Part 2

23:37, 5 December 2025

I parked my car in front of our house. I was glad that Pond was equally eager as me, and that he came to pick up Phuwin at the airport, so I didn't need to drive him home.

I unlocked the door and stepped into the almost dark house, only the ambient lights were on. I left my suitcase and bag in the middle of the hallway, not even thinking about unpacking. I quietly walked to the second floor toward the bedroom. It was almost 2 a.m., and I knew Santa was already sleeping. My eyes instantly found him, curled up in our bed, wrapped in a blanket with his head on my pillow. I felt overwhelmed, like some magnetic pull surged through me just seeing him so close again. I stepped closer, sat on the edge of the bed, and leaned in. I gently caressed his cheek with my hand and whispered, "Santa."

He moaned but didn't wake up, like he was in a dream. I kissed his forehead and whispered close to his ear, "Santy, I'm home." His body shifted, but his eyes remained closed. He moaned again and moved his head, still dreaming. And then I saw a tear roll from the corner of his eye.

"Perth, come back," he mumbled in his sleep.

My chest tightened with pain.

"Santa," I said louder this time. "I'm here. I'm home." I lifted him into my arms and hugged him.

"Perth?" he asked, like he wasn't sure if he was still dreaming.

"Perth, you're back?" he said again, hiding his face in the crook of my neck.

He wrapped his arms tightly around me, and I hugged him back. One hand was on his head, the other around his waist. I kissed his neck.

"I missed you so much," he said, still holding on.

"I missed you too, Tata," I replied.

"I had a bad dream," he admitted.

"It's okay. I'm here now, I'm not going anywhere," I tried to comfort him.

"Why didn't you tell me you were coming home? I would've waited for you," he said.

"I wasn't sure which flight we'd catch. I didn't want you to wait if I ended up arriving later," I explained.