I know it's way past Christmas. I just got distracted by other stories and life. But I am wrapping this story up, finally. Enjoy and thank you for your patience.

Chapter 10

Adjusting the scarf around her neck, Anna walked along the thin path to the large Christmas tree in the square. It was nearing midnight. Soon it would be Christmas.

After Drew fell asleep, Anna had primed herself for meeting up with John. Though she hadn't thought about the fact that she would be dressed in several layers and that all he would really see were her eyes.

Turning down the corner, she saw John waiting for her. For once, he wasn't in a noisy jumper. Though, she guessed, he could be beneath his jacket. But the hat on his head was just a dark color and he wore a matching mask across his face. His eye lit up, however, at seeing her, and she felt her entire body warm.

"Are you sure I should be keeping you out this late?" John then asked her. "Don't little ones wake up early to see what Santa has brought?"

Anna chuckled. "Drew will be up at the break of dawn, but I'll be alright. Hopefully, he'll let me nap later in the day."

She stepped closer to John and their hands grazed against one another, before Anna took his hand within her own. It felt like it belonged there. Such a strange feeling, after being so sure she would never fall for anyone ever again.

They made their way to the large tree and Anna happily sighed.

"I may have been wrong," she admitted out loud.

"About what?"

"Christmas," Anna answered. "It is magical. Now I'm afraid I've stolen it from Drew. Five years and I've been such a Scrooge."

"Ah, I doubt that."

"No, it's true. I won't even let him believe in Santa Claus. Didn't want his head in the clouds."

"Well, he doesn't have to believe in Santa for the season to be magical. Everyone has different traditions to make it special for them. There are plenty of children who never believe in Santa, but still have a magical Christmas," John assured her. Anna happily sighed. As though it came naturally to her, she leaned against his arm and rested her head up against it. She felt as he melted toward her slightly and kissed the top of her head through his mask.

"I didn't believe any of this could happen," Anna quietly said, though John had still been able to make out her words.

"What could happen?"

"This. Is it just some Christmas mirage that will disappear in a few days' time?"

John's head shook. "Why would it do that?"

"I have to go back to London. You live here," Anna stated. She turned her face up to look at him.

John's eyes fell upon her and even though she couldn't see his lips, she was sure he was frowning.

"I could move to London," he suggested.

"And leave your home?" Anna laughed. "Why would you do that?"

"So I could be with you," he answered, earnestly. Anna chewed on her lower lip.

"I couldn't ask you to do that."

"You wouldn't be. I'm offering."

"I don't think you should move to London," Anna then said with a sigh. John stood up straighter and their hands unlatched. At their loss of touch, Anna's heart constricted within her chest. "It's just…" she started to explain.

"No, you're right. This is very new. We hardly know each other."

"We do," Anna agreed. "However, what I meant was that Robert has been hinting about a job here."

John quickly turned back to Anna.

"And…I originally said no. But…but Drew loves it here. He is already doing school online, so it wouldn't be like I would be taking him away from his friends. I can also get a larger house with a bigger back yard here for the money I've been saving."

"Oh Anna, would you really?"

Anna's heart skipped a beat. "Yes. I hadn't said anything to anyone, not even Mary, but…well, the past few days has reminded me how much I love it here. I did call Robert earlier and the offer is still on the table."

John's hand slid back into hers.

"Is this really what you want?"

"I believe I do. But it would be a few weeks or so before we could move. And I do want to check with Drew first. This year has been difficult for him."

"Of course, as you should," John agreed. "Come here," he then gently tugged her hand and walked her around to the other side of the tree. The area was empty and they were the only two there. He unlatched their fingers, before bending over and pulling the mask from her face. Anna smiled and watched as he took his own mask off.

Right then, bells began to ring around them, signifying that it was midnight.

"Happy Christmas," they both said in unison. Their hands cupped one another's cheeks and they leaned forward for a Christmas kiss.

