Five Years Later, Happy Merry Christmas!!!

Five years later.

A small house in the countryside of London. A home for two people. A laughter could be heard from outside the house. A small garden adorns the yard of the house. It made the place look more shady. The evening was getting colder. And the season changed.

That night the first snow of the year fell. Bringing a chill that froze everything. The lights on the streets were turned on one by one. Some people started walking around hugging their bodies while tightening their jackets for extra warmth.

Inside the house number 112, a woman placed a cup of hot chocolate on the table. A four-year-old boy was busy shading crayons on a picture book.

The woman was Grace. It's been a long time since she left her homeland to start a new life with Arthur Norma. Her son was now four years old. Grace moved five years ago. She did it all by herself.

Clark just helped her with all the legalities. But from the moment she set foot in London, Grace cut her ties with Clark. 

Grace did not continue her studies in business management. The girl took a summer course in child education and after graduating took a teaching certificate. She did it all by herself while Grace was pregnant with Arthur. And after Arthur was born, Grace lived on the money she inherited from her father, which was still enough to buy a big house in the big city. And lived for years without worrying about her finances.

But Grace chose to move on. After Arthur was old enough to be put into daycare. Grace started looking for a job that fit her passion. This time no one would laugh at her career choice. No relatives would see her. So Grace chose to teach at a private elementary school. There Grace earned a decent salary. 

Those five years were some of the happiest times Grace had ever had. With Arthur, Grace learned a lot about being an adult. Being a single parent was not an easy job to do. Especially in the early days of her pregnancy until Arthur was born, but it didn't dampen her spirits. Grace, who was determined to always love Arthur for the rest of her life, had a goal to keep working hard and keep living.

If she couldn't live happily ever after with her father, Arthur Norma, then she would live happily with Arthur Norma jr, her son who was so bright for his age.

All the caregivers at the daycare praised Arthur for his polite demeanor and above-average his peer's intelligence. Arthur could also speak fluently like an adult. The caregivers praised the way Grace raised Arthur.

But Grace herself didn't feel she was raising Arthur in any special way. Grace and Arthur grew up together. Therefore, they both understood each other.

Grace ran her fingers through her son's hair, which looked very focused. His jet black hair was very similar to Gabriel's. So were his blue irises. Anyone who saw him would immediately know that Arthur was Gabriel's son.

She shook her head. No way. Arthur was her son. Gabriel was never in the picture. So Arthur could never be his son. She made him herself. She birthed him herself. No one could take Arthur away from her again.

"Arthur."

"Yes, mommy?" The little cheerful voice calmed her nerves.

"On christmas eve. Would you like to spend a night in the square town?"

"Oh? Really? Yes, of course! I want to see the giant christmas tree again! And-and-and can I eat the strawberry fondue? Last year we couldn't eat them."

"Of course! That would be awesome!"

"Yeah! I love you, mommy!"

"I love you more, sweetheart. And one more thing, yesterday I got a report from your teacher. They said that you've been a good pupil in daycare. You help your teacher, you break up a fight between your friends. You finished your homework too! I think that's all that I need to tell Santa that you are a good boy this year. Is there something you want? I could pray to the fairies, so they tell Santa what you wish."

The blue icy eyes are now glistening with hope. The big adorable eyes now look at her with full admiration.

"Really, mommy? I really am a good boy?"

"Yes, you are. Sweetheart."

"Okay, can you tell Santa that this year, I really want to have carrot cakes and there is a puzzle box to build a pirate ship in the store. And can I meet Santa too, mommy?"

Grace was a bit taken by her son's request. "You want to meet Santa? Why?"

"I have a secret request too."

"What is it? You can tell me, and I will pass the request to Santa."

Arthur sat nervously. His small body fidges in an adorable way. Grace couldn't help her cute aggression. She grabbed Arthur in her arms and squeezed the little boy hard. Arthur laughed uncontrollably by his mother's action. 

"Aww… you are so cute. Yes, let's find Santa on Christmas eve."

"Yeaahhh!!! Thank you!!!!"

By the time, Christmas eve was getting nearer. Grace already bought the puzzled Arther wanted. And at midnight she would bake the carrot cake for her son. 

Today, after Grace got home from school, she picked Arthur up from daycare. They were going to the city to see the Christmas tree and find Santa to fulfill her son's last wish.

Trafalgar Square was very crowded. Grace held Arthur's hand who didn't want to be carried. Since tomorrow was the peak of Christmas, everyone started to gather in the square tonight to welcome the turn of the day.

As promised, before looking for Santa, Grace bought Arthur a strawberry covered in chocolate fondue. The two sat on a bench and ate the strawberries together.

"Is it good?" asked Grace as she wiped Arthur's lips from the chocolate glaze.

Arthur nodded in satisfaction. Grace squinted her eyes to look for Santa. It looked like her eyesight was starting to fail. Grace had been having trouble reading at a distance lately. Maybe later, she would stop by the optician on her way home.

Grace found a Santa. 

"Arthur, look, Santa!"

Arthur, who had been focused on his strawberries, looked up. His eyes grew wide and they ran after Santa who was just handing out small gifts to the children.

It was a beautiful moment. Grace was glad she had so many core memories with her son. She hoped Arthur would always remember these times when he was older. It's okay to forget, too. The important thing was that Arthur knows that his mother would always be there to make all his dreams come true.

Grace took out her cell phone to take a picture of Arthur being carried by Santa. The boy whispered something that made Santa laugh out loud. After the photo session was over, Arthur was put back down. The Santa took out a small box that was probably just candy.

"Why is it so small? Didn't I ask for the carrot cake and a pirate ship puzzle??" asked Arthur who looked at the gift given by Santa.

"Ah! This is just an opening gift. After this, Santa will go home and start to get all the fist, won't you, Santa?" asked Grace who realized that Arthur was hoping for a pirate ship puzzle gift.

"Hohoho that's right! Santa will be back with the gift you asked for, hohoho."

"Then how about my last wish?"

"Hohoho of course! Your request will also be granted soon. You just need to keep being a good boy."

Grace was curious about what her son had asked for his last wish to Santa.

"Thank you, Santa! I'm so happy to see you."

"Hohoho Santa is very happy when he meets a good boy. Next year, keep being a good boy, so we can meet again."

Arthur nodded determinedly. "Of course! I promise!" he replied loudly, making Grace smile.

Grace thanked the man who became Santa.

"Your son is wonderful. He asked that you always be happy with him. Be grateful you have such a good son," the man said in a whisper so Arthur wouldn't hear them.

"Thank you, Santa."

"You're welcome. Hohoho! Happy Merry Merry Merry Christmas!"

Grace looked lovingly at her son. The boy.... Grace squatted down and hugged him tightly.

"Mommy?"

"Arthur. Mommy will always be happy with you. You don't have to worry about anything. Mommy will protect you."

Arthur grabbed Grace's face and wiped away the tears that had unknowingly fallen on her face.

"And I will do the same," Arthur replied, making Garec feel very blessed on that beautiful night.