Christmas at ours – Part Two
Part Two of this little Christmas trilogy. Thanks for the reviews and on-going interest. It gives me a warm tickle!
Caroline quickly pulled on her pyjamas and was sitting up as the twins came through the door, huffing and puffing as they pulled their stockings the last few feet. Jumping onto the bed they threw themselves at their mothers and cuddled them. "Mummy, Mama, Santa's been and left us these stockings." Grace squealed as she thrust her podgy little hand inside and pulled out a package. Flora was much more intent on feeling hers and examining the shape and size and shaking the contents; while her sister had already ripped the wrapping off. Kate watched Flora with amusement; "Watch her Caroline, carefully examining, trying to work out what it might be, careful with the paper; not a chip off your old block by any chance is she?"
Caroline smiled wryly; "I'm really only interested in examining three things in life, my kitchen for mess; our bank balance for obvious reasons; but most importantly you;" kissing her wife's neck seductively. "Caroline stop it." "Why? I'm entitled, and it is Christmas."
"You had your Christmas present last night; more than one in fact; and more than once!"
The stockings were filled with small gifts, fruit, nuts and money in the toe, as is the custom in the North of England. The girls were so excited and every little thing that emerged as they dug deeper into the stocking, caused great bouts of screams. Soon the bed looked like the local tip; chocolate wrappers, tangerine peel, paper and gifts scattered amongst the bedding. Each year one mother would help one twin buy for the other mother and keep the secret; the twins weren't even allowed to tell each other. This year Grace had bought for Caroline and Flora for Kate; each had a budget of ten pounds.
"Okay girls, I see you've brought mummies' secret presents shall we open them?" Caroline coaxed; she was always surprised at what Kate could muster up for the stated $10.00 the girls were allowed to spend. Grace handed her package to Caroline and everyone waited with baited breath while she examined it; shook it, turned it and smelled it. Kate looked at her; "I rest my case." The paper was carefully undone to reveal a large pink scented candle. It was identical to one that they used in their bedroom which Caroline would light if she was trying to create a certain 'ambience'. 'Gracie, that's lovely darling; a perfect choice for mama." She hugged Grace and kissed the top of her head.
Flora thrust her present into Kate's hands and beamed at her. "Mama said you would really like these, and she would too, she said she might even borrow them sometimes." Kate pulled out a very sexy pair of panties; grinning she turned to Caroline; "No coincidence then that we've both purchased bedroom items."
"Do you like them Mummy?" Flora cut into the gaze her mothers were holding; "Of course darling; Mama's helped you to choose well."
Downstairs, everyone else was still sound asleep. All the presents had been laid under the tree before going to bed the night before and it looked splendid. Ginika had slipped in from Celia's, quietly, and was busy in the kitchen making breakfast for everyone. She could hear the squeals and laughter coming from upstairs, but decided to leave the little family together for the moment. Christmas had changed forever for her. Until six years ago, it was an enjoyable time, usually spent with extended family in New York; sometimes with Kate, but mostly without her. However it had lacked the magic she felt now. She worried after Kate divorced Richard, once she was too old to be of much use, her daughter could be very lonely at times like these. All that had been dispelled with the arrival of Caroline and their babies.
She hummed as she began preparing pancakes and crispy bacon; which despite being an American type breakfast, had become a firm favourite. She felt a pair of arms slide around her waist as she stood at the stove, turning she felt her daughter-in-law kiss her cheek and wish her a happy Christmas. "Caroline, thank you, and a happy Christmas to you too my love." "This smells delicious Ginika, I'll get everybody up."
The twins came running downstairs as they heard nana's voice. Ginika knelt down and cuddles them both and they all wished each other 'happy father Christmas day' as the little ones like to refer to it.
"Girls go and wake your brothers up and tell them to come out for breakfast." It was only eight o'clock, but since she'd been up for two hours, she reckoned everyone else could share the pain now. Kate walked downstairs with a large tidy bag full of all the stuff that had been strewn all over their bed. "Happy Christmas mum, I'm so glad you're here." Kissing her mother tenderly and holding on to her for a few moments
After breakfast, Caroline swung into action; the food was all her department now and everyone else had been assigned other jobs. They were expecting all their guests by twelve. The twins had crawled under the tree and were examining all the parcels. Kate pulled them away; "Leave those, no more presents until everyone else is here. You never know, Santa might even visit us again." There were pouts from both of them, but on their mothers stern instructions they went to clean their teeth and get some clothes on.
Suddenly Caroline's phone began to ring. "Hi Gillian, what's up, happy Christmas."
