A/N: I'm sorry for the delay in getting this written, but you all get an extra long update in exchange for your patience. While I love writing for Chelsie, I feel like I'm not really doing them justice like some other writers would or could, so I'm extra nitpicky about what I write down for them. I appreciate all the reviews, I apologize for not having time to respond to each of them individually. Thanks to A-Lady-To-Me and Terriejane for reading through this for me. I hope you all enjoy and please review :)
Chapter 17
Things slowly returned to what they were before between John and Anna, much to their and Aidan's delight. Anna continued her weekly visits with a psychiatrist and she seemed to be making leaps and bounds forward. Small noises didn't seem to make her jump anymore and the nightmares were almost nonexistent now. Every so often John would catch her beating herself up over something she knew didn't use to hinder her, but he (as well as everyone else) had patience with her. Now that they were all aware of what Anna had been through her little network of support was making things easier for her. It was something she both hated and was incredibly grateful for. With the family's encouragement and John holding her hand every step of the way she even managed to get back to watching Aidan's games from the bleachers designated for Aidan's team instead of the opposite side.
John was included in family dinners once a week at Charlie's place and before long Elsie also became a regular at the dinner table. This took Anna some getting used to, but she was happy for her father as well as Elsie. After things had gone so well between Anna and John's mother, he suggested that they could start having his mother over as well. Anna quickly agreed with the suggestion and eventually Margaret was able to meet Aidan. Even though John had cautioned Margaret not to get too attached in case Anna changed her mind with the way things were going between them, his warning fell on deaf ears. By the end of her first encounter with Aidan, Margaret was absolutely smitten with the young man who had captivated her son.
John stood in the bathroom of Anna's flat and lathered up some shaving gel in his hand before spreading it liberally over his face. Aidan sat perched on the edge of the bathtub nearby as he watched John with endless fascination. "John, why do you shave?" Aidan asked.
"I suppose it's because your Mummy likes it," he teased. "She doesn't care much for my scruffy kisses," John added before beginning to shave some of the lather off his face. After he cleaned off what he could in one swipe, John rinsed the blade in the warm water that filled the sink. John caught Aidan's reflection in the mirror and smiled at him, "Honestly, it hides my grey hair and I don't want to look like an old man today."
"Why?" Aidan asked with all the tender innocence of a child.
"Because I'm one year older today," he answered with a hint of a smile.
"You are?"
"Yup," John said as he cleared another line of lather from his cheek.
"Me too," Aidan said.
"Uh, I almost forgot," John said feigning forgetfulness. "In that case, you need a birthday shave to introduce you to being a man."
"Really?" Aidan asked in disbelief.
"Absolutely!" John exclaimed as he lifted Aidan onto the cover of the toilet seat. "Now, first things first. We have got to get you a razor. A special one," John said as he dug through his dapple bag and revealed a spare razor but not before removing the blade. "Ah this should do the trick; guaranteed to give you a smooth shave. This one will be yours from now on, alright?" he asked as he held the razor out for Aidan to grab.
Aidan nodded his head in agreement and took the blade from John.
"Now, cover up all that unruly chin scruff with some of this," John instructed. He laughed when Aidan put on far more than was necessary. "Excellent. Then we draw a line where are lips are because we wouldn't want to lose those," John joked. He wiped Aidan's lips clean with his index finger and the little boy stuck out his tongue after the fact. "Now that is a face only a mother could love. "
"Now you're going to puff out your cheeks like this," John demonstrated as he puffed out his cheeks. When Aidan met his eyes in the mirror, John crossed his eyes causing the boy to erupt into a raucous laughter. "Next, you want to go down with the hair and be careful around the corners of your chin so you don't cut yourself. Watch me and then you try." John performed the motion once more so that Aidan could observe him.
"Like this?" Aidan said mimicking the way John had shown him.
John held up a little hand mirror for Aidan to see, "Do you see any hair there?"
Aidan shook his head and said, "Nope."
"Then I'd say you did a pretty good job little man," John complimented him.
"And what are we up to this morning?" Anna said as she came around the corner of the door frame. She set a cup of tea down for John on the countertop and began drinking her own cup. Anna was still clad in her pajamas and robe, her hair was mussed up and pinned back in a loose bun. She shared a sleepy smile with John and marvelled at the little crinkles that radiated from the corners of his eye. He still had shaving cream on one side of his face and his wet hair still managed to fall forward around his forehead. The spell she was under was broken by Aidan's chatter.
