“Julian...I...it’s amazing,” Emily choked, her eyes pooling with tears as she turned to me.
I wrapped my arm around her shoulders and faced her towards the room again.
“Welcome home, baby. Merry Christmas.”
This time, it seemed to click. She gasped and spun around to face me, shock and confusion filling her eyes.
“What do you mean, welcome home?” Emily asked in a trembling voice.
“The house is yours, Emily. Merry Christmas.” I quickly pulled her close, kissing the top of her head, bracing myself for her reaction.
“You...I can’t...you can’t buy me a bloody house!” She wasn’t shouting, which surprised me. Her voice was more of a whisper.
“I can, and I have. I wanted us to have somewhere to call home when we visit. Which, we will be doing more often, by the way.”
“Oh my God. I don’t know what to say...I...” I placed my finger over her lips, halting her stuttered words.
“You don’t have to say anything. Just enjoy it. And for God’s sake, move up so this lot can get out of the cold.” Emily was still standing only slightly inside the doorway. Ryan, Natalie, Samantha and Michael were still standing on the porch, freezing half to death by the looks of them. Emily giggled before rushing forward and throwing herself down on the sofa, taking a deep breath and smiling at the magnificent sight of the Christmas tree with a contented look in her eyes. That was a far better reaction than I could ever have hoped for.
I rolled over, squinting at the illuminated screen of my iPhone. 6.18a.m. I was pretty sure I had lain awake for long enough, now it was time to wake the rest of the household. Emily was still deep in sleep and Maia was sprawled out between us, breathing deeply. Her nose made the slightest squeaking sound each time she exhaled, and I couldn’t help but smile. The two of them, lying peacefully next to me, was the most beautiful sight I had ever seen. Maia looked almost identical to Emily in sleep. Both had the same pale and flawless complexion, both had dark chestnut coloured waves that fanned out across their pillows, and both had the same plump mouth with the permanent pout, even when they were as good as comatose. I could happily lay and watch them forever. But, I was excited. And so I had to wake them. I stroked my fingers alone Maia’s jaw as I whispered her name and, within seconds, her eyes blinked open.
“I’ve got a surprise for you. Shall we wake Mummy?” Her lips morphed into a wide smile as she nodded her head eagerly, rubbing at her eye with the back of her hand as she sat up.
“Mummy!”
I couldn’t stop the loud burst of laughter that erupted from my chest at Maia’s very unsubtle way of waking Emily. She pulled at Emily’s eyelid, effectively opening her eye, before peering right into it at very close range. Emily startled and jerked back. “What are you two up to?” she grumbled, confusion written all over her face as we both hovered over her, each with a ridiculously wide grin spread across our faces. I giggled with Maia, feeling like a schoolboy caught in the girls’ locker room.
“Waking everyone up! Come on.” I yanked the cover away and rolled her out of bed, ignoring her protests and desperate pleas for another hour of sleep.
We each went to one of the other three doors and counted down three, two, one before pounding on the door to wake the sleeping people inside. The three of us giggled as we listened to the groans and mumbling that erupted in each room.
I made everybody wait for everybody else to surface before leading them down the stairs, stopping them outside the door leading to the front room. “Wait here! No peeking,” I ordered before slipping into the room and flicking a switch. Every fairy light in the room flickered before burning bright, bringing the entire room to life.
I swung the door open and stepped aside, allowing the eight of them to enter the room. I heard numerous gasps and words of excitement as they all stood in front of the Christmas tree, gawping down at the presents beneath it. This had been my reason for insisting that everyone stay at the cottage, I wanted to see each and every one of their faces when they saw the mountain of neatly wrapped gifts. Of course, Henry knew all about it, he had helped me set it all up, but the others didn’t have a clue. But, right now, I was only drawn to one particular face. Maia squealed in delight and I instantly dropped to my knees beside her and reached for the closest present. I had never been happier than I was in that moment. Watching the joy behind Maia’s eyes as she opened each parcel was overwhelming. I had never felt a stronger sense of gratification and I realised that this feeling was exactly what Jason had referred to on the many occasions when he had told me how rewarding it was to be a father.
