She gives me a watery smile.
“Because he gave me all of you. And now.” Her eyes drop to Callum. “There is a new generation joining us. I know fora fact, he would’ve wanted to be here to spoil you all, and his grandchildren. I’d be doing Robert a serious disservice if I didn’t appreciate everything I’ve been given, when it was stolen from him.”
I bite my lip and close my eyes, swallowing past the painful lump that has formed in my throat.
The doorbell sounds.
Mum’s eyes sparkle, and she runs a finger under each of my eyes.
“Take a minute and think about everything I’ve said,” she says with a smile. “I’m going to greet our extended family.”
She gets up, giving my shoulder a squeeze before making her way to the door. She holds the handle and turns.
“Just to let you know, I’ve invited Jaxson for New Year,” she says, before turning on her heel to greet our guests.
I sink back into the sofa, staring down once more at the little boy snuggled in my lap.
CHAPTER 42
JAX
Ienter the hallway. The Christmas decorations, glittering lights, take me back eighteen years, to the first New Year’s I spent at the Frazer home. Back then, the house was alive with Francesca and Robert’s friends and business associates, and a separate party was arranged for theyoung adults. Francesca’s wording, not mine.
She confided in me years later that she’d called us that, hoping we’d act like young adults and not the teenagers we were.
I hated to disappoint her, we all did. We got drunk, some people snuck off and had sex. It was a party after all, but no one embarrassed her or Robert.
“Jaxson,” Francesca says, walking into the hallway and pulling me down and into a hug. It’s hard to believe she’s so petite when her sons are all giants.
“It’s good to see you. Thank you for inviting me.”
She grins and pats my cheek. “Always so polite. As I’ve told you before, you’re one of the family. Part of the furniture. We’d miss you if you weren’t here.”
I want to disagree with her. I know at least one member of her family who’d probably prefer I wasn’t present. But having survived Christmas with both parents, under the same roof, Iwas not going to chance New Year, so I got on the Eurostar and headed back, leaving Dad with Mum and Peter.
“How was your journey?”
“It was good, thank you. No delays.”
“There you are,” Caleb says, coming out of one of the side rooms. “Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.” He pulls me in for a man hug and slaps my back. “You survived?” he asks, pulling back and looking me in the face.
“I did,” I say with a grin. “They were remarkably civil to one another. I decided to take you up on your invitation and get out of there while I still had a chance.”
“And we are glad you did. Everyone is here apart from Kat. She had a few last-minute emergencies to contend with.” He rolls his eyes, and the bottom drops out of my stomach. “But she should be here in the next half an hour.”
Pen appears behind Caleb and pushes him out of the way.
“Stop hogging. You’re not his only friend,” she says, pulling me in for a hug.
“You and she need to talk,” Pen whispers against my ear.
I pull back and frown at her.
“No frowning old man, it’s New Year,” Elijah says, stepping up and slapping me on the shoulder, almost causing me to lose my balance.
“Jaxson,” Lottie squeals, running from the room they have all just vacated. She throws her arms around my waist and hugs me tight. “I’m so pleased you are here.”
“This is quite the welcome,” I say, shifting her to my side, my arm resting on her shoulder, as it has done since she was little.
