soon be lost again. So, they had to stop it! This was merciful love, unconditional love. This was love to spare young children of years upon years of heart ache.
Sam smiled gently at his brother to acknowledge and assert their common decision: This had to be done. Rob smiled back at his twin brother. All was as it should, they were in agreement. No matter how painful it would be, there were no options left now.
Suddenly, in the corner of their eyes, the two brothers saw four familiar shapes walking across the square, passing the giant Christmas tree. Four persons were laughing and walking towards the big entrance in the colourfully decorated department store. No more than a few minutes later their wives and sons were in the building to buy some last minute presents.
Now, this was the moment.
"I love you…" The brothers whispered simultaneously to their wives and young sons.
A few seconds passed in silence. Rob held Sam's hand even tighter, to give him every ounce of comfort and support he possibly could, as the sound of Rob's phone dialling the detonator filled the room.
With tears falling down their cheeks, the two brothers stood behind the window rattling in the pressure wave of the blast. A cloud of white and yellow fire engulfed the beautiful Christmas tree and square in an instant. And the department store, with its glistening glass and lights, were flying through the air as deadly debris in a fire wind.
They were saved. Their own beloved sons, and so many other children, had been saved now.
Never would they have to live with the same pain their fathers had. Never would their beloved sons ache and desperately yearn - yearn for the magic of childhood Christmases lost.
Never.