"I'm shaving, Mummy!" Aidan announced.
"I can see that," she replied. Anna set her drink down to give Aidan a hug, "You're growing before my very eyes. Just promise you'll never get too big for kisses and hugs from me."
"I promise, Mummy," Aidan said.
"In fact...stay right there," Anna said as she ran out of the bathroom but quickly returned. Anna raised her cellphone up to snap a picture of the two of them, "I need a picture of two of my favorite guys shaving."
"Anna, I'm not even wearing a shirt," John pointed out as he stood in the bathroom with a pair of boxers on.
"I know," she replied flirtatiously with a lilt in her voice that John hadn't heard before. She stuck her tongue out and bit down on it with her teeth slightly in a way that suddenly made him want to taste her lips. Her smile reached her eyes in a way they hadn't in weeks and she seemed to be years younger in that moment.
"So what do the birthday boys want for breakfast?" Anna asked.
"I'm up for whatever Aidan wants," John answered.
"French toast, please," Aidan replied. "With lots of snow on top," he added.
"It's not snow, sweetheart. It's powdered sugar. And I think you'll be eating enough of that today to rot your brain and your teeth," Anna chimed in. She looked up at John and said, "All in all he's basically having three birthday parties. One in class with his friends, one with the family, and his sleepover with his friends."
"Will you be needing help wrangling the boys at the sleepover?" John asked.
"I don't think so, it's only going to be Charlie Bryant and Freddie Morrsum. But I wouldn't mind the company," she said. Anna ran her hand lazily up his side and settled around his middle, "Besides, once the boys leave we can start celebrating your birthday."
"I wish you wouldn't," he begged.
"Are you kidding me? Of course we are going to celebrate. I don't know what it's going to take to convince you, but the age difference doesn't bother me at all," she protested before capturing his mouth with her own.
The feeling behind the gesture was enough to make him rethink his argument. "I think I need more convincing. I hear that becoming more ornery is a side effect of old age," he teased.
"Goodness me. I wonder how we'll remedy that," Anna replied in a husky voice that made his blood boil over and hair stand on end.
John quickly dropped the razor in the sink and wrapped his arms around her waist as he took her breath away with a passion filled kiss. When he pulled away he teased her some more, "I don't know. But I must say, I am very eager to find out."
"Silly beggar," she replied and lightly pinched his bottom for good measure. Anna turned to address Aidan, "Alright big boy, let's get you dressed so the festivities can begin." Anna held out her hand for Aidan to take as she wiped off the last of the shaving cream from his face.
Aidan began to follow his mother out of the bathroom when John made a request to Aidan, "Make mine with extra snow."
"Okay," Aidan said as he skipped off to the kitchen.
"You're incorrigible," Anna said as she shook her head and laughed.
Once Anna had found out about John's birthday she quickly enlisted the help of Mary and Robert to do a small luncheon together. Having known the Crawleys as long as he did, they were like a second family to John. Robert said he wouldn't miss the opportunity to spoil one of his oldest and dearest friends. He told Anna that he and Mary would handle all the arrangements, that she need only bring herself, John and Aidan. Anna thanked him profusely and insisted she couldn't let him do it all on his own. But Robert could be just as stubborn as John, she quickly found out. No matter, she'd find a way to repay the favor.
"Mummy where are we going?" Aidan asked from the back seat.
"We are going to Robert's house because he wanted us to stop by and pick up John's present," she said. It wasn't a complete lie.
Aidan was already clapping his hands together in excitement in hopes that they would stay long enough for him to visit with the horses. John on the other hand was not looking forward to the visit. As they got closer to the Crawley mansion John let out a not so subtle, audible groan.
"What is it with you and birthdays?" Anna asked.
John checked behind him to see if Aidan was listening to their conversation, but he appeared to be moving with whatever collection of kid music Anna had playing on the radio. He turned the volume up a little higher and said, "I don't really care for them because...my father left on my sixth birthday. Every year after that I used to wish for him to come back."
Anna was still driving but slowly turned to look at him with wide eyes, "Oh John, I'm so sorry. I take it he never showed up?"
