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There were so many reasons why John loved Christmas. The jolly spirit, the music, the cookies… but he loved it even more, ever since his daughter came into his life. Seeing the joy in children’s eyes around Christmas time was just something else…
It was Christmas Eve and just like every year, since six years, Celina was perched in front of the Christmas tree, in her star pajamas, desperately trying to pretend that she wasn’t dead tired. Their german shepard 'Bear' laying next to her. Vigilant. Protecting her like always.
All while John and Bailey were sitting on the couch, watching their daughter with nothing but love in their eyes.
“Is it foolish to hope she never grows out of this?”, John whispered, watching, as his daughter’s head once again tilted forward, then jolting awake again. He felt Bailey’s head rub against his shoulder. “No. Or… maybe it is… but I hope for the same…”
When they were open, the fairy lights reflected in Celina’s eyes, shining with so much joy and happiness. John never got to experience the magic of Christmas. So it felt natural to him to grant it to his daughter.
“I have to drag her away from the tree, don‘t I?“, John asked and instead of shaking her head, Bailey nodded this time. “Yes, you do… I had that dishonor last year… and I don’t think it will ever get any easier…”, Bailey answered and John sighed, looking at the clock. It was 11pm already and with Celina’s usual bed time being 8pm, it was a miracle she hadn’t yet fallen asleep, even if she was clearly fighting.
And so, after pressing a kiss to his wife’s cheek, he got up from the couch, walked across the living room and then crouched down next to Bear, who perked up as he approached, and Celina, taking in the sight.
The Christmas tree truly was beautiful… and so was his daughter beside it.
“Hey there, sweetie. It’s pretty late already. Don’t you want to go to bed?”, he asked carefully, looking into Celina’s tired eyes. Though she shook her head, mumbling: “No… I want to see Santa…”
“I see…”, John answered softly, pretending to be considering something. “How about this. Mommy and I stay awake, hide, and when Santa comes, we wake you. How does that sound?”
Celina made a sound somewhere between agreement and doubt, roving around slightly. “Mommy said that too last Christmas… but you didn’t wake me…”, she protested and now Bailey leaned forward, speaking to her from the couch.
“That’s because Santa was way too clever to be caught… but since we know that now, we will try even harder. Okay, baby?”
Once again, Celina hummed in consideration, her eyes falling shut again, before she finally nodded. “All right… but really try this time…”, Celina mumbled, before stretching out her arms towards John, who gently picked her up, getting up from the ground as well.
“I promise, mommy and daddy will do their best.”, John said woefully as he carried Celina to her room, tucking her into her bed, Bear and Bailey following close behind him.
The moment Celina snuggled up into her blanket, her teddy bear tightly held in her arms, she looked up at her parents, her mouth open as if she were to say something- only for every possible word to be swallowed by a soft, easy breath. She fell asleep just like that.
John smiled, carefully pressing a kiss onto his daughter’s forehead.
“Good night, sweetheart.”
Carefully, they made their way out of their daughter’s room and only after they were long out of ear shot, did Bailey speak up again.
“Well then… Let’s catch Santa, shall we?”
“Let’s do it.”, John agreed and after one short kiss, they headed for the cupboard they hid the presents in.
Celina would grow out of believing in Santa someday. But deep down, John hoped to see his daughter looking up at the tree every year. Just to see that sparkle in her eyes. Just to see her happy.