Chapter 7: A Joyful Christmas
Julia sat in her cozy office at the London clinic, glancing at her phone every now and then. Although her schedule was packed with patients, her thoughts often drifted back home to Toronto and to William. It had only been a few days since their last video call, but Julia could feel the growing ache of missing him. Susannah was in the care of her nanny, which was natural since Julia spent her days at the clinic. Even so, thoughts of William often crept in during her work, reminding her of just how much she missed his presence.
Her phone buzzed. Julia quickly picked it up as if she had been waiting for this very moment. William's face lit up the screen, his familiar smile framed by the backdrop of his office.
"Hi, Julia. I've got a moment, so I thought I'd call," William's warm, familiar voice greeted her, and the sight of his face made her heart fill with warmth.
Julia felt her heart soften as she smiled.
"Hi, love. You've caught me at the perfect time, I just made myself some tea. How's your day going?"
"Pretty busy," William admitted, leaning back in his chair. "We've had a strange case I'll have to tell you about later. But first, how's our little princess doing?"
"Susannah's as wonderful as always. Yesterday, when I came home from work, she drew a picture for you. She said it's 'Daddy flying on a plane.' I think she's already imagining you're on your way."
William glanced around his office, as though ensuring no one was listening.
"That's exactly why I'm calling. I have some good news. I spoke with Choi, and I managed to get a few days off. My flight leaves in a few hours, and I'll be staying until the New Year!"
Julia blinked in surprise before her face broke into a wide smile.
"Really? William, that's amazing! Susannah is going to be over the moon. Lately, she keeps asking when she'll see you again"
"But don't tell her I'm coming," William added with a grin. "I want it to be a surprise."
"I hope she's as excited to see me as I am to see her," William joked.
Julia smiled warmly.
"You've got nothing to worry about. After our last call, she kept talking about how much she wants to hug you."
William paused for a moment, his expression softening.
"Maybe we can decorate the tree together and make some gingerbread?" he suggested. "I'm sure Susannah will love it."
"She'll adore it. She loves helping in the kitchen," Julia replied with a smile. "And decorating the tree, it'll be pure magic for her. I can already picture her excitement when she sees the lights twinkling."
Julia glanced at her cup of tea, feeling a comforting warmth spread through her.
"This is going to be magical, William. I can't wait."
"Neither can I."
"Maybe I can take a few days off after Christmas," Julia said hopefully. "What do you think about us going somewhere together? Perhaps we could leave Susannah with the nanny for a day and have a little getaway, just the two of us?"
"That sounds wonderful," William replied with a smile. "I'll plan something special. And, Julia?"
"Yes?"
"I miss you. Every single day."
Her heart trembled at his words. Julia took a deep breath, holding back the tears threatening to well up.
"I miss you too, William. We'll be together again very soon."
"Soon," he confirmed. "Give Susannah a kiss from me. But remember, don't tell her I'm coming. It's got to be a surprise."
Julia laughed softly through her tears.
"Of course. See you soon, love."
"See you soon, Julia."
When the call ended, Julia held her phone in her hands for a moment longer, smiling at the thought of what lay ahead.
Several hours later, Julia stood at the airport, watching the arrival board. In her hands. When the screen flashed the arrival of his flight, a mix of excitement and relief coursed through her. Soon enough, in the sea of travelers, she spotted him.
"William!" she called out, waving eagerly.
William approached her briskly, pulling a suitcase with one hand and holding a bouquet of red roses in the other. When they embraced, Julia felt the tension of the past few months melt away.
"These are for you," William said, handing her the flowers.
"They're beautiful, thank you," Julia replied with a smile. "You didn't have to."
"I couldn't resist," William admitted, his smile warm. "I wanted you to know just how much I missed you."
"I know, William. Your flowers are beautiful, but it's your presence here that means the most to me" Julia said, gazing at him with a soft smile.
William looked at her gratefully, their eyes meeting for a long moment. Slowly, he leaned in, brushing his lips against hers. Julia responded to the kiss, letting the closeness say more than any words could.
"I've been waiting for this moment," William murmured as he pulled back slightly.
Julia smiled, her fingers brushing over the petals of the roses.
"And thank you for making the trip," William added with a grin.
"I couldn't wait," Julia replied. "And Susannah doesn't suspect a thing."
"Good. I can't wait to see her reaction," William said with a chuckle.
"She's going to be thrilled, I'm sure," Julia said, squeezing his hand. "Her smile will make it all worth it. Let's go."
When they reached home, the sound of the key in the lock made Susannah rush out of her room. Her tiny footsteps echoed on the floor, and when she saw her father, her eyes widened with joy.