"Happy Christmas too, Caroline. Look there's been a bit of a problem here. John came round last night demanding to know why he'd been excluded from the family party today. Naturally he'd had quite a bit to drink and he started abusing Robbie when he told him to leave. Robbie frog marched him outside and told him to sling his hook."
"Oh God I'm sorry Gillian. He so bloody unpredictable; well are you all OK?"
"We are now, but the stupid bugger fell over on the ice, getting to a taxi, and broke his wrist. Robbie's was at A&E with him 'til about four o'clock; before dropping him at his flat."
"Ok so are you still going to be able to come?"
"Yea course we are, but just give us an extra half hour so that Robbie can have a kip and a shower."
"Ok see you then."
"What's all that about?" Kate asked with a concerned voice; knowing that it would probably have something to do with John. Caroline relayed the conversation; careful to try and keep her tone even; it was an extremely prickly topic. The look in Kate's eyes was enough; no more was said.
By Twelve thirty everyone had arrived. The girls went crazy when Greg and Issy walked in. They were very attached to them and their two little ones. Celia watched on as all the various tentacles of this massive octopus that was their extended family; wrapped themselves around the group. It never ceased to amaze her how at ease they all were and how the children were like brothers and sisters despite having a mish-mash of parents. Alan sat beside her; proud of his crew; but anyone looking at him intently would notice that he was rather pale and quiet.
Once lunch was on the go and everything had been prepared, it was time for presents. Greg had slipped out of the room along with his little boy Ben; some moments later the two of them ambled back in with a big Ho Ho Ho; Greg dressed as Santa and Ben as his little elf helper.
Chaos reigned for the next half hour as everyone tore open presents 'oohing and aahing' in admiration and gratitude. The kids rushing from present to present; a few scuffles ensued as little ones tried to take things that weren't technically theirs.
Lunch followed and it was a veritable feast; four courses later and the whole crowd was puffing and letting out belts or opening waist buttons. Alan and Celia were asleep on the lounge; anyone two and under had been put down for a sleep and the other kids had settled into a nice play time in the twins' bedroom.
As if by magic, it had started to snow half way through the morning and now there was a white carpet outside; thick enough to be beautiful but thin enough to go for a walk. Greg and Lawrence offered to stay back with all the children while the adults went to get some fresh air. As they walked along, Issy sidled up to Kate and drew her apart from the others.
"Katie, I've got something to discuss with you. There's no easy way to tell you this." Kate felt her stomach knot up. "I've been doing a lot of research lately into neonates with cancer and a hospital in Australia, Westmead Children's, has offered me a two year placement to join their research team." Kate felt her eyes well up; Issy noticed immediately. They walked along for a few hundred metres before she finally said, "that's really great Issy; well done."
"I didn't tell Greg for quite some time, I knew it would be so hard on him and the girls; but he knew something was going on and confronted me. When I told him, like you, he was very happy and proud, but a dark cloud started to form and he hasn't quite stepped out from under it yet."
"When is this supposed to happen?"
"They want me there by Easter."
"Wow that's actually only twelve weeks away. I need to sit with this Issy and of course discuss it with Caroline. The decision is obviously yours and Greg's; but Caroline and I will have to work out how we are going to put it to the girls."
"I know Katie darling; leave it for now, until you have some quiet time together; we can always come up or you come to us in a couple of weeks and we can all sit down and talk it through." She squeezed Kate's hand and they stepped up their pace to catch the others.
When they walked into the house, it was obvious that Greg and Lawrence had been hard at it and all the dishes had been done and everything put away. Caroline heaved a sigh of relief; her obsession with kitchen tidiness meant that she couldn't relax until it was finished to her high standards; she surveyed everything with a critical eye and nodded her approval.
After Christmas cake and cups of tea, everyone started to leave. Kate drove Alan and Celia back round to their house; it was obvious that the cold air would catch him if they tried to walk. The Greenwoods piled into their cars and left with their usual round of horn tooting.
Before leaving, Greg sidled up to Kate; "she's told you hasn't she?"
"Yes she has."
"Well what do you think?"
"Honestly, right now I don't know." She slipped her arm though his and gave him a sideways hug. "Don't worry, we'll sort something out."
With the girls in bed and Ginika back at Celia's, Kate and Caroline started upstairs, leaving the boys watching a movie. Caroline climbed onto the bed still fully clothed and picked up a book that she'd been given as a gift and started to read. Kate lay beside her staring at the ceiling. Looking sideways and catching the faraway look; "Is there something the matter?"
"Yes, there is." Eyes moistening and hand slipping into Caroline's, the situation was exposed.
"Oh God, Kate, what are we going to do? This is the exact downside of having Greg involved, that we've always dreaded. Come here." Caroline ditched the book and gently pulled her wife into her arms. Kate cried softly.