Mac's Advent Calendar! 9
Sid was like a father for Mac. Sid knew Mac's father had cancer and was dying. Sid had talked to Mac about why he didn't go home to Chicago to see his father. Mac had not spoken about what had happened between his father and him. It was sad. Sid thought it was time for Mac to see his father. Sid had contacted Mac's father and knew about the situation. Sid knew that Mac's father had not much time to live. But Mac had the chance to say goodbye and they could solve their situation and forgive each other. Sid saw that Mac had suffered a lot when he didn't have the chance to tell Claire once more he loved her but Mac now had that chance with his father. I need help and I think Stella is best for that. Stella is Mac's support and will help Mac when his father is going to heaven. Now I need to find Stella and tell her about the situation between Mac and his father. Together we will find a plan and organize the best solution for both Mac and his father. That was before.
It was now two more days until Christmas Eve. Mac was feeling a pain in his heart. Mac could not sleep that night. Mac had a nightmare. It was that he was losing his father and he could not say goodbye and forgive the hurting words his father had said to him. Mac was still young when that happened. It was a long time since he had last visited his real home in Chicago where his family was. Claire had told Mac to visit his family in Chicago but Mac was not ready; the wounds were still too painful.
Mac was in his office and opening his Advent Calendar. It was like an instinct that it would be about his father and him. When it was opened Mac saw a picture of himself and his father, they were fishing together. Under it was written Mac, it is time to forgive and say goodbye to your father before it is too late. Mac had a flashback: The weather was wonderful, it was sunny. Mac and his father were at a lake and fishing. It was a happy day. Mac had caught a big fish and his father was smiling and saying: "I am proud of you, my son."
The flashback ended and Mac was crying. Father, I am yearning for you and your love.
Mac saw that there were also two tickets to Chicago with today's date.
Elf Sid and Stella had been watching Mac when he opened his special book. When Stella saw Mac was crying she wanted to hold Mac and tell him everything will be alright. Stella was close to crying herself. Sid said: "Stella, go to Mac and support him, he needs you now. Stella, you will fly to Chicago with Mac. The health of Mac's father has changed for the worse. Go now. They don't have much time."
Stella was in Mac's office and hugging Mac tight when Mac was crying more on Stella's shoulder. Mac knew he could show weakness before Stella and Stella cared for Mac. Stella said: "Mac, it is time to go to the airport and fly to Chicago and see your father. Mac, you are strong. I'll come with you. Mac, you are not alone. I'll be with you like I was when you lost Claire." Mac was silent for a long time. Mac was now ready to go and said: "Thank you, Stella, for your support and caring."
Mac called his mum and said: "I'll come home finally and I'll come with Stella."
Stella was holding Mac, supporting and soothing him that everything will be alright. All the way until they arrived in Chicago. They were in Chicago now and arrived at the hospital where Mac's father was in a cab.
Mac was becoming more nervous. Stella was holding Mac's hand.
They were both nearing Mac's father's room. Mac kept a tight hold on Stella's hand. Mac said: "I can not go into his room." Stella hugged him and said: "Mac, you are an ex-marine and strong, you can, but I'll come with you if you want." Mac was thinking and said: "I'll go alone but stay here in case I need you." Stella said: "Ok Mac, good luck." Mac was now coming into his father's hospital room. Mac saw his father was lying on the bed and sleeping. Mac sat in a near chair and said: "Hi father! I missed you very much. I love you and forgive you the hurtful words you said to me a long time back. Can you forgive me not seeing you a long time ago?" Mac's father heard his son and was near crying: "Son, I have long since forgiven you but I think it was stubbornness why we continued this for such a long time. I am happy you are here at last. Mac, I don't want to abandon you but these are my last days of living. My cancer is in the last stage and the doctors cannot help any more. Sorry, you will now be caring for your mum." Mac could not accept that, he was crying now, hugging his father and saying: "No, father you must not leave me again. I love you very much."
Stella and Mac's mum were watching the reconciliation of father and son. Now they were all together in Mac's father's room. Mac introduced Stella to his father and mum. They all were hugging each other. A moment later Doctor Smith came in and said: "Gary, I have some good news for you. Your cancer is withdrawing more and more from your body. You have a bigger chance to live and see your grandchild." Mac was now smiling and said: "That is really good news." They all spent a good time together with Mac's family. They told Stella about Mac when he was younger. Mac's parents saw how Mac was looking at Stella and saw a lot of love in his eyes. They were happy that Mac had found another woman and loved again. They knew it was very hard for Mac to lose Claire. It was Christmas time and miracles happen.