"Daddy!" she cried, throwing herself into his arms with childlike excitement.
William lifted her high into the air, laughing loudly. He spun her around, and the little girl giggled gleefully.
"Surprise!" William said with a big smile.
"Daddy! Daddy!" she repeated, burying her face in his neck.
"I'm here, sweetheart," William said warmly, kissing the top of her head. "How's my little princess doing?"
Susannah looked up at him, her eyes sparkling with happiness.
"Daddy's here!" she exclaimed, patting his shoulder as if to make sure he was really there.
Julia stood in the doorway, smiling as she watched William gently set Susannah down. The little girl grabbed his hand and looked up at him adoringly.
William glanced at Julia with a grin.
"The surprise worked," he said, stepping toward her.
"I knew it would," Julia replied, her gaze filled with love.
Susannah tugged on William's hand.
"Daddy, come! Look what I made!" she said, leading him toward the living room. On the table lay her latest drawing.
William glanced at Julia, who smiled warmly as she watched their interaction.
As the evening unfolded, the three of them began preparing for Christmas. Boxes of decorations were spread across the living room floor, and Susannah eagerly sifted through the ornaments and lights. Julia set out trays of gingerbread they'd baked earlier, ready for decorating. Soft carols played in the background, adding to the Christmas atmosphere.
"Daddy, what's this?" Susannah asked, holding a shiny star-shaped ornament.
William crouched down beside her, smiling.
"This was your mom's favorite ornament when she was little," he explained, glancing at Julia. "It reminds her of the Christmases she spent with her grandparents. I brought it because Christmas just wouldn't be the same without it."
"Really, Mama?" Susannah asked, her eyes wide with curiosity.
"Yes, sweetheart," Julia confirmed, kneeling beside her daughter.
Susannah studied the ornament with awe, gently running her fingers over its surface.
"It's so pretty!" she exclaimed with a wide grin. "Can I put it up on top?"
"Yes, it's your turn this year," Julia said softly.
"Mama, can you help me hang it?" Susannah asked, clutching the ornament in her small hands, her excitement shining in her eyes.
"Of course, darling," Julia replied, her voice full of warmth. William stepped closer, smiling.
"Or maybe Daddy could lift you up so you can reach the very top branch?" he suggested, looking at Susannah.
Susannah clapped her hands in delight.
"Yes, yes, Daddy!" she shouted enthusiastically.
William gently picked her up, and with a look of wonder, Susannah placed the star on the tree's highest branch.
"I did it!" she declared proudly as William carefully set her back on the floor.
The little girl looked up at the sparkling star, her eyes glowing with joy.
"It's perfect," she whispered.
William smiled at his daughter, then moved toward the box of decorations to start untangling the string lights. He glanced occasionally at Susannah, who was skipping with excitement as she admired the tree.
"Do you remember decorating the tree together last year?" William asked, looking over at Julia.
"Of course. Back then, Susannah only hung ornaments on the lower branches," Julia laughed. "And now look at her—such a little artist."
Susannah grinned at them.
"Daddy, can you hang lights up there?" she asked.
"Of course, princess," William replied, getting to work. Soon, the tree glowed with colorful lights, and Susannah clapped her hands with delight.
"Now it's time to decorate the gingerbread!" Julia announced, bringing over icing and sprinkles. Susannah immediately got to work, creating patterns full of childlike imagination. William focused on meticulously decorating a single star-shaped gingerbread.
"Tell me, Julia, who has the better icing skills?" William teased, showing off his work.
"I think Susannah wins in the creativity category," Julia replied, pointing at her daughter's gingerbread, which resembled a rainbow.
"Daddy, your cookie is boring," Susannah declared, comparing her masterpiece to his minimalist design.
"Well, yours is a true work of art," William said, admiring her creation.
When Susannah, tired from the day's excitement, fell asleep on the couch, William carried her upstairs to her bed. The little girl snuggled into his chest and whispered:
"I'm so happy you're here, Daddy."
"So am I, sweetheart," William replied, kissing her forehead.
When he returned to the living room, Julia was sitting on the couch with a mug of hot chocolate. She looked up at him, her eyes full of warmth.
"These will be the best Christmases ever," she said softly.
William sat down beside her, wrapping an arm around her. Julia rested her head gently on his shoulder.
"Thanks to you both," he replied, gazing at the glowing tree.
The tree lights twinkled in time with the soft carols playing on the radio, filling their home with peace and joy. Julia and William sat quietly together, watching the tree sparkle as they savored the perfect moment.