Chapter 73: A New Chance, Maybe?

On Christmas Eve, Bella decided to go out to sort out the last details of the presents, including Théo's. She went into an electronics store with a clear goal: to find the portable console that the boy had asked for months before. When she saw the only one available on the shelf, she quickened her pace, determined to grab it before anyone else did. But, at the exact moment her hand reached for the product, another smaller, agile hand grabbed the console. To her surprise, it was a child's.

“Little boy, I grabbed it first. Let go.”

“I don't want it!” the boy replied firmly. 

“Miss, don't you think you're too old to play video games?”

“It's for my son. Please, let go.”

“No. And if you don't let go of it now, I'm going to call my uncle!”

“You can even call the Pope, but I won't let go!” said Bella, firmly, but internally perplexed by the boy's audacity. Before the argument could escalate, a familiar male voice sounded behind her:

“Are you really arguing with a child over a handheld video game, Miss Bella?”

Bella turned around, immediately recognizing the owner of the voice.

“Dr. Carter?!”

“Hello!” he replied with a smile, clearly enjoying the scene.

Bella was visibly embarrassed, but tried to justify herself:

“This console was going to be Théo’s Christmas present, and I’m not letting go of it.”

“And why didn’t you order it online or buy it in advance?”

“Dr. Carter, if you don’t know, I’m a very busy woman and…”

“You forgot, didn’t you?” Carter interrupted her, arching his eyebrows with a smirk.

“That’s none of your business,” Bella replied, crossing her arms. “Now, help me out here. Ask him to let go.”

“I can’t do that. I promised I would buy whatever he wanted from the store. Since I only see him a few times a year, this is my way of making it up to him.”

“That boy is your son?!” Bella asked, surprised.

“My nephew,” Carter replied, laughing at her expression.

“Oh, I see…” Bella looked at the boy and had an idea. “Kid, if you put down that video game, I’ll buy you whatever you want from the store.” The boy looked at his uncle, considering. Carter gave him a slight nod of approval, encouraging him.

‘Okay, then. I’ll show you what I want,’ the boy said, letting go of the console.

With Bella in tow, he led her to the more expensive console section of the store, just as an employee began to restock the portable video games on the shelf.

‘What the hell!’ Bella muttered as she realized the situation.

Carter laughed, clearly amused, and intervened:

‘Brian, don’t take advantage of the girl’s goodwill. Get the console you wanted first, this one is too expensive.’

The boy sighed, annoyed, but obeyed, going back to get the same portable video game he had been fighting over with Bella before. However, she called out to him:

‘Hey, Brian! Come back here. I’ll buy you that expensive video game. I promised, and I’ll keep it.’

The boy smiled broadly and, without warning, gave Bella a tight hug. Surprised by the gesture, she hesitated for a moment, but ended up reciprocating.

“You’re cool, lady. Thanks!”

Carter watched the scene, smiling.

“Looks like you’ve gained a new fan.”

Bella just shook her head, but deep down, she felt touched. After all, the Christmas spirit seemed to be infiltrating, even if she didn’t want to admit it.

Outside the store, as they walked through the parking lot, Carter and Bella watched Brian, who couldn’t hide his joy with the newly acquired gift.

“He really is very happy. Thank you for this, Bella,” Carter said, with a sincere smile.

Bella, however, was shivering slightly because of the cold, even wearing a wool sweater under her coat, jeans and boots that seemed warm. She tried to warm herself by blowing hot air on her hands, but it didn’t seem to be enough.

Carter, noticing her difficulty, approached and, before she could protest, gently held her cold hands. Bella looked at him in surprise, but soon understood when he took a pair of gloves from his pocket and carefully placed them in her hands.

‘Oh... thank you!’ she said, smiling kindly.

‘You’re welcome,’ he replied, returning her smile. It was clear that a special atmosphere hung in the air between the two.

Before anything else could be said, Brian interrupted for the moment:

‘Uncle, can we go to the ice rink?’

Carter looked at his nephew, then at Bella.

‘That’s fine. Would you like to come with us, Miss Hahn?’

‘Ah, I would love to, but I still need to buy a few things and I promised Théo I would be there before dinner.’

‘Understood. So, we’ll say goodbye here. What a shame... we could schedule another dinner, or maybe lunch this time.’

‘Sure! Why not? You have my number.’ Bella smiled before saying goodbye, leaving with her thoughts mixed between the confusion in the store and the doctor's kind gesture.

Later...

When she got home, Bella kept her promise to arrive on time. She placed the presents under the tree and joined Theo for dinner. While they ate, she told her son about the confusion in the store over the console.

'So, you actually argued with a child?' asked Theo, laughing.

'Argument is an exaggeration! But let's just say the little boy was very persistent.' Bella laughed along with her son, enjoying the light and relaxed moment.

After putting Theo to bed, Bella retired to her room. A warm and relaxing bath helped her to ward off the cold and tiredness. Lying in bed, she absentmindedly scrolled through her cell phone, while her thoughts wandered far away. Inevitably, her mind turned to Dylan. "How is he? Does he feel as lonely as I do this Christmas, without his father? Oh, Dylan... how I wish things were easier between us." She sighed, closing her eyes for a moment, trying to push the memories away.

But suddenly, another face appeared in her mind: Carter. His gesture of warming her hands and his kindness in dealing with Brian had left a mark. Without realizing it, she smiled as she remembered him.

"Am I seriously thinking about him now?"

Bella opened her eyes, letting out a long sigh. On impulse, she unlocked her cell phone and dialed.

"Miss Hahn, what a surprise!" Carter answered, his voice sounding warm even at that moment.

"Did I wake you?"

"No, I was reviewing a patient's case. I'm having a complicated surgery in three days."

"But it will be Christmas..."

"Yes, but saving lives comes first."

"Yes, I can understand that."

"I'm glad you remembered me. And even at this time..."

Bella looked at the clock and noticed that it was already past midnight.

“I didn’t even realize it was so late. I think I’m bothering you. I’d better hang up.”

“Don’t do that. Tell me, what made you call?”

“Well... I thought I’d invite you to Christmas dinner. Theo and I would be happy to have you.”

Carter smiled, even though he knew she couldn’t see him.

“I’m flattered. But I’ll probably spend the night with my patient and then with my family. You know how it is... parents and uncles demand presence.”

“Dr. Carter, you’re even kind when it’s time to dismiss me,” Bella said, feeling a little embarrassed.

“I’m not dismissing you at all. To prove it, how about a joke?”

“Hmm... interesting. Tell me more.”

“What are you wearing now?”

Bella laughed in surprise.

“Not very attractive pajamas.”

“And underneath those pajamas?”

She hesitated for a moment, but smiled as she answered, "Just a pair of black lace panties." "I'm wondering..." Carter replied, his voice full of charm. Bella laughed, feeling a mix of relaxation and unexpected warmth taking over the moment. Maybe this Christmas had more surprises in store than she imagined.