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Sara's farm is about three hours from their house, and last night they celebrated Christmas eve with a homemade dinner and sparkling cider. Linda made THE most delicious stuffed turkey and Wilhelm kept a close eye on both Clara and Oskar, (his children could be very troublesome at times) while Simon helped his mom get everything ready. Soft Christmas songs, grown up teasing and kids’ laughter was heard through the house.
The evening ended with the Royal Family collapsing in the living room. Oskar fell asleep over Wilhelm's chest and Clara cuddled on Simon's side. Linda covered the little family with a wide blanket before going to bed.
Wilhelm was woken up by the sound of one of Sara's chickens and as he opened his eyes, he saw his little son peacefully asleep. He really wanted to take a picture, but he'd probably wake him up, so he resorted to taking a mental photograph.
Five minutes later Clara woke up, eager to open all the Christmas presents under the tree and soon enough Simon and Oskar were awake too. After getting tons of toys, books and plushies, the kids wanted to see the baby goats Auntie Sara had mentioned last night. But not before putting on thick coats and hats that made them look like little marshmallows, in Simon's words.
"Daddy, look!" - Clara points at the baby goats that come near. She runs to their pen, with her little brother Oskar following closely behind with his new stuffed bunny in his arms. Wilhelm and Simon walk behind them, holding hands. The air of the countryside is fresh and there's only green hills for miles.
Every time they visit Sara, Clara's completely fascinated with the animals, she knows their names by heart and even her aunt let her name a few of them. That's how you get a group of race horses named Berry, Rainbow, Windy and Bubble.
"Look at it daddy!" - Clara laughs as she softly pets the baby goat.
"Wow! Radish has grown up a lot!"
"You remembered!" - Clara's eyes sparkle. It's easy to tell apart a white goat with a star-like spot on its forehead, but for Clara it means everything.
"He's adorable, baby" - Wilhelm coos, goats are the cutest. But not as cute as his kids.
"Daddy, Radish is a girl!" - The little girl explains.
Simon laughs, he's laying down on the grass, surrounded by baby goats, and next to him Oskar sits, with the littlest goat on his lap. The two-year-old boy gently caresses the top of the animal's head. And Wilhelm can't believe he gets to live every day and witness how much kindness and love there's in a kid's heart. His children, with the man he loves more than anything. How much wonder there's in those little eyes that mirror Simon's.
"Daddy" - Clara calls for him and interrupts his little Simon daydream.
"I have a plan" - the little girl whispers as she tries to hide Radish inside her flowery knitted coat. Even the tiny goat tries to get in - "You distract dad and auntie Sara and I'll run to the car"
Wilhelm urges himself not to giggle as she explains how she'll keep Radish a secret from Simon, and install her in her room's tent, then proceeds to tell him how she'll feed the little goat fruit loops and how they'll be best friends forever.
"Oh honey, I'm not sure it's a great idea. Radish will miss her parents and siblings very much, don't you think?" - Wille explains gently looking at both of them. It's crazy how even the little goat seems disappointed.
Also having yet another animal in the house along with a toddler and a kid would be too much even for him.
"Oh" - Clara looks down sadly at the baby goat in her arms and admits "you are right" - the six-year-old turns to the goat "also, I lied. The tent is not that big"
"But we'll come visit Radish anytime you want" - Wille promises and Clara smiles - "Deal!"
She proceeds to hug and say goodbye to every little goat at the pen.
"Goodbye Franny", "Goodbye Bobby", "Bye Bartholomew", "I'll phone you Pebbles"
A little tear spills as she hugs the white goat tightly - "Goodbye Radish"
And Wilhelm's heart melts.
"Now come here my little bear" - Wilhelm carries her in his arms and she giggles. Linda said their laughs are the same.
"Ready to go, Simme?" - Wilhelm looks down at his two boys still laying in the ground, Simon's eyes are closed and he's cuddling with Oskar over the grass, there's even a sleeping goat nuzzled in Simon's neck.
"Just ten more minutes" - Simon says, eyes still closed as the morning sun shines over him.
"You guys can sleep inside, come on" - Wille says "Besides, you don't wanna miss hot chocolate, do you?"
And soon enough Simon's up with a sleeping Oskar in his arms. The three of them walk back to the house on top of a hill as Simon says "Merry Christmas Wille" they both laugh at the implications of that phrase. It's crazy to think there was a point in life where he thought he lost Simon forever. Now he gets to play in tents, dance around the kitchen and memorize baby animal names with him.
In no time, they'll have to go back to Stockholm and pose for some official family photographs but now, in the middle of nowhere he's incredibly happy.
"Merry Christmas Simon"