Chapter Text
Gerasin took off his jacket and big fluffy earmuffs.
"We wrote a letter to Santa Claus today."
He dropped his rucksack beside the table and hopped onto a chair. Andrew was already making lunch.
"Oh, really? Can you show it to me?"
"Noo..." Gerasin shook his head. "You can't see it, dad! Only Santa and I can see it!"
Andrew chuckled and placed a plate of food in front of his son.
"Silly me. Then you'll have to put it in an envelope and put it somewhere where he can see it."
Andrew grabbed an apron from the kitchen hanger.
"Of course! What are you doing?"
"We're baking gingerbread today."
Gerasin gasped.
"Really!? Can I help?"
"I'll definitely need your help." Andrew began to prepare the ingredients. "But it will take me some time to make the dough, so you will do your homework before I finish."
Gerasin whined.
"No."
"Yes."
No. He signed.
Yes. Andrew signed back.
"Finee.."
Gerasin took his books out of his rucksack.
"Dad? But will Santa manage to take my letter quickly?"
"I think so. I saw him near the shopping centre not long ago. He is already working."
"Good! Then he must be really fast!"
"Could you at least tell me what you wished for? Please?"
"No. Not a word!"
Andrew smiled to himself.
"All right..." he said in a fake sad voice.
"Don't be sad, dad! You'll find out at Christmas, eventually." Gerasin stuck out his tongue, trying to concentrate on the exercises he had in front of him. "But have you written your letter?"
"Not yet. I don't have many ideas. I think I have everything."
"Really? But you said something about a new carpet for you and papa's bedroom. Maybe you should ask Santa for it." Gerasin closed his notebook.
"I'll think about it." Andrew put the dough in the fridge to cool. "But I can't tell you, you know."
"Yes, yes! Do you think Santa will be angry if we tell anyone?"
"No... but I think it might lose its magic..." He whispered.
Gerasin giggled.
"Can you help me with my maths?"
Andrew's smile immediately faded.
*
Gerasin stood on the chair and gripped the handles of the rolling pin. Andrew stood behind him, his hands holding Gerasin's.
"You can't press that hard. The dough is supposed to short crust after baking, so it is important."
Gerasin nodded in understanding.
"And here we go. Now you can cut it into shapes."
"Dad? When will we have a Christmas tree?" Gerasin took one of the moulds and pressed it onto the dough.
"Probably this weekend. Papa's haf knock off day, so we'll have plenty of time to pick it out and decorate it."
"But a real one, right? And will it smell nice like last year?"
"Of course, darling. A real, nice smelling one."
Gerasin put the last biscuit on a baking tray.
"Too few gingerbreads! There is not enough dough!" He looked at him anxiously.
Andrew took the rest of the dough and began to knead it.
"No, son. There is plenty left. Just look."
He formed it into a balll and rolled it out again.
"See? There is a lot. Now fill this whole baking tray and we can cut more."
The flat was filled with a lovely smell of cinnamon soon after Andrew put the first baking tray in the oven. He grabbed the icing sugar to make the frosting.
"What sprinkles?" He held up the boxes, but Gerasin didn't even look at them.
"All of them!"
"What's that lovely smell?" Rang out after some time passed.
Luca shut the door before the cold wind could get in. When he got no answer, he moved closer and nudged Gerasin.
"What are you doing?" He asked a little louder.
Gerasin pointed to the colourful gingerbreads on the baking trays in front of him.
We are making gingerbread!
Without me? Luca grabbed one and bit its head off.
"Hey! Shame on you!"
Andrew stumbled out of the rooms, still wearing his apron.
"Sorry, darling. It looked delicious." Luca looked at Gerasin's shocked face.
Papa ate Mr Ginger! What will Mrs Ginger do now?
We will make a new one. You could help us. Andrew pointed at Luca.
I will eat them all!
No!
*
Andrew silently closed the doors to Gerasin's room. He sat down on the bed next to Luca and adjusted his glasses.
"Let me see..."
Dear Santa,
I promise I have been really good this year! I did my homework and helped my dads when they needed my help. I want you to ask for:
Daddy to change his job. It causes him a lot of pain. And a new old book for him!
Papa to go to university, like he always wanted to, and a set of screwdrivers!
Money for Grandpa Alva's new tattoo and food for his cats. And a green tie for Grandpa Herman. And I also want Grandpa Herman to stop fighting with Papa.
New flowerpots for Grandma Halina, red heels for Grandma Antonija or a nice necklace. Oh, or maybe matching rings for Grandma Antonija and Grandma Geumseong.
And I want a new Pokemon soft toy.
Gerasin.
"Hey, love?" Andrew took off his glasses and wiped tears from his eyes.
"Hmm?" Luca muttered from the other side of the bed.
"I think we need to do some big shopping soon."