The room buzzed with excitement as everyone watched Maia open toy after toy. The unicorn, I had left at home, I wanted that one to come from Santa. Every person had a gift to open. Samantha was thrilled with her bracelet - the one that matched the necklace from Emily that she hadn’t yet received. Michael was a quiet bloke, very shy, who rarely spoke a word to me, but he had leapt from his seat when he saw his two tickets, granting him a full day of racing any car you could think of, Ferrari, Porsche, Lamborghini, you name it, they had it. I had thought a little harder about Natalie’s gift and had decided on a week’s holiday for both her and Ryan. With a little one on the way, that would probably be their last chance to spend some real quality time alone. She was ecstatic. Henry and Diane also ended up with holiday vouchers; I didn’t know the couple well and had no idea what I could possibly buy to impress them. I figured you couldn’t go far wrong with vouchers.
“This is for you,” I said, handing Emily a small, neatly wrapped box.
“Thank you so much, Julian. I can’t believe you did all this.” She stroked her hand through my hair, looking at me with such intensity behind her adoring eyes it made my chest ache.
“I couldn’t have done it without Henry. I just wanted you to have the perfect Christmas with everyone you love.”
She kissed my lips delicately before slowly sliding the paper from the box. She gasped as the box popped open to reveal the single two carat diamond, set in white gold to perfectly match her engagement ring, hanging from an elegant white chain. Hanging next to the diamond was a tiny flat tag. I flipped it over to reveal the name ‘Julian’ that had been intricately carved into the gold. “Now you can keep a part of me close to your heart,” I said as she stared, astonished, at the sparkling necklace.
“Thank you,” she choked as a single tear rolled down her cheek.
“You’re very welcome.” I took the chain from the box and carefully fastened it around her neck. “Beautiful,” I whispered against her neck before pressing a soft kiss to her skin.
I served the roast dinner - cooked by own fair hands - equally onto each plate and laid them out on the table, taking care to straighten each cracker as I passed. As soon as I called, all eight bodies hurried into the dining room. Each and every one of them bickered about who was sitting where and which plate had more turkey and which had fewer potatoes. It really was ridiculous, but I found myself smiling as I watched them. I couldn’t remember the last time I had socialised with so many people at once. I had always been happier on my own. It didn’t matter how many invites I got, year after year, from Aunt Eva, or from Natalie, I would never go to either of them for Christmas dinner. I had never allowed myself to make a big deal out of Christmas; it was just another day, as far as I was concerned. It had brought me nothing but bad memories of false hope and crushing disappointment for the best part of my childhood so I had never wanted to be a part of the celebrations. I wouldn’t open myself to more disappointment.
This year was different. I was different. I had done this today for Emily, and for Maia, and never before had I done anything so selfless. I had never cared about anyone’s needs more than I cared about my own. Until now. To watch Emily and Maia so happy filled me with nothing but warmth. Settled comfortably within all the chaos and mayhem that came with having so many people in one room, I was actually quite enjoying myself.
I could barely hear myself think over the bustling noise around the table. Maia was playing food aeroplanes with Natalie. Ryan was talking cars with Michael. Diane was calling to the opposite end of the table to get Emily’s attention while Emily leaned across to pour more wine into her glass. Yet I was still smiling. Henry made a point of clearing his throat, much louder than necessary, and the noise calmed a little. Well, Diane had stopped shouting anyway. I think she had had a little too much red wine judging by the way she hadn’t stopped talking for the past ten minutes, and she was usually very quiet.
“So, when’s the big day then, kids?” Henry called over the noise and everyone stopped talking, turning their attention to either Emily or myself.
“I told you, Dad, we’re not getting married yet,” Emily lied. I could tell she was lying by the sudden rush of blood to her cheeks. That, and the fact that she had already picked the venue and asked me to set a date. Why she was so nervous about telling her dad was beyond me. He was thrilled for the two of us.
“That’s not the impression I got from Julian?” He turned his attention to me and I grinned, winking an eye at him. He knew we were getting married soon; I had already spoken to him. But, I had asked him not to mention our little conversation in front of Emily; I wasn’t sure how she’d react.
Emily must have noticed the wink. “You spoke to my dad?”
“Of course he did, Ems. He’s certainly traditional, I’ll give him that. Wanted to ask me for my blessing.” He smirked at me, knowing full well he’d just dropped me right in it. “Dunno why he felt the need though, he already asked me once before he proposed.”
