A CHRISTMAS PROMISE .

“Granddad why is there no Christmas in your house” the little girl asked as she stood looking around the bleak cold kitchen.

“You promised, and I promised nanna, so you have to, if you don’t there will be no Christmas, and then there will be no magic, and then there will be no surprises” she continued her piercing blue eyes filling with unshed tears. Eyes that took his breath away, rendering him speechless, eyes that were so like hers.

“Grandad”, she hiccupped, “granny says you have to believe for the magic to happen, Daddy tell him”, she cried helplessly as she reached up into her father’s arms burying her head in his shoulder. The two men looked at each other sadly.

“Come on little one, lets get you home, because Santa will be arriving soon. You’ll see grandad first thing so let’s leave him for now”.She enveloped both men in a big bear hug, whispering one more time. “Grandad, even the little pop up tree will do, see it’s there in the red box, promise”.

“I promise” he replied kissing her tenderly.

He stood watching as they left, the fixed smile remaining until he was alone. Turning on the radio he half listened to the Christmas carols. It’s just another day he thought sadly, another day without her, his first Christmas alone.

OH to be a child again, he thought, climbing the stairs where he drifted into an uneasy sleep.

He woke suddenly, the darkness confusing him. a glimmer of light shone in the window directly onto their wedding photo on her bedside locker. He smiled, awash with memories, she seemed to smile back. Suddenly he remembered his promise.

Making his way down to the warm kitchen, he opened the small red box. Lifting out the pop-up tree he tenderly placed the tiny handmade decorations on each branch, finally plugging it in as the lights twinkled in the semi darkness. Pleased with his work he sat watching. The first light of dawn appeared as he went to tidy away the box, but something caught his eye. … a pale blue envelope tucked away in the bottom. The all too familiar spidery writing on the outside, taking his breath way.

To My Dearest Tom,

He slowly unfolded the parchment paper, his old hands shaking as he removed the single page.

My Dearest Tom.

So, you found it, our little plan worked, our little surprise. Our granddaughter’s idea, a surprise for grandad, she said, so he won’t be too sad.

Dearest Tom, I have loved you from that very first day and I always will. Don’t be afraid to believe, I’m here with you in every breath you take, in your heart and in the little one that lives on through us. Allow the magic to happen, and the surprises too…...and….

Tom didn’t hear the door opening as the little girl climbed into his arms. “Told you so”, she said , “see, I got loads of surprises too”.