"I will try my best to honour that request, Roxanna. I promise. Now, whilst I chew in your ear, tell me a little more about David. He sounds just as exuberant as you." She giggled a little and started to oblige him, the soothing sound of her voice helping to push the intrusive voices at bay for the moment.