John was staring out the window, his thoughts getting lost in the trees that passed them by quickly as Anna drove them further into the woods. "Even worse. He finally showed up one year when I was twelve." John could still remember it like it was yesterday. In truth, he didn't think of how disappointed he was by the shamble of a man that arrived on their doorstep simply looking for a place to stay and a hand out. No. He was more upset by the way his namesake had treated his mother. John debated on whether or not to share any further information with Anna, given the way things ended with his father, but he knew she wouldn't let this go. "It didn't last long...I came home from school one day to find him getting rough with my mother."
"What? Oh my gosh, was she alright?"
"She was after I was done with him," he said with a hint of pride in his voice. "I picked up the skillet in the kitchen and batted him on the back with it until he let her go. He left after calling me an ungrateful bastard and my mother some choice words that I'd rather not repeat. I told him it was fine. We didn't need him and he wasn't welcome back in our home," John replied cooly. He was afraid to look back at Anna, worried that he would find fear or hatred in her eyes for resorting to violence to settle things. Even worse, he worried he would find pity there. His words were met with silence and he instantly regretted confessing his past to her. He was taken by surprise when he felt her hands come to rest on his. But he shouldn't have been surprised by her reaction. Anna was one of the most understanding people he'd ever met.
"John, you should be proud of yourself. I know I am. I'm sure your mother thanks God everyday that you showed up when you did and that you acted with courage when most children wouldn't have been able to do more than stand there helplessly. I'm sorry your father didn't live up to the expectations you had. But I rather enjoy the man you became inspite of your father," she said. Her hand gave his arm a reassuring squeeze and she gave him a friendly smile. Just as he suspected, he did not find pity there. It was genuine admiration.
"There's the birthday boy!" Robert exclaimed as John entered the foyer of the Crawley mansion.
"Actually, here's the birthday boy," John corrected as he lifted Aidan over his head and set him on his shoulders. "I'm just the old man."
"I stand corrected," Robert said with a cheerful smile as he patted his old friend on the back. "Happy Birthday anyway."
"Hi, Uncle Rob," Aidan said more forthcoming than he had been in previous visits.
"Hello, young man," Robert said. "Who are you?"
"It's me, Aidan," he replied back indignantly.
"Oh, I almost didn't recognize you now that you are so big," Robert said playing along.
Aidan smiled proudly as did John. Robert greeted Anna with a kiss on the cheek and led them inside. Their house was already decorated in preparation for Christmas and Aidan couldn't get over how many lights they had all over the house and the size of their Christmas tree. "Mummy, their tree reaches the roof!" Aidan exclaimed.
"I see," Anna said feeling a pang of guilt that she couldn't provide the same experience for Aidan. Each year they set up their fake Christmas tree that didn't stand any taller than four feet and it only had a few Christmas present scattered below it: there was usually one for Gwen, one for Mrs. Hughes, one for Charlie, and the rest were for Aidan.
As if reading her thoughts, John said, "That reminds me, we need to go pick out a Christmas tree. We should make a day of it and take Mum with us."
"Great! I'm sure my Dad and Elsie would love to join us too. Although I can't imagine my Dad would buy a real tree; he hasn't had one in years," Anna said.
Aidan began tugging at Anna's sweatshirt. "Mummy, look they have a tiny village and train set underneath here!" Aidan pointed out as he laid himself down on the wooden floor to get a closer look.
"Maybe if you are a good boy there will be a train set waiting for you under the tree this year," John chimed in optimistically.
Aidan's eyes widened in anticipation as he turned his attentions back to the tiny train that chugged past him once more.
"You'll spoil him," Anna said as she nudged John in the side with her elbow.
"He deserves to be spoiled. It's his birthday and he's been a good boy," John whispered back.
"You're such a softy," Anna teased as she pinched at his midsection. Though deep down Anna knew she wouldn't have it any other way.
"Can I offer you something to drink?" Robert asked as he led them into the kitchen.
John followed close behind him and began to ask for a water when he was bowled over by cheers of people shouting out, "Surprise!" There were party horns going off and Tom shot off a few confetti poppers with some help from Matthew. Cora was standing beside a birthday cake that had John and Aidan's name written in icing across it. Mary and Sybil immediately flanked John and Aidan before placing a birthday crown on his head and a birthday sash over his shoulder. John was even more surprised to see that his mother was standing beside Edith and Anthony. He knew Anna had loved Margaret, but to see that she ensured his mother was included in the festivities almost made him shed a tear. John smiled over at the woman who had brought all of these amazing changes to his life and knew he couldn't possibly love her anymore than he did in that moment. Anna had been the greatest gift he could have received that year and if that was all he ever got on life, he would die a very happy man.
