Røgen fra skorstenen steg op mod den klare efterårshimmel.

The smoke from the chimney rose towards the clear autumn sky.

Indenfor i det store familiehus summede der af liv.

Inside the large family house, there was a buzz of life.

Nikolai sad stille for sig selv i et hjørne af stuen, omgivet af hustandslyden af latter og klingende glas.

Nikolai sat quietly by himself in a corner of the living room, surrounded by the household sounds of laughter and clinking glasses.

Det var den tid på året, hvor hans familie samlede sig for en tidlig julefest.

It was that time of year when his family gathered for an early Christmas party.

Juletræslysene blinkede i så mange farver, mens ilden knitrede i pejsen.

The Christmas tree lights blinked in so many colors while the fire crackled in the fireplace.

Han havde ikke fejret jul med familien, siden han flyttede til udlandet for nogle år siden.

He hadn’t celebrated Christmas with the family since he moved abroad a few years ago.

Nikolai var vendt hjem for at være en del af denne særlige aften, men han følte sig uventet som en gæst i sit eget hjem.

Nikolai had returned home to be part of this special evening, but he unexpectedly felt like a guest in his own home.

Traditioner havde ændret sig.

Traditions had changed.

Der blev talt hurtigere, og nye indvendige vittigheder fyldte rummet.

Conversations were faster, and new inside jokes filled the room.

Det føltes som om, han aldrig ville kunne være en del af samme samstemte rytme som de andre.

It felt as if he would never be able to be part of the same coordinated rhythm as the others.

Signe, hans sprudlende kusine, bemærkede hans tilbagetrukne natur.

Signe, his lively cousin, noticed his withdrawn nature.

Hun kom over og gav ham et stort knus.

She came over and gave him a big hug.

"Nikolai!

"Nikolai!

Du skal være med, kom nu!"

You need to join in, come on!"

sagde hun med et smil, der kunne smelte sne.

she said with a smile that could melt snow.

Hun hev ham med over til gruppen af fætre og kusiner, der spillede en leg med røde og hvide nissehuer.

She pulled him over to the group of cousins who were playing a game with red and white Santa hats.

Nikolai prøvede at deltage med et smil, men følte sig klodset.

Nikolai tried to participate with a smile but felt awkward.

Signe blev ved med at opmuntre ham.

Signe kept encouraging him.

"Husk, julen handler om at være sammen!"

"Remember, Christmas is about being together!"

sagde hun og skubbede en kop rødgløgg i hans hånd.

she said and pushed a cup of warm gløgg into his hand.

Sidst på aftenen, mens de sad om pejsen, blev Nikolai omsider modig nok til at tale.

Later in the evening, as they sat around the fireplace, Nikolai finally gathered the courage to speak.

"Jeg har savnet jer alle sammen.

"I’ve missed you all.

Det har været hårdt at være væk så længe," begyndte han.

It’s been hard being away for so long," he began.

Stemningen blev stille, og familiens ansigter blev alvorlige med forståelse.

The room grew quiet, and the family’s faces turned serious with understanding.

"Vi har også savnet dig, Nikolai," sagde Signe, blidt.

"We’ve missed you too, Nikolai," Signe said gently.

"Du er altid en del af os."

"You are always a part of us."

De begyndte at dele historier fra deres tid sammen, mindede om tidligere jule og grinede af de fjollede hændelser, der bandt dem.

They began sharing stories from their time together, reminiscing about past Christmases, and laughing at the silly events that bound them.

Nikolai følte en varme indeni, som han ikke havde forventet.

Nikolai felt a warmth inside that he hadn’t expected.

Det var som om, han blev viklet ind i et usynligt familietæppe, fyldt med kærlighed og accept.

It was as if he was being wrapped in an invisible family blanket, filled with love and acceptance.

Da natten skred frem, flød samtalerne frit, og latteren blev dybere.

As the night went on, conversations flowed freely, and the laughter grew deeper.

Nikolai vidste nu, at selvom traditionerne ændrede sig, var hans familie stadig den samme.

Nikolai now knew that even though the traditions had changed, his family was still the same.

Deres kærlighed var uændret.

Their love was unchanged.

Han smilede, mens han så flammerne slikke mod brændet, og følte endelig, at han var kommet hjem.

He smiled as he watched the flames lick the wood, and finally felt that he had come home.