Little Secrets ~ Part One
Her eyes followed his reflection in the mirror as he crossed the room towards her. 'How do I look?' She asked, his only response a soft kiss which fell against her neck. A light smile played across her lips as she reached for the bottle of perfume he'd given her earlier that morning. She felt his arms snake around her waist, pulling her towards him and instead her hand found its way into his hair. 'We'll be late.' Denise said as Kush kissed her jawbone, tilting her head away from him before his lips could find hers. 'Wouldn't be the first time.' Kush smirked close to Denise's ear, watching the knowing smile which crossed her lips before encasing her lips with his own.
Gently breaking away from their kiss Kush linked his hands on her hip while Denise rested her hands on his shoulders. 'Mum expects it now anyway.' He softly chuckled before noticing a questioning gaze appear within his fiancées eyes. 'I thought we were going to Patrick's with Kim and Vincent?' She said. 'You never told her, did you.' She added upon seeing the look which crossed his face. Kush shook his head unnecessarily. 'What are we gonna do, D?' He sighed, pulling his phone from his pocket to check the latest text from his Mum which assumed they would be joining her for Christmas. 'We?' A light chuckle escaped her lips. 'No. You have to tell her we've already got plans.'
Kush lightly bit his lip. 'We can drop in after lunch, it'll be fine.' He told himself, catching the soft smile Denise gave him. She placed her hands either side of his face before leaning close to him. 'Next Christmas we'll make up for it.' She whispered against his lips before kissing him. She felt him smile against her lips, his fingers running through her hair as he moved away from her. Leaving her to apply her new perfume as she'd been about to before, Kush found his Mum's number in his phone. He turned back to Denise as he walked towards the doorway, seeing her reflection in the mirror smile as he spoke. 'You look gorgeous by the way.'
They should've known they were being watched as they crossed the square to Patrick's. But, laden with presents and so absorbed with each other, they didn't notice Carmel watching from an upstairs window. Their happiness was clear, the pair of them laughing together as they walked hand in hand across the square. From her place in the window Carmel watched as they were joined by Pearl where Denise knelt to admire her niece's new little bike. It was then, as Kim and Vincent followed behind their daughter, that Denise seemed to stumble as she stood. Quickly Kush caught hold of her arm to steady her, the two of them having what seemed to be a hushed conversation.
At that moment Kush's attention was diverted from his unsteady fiancée by her sister who came towards him brandishing mistletoe. As Kush stepped back to hide behind his fiancée Kim retreated and whilst Carmel couldn't tell what was being said she could see there was a lot of laughter as the group began to head inside. Carmel sighed to herself, her happiness for her son buried deeply beneath her own bitterness that he was spending Christmas with Denise's family and not his own. She was about to leave the window when she noticed Kush take Denise's hand, holding back from following the others into the house. Denise nodded as Kush spoke but instead of heading over to see her as Carmel had believed they would Kush pulled his fiancée close and kissed her passionately.
'Shakil.' Carmel called as she descended the stairs to where her youngest son was still playing the new game she'd given him. 'You are not spending all of Christmas Day on that thing.' She said, receiving barely a grunt in reply from him.
Outside, the door to number 20 reopened and Kim's distinctive voice called from the doorway. 'Are you two coming or what?' Laughing, Denise and Kush broke away from their kiss, following Kim inside where they found Patrick dishing out some kind of fruit punch. As they exchanged Christmas greetings with Patrick, Vincent passed them a glass. 'What's in it?' Kush asked, smelling the concoction but Vincent simply shrugged. Beside Kush, Denise turned down the glass offered to her, the sickly sweet smell of mixed alcohols and fruits sending a wave of nausea over her. 'Christmas Eve hangover coming through?' Vincent commented as Denise placed her hand to her mouth while it passed. 'It's just a headache.' Denise replied. 'Commonly known as a hangover.' Vincent teased his sister in law.
Before Denise could reply Pearl called out to her, reaching up with a present. 'Is this for me?' Denise smiled, kneeling down to the little girl's level to take the gift. 'Yes, but it's not from Santa, it's from me.' Pearl told her, helping her to unwrap it. 'Telling it how it is.' 'Don't know where she gets it from.' Kush and Vincent muttered to each other over their glasses of punch. 'Thank you, sweetheart, it's beautiful.' Denise smiled, admiring the little ornament which Pearl had painted a multitude of different colours. Smiling proudly Pearl put her arms around Denise's neck, giving her a hug. 'Shall we see what Santa left with me for you?' Denise asked, the excitement evident on little Pearl's face.
As Denise stood with Pearl on her hip, Kush discreetly placed his hand against her back but she didn't stumble this time. 'I'm fine.' Denise whispered dismissively to Kush as she passed him. With Denise carrying Pearl, the others followed in her wake to open their presents. As they settled themselves, Kush sat on the floor just in front of where Denise was already sat on the sofa. He leant back against her legs feeling her hands upon his broad shoulders. At that moment Pearl came over with a small present for Kush which he opened to find a copy of Vincent's hit song from years ago. 'Signed, by the artist.' Kim pointed out indicating to Vincent next to her. 'It was Kim's idea.' He explained a little apologetically.
Soon most of their presents had been opened and whilst the remaining few were passed round Denise's phone began to ring on the coffee table. Kush reached for his fiancée's phone and handed it back to her. 'It's Libby.' Denise announced, stepping over Kush to take her daughter's call in the hallway.
