I could see Seb had tears in his eyes and I heard Lizzie’s breath catch before she put a hand up to cover her mouth. Placing my arm around her shoulder, I gave her a comforting squeeze.
“And thank you, Santa. For bringing it to me.”
As the little boy looked from his gift to Ted, my eyes went from them to Lizzie, Jason, and Oliver. It seemed we were all a bit teary, and I’d have put money on me not being the only one with a lump in my throat.
“Did you bring Rudolph with you?” Seb asked, hopeful.
“Not this time,” Ted replied. “He needs as much rest as he can get before our big journey tonight.”
Seb nodded and took a much-needed deep breath. “I understand.”
“But if you promise to be a good boy throughout the coming year, maybe I’ll bring him to see you next Christmas.”
“Really?” Seb said, his eyes widening.
As did mine. How Ted planned on getting his hands on a reindeer was anyone’s guess.
“Really,” Ted replied. He smiled at the little boy. “Now you go and put your present under that tree.” He pointed to the inside of Lizzie’s cottage. “Because it’s nearly your bedtime and I have to go.”
“Can’t you stay a bit longer?” Seb asked, almost desperate. “We have hot chocolate. See?” He pointed into the lounge, at Lizzie’s tray on the coffee table.
“And risk not delivering my presents on time?” Ted opened his arms to give Seb a hug before leaving.
Seb raced into the house, dropped his gift under the tree and grabbing his slippers off the wood burner, he frantically put them on before running back to the doorway and throwing himself into Ted’s embrace. He closed his eyes tight.
Seeing the two of them was such a heart-warming sight and as I looked to Oliver, I was pleased to see he was still filming.
“Come on now, Seb,” Lizzie said. “It’s time for Santa to go.”
Seb stepped back. “I love you, Santa,” he said.
Ted stood there, as if lost for words.
Seb looked up at his mum. “I wish Daddy could have been here.”
I took in Lizzie’s sadness. “I know, sweetie,” she said.
Watching the two of them, I thought my heart would break too.
