Chapter Three- The Hotel

Our hotel was called the Adina Hotel which was right next to what used to be Checkpoint Charlie. It was a beautifully modern hotel that was more apartments than rooms. We had a lounge area, complete with a Christmas Tree. There was even a kitchen! We had two rooms, a double for Dan and I and a single for Anthony. When we arrived, I quickly found a pair of pyjama's for Anthony, got him changed and then put him to bed, He was asleep within minutes. Dan and I then sorted the rest of the things out, putting presents under the tree and hiding the ones from Santa. Then we got ready for bed and I fell asleep, snuggled into Dan.

The next morning dawned white and cold. Snow had settled over night and the whole city was covered in a white blanket. We were woken early by our son who ran into the room shouting, "Mummy! Daddy! Look! It's snowed!" He was so excited to see the snow that after breakfast, we took him out to the courtyard and built a snowman. There was also an epic snowfight that I sat out of. I took the opportunity to phone home.

"Hey Dad." I said as the receiver picked up.

"Hello." Came his reply.

"How are things back home?"

"Good thank you. Hamish is excited because Santa is coming and Christopher is quiet as always. Molly's at work now so it's just me and my boys."

"Sounds like fun. My boys are having a snowball fight."

"Smart of you to sit out of that one." Commented Sherlock. I could hear his smug smile down the phone. I rolled my eyes.

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"Well, you don't want to harm your unborn child, do you?"

I paused. Of course Sherlock had worked it out. It was useless convincing myself that he wouldn't have. I didn't know if I was annoyed, irritated or amused. "How did you find out?"

"I'm your father. I notice these things."

"Really?"

"No. John told me. His face was a picture when he came home from the surgery one day and I eventually weened it put of him."

I sighed.

"Congratulations." He added. I smiled.

"Thanks." Just then I saw Dan coming over. "Gotta go. Bye Dad." And I hung up.

I smiled at Dan as he walked over. He was soaking wet, his cheeks rosy red.

"Good time?" I asked as he sat down next to me. I took his hand in mine.

"Very!" he replied, smiling from ear to ear. "Who was on the phone?"

"Sherlock. Molly's left him with the boys for the day. Think he was looking for moral support."

"Still can't get that Sherlock is a dad. Twice."

"I know. He's a human being. I'm proud of him!"

Dan laughed and then sneezed.

"Come on." I said, let's get you inside and warm!"

We all headed back inside, and I ran the boys a bath and made some hot cocoa. Once they were dried and dressed, we wrapped up warm and headed to the supermarket to get some food. Luckily, we found an Aldi so the food wasn't too different from home and we got a frozen Turkey for Christmas day.

The rest of the week leading to Christmas passed quickly. Anthony and I had fun making mince pies and German biscuits to leave for Santa. Dan tried to convince Anthony to leave a beer for Santa but Anthony turned around and told him that Santa couldn't drink and drive so we had to leave him hot cocoa. I smirked at Dan who looked downcast! We took Anthony around the city and showed him some of our favourite areas from when we had come when we were at college. We showed him Checkpoint Charlie that was right outside our window and parts of the Berlin Wall left around the city. It was quite hard to explain to him why these things happened but we did the best we could and I think he began to understand. On the eve of Christmas Eve, we took him to the zoo. We had a lovely day walking in the snow and seeing all the animals. Anthony got so excited, he fell asleep on the tube ride home and Dan and I took it in turns to carry him home.

Tomorrow would be Christmas Eve and tomorrow, would be magical, in more ways than one.