After the call with Libby had ended, Denise remained sat on the stairs listening to the chatter coming from the living room. Briefly she allowed herself to close her eyes, lightly resting her head against the wall. However, not long after she'd made herself more comfortable there was a knock at the door. Sighing to herself Denise stood up from the stairs and opened the door to find Stacey with baby Hope and little Arthur on the doorstep. 'Merry Christmas!' They both said, almost in unison. 'You weren't at the flat so we thought we'd try here, didn't we.' Stacey said, looking down at her son. 'Shall we go find Daddy Kush?' Denise asked the little boy who let go of his Mum's hand to take Denise's.
As Denise opened the door Kush turned to her, his eyes following hers down her arm to where his son held her hand. 'Hello, you.' Kush smiled at Arthur who ran to him for a cuddle. Standing in the doorway with Stacey, Denise placed her hand against her back as they watched Kush with Arthur. 'I think Santa might've left something here for you.' Kush told his son, finding their present for him. 'Sorry we can't stop long.' Stacey said to Denise, shifting Hope in her arms. Denise lightly shook her head, she knew how much even a short time with Arthur meant to Kush. 'Wow, Arthur, what do you say?' Stacey prompted as an excited Arthur pulled a toy train out of the wrapping paper. The little boy looked between his Mum, his Dad and his new toy. 'Thank you.' He mumbled, pressing the train to make it play a tune as it moved along the floor.
Whilst Arthur and Kush played with the new toy, Pearl walked across the sofa and climbed onto the arm for a closer look at the baby in Stacey's arms. 'She's going to be a great big sister.' Denise, slipping her phone back into her pocket, said to Kim who half smiled, half chuckled and looked to her husband who put his hand on her arm and agreed with Denise. With Arthur happily playing with his new toy, Kush moved across to Denise. 'Is this your doing?' He asked, slipping his arm around her. 'No, but believe me, if I could take credit for this..' She squeezed his chin between her thumb and forefinger as she spoke. 'I would.' A soft chuckle escaped his lips as he caught her lips within his own.
Breaking away from their kiss Kush and Denise looked down to find Arthur pushing his new train through their legs before squeezing himself through behind. 'We'd better get back, make sure Daddy's not burning dinner.' Stacey said, standing from where she'd crouched to let Pearl see the baby. Kush reached down to pick Arthur up, throwing him a little into the air and catching him, much to the little boy's delight. 'Happy Birthday.' Arthur piped up as they walked to the door. 'Merry Christmas.' Stacey corrected with a light chuckle. 'Birthday yesterday, Christmas today, it's a lot to take in, isn't it.' She added, ruffling his hair as Kush set him down onto the floor. Kush quickly looked behind himself before taking Denise's hand. 'Stace.' He looked across at Denise who smiled back at him. 'Denise is pregnant.' He said quietly, slipping his arm around Denise and resting his hand on her hip.
'Oh, Congratulations!' Stacey smiled. 'Hear that, Arthur, you're going to have another baby sister or brother.' She told him. Arthur looked up at his baby sister in his Mum's arms. 'Another one?' He asked to their chuckles. 'Daddy Kush and Denise are having a baby.' Stacey told him. Arthur looked between his Dad and Denise. 'Where is it?' He asked. Kush knelt down, lightly resting his head against Denise's hip. She ran her fingers through his hair as he placed his hand against her tummy. 'It's in here.' He told Arthur. The little boy looked closely at his Step Mum. 'I can't see it.' He said. 'It's our little secret.' Kush whispered, moving his finger to his lips. Looking back at his Dad Arthur put his finger to his own lips, copying him.
Smiling at his son Kush stood, 'We haven't said anything to Mum yet.' He told Stacey. 'Good luck with that.' She softly chuckled. 'Well, she's got five months to get used to it, hasn't she.' Denise said, wrapping her arms around Kush's neck and resting her linked hands on his shoulder. 'She will.' Kush reassured his fiancée. Beneath them Arthur pushed his new train around the floor. 'Come on, you.' Stacey said, holding her hand out for Arthur to take. 'Say goodbye to Daddy Kush and Denise.' She told him which he did, picking up his train and taking his Mum's hand. After they left Denise remained stood close to Kush, laying her head against his shoulder. 'Okay?' He mumbled, softly kissing her forehead. 'Just tired.' She smiled, moving away from him to rejoin her family.
As Kush followed Denise back to the living room they met Vincent with Pearl in the hallway. 'We're going to take a nap before lunch.' He said, passing them to head upstairs. 'Sounds good to me.' Denise replied quietly so that only Kush could hear, turning to follow them until Kush snaked his arm around her waist and gently pulled her with him. Denise softly chuckled to herself allowing him to lead her to where Patrick and Kim were preparing lunch. As they entered the kitchen Denise noticed Kim pouring herself a glass of the punch. 'Kim, that's full of alcohol.' Denise exclaimed, shocked that her sister would so much as think of drinking whilst pregnant.
Kim paused as she found herself caught in the act of sneaking a proper drink. A nervous chuckle escaped her lips as she looked up at her sister. 'It's not for me, Denise.' She covered, thinking on her feet. 'It's for you, hair of the dog innit.' She held the glass over to her sister, biting back her guilt. The two sisters looked at each other unknowingly keeping very different secrets, one a secret pregnancy the other a secret loss. 'No, I'm fine.' Denise declined remembering that nauseating feeling she'd felt earlier. She stepped back into Kush realising the escape her apparent hangover had given her. 'I might just..' She indicated towards the sofa before making herself comfortable.
Shortly after Denise had made her escape from the kitchen, Kush felt his phone vibrate with a new message. Expecting it to be from his Mum Kush was bemused to find that it was a text from Denise. There was no message aside from a few kisses, just a short video of Arthur opening his Christmas present with his Daddy. Kush couldn't hold back the smile which crossed his face as he replayed the video multiple times reliving that moment with his little boy. He looked across to where Denise was now asleep on the sofa replying to her message with a simple 'I love you x'.