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“Will this work?” Marlena says.
She reaches into her gown and takes out her twine necklace and pulls it over her head. It’s the one she kept playing with during our dinner at the hotel so many years ago.
“That’s almost exactly the same,” Bradley says, a huge grin on his face. “It’s perfect.”
“It’s not perfect,” I say. “That was given to you by your mother. You never take it off.”
“I don’t need it anymore,” she says. “I’m old and I’m sick. Bradley, please wash it up and use it for the little girl’s necklace.”
“Mar, no.”
“Yes, now enough. I’ve made up my mind.”
She hands the piece of
twine over to Bradley who beams like the present was for him personally.
“You’re the best, Mrs. Claus! Thank you so much!”
He darts out of the room.
“Baby,” I say as I hold her head against my chest. “That was sweet.”
“It was,” Nathaniel’s voice suddenly thunders from above.
I look up to see him and for the first time Marlena does too. It seems she’s able to see the figure of the golden angel watching over us.
“He is real,” she says.
“You didn’t believe me?”
“I did, but I never thought I would be able to see him.”
“You’ve done a remarkable deed, Marlena Claus. You’ve given wholeheartedly.”
Butterflies fill my chest and I wonder if he’s saying what I think he’s saying.
“In the eyes of the Lord, you are worthy of a life of good deeds and from this moment forth will be by the side of Nicholas Claus where you will both live for eternity as saints with the duty of giving back and bringing smiles to the faces of the world’s children.”
I can’t believe it. She’ll live.
“I don’t understand,” she says.
“Are you saying she’s going to live?” I ask.
I can’t see Nathaniel’s face but I can tell he’s nodding his head.
“As Nicholas, your son, will fill your shoes this Christmas, enjoy the beginning of your long life together.”
With a wave of his hand I feel my body rejuvenating, the way it has every year since it all began, and I see Marlena’s doing the same. Her hair returns to its original black color, her skin smooths out, and her lungs settle down and sound empty and clear. She breathes easily. Her breasts tighten and her body strengthens.
I’m in awe. I never thought I’d see the day that I’d have a partner for life. And I know that for the rest of my life I will always be happy. I’m no longer alone. I have my best friend by my side.
Alone again in our room, I lock the door, strip naked, and gesture for Mrs. Claus to do the same. She asked me just yesterday, while still sick, what I want for Christmas. I didn’t know the answer then, but I do now.
I want a climax for Christmas.
THE END