"Did you plan all this yourself?" John asked Anna.
"Well, I had the idea, but Robert and Mary provided the venue and helped out with the decor," Anna said. "Your Mum made the food and Sybil and Cora made the cake."
"Well, I'm flattered. Thank you so much everyone," he said with a shy smile.
"We didn't just do it for you. We'll be leaving for our trip to the Highlands tomorrow so we'll miss Aidan's party. We thought it would give us an opportunity to do something for him as well."
Aidan looked up at John happily and said, "I've never had a surprise party before."
"Neither have I buddy. Aren't we the lucky ones," John sighed as he hoisted Aidan in the air and put him up on one of the bar stools to get a better look at the birthday cake.
"Wait until you see your present, I'm even jealous," Tom announced.
"No hints or clues," Cora quickly shushed him. "Presents are after lunch. Now everyone come grab a plate."
John made his rounds to greet everyone properly and reserved a special hug and kiss for his mother after making such a feast for him. He lifted her off the ground as he pressed a kiss to her cheek, ignoring her pleas to set her back down before he dropped her. He even took the time to break with British decorum and hugged Robert a little longer than he should have, but John knew that had his friend not offered the position to him all those months ago he might not be here today.
Everyone took their time enjoying the food and catching up with one another. Tom and Sybil had announced their engagement back in November and had finally settled on a date for their wedding, much to Robert's chagrin. John and Anna shared a laugh, knowing that Robert loved Tom deep down, but was a bit of a sap when it came to the welfare of all of his daughters and their love lives. Though John couldn't blame him, all of his daughters were very smart and beautiful; he imagined that if he and Anna were ever blessed with a little girl he'd probably be the same way. He was carried away for a moment by the thought until Anna tapped him on the arm and asked, "What has you so preoccupied?"
"Just thinking," he replied.
"That could be very dangerous," Margaret said with a smirk. Everyone around the table shared a laugh.
"What about?" Anna inquired.
"You. Me. The future," he said.
"All good things I hope," she said.
"Indeed. Very good things," he answered back with a charming grin as a pair of hazel eyes batted his lashes her way.
"John, this one is from Matthew and I," Mary said as she passed him a gift bag.
"Is this something that I'm going to regret opening in public," John teased. He knew Mary could be difficult but he actually rather admired her. Ever since he had known her she had always been very blunt and to the point. He liked her honesty, even if it often made her come across as cold or uncaring. He knew beneath that hardened exterior there was a softy underneath the surface. John still remembered the first time she had her heart broken when she was seventeen and she didn't want to talk to Robert and instead she had showed up on his doorstep to ask for advice. He had to make a very difficult call to Robert in the middle of the night to let him know where she was, but offered to let her stay there for the night and bring her back home the next day. That was the first time he saw Mary's true colors.
"No. It's something I think you'll enjoy sharing with Anna though," she said with a hint of playfulness.
John stopped opening the bag, "Alright, now you're making me nervous."
"Oh for goodness sake, just open it," Anna encouraged as she too was now eager to see what Mary had gotten them.
He pulled the envelope from the bag, "Tickets to the theatre?"
"Oh, what play?" Anna asked.
"It's a voucher, you can pick whatever show works for you. There's also a gift card in there for a really great restaurant near the theatre. Matthew and I will watch Aidan for you," Mary said as she stroked the back of the little boy's head.
Anna had a curious look on her face as she looked over at her friend. It wasn't that Mary wasn't responsible but she had certainly never offered to watch Aidan before. That was more Sybil's domain. "Are you sure?" Anna asked.
"Of course. It will be good practice for Matthew and I," Mary said with an impish smile.
"If you insist," Anna said. "It's very kind of you."
"Yes, very," John added. "We can give our regular babysitters a break," he joked, referring to Charles and Elsie. John was certain the couple could use a night to themselves as well. "Plus I've been dying to do something with just Anna and I," John said as he reached for her hand on the table and brought it up to his lips.
"Alright now John, time for my gift," Robert said.
John removed the contents from the box and his eyes lit up like a child on Christmas morning. "Bloody hell!" he exclaimed. John turned to Aidan, "Sorry for the language." He turned his attentions back to Robert, "This is a great gift mate, thanks."
