I hope you guys have enjoyed reading this as much as I've enjoyed writing it. Merry Christmas to all, and to all, a goodnight!

Chapter Eight

Mr. Kringle looked down at Carmen sadly. She looked very weak, and he knew her time could be short. Breathing a quick prayer, he leaned over and whispered, "Carmen? I'm here." Her large brown eyes opened, and the smile she gave him touched his old heart. "I knew you would come," she said simply. "Mama told me that Papa would find you."

"Yes, he did find me." Placing a chair by her bed, he sat down. "I hear you wanted to speak with me." She nodded. "I have another question to ask you, but I thought I should get help instead of going to you this time." He chuckled. "I think that was a wise decision on your part. Now, what do you want to ask me?"

"Well," she began. "I wanted to ask... if maybe a miracle could happen for me?"

"Oh, Carmen," he sighed. "I don't want your hopes to get too high..."

"I know that I might not be alright," she told him in a voice that was better suited for an adult rather than an eight-year-old girl. "But, I'm worried about my Papa, Mr. Kringle. I don't think he knows Jesus."

He smiled. "I was just with your father at the church. I can't be certain, but I think he's going to be alright with God now."

"Good. I'm glad." She closed her eyes. "I think I'd like to sleep now. Please send Papa in to see me once he's home. Goodnight, Mr. Kringle."

"Goodnight, Carmen," he whispered. After she fell asleep, he went into the parlor. Christine and Meg were sitting, exhaustion evident on their faces.

"Is she asleep now?" Christine asked. "Yes ma'am," he replied. "She wants her father to go see her when he comes back."

"It's nearly midnight," Meg murmured. "You really ought to rest, Christine."

The brunette shook her head. "I can't sleep. She might need me."

"I agree with Mrs. Girand," voiced Mr. Kringle. "We'll wake you if there's any change."

Even Christine couldn't deny that she was weary and her muscles ached. She rose. "If you are quite sure..." However, she was interrupted by Erik's arrival.

"How is she?" he asked immediately.

"She's the same," returned his wife. "She wants to see you."

He bent down and kissed her softly. "Go and rest, love. I'll go see her now." He walked to Carmen's bedroom and lightly tapped on the door. Seeing his daughter stir, he quietly entered the room. "I'm here, princess."

Yawning and rubbing her eyes, she sat up in her bed. "Thank you for finding Mr. Kringle, Papa," she said. "I really needed to know something."

"I know, precious." He sat in the chair and took her hand. "Are you feeling any better?"

"A little," she answered with a smile. "But, I have something I need to tell you."

"I'm listenening." She squeezed his hand and continued. "Papa, I want you to celebrate Christmas this year."

Her request threw him. "Carmen, you know I don't like to celebrate holidays."

"But, Papa, this one is so important!" she pressed urgently. "It would mean so much to me and Mama and William. Please?" Her doe-brown eyes that were exact replicas of her mother's pleaded with him, and he couldn't deny her. "I promise I will." He leaned over and kissed her forehead. "Now, it's time for you to go to bed."

She smiled again. "Goodnight, Papa. I'll see you in the morning."

"Goodnight, Carmen," he said with a lump in his throat. He stayed with her once she was sleeping. She looked so... peaceful. Instantly, a peace he couldn't understand entered his heart. "Thank you, Lord."

o0o

He didn't remember falling asleep, but he woke several hours later in the same chair in Carmen's bedroom. Automatically, we reached over and felt her forehead. What he felt - or rather, what he didn't feel - stunned him. Quickly, he went into his bedroom and woke his wife.

"Christine! Christine, you need to come see Carmen now."

She was instantly awake, her eyes wide with fear. "What is it, Erik? Is she..."

"Come and see," was his cryptic response. They hurriedly made their way to their daughter's room. Christine looked at Erik in a questioning manner. "Feel her," he instructed. Carefully, she placed her hand on Carmen's forehead. All of the burning fire of the fever was gone, leaving a natural warmth. The little girl was also breathing more evenly. Christine's other hand moved to cover her mouth. "Erik, the sickness! It's... can it really be gone?"

He smiled tenderly at his wife and put his arm around her. "Yes, Christine. I daresay it's a miracle."

o0o

That evening, the little family sat in the parlor... all of them. Carmen was being held in her father's lap, and his arms were wrapped around her as if he'd never let her go again.

"Mr. Kringle was right!" William announced. "Christmas is the time for miracles!"

"I just hope next year's miracle is more... minor," murmured Christine, making everyone laugh. Erik kissed his little girl on the cheek. "It looks as though you did witness your miracle, precious," he said. Carmen smiled back at him. "No, Papa," she told him. "You celebrating Christmas with us is my miracle."

"Well, I have another surprise for all of you." Three pairs of eyes eagerly watched the masked man as he managed to pull a piece of paper out of his pocket. Then, he held it up for all to see. "Do you know what this is?" he asked, eyes twinkling.

"It looks like a house," observed William. Carmen grabbed the piece of paper, looked at it, and shrieked, "It's my house! Papa, it's the house I drew for Mr. Kringle!"

"Yes, princess. He helped me find it. We'll be moving there after the start of the new year." His eyes met Christine's as he added, "I thought it was about time we found a new place to live/"

"Papa! Erik!" was heard as the small and joyful group laughed. Indeed, it was a Christmas that none of them ever forgot.

o0o

"Are you sure about this?" asked Christine as she snuggled in next to her husband. "I know being in the opera house is important to you, Erik."

He was silent for a moment, absent-mindedly stroking her hair. Then, he said, "It was important to me. But, almost losing Carmen made me realize that I need to put my family above myself. Quietly, he added, "You never know when they won't be with you anymore."

She smiled at him. "I'm so proud of you, darling." He kissed her on the nose. "And, I'm proud of you for being the amazing woman that you are, love." Then, she rested his head on his chest and closed her eyes. "Goodnight, Erik."

"Goodnight, my own living miracle."

End.