Det var en kølig efterårsdag, da Mikkel så ud gennem vinduet på sit kontor.

It was a cool autumn day when Mikkel looked out the window of his office.

Bladene på træerne havde skiftet farve, og julens lys begyndte at skinne i byen.

The leaves on the trees had changed colors, and the Christmas lights began to shine in the city.

Men Mikkels tanker var ikke på juleforberedelserne.

But Mikkel's thoughts were not on Christmas preparations.

Han ventede på en vigtig opringning fra Anna.

He was waiting for an important call from Anna.

Anna var på hospitalet.

Anna was at the hospital.

Hun skulle føde deres første barn.

She was about to give birth to their first child.

Mikkel var både spændt og nervøs.

Mikkel was both excited and nervous.

Han ønskede at være den bedste far, men tanken på ansvar skræmte ham.

He wanted to be the best father, but the thought of responsibility scared him.

Klokken tikkede videre, og Mikkel sad stadig fast på kontoret med opgaverne, der fyldte hans bord.

The clock kept ticking, and Mikkel was still stuck at the office with tasks filling his desk.

Telefonen ringede pludseligt.

The phone suddenly rang.

Det var Anna.

It was Anna.

"Det er tid," sagde hun.

"It's time," she said.

Mikkels hjerte sprang et slag over.

Mikkel's heart skipped a beat.

Han kom hurtigt i tanker om arbejdet men besluttede, at familien kom først.

He quickly thought of the work but decided that family came first.

Han greb sin frakke og løb ud, ignorerede chefens bryn løftet i undren.

He grabbed his coat and ran out, ignoring his boss's raised eyebrows in wonder.

Udenfor var luften frisk og skarp, fyldt med efterårets duft.

Outside, the air was fresh and crisp, filled with the scent of autumn.

Julelysene i gaderne blinkede som små stjerner.

The Christmas lights in the streets twinkled like little stars.

På hospitalet var der travlt.

At the hospital, it was busy.

Folk gik frem og tilbage mellem de dekorerede sale, hvor kranse og julekugler allerede hang.

People moved back and forth between the decorated halls, where wreaths and Christmas baubles were already hanging.

Mikkel skyndte sig gennem korridorerne, hans sko klikkede på gulvet.

Mikkel hurried through the corridors, his shoes clicking on the floor.

Han frygtede at misse det vigtigste øjeblik i hans liv.

He feared missing the most important moment of his life.

Da han nåede fødestuen, kunne han høre Annas stemme og derefter lyden af et spædbarns første skrig.

When he reached the delivery room, he could hear Anna's voice and then the sound of a newborn's first cry.

Han var kommet i tide.

He had arrived in time.

Han trådte ind og så Anna med et træt smil, der holdt deres nyfødte i armene.

He stepped in and saw Anna with a tired smile, holding their newborn in her arms.

Mikkels øjne fyldtes med tårer.

Mikkel's eyes filled with tears.

Han tog barnet i sine arme, og det lille væsen så op på ham.

He took the child in his arms, and the little being looked up at him.

Der var noget magisk i det øjeblik.

There was something magical in that moment.

Alle hans bekymringer svandt ind.

All his worries melted away.

Han følte en bølge af kærlighed og tro.

He felt a wave of love and faith.

Det gik op for Mikkel, at han allerede havde, hvad der skulle til for at være en god far.

It dawned on Mikkel that he already had what it took to be a good father.

Det var ikke perfektion, der betød noget, men kærlighed og nærvær.

It wasn't perfection that mattered, but love and presence.

Med hjertet fyldt med glæde og hovedet fyldt med planer for deres nye liv så Mikkel ud på de boblende juledetaljer i hospitalets korridor.

With his heart filled with joy and his head filled with plans for their new life, Mikkel looked out at the bubbling Christmas decorations in the hospital corridor.

Midt i juleforberedelserne vidste han, at dette ville blive deres bedste jul nogensinde.

Amidst the Christmas preparations, he knew this would be their best Christmas ever.