"See if it fits. Your mother and Anna helped me out with the sizing," Robert said. "I even got your name stitched on the back. I picked your birth year for the number."
John held up the jersey to his chest in amazement. It was an official red Manchester United jersey. He was sure it cost a fortune, especially to personalize it. "This is bloody brilliant," John said as he slid it on over his shirt.
"And it fits perfectly," Margaret added.
"Can I see what my gift is now?" Aidan begged as he shoveled a spoonful of cake into his mouth.
"Sure little man," John said as he ruffled his hair.
"Where is it?" Aidan asked.
"You have to go outside to see it," Robert said.
"Really?" Aidan asked.
"What did you do, buy him a pony?" Anna asked with a laugh.
Robert didn't answer as he averted his eyes.
"Oh my gosh, you can't be serious?" she asked with wide eyes.
"No, but you should have seen your faces," Robert said as he began laughing and clapped his hand against the table. "Hold on, I left it in the other room."
Aidan looked up at his mother with the saddest eyes she'd ever seen, "So, I'm not getting a pony?"
"No, love. It was just a joke," she said in a soothing tone.
"This is from all of us," Robert said as he placed the gift down in front of Aidan. The box was wrapped in colorful paper with little cowboy hats and sheriff stars all over it. "Go ahead, open it," Robert encouraged excitedly.
Aidan wasted no time in tearing into the paper that separated him from his gift that was yet to be unveiled.
"Oh hold on, I forgot to get the camera!" Cora exclaimed.
"Oh Mum, he's already got it halfway open," Edith contested on the boy's behalf.
"Just, wait one second," Cora said as she whipped out her camera.
"What did we get him?" Tom whispered to Sybil.
"Watch and find out," Sybil answered playfully.
"Whoa! A real saddle and it's got my name on it!" Aidan said as he pulled it from the box. "And they got me riding boots too, Mummy look," Aidan pointed out as he ran the set of shoes over to her. "Can I put them on now?"
"I don't see why not. But don't forget to thank everyone first," she reminded him.
"Thank you," he said barely tearing his eyes from the gifts he received.
"You're very welcome," Robert said.
"Since you've arrived, I think you've gotten more use out of those horses than all of us put together. You feel free to come up and ride them any time you want," Cora offered.
"Oh boy! Did you hear that Mummy?" Aidan asked.
"I did. It's very generous of the Crawleys," she says as she helped Aidan put the boots on. "But no riding without a jacket."
"Aidan, this is from me," Margaret said. She held out a package wrapped in brown paper and tied up in string.
Aidan tore through the wrapping just as quickly as he had the first gift.
"What is it darling? Hold it up for us to see," Anna instructed.
"A blanket? " Aidan asked in confusion.
"It's a quilt. I made it so that it doubles as a superhero cape. See?" Margaret asked. She gestured for Aidan to come over and showed him how to tie it correctly. "I hope you like it. John told me your favorite color is blue."
"I love it," he said as he let his fingers trace the edge of the fabric. Aidan threw his arms open to hug her and said, "Thank you, Mrs. Margaret."
Anna and John both had tears in their eyes as they watched how Aidan interacted with John's mother. A relationship beyond friendship was quickly forming and Anna was happy that Aidan had so many people that loved him and that he could love in return.
"You keep giving me hugs like that and I'll make you as many capes as you want," she said half joking. It did her old heart good to have this new little family surrounding her and to see her son finally content and settled.
"Mum, you didn't have to do that," John said.
"I know I didn't have to. I wanted to. And don't think you'll start convincing me otherwise," she scolded him. "You may be turning forty two, but you're never too old for a proper tongue lashing."
John rolled his eyes as Anna pulled out two gifts one from her and one from Aidan. She handed them to John as Aidan scrambled onto John's lap, still decked out in his cape. "Open mine first," Aidan urged.
"Alright then," John said. "Wow! Did you make this?"
"Mmmhhmm," Aidan replied with a nod of the head.
John stared at the drawing that Anna had framed. It consisted of stick figures and scribbles mostly, but John was well adept at how to respond to Aidan's imaginings and creations now. "Alright, tell me what's going on here," John said with genuine interest.
"That's me playing football at the park with you. That's Grandpa guarding the goal. And that's Mummy and Ms. Elsie cheering on the bleachers. Jasper is watching too. We're having a family day," Aidan explained.
