Since its Christmas and all, I want to give you a gift! Here, from me: A little Christmas postcard from Sophie, Charlie, Ewan and Harry.

Ewan hoped that Santa would give the Nintendo DS he had wished for this Christmas. He was confident, very even, because he had been nice this year. He had eaten the soup when his mother had wanted it and tidied his room when asked. He was sure that Santa had noticed it and written him on the list of Good children, which Santa had to keep count of nice children. He hoped that Harry would receive the Lego Millenium Falcon but that should not be a problem, because Harry had been nice, even nicer than him, since he had help mum with the dinner. Ewan called for Harry, the later appeared from the kitchen and together they inspected the presents under the tree, Harry shook each of his, to hear the familiar sound of Lego pieces crashing against each other.

While that was going on, Sophie prepared the classical American Christmas dinner that she loved. Moreover, having a British husband meant that some adjustments needed to be made. For example the Christmas pudding was something she had never eaten, mostly because her father had never liked it but she had quickly changed her mind. Claire had given her the old family receipt and doubt had filled her the first time she had tried it. The result went better than expected. Charlie had eaten one quarter of the pudding and then stated that it had been the best pudding he had ever eaten. Since that Christmas, the famous pudding resides on the table except for one Christmas, when they were in Italy, at Claire and Lorenzo's. Better Christmas food could not be found. Sophie remembers especially the delicious fishes-Italians loved to eat fish at Christmas, even if turkey could also be present. The boys had been small then, not more than two or three perhaps. They had eaten so much Italian Christmas sweets that they had been sick for days afterwards. She shook her head where she stood in front of the stove. The boys were seven now and she could hear them in the next room, making their traditional inspection of the gifts. She checked the time, Charlie would come home any minute now and no need to worry. She had run out of milk so he had offered to go buy some but now he had been away for over an hour, even though the grocery store was two blocks away. She looked out and saw the massive snowflakes fall on the New York buildings, occasionally shaken by a strong wind like in a tornado, up and everywhere, which was a fascinating show to admire. Sophie would have loved to go out and play in the snow, but she had the potatoes to attend to and a big turkey in the stove. Charlie would be home any minute now.

Charlie was on the way home, with one big grocery bag in each hand. He knew he was only supposed to buy milk but he could not help but stop at every shop that was opened on the way. He felt sorry for the few local shop owners who worked on Christmas day. He had given them extra tip just for the sake. They had thank him and wished him all the best. So now, not only did he have milk, but also a little of everything. He felt bad for letting Sophie wait so but the wait would be compensated when she would see what he had bought.

"Please, somebody help me!"

He turned around, to locate where the sound came from. The person who had made it cried again, louder this time. He thought about the family who waited him back home and decided that this was more urging. He walked with quick steps to the place where he had heard the sound, passing by people who seemed to ignore the sound and he wanted to shout, why was there nobody who cared? As he walked on the sideway, the noise became louder and suddenly, the noise had him to turn right, to a dead-end, where he saw a hooded figure, who seemed small, and when coming closer, was indeed a child, a boy. The child was curled up next to the wall, looking at his feet, which was only covered in thin slippers. Charlie went down on his heels, put the bags behind him and looked in the child's eyes with a smile.

"Hey there. Was it you who shouted?

The boy stayed silent and insisted on looking at his feet

You don't have to be afraid. I am here to help you. Have you got lost? Where are your parents?"

At last the boy spoke. "I ran away from home because my dad got angry at my mom and I got scared."

"Why was he angry?" Charlie's voice was calm and steady, which made the boy look up. Charlie noticed the intensity of the brown eyes but also the worry and the sadness in them.

"I think it was because mom said we could not afford a real Christmas dinner so the only thing we would eat was soup and bread and perhaps chicken if I could steal one at the shop."

Charlie didn't know what to say. "I am sorry."

"I don't want to steal! I don't care about chicken, I just want mom and dad to be happy!" The boy looked at Charlie with distress and small tears began to appear at the corner of his eyes.

Charlie looked at the bags next to him. They were stuffed with things he didn't really need and he was ashamed, ashamed of himself and what he had done. Here was a boy that didn't care that he would not get any gifts and needed to steal to be able to eat tonight. What was a little milk compared to stealing?