“Oh my God! You didn’t?” Emily seemed more than amused, although I couldn’t imagine why. I thought she’d be pissed at me for scheming behind her back.
“I did, yes,” I replied before gulping down a large mouthful of beer. I suppose Henry thought it was decent of me to ask for his blessing before I proposed and he wanted to share this piece of information with everyone at the table. But now I felt like an idiot. Emily clearly found it very funny.
“Good on ya, man,” Ryan chirped up. “So you should as well. If this little one in here happens to be a girl,” he said, placing his hand across Natalie’s stomach, “then no man will get near her until I’ve given him permission. And if he doesn’t even bother his arse to ask, you can forget it.”
Thank you, Ryan.
All four women insisted on making themselves busy, washing the dishes and cleaning the kitchen, while us men were ordered to put our feet up with a beer. I glanced across to Henry, he was perched on the edge of the sofa, his elbows resting on his knees, seemingly deep in thought as he stared vacantly at nothing in particular.
“You okay, Henry?” I asked.
“Yeah,” he replied, lifting his eyes to meet mine. He suddenly looked content, satisfied in some way and I wondered what private debate he must have been having with himself. “Come with me, son. I want to show you something.” He stood and nodded towards the stairs. I followed, my stomach clenching with light flutters as my mind raced through the possibilities of what he was about to show me. He went into what had been his room for the night and paused, pinching at the bridge of his nose. He looked like he was having some sort of battle with himself again. Or maybe he was unwell?
“You feeling okay?” I pressed as I pushed the door closed.
“Yeah, yeah, I’m fine,” he said. He raised his head and stopped pacing back and forth for a moment. Then he looked directly at me. His eyes overflowed with emotion as they glassed over slightly. “Firstly, I want to thank you,” he began.
“You don’t need to thank me, Henry. This was as much your doing as it was mine,” I interrupted.
“I’m not just talking about today. I’ve never seen Emily so...so happy. And after everything she went through as a kid, I honestly never thought I would. You’re doing real good by her, Julian. And I can’t even begin to tell you what that means to me.” He paused for a moment and his eyes appeared to sadden as he looked to the floor. “I wanted to give you something. I know you haven’t set the date yet, but you just keep hold of it until then.” He pulled a small box from his jeans pocket and held it towards me. I felt my brows furrow as I watched him.
“What’s that?”
“Here, take it,” he ordered, although he looked as if he really didn’t want to let go of it.
I took the box and opened it slowly. Inside was a small white band with a slim line of individual glistening diamonds running through the middle. I swallowed hard against the lump that was forming in my throat, not needing an explanation as to why he was giving me the ring. I already knew what it was
“It was Sarah’s wedding ring. It hasn’t left my side since the day she died, but it’s time to let go. Of course, if you already have your own rings planned then I won’t be offended, but I’d really like Emily to have it.”
I looked up and caught Henry wiping a tear from his cheek and it was all I could do not to break down. I was stunned. This was his way of showing me that he welcomed me into his family. No one had ever welcomed me into anything. Even as a child I’d been a total outcast, the kid from the scary family that no one wanted to play with. I had never been accepted. But, here he was, the father of the woman I loved, handing me his most treasured possession. I felt as if I was choking. My throat had tightened and my chest physically ached. I could never tell him how much this gesture meant to me, I simply couldn’t find the words.
“Are you sure?” I asked in a strangled voice.
“I’m positive, son. I had always planned to give this to Emily one day. One of the last things her mum asked me to do was to keep that ring until Emily found the right one.” He paused and chuckled quietly. “She made me promise that I wouldn’t give it up until I was certain that her man was worthy of her baby. And you most definitely are. You have my blessing, Julian. Now,” he paused to wipe at his moistened cheek again, “you go set that date.”
I tried to turn to leave the room, but I couldn’t. After everything Henry had just said to me, I couldn’t just walk out and not say anything. But I couldn’t seem to force my overwhelmed brain into forming any coherent words. I span around and wrapped my arms around his shoulders, slapping his back to make the hug seem a little manlier. “Thank you, Henry. You will never know how much this means to me.”