“How isthisPlanet of the Apes?” Gordan yells, mimicking Charles’ monkey impression.
“You just concentrate on your own team, little brother. My guys knew what I was doing.”
“You keep telling yourself that, chimp boy.”
“Just get on with your turn.”
“Sure thing, Bubbles.”
It goes on like that through charades, Wink Murder, and Pictionary. Musical Chairs got positively violent. Lisa has printed out actual cocktail menus and Rhiannon ropes me in to trying each of the seven offerings with her. We were halfway through the menu when we sat down to lunch, which consisted of every side dish imaginable to go with the biggest turkey I’ve ever seen. Once that was consumed and everyone practically rolled back into the lounge while Luke, Jake, and Harry did the washing up, we resumed our drinking challenge. When everyone joins us, Lucas proudly announces that it is time for presents and offers to play Santa, dishing them out. There are so many presents. Of course, most are for the kids and I feel relieved that I’d thought to buy little token gifts for Freddie and Margot as Jake had bought them things too.
I’m mortified when I’m given gifts from Charles and Cami, Gordan and Hen, and Rhiannon and Luke. I hardly know these people; I didn’t think we would be doing presents. Of course, they all tell me not to worry, they didn’t buy gifts to receive gifts but still, I feel like a class-A dick. The velvet makeup case from Rhiannon and Luke, the fancy bath stuff from Gordan and Hen, and the voucher for a popular chain restaurant—with enough on it for a two-course meal for two, plus drinks—from Charles and Cami are all so thoughtful and all things I will use. Man, I feel like shit.
“I’m so sorry I didn’t get you all something,” I say to the room and am met with protests of how it doesn’t matter. “Cami, if you were serious and would like to do a family photo shoot, I’d love to do that for you all as your gift.”
Everyone is enthusiastic with their response, and I beam, pleased to be able to do something.
Lisa’s hand goes up like she’s tentatively asking a question in class. “Can I ask that we wait until the baby is born so they can be in the shoot, and so I don’t look like a hippopotamus in the photos?”
“Absolutely not,” Rhiannon says, with a false sternness. “I happen to like you looking like a hippopotamus.”
Lisa just rubs her eye with her middle finger in lieu of responding.
“Whenever you’re all free, I’ll make time. Maybe in the summer we could do something over in the common here. Easier for everyone to get to than London.”
More presents are handed out and yet another one is placed in my lap. It’s heavy but small and Lucas doesn’t tell me who it’s from before he’s gathering another load of wrapped parcels to dole out. I check the label and smile.
Little Elf,
For when you need a little extra Christmas Spirit
Santa
X
I look at Jake but he is blowing raspberries on Freddie’s tummy while he giggles uncontrollably and his twin bounces excitedly, waiting for her turn. Jake looks up briefly, catching my eye and winking before resuming his delightful torture. I don’t even know when Jake would have had time to wrap a present, he didn’t come with it this morning. I tug the wrapping paper to expose the plain brown box beneath, opening that, I pull out the polystyrene packaging and then have to pry that apart to reveal the snow globe I was expecting. Although, it isn’t the one we’d seen yesterday. This one shows a figurine couple kissing, her leg kicked up, his arms around her waist. A Christmas tree sits next to them with brightly coloured decorations painted onto the green branches and the base the globe sits on is painted to look like antique brass with the wordsMeet Me Under the Mistletoewrapped around its circumference.
I suspect Jake told Luke to hand this out when everyone else has a present, too, as no one takes note of the gift that brings me the most joy today. Good thing, as I’m sure it would raise a few eyebrows. All the gifts are distributed and there is a mass of colourful paper in the middle of the room, the children are all high on Christmas excitement, and it is chaotic to say the least. But I’m still okay with it; I’m enjoying the chatter, the buzz, and everyone’s joy. I’m smiling when I lock gazes with Harry and he gives me the brightest smile back.
You good?he mouths at me.
I dip my head in a nod.You?I mouth back to him.
He gestures around the room, to the festive jubilance and shrugs as though that should answer the question.
It feels like the most meaningful conversation we’ve had and I resolve here and now to make more of an effort to see my brother and his family. I have apparently been missing out. When we all jump in to help get the lounge back to a usable state, I place all of my gifts in a gift bag and take it to the porch to leave next to my shoes for later. When I turn back to the hall, Jake is right in front of me.
“Jesus!” I gasp, clutching at my chest. “You scared me!”
He raises a dark brow and narrows his eyes. “That’s the second time you’ve used another man’s name when we’re together, little elf.”
“Who? Jesus?”
“Sanctimonious bastard,” he scoffs, shaking his head.
“Oh, be nice,” I chide. “It’s his birthday.”
He chuckles as he takes a small step forward so we are toe-to-toe, his hand coming out to stroke mine at my side. “Did I tell you how beautiful you look today?”
