Chapter 5
862 Words
Christmas was approaching.
You could feel it everywhere — in the air, in the streets, in the children’s eyes. And for the first time in a long while, Elena realized she was actually looking forward to something.
Not to anything big.
Just… the small things.
Adam had his Christmas performance at school.
He stood on the stage, a little unsure of himself, but the moment he spotted her in the audience, his face lit up.
Max sang Christmas carols in kindergarten — loud, fearless, as if he were the only one in the world.
Elena sat among the other parents and felt something she hadn’t felt in a long time.
Peace.
This… was everything.
The days that followed were full of movement.
Shops, lists, gifts, wrapping paper.
Elena moved from one place to another, trying to get everything done, but at the same time, she allowed herself to enjoy the atmosphere.
One day, while standing at the checkout, her eyes landed on a small item near the register.
It wasn’t anything special.
Just a small thing.
She picked it up.
Hesitated for a moment…
and then placed it in her basket.
For Peter.
She didn’t really know why.
Maybe out of habit.
Or maybe because somewhere deep inside, she believed she would see him again.
The kids were on holiday.
The apartment was full of laughter, chaos, and scattered toys. Mornings were slower. Evenings calmer.
And then, one evening, as she was putting Max to bed, her phone buzzed.
Unknown number.
She opened the message.
“Hi. Everything’s fine. I had a virus, it really knocked me out. But I’m back now.”
A work number.
Peter.
For a moment, Elena just stared at the screen.
“I’m glad you’re okay,” she replied.
The days kept passing.
Christmas was just around the corner.
Elena baked, cleaned, laughed with the kids. She tried to create a home they deserved.
It was only a few days before Christmas Eve when everything shifted.
The doorbell rang.
Unexpected.
She wasn’t expecting anyone.
She opened the door.
And there he was.
Tomáš.
“You think this is normal?” he snapped as he walked in without waiting.
“Tomáš, what are you doing here?” she tried to stay calm.
“You ruined everything!” he shouted. “Our family, our future!”
“That’s not true—”
She didn’t finish.
His hand hit her.
From the children’s room came a cry.
“Mom!”
Elena stepped back, trying to steady herself, fear tightening in her chest.
The door opened again.
“Good afternoon, package—”
Peter.
He stopped in the doorway.
One look was enough.
Without hesitation, he stepped inside and placed himself between them.
“Enough.”
Tomáš turned and hit him.
Peter stumbled, but didn’t fall.
He straightened… and hit back.
Tomáš lost his balance.
“Leave,” Peter said firmly. “And don’t come back until you’ve calmed down.”
Tomáš hesitated for a moment…
then left.
The door shut.
Silence.
Elena sank into a chair in the kitchen, her hands shaking.
“Are you okay?” Peter asked.
She nodded.
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
Then he gave a small smile.
“I just came to deliver a package.”
Through her tears, she smiled too.
That evening, after the children fell asleep, she picked up her phone.
“Thank you… for today. You saved me.”
She hesitated.
Then added:
“I forgot to give you something. Maybe after Christmas.”
She sent it.
Christmas came quietly.
Just her and the children.
Christmas Eve was simple, but beautiful.
The kids opened their presents, laughing, the room filled with joy.
Later, they fell asleep in front of a fairy tale.
Outside, the snow began to fall.
Elena sat by the window, holding a warm cup of tea.
Silence.
Peace.
The doorbell broke the moment.
She went downstairs and opened the gate.
In front of her stood the SPS van.
And next to it… Peter.
Snow was falling heavily, quietly… almost magically.
“Did you forget something?” she asked.
“No,” he smiled softly. “I just wanted to make sure you’re okay.”
He paused.
“But I did bring something.”
He reached into the van and handed her a small box.
“It’s just something small… but I was thinking about you.”
Elena opened it.
Inside was a gold necklace.
With three small letters.
A.
M.
P.
She looked up.
Their faces were close.
Peter kissed her.
This time…
she didn’t pull away.
She kissed him back.
The snow fell heavier around them.
“Come… have some tea,” she whispered.
Inside, it was quiet. The children were asleep.
They sat across from each other in the living room, warm cups in their hands.
“My wife… left,” Peter said quietly. “She realized something was going on.”
Elena just listened.
They looked at each other.
Something had changed.
“Can I… call you by your first name?” he asked.
Elena smiled softly.
“You can.”
Outside, the snow kept falling.
And that night…
finally felt like something.
- Writer
