I giggle like the love-struck fool I am. ‘Maybe when they put Lottie to bed, we could sneak off for five?’
‘Five? You’re kidding, right? I’m gonna need at least?—’
‘Unless you’re planning on serving your missus up as a side,’ Theo says, striding back into the room for more dishes, ‘put her down, and make yourself useful.’
Axel chuckles but does as he’s told.
‘How quickly you forget that last year,youwere the one who burnt Lottie’s Christmas cookies, becauseyoucouldn’t put your own woman down.’
‘If we’re going to start on burnt dinners, you’re going to lose this battle,’ I tell Ax with a knowing smile. I’m well aware of how many meals we’ve ruined these past few months burning the candle at both ends. Sex and work. Work and sex. Sometimes, both together.
‘Who’s burning what?’ Sadie says, coming into the room.
‘Hopefully, no one and nothing,’ Theo quips back, blowing hair off his face as he lifts two gravy boats off the side. ‘Though it will get cold if you don’t get a move on.’
‘Always so bossy,’ Sadie teases, hurrying up to him with a smile and kissing his cheek. ‘Twojugs of gravy? And you say I’ve let Christmas get out of hand.’
‘Twotypes,’ he says defensively, ‘to try.’
‘Sounds good to me,’ Ax says, taking the jugs out of Theo’s hands as Sadie steps into them. ‘You can never have too much gravy.’
What comes next can only be described as chaos. Everyone dishing up a food mountain while the conversation bubbles around the table. Most of it driven by Lottie, who has the most amazing ability to talk, laugh, eat, and breathe all in the same motion.
It’s dizzying and delightful and exhausting. But a happy kind of exhausting.
Even Ax looks to be enjoying himself. His grin coming easier and wider than I’ve ever known it. Then he catches my eye and it softens into something else.
Six months ago, that smile didn’t exist.
Six weeks ago, neither did we – not like this.
And tonight, surrounded by family and chaos and laughter… I wonder if Sadie’s right; maybe it’s time I put my fears aside and told him the words I never thought I’d say.
Because if I can put my heart on the line after all these years, maybe he can too.
Axel
Helping Theo cook was a decent distraction while waiting for Taylor.
I knew shopping could take hours – they’re women, after all – but I hadn’t anticipated the eternity it would take to eat, clean, and wrestle a sugar-high child into something resembling bedtime readiness.
Especially when that child wants to play Twister. And I’m recruited as her extension aid. Yeah, that’s me. Bending like some contortionist to ensure Trouble hits the colour she needs while everyone else cracks up around me.
We win. I ain’t sure whether it’s down to their giggles or our skills; either way, Lottie’s lauding it about and loving it. High-fiving me in victory.
‘We did it, Uncle G!’
‘Yeah, we did, kid.’
‘And on that joyous note…’ Sadie grabs Lottie’s soaring hand. ‘It’s time for bed, honey.’
She immediately pouts. ‘But I don’t wanna goa bed.’
‘It’s long past your bedtime, kiddo,’ Theo says, lifting her into his arms. ‘And you don’t want to be too tired for the Santa train tomorrow, do you?’
I leave them to their negotiations and reach for Taylor, more than ready for our not-so quick private reunion, when Lottie says, ‘Can Uncle G wead me a stawy?’
I freeze. Tay’s eyes dance, reading my every thought.
