I sat at the large island beside Mia and looked at the garlands, fairy lights and other Christmas decorations in the kitchen. Mum always made the house shine and sparkle at Christmas and since Everleigh was born she went that extra mile.
While we worked on dinner, I glanced out of the window. Cole thought the PlayStation was his big surprise this year, but I had something that topped that in store for him.
Mum handed me the alcohol-free wine. “Next year when you’re not still breastfeeding,” she said, doing her best to look sad for me.
“Thanks. It’s fine. Someone has to remain sober to look after the little ones.” I poured a glass and took a sip. It was okay, actually, and at least I didn’t feel like a child with a coke when everyone else was enjoying a proper drink.
The noise level in the house was high. Everleigh and Leona couldn’t stick to one room and flitted between them all, running, shouting and laughing everywhere they went. The babies gave the odd cry between food, bottles and short naps.
It was chaotic but perfect. The colourful light danced above our heads, wrapped around and stuck to every possible surface.
“New Years resolutions!” Jenna said, stirring the gravy. “Mine is to find Mia a decent man.”
“Hey!” Mia said, then thought about it and shrugged. “Yeah, alright. That’s mine, too.”
“Mine is to get a big, fat rock on my finger,” Holly said, laughing when Mum’s eyes lit up.
That big rock was coming sooner than the New Year…
“He does need to pull his finger out, doesn’t he,” Mum said.
“Why do I get the feeling this is about me?” Jasper asked as he past the doorway holding Sophia’s little hands so she could walk.
“Because it is! When are you going to marry this girl? Mum demanded. Most people would be embarrassed, but Holly laughed and blew him a kiss.
Jasper took hold of Sophia, stood up, turned on his heel and walked away, leaving a room full of cackling women. I joined in, pretending to laugh at his ‘discomfort’. He really only left because he didn’t want to give anything away.
I was so excited for them both I almost squealed. If anyone looked at me now, I’d probably give it away.
“Mum, what’s your resolution?” I asked, trying to steer the conversation away from proposals.
“Mine is to spend one day a week taking my grandchildren somewhere. Doesn’t have to be anywhere special, even just the park or the soft play centre.”
“That’s a nice one,” I said. “And, yes, you can steal them for a day every week.” Since I had Bentley, I’d lowered my days to two a week but if Mum wanted to take them I could always go up to three. It’d give me a chance to build the business even more.
“Yours, honey?” she asked.
“Mine is probably to focus on Everleigh’s gymnastics.” She was better than me when I was younger and since her love of throwing herself about has only grown it was probably time to get a bit more serious about it.
“She’ll love that,” Jenna said.
“Yeah, I think so.” I’d always been cautious not to push her, but she loved her classes and wanted to do more. It had to be her decision, and I was following what she wanted to do. Part of me was really happy though; my passion for the sport had never died.
“Oooh, I can’t wait to watch her in the Olympics!” Mum squealed.
“I was thinking of starting with some small contests and seeing how she likes it but at least you’re dreaming big for her. Now, what can I do?”
I was sent with Holly to lay the table, setting crackers out and serving dishes that were piled high with food. She had definitely cooked too much. “She trying to fatten us all up?” Holly joked.
“Looks that way.” I still had a few extra pounds from my pregnancy with Bentley that was going to be impossible to shift now. “Think Jasper will want a Disney cracker or a normal one?”
“I heard that!” he shouted from the living room making me and Holly laugh.
Mum, Jenna and Mia came into the room each holding two more dishes in their hands. The dining room filled with the smells of Christmas and my stomach begged for the roasties.
“Dinner, everyone,” Mum called.
The men and kids footsteps sounded like a stampede as they made their way into the room, gazing longingly at the food.
“Take a seat anywhere, but before you take a bite I want to see hats on,” she added.
Cole sat Bentley in the highchair next to me and then took his seat the other side, taking my hand. “Has he been okay?”
“He’s been great,” he replied, leaning over and giving me a kiss.
I looked at my family around the extended dining table that was piled high with a traditional Christmas turkey with all the trimmings and felt so much love it forced out the shadows of the awful things I’d been through. With them at my side I knew that even one of my worst days wouldn’t be too bad.