"It is nice of you to wish that. What's your name?"

"Charlie."

Charlie laughed. "Really? That's my name too."

The little Charlie looked at him with curiosity. "Your name is Charlie? That's cool!"

The big Charlie smiled at him. "Yes. That means we have something special, you and me. Someone wanted us to meet, someone who wanted me to give you this. He dragged the bags and put them in front of the boy. Here, it's for you. So your dad doesn't have to be angry anymore."

The little Charlie's eyes were wide open of surprise. "For me? Are you sure?" He looked around him, like he wanted to make sure it wasn't a prank.

"I am sure, said the big Charlie. Take it home with you and have a happy Christmas. I don't need it."

"Wow! Thank you." The little Charlie leaped to his feet and took a step forward to hug the big Charlie. The latter was so surprised of the sudden gesture that he almost lost his balance.

"Oh. You're welcome! Now, run home before you catch cold. Here, do you want me to help carry them?"

The boy shook his head. "No, I am fine." But when he tried to carry them both, the content was almost on his way to fall on the snowy ground.

"I will help you."

The decided tone in big Charlie's voice determined it and the two Charlies walked together, each with a bag of groceries. The little Charlie walked quickly and it wasn't until ten minutes later, that little Charlie stopped in front of a small building, who looked very decayed, which made big Charlie involuntary to frown.

"You live here?" The little Charlie nodded and opened the door. He was about to go inside but stopped and looked back at Charlie.

"You can give me the other bag, I can do it from here. Thank you very much for your kindness. I will never forget it." The little Charlie kissed big Charlie on the cheek, a simple gesture that caught him off-guard and brought him a smile.

"You're welcome Charlie. I hope you have a nice Christmas!"

"I hope you too have a nice Christmas. Say hello to your family!" He took the bag from Charlie's arms and disappeared into the darkness of the building.

Charlie stayed there for some minutes, he pictured how Charlie's family would be surprised over the bags and ask him where he got it, only to rejoice over the content, at least, it was what he hoped they did. He thought about his own family and knew that they were waiting for him, Sophie surely worried about his absence and the boys…well, he needed to head back now.

Sophie could hear the sound of a door opening and she sighed of relief. Charlie had not been attacked by cruel thieves, he was alive and well and safe back home. She waited in the kitchen, letting Charlie take off his outdoor clothes and come to the kitchen.

"Hey, where have you been? I have been worried about you. " Charlie walked forward to give her a warm kiss.

"No need to imagine the worst. I am here safe and sound." He smiled teasingly at her.

"Don't you laugh about me. Where is the milk?"

Charlie looked at his hands with surprise, remembering that he had been out for a reason.

"Eh, they had run out."

Sophie knew that expression. Her husband was a terrible liar and she could see he was hiding something.

"Charlie?"

"Mhm? Charlie said with an innocent look.

"You are not telling everything. Come on, drop it out."

Charlie sighed. "Okay. I was on my way, with two bags filled with stuff I could not stop myself from buying. No need to give me that look, I wanted to surprise you. Anyway, I heard someone call for help and I went to see who had made it."

"I hope it was nothing dangerous?"

"No, no don't worry. It was in fact a boy, who had run away from home because of his parents fighting."

Sophie gasped. "Oh poor dear!"

"Yes. He told me about his situation. It also turned out that his name was Charlie. Yes! Isn't it a surprise! Well, I gave him the bags, because I felt that he needed them more than we did. I walked him home. He really did live in a miserable building! We said goodbye and that's it."

"Oh sweetheart! She hugged him. You're so good! Well, don't bother about the milk. I think I have some cream we can use instead and it will be just as fine. Now, go in to the boys before they come up with a crazy idea, like opening the Christmas gifts." She pushed him toward the living room.

Luckily, there was enough cream for her to do the mashed potatoes. She held it up on a plate and took the turkey out of the oven. The vegetables were ready, the only thing that remained was the Christmas pudding. Knowing that everything was ready, Sophie let out a sigh and took off her apron, to join her boys in the Christmas celebration.