Page 36 of The Christmas Book Flood
Once Elea had quieted enough to allow forconversation, Tatiana put the phone back to her own ear. “I’m so glad, Gunnar. What will you name him?”
“Elias, after your father. When do you think you can get here with Elea? We miss her so much.”
She smiled over at the little girl still dancing a jig in the center of her rug. At the man watching with a grin from his place on the couch, manuscript pages in his lap. He met her gaze, perhaps imagining what question had just been asked. Nodded.
“We’ll be there tomorrow,” she said into the phone. “Tell Ari to get as good a night’s sleep as she can. We’ll leave right after breakfast.”
“Thank you, Tatta,” Gunnar said, his voice sounding choked with emotion. “For keeping her. For making the holiday special for her when we couldn’t.”
Tatiana had to laugh. “Oh, trust me. She’s the one who made it special.” They said their farewells and she hung up, then went back to her place beside Anders and cuddled in.
It had been by far the best Christmas of her life. One of discovery, of love, of surprises, of truth. Of family, new and newly appreciated. She smiled and picked up her book.
All that, and it was just getting started. She could only imagine the joy tomorrow would bring.