-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-

The next morning, Anna was exhausted, but happy. When she had arrived back to Mary's, she found Mary sitting on the couch sipping her tea. The two had chatted for over an hour about the night's events before heading up to bed.

As Drew opened up his gifts, he kept giving Anna, Mary, and Matthew hugs and thanks for his gifts. It seemed to take a while to go through them all. Mary had gotten Drew way too many toys, but he didn't seem to mind.

Anna was sure gift time was almost done, when Drew pulled out a small gift from under the tree. It had fallen beneath the tree skirt. Drew rushed over to Anna and handed it to her.

"What's this?" Anna asked. Drew shrugged.

"I dunno," he simply answered. "Has your name on it. See- A-n-n-a, that's how you spell your name."

"It is. Is this from you?" Anna questioned her friend. Mary and Matthew shook their heads.

Curious, Anna began to unwrap the gift to reveal a small velvet box. She opened it and tears immediately sprung her eyes.

"Alright, really, Mary. How did you find this? How did you….?"

"What on earth are you talking about?" Mary walked over to Anna to see what was inside the box.

Anna pulled out a necklace with two turtle doves. Each dove had a letter marked on it an A and an L. Her hand covered her mouth.

"I don't understand…" Mary said, eyeing the necklace.

"What is it?" Drew asked, curious.

"It was my mum's," Anna murmured, her fingers touching the silver. "My dad gave it to her. The A is for Andrew and the L is for Lilly. It was lost during their accident. I thought I would never see it again."

"However did it get here and wrapped under the tree?" Matthew wondered aloud.

"You're sure you didn't give this to me?" Anna asked her friend, again.

"No, I didn't even know about the necklace. How could I have?"

"I bet it was Santa," Drew simply said. "Maybe John was right and he is real."

Anna met Mary's eyes and her brows rose. "I have to go."

"Right!" Mary agreed. "We'll watch Drew."

"Go where? Mum, where are you going?"

"I'll be back soon, be good for Aunt Mary."

-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X

John had just finished making his morning coffee, when he heard a knock on the door. He glanced at the clock. It was a little early for his mother to be stopping over.

Walking up to the door, he opened it and smiled when he saw it was Anna.

"Well, hello," he grinned. "Come on inside."

"Was it you?" Anna quickly asked, as she walked into his small flat. John's brows furrowed.

"Me?"

"Who gave me this?" Anna lifted up the necklace that was still clutched within her hands. John carefully touched the doves and his head shook.

"No, but it's beautiful."

"You're sure?"

"Yes, I'm quite sure."

"It's just. This was my mum's. And you are a big fan of Christmas. I thought maybe…."

"I don't know how I could have known it was your mum's. Perhaps, Mary….?"

"No," Anna sighed. "Where did it come from?"

"Here," John took her hand and brought her closer to him. Then he took the necklace and brought it around Anna's neck, clasping it in the back. As Anna turned back to face him, he nodded. "It's beautiful on you."

"But I don't understand…."

"The magic of Christmas," John simply answered. At that, Anna giggled.

"You're telling me that my mother's missing necklace just happened to be found and wrapped and placed under the tree by magic?"

"Well, Santa does work in mysterious ways," John replied, no ounce of teasing in his voice.

"You don't really think…"

"I don't know, but I am not about to say it can't be possible."

Anna inched closer to John and let out a happy sigh.

"I guess I should just be glad it has found me again," she said, her eyes meeting his. "And that I found you."

"I can agree to that, Ms. Smith."

"We're going to stay," Anna then told him, her hands grabbing John's. "I spoke to Drew about it this morning. He wants to stay." John's entire face brightened.

"Yes?"

"Yes." John bent forward and caught her lips with his own.

"The best Christmas news."

"I have to get back to Drew, but I'll see you later today?" Anna hopefully asked.

"Absolutely. Merry Christmas, Anna."

To be continued..one last time :)