"That's exactly what I thought it was," John said proudly. "I'll have to put this one up at work. Thanks little man. I love it."
Anna gave John a kiss on the cheek before he opened her gift.
"I hope you didn't put yourself out with this," he said.
"And if I did it's my choice," Anna said with her hands on her hips. "Like you said before, you deserve to be spoiled. It's your birthday and you've been a good boy," she mimicked him.
John gazed at her lovingly for a moment before unveiling two tickets to the next home football game for Manchester. John wasn't sure where they were seated, but one glance from Tom and Matthew told him he was going to get an amazing view of the pitch.
"I figured you could take Robert and have a boys night," she said.
"John, in case I never told you how much I love Anna. I love Anna," Robert remarked. "Hey and you can wear my present to the game."
"I got two more tickets that are reserved for my Dad and Aidan," she said.
"This is incredible. Thank you," he said.
"Well you aren't done yet," she said giddily."This is just a little something for your office."
John audibly sighed when he pulled the paper off the gift to see a framed photo of the three of them on Halloween. They all looked so indescribably happy as if it had always been that way. Like they were meant to be a family.
"It's the one Cora took," Anna said.
"I know. I remember," John said in a low voice as he ran his hand across the frame. "It's perfect."
Elsie already had two layers of Aidan's birthday cake cooling on the counter and two more layers baking in the over. She was preparing the last of the homemade batch of frosting when she heard the familiar sound of Charles entering through the front door. She smiled cheerfully to herself at the prospect of him coming home, their home. Or so it seemed as of late. She hardly ever returned to her flat and had made herself comfortable as she fell into a habit of stopping by his place on her way home from the restaurant most nights. But he hardly gave her a reason to want to return to her empty place, not when the idea of falling into bed with him was so warm and enticing.
"Something smells divine!" he called out from the other room.
"Oh?" she feigned ignorance.
"Mmmhhhmm," he purred into her ear as he snuck up behind her and placed his hands on her hips. "And it's not just the cakes that are baking," he added to get his point across. Charles kissed her cheek, but allowed his lips to linger there before blazing a trail down her neck and resting his chin on her shoulder. Charles was distracted by the mess she had left in her wake, "Good God woman! How many cakes are you baking my grandson?"
"It's one cake. Four layers. And I'll make as many as I see fit to properly celebrate my godson's fifth birthday," she emphasized.
"Is that so?" he shot back.
"It certainly is," she said. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed Charles preparing to dip his finger into the remaining batter that was sprawled across the glass mixing bowl. "And don't think you'll be getting to taste test anymore of my food if you insist on challenging me any further," she playfully scolded him before lightly smacking his hand with the end of the wooden spoon.
"Just as well, I have to go wrap Aidan's gift," he said with a waggle of his eyebrows.
"Aidan's gift? But you said you already got him a gift," she replied with a confused look. "You wrapped it yesterday when I wrapped mine."
"I only did that so you would think we had the same amount of gifts. This one," he said proudly as he held up the race car track, "will secure me a place as world's greatest grandpa."
"You don't really believe that do you?" Elsie asked as she put the next two layers into the oven.
"Says so on the mug," Charles pointed out to the coffee cup on the table.
Elsie could only roll her eyes at him. He could be awfully adorable when he set his mind to it. "No doubt they'll be chanting your name in the grandpa hall of fame," she teased with a tinge of sarcasm.
"As well they should," Charles huffed as he whipped out a new tube of wrapping paper, the scissors, and tape.
With the little bit of chocolate she had left on the spatula she turned around and smeared some across his lips. The way his eyes honed in on her caused her to burst into a fit of laughter.
"Oh you think this is funny do you?" Charles asked as he rose slowly from the chair.
"I do," she replied firmly. Her shoulders continued to shake as she tried to rein in her laughter.
He was now standing across from her at attention, making him a good foot and a half taller than she. Elsie let out a yelp as she took off running toward the living room, but Charles quickly wrapped his arms around her waist. He pulled her down onto the couch with him and with his chocolate mustache he began to pepper her face with kisses. The action left chocolate kisses all over her face and he laughed huskily as he said, "I could be wrong, though I rarely am." His remark earned him a raised eyebrow from her. "But, I'm quite certain you deserved that."
"Probably," she replied with a hearty laugh. Elsie began to rise from the couch to get back to baking, before Charles gripped her wrist a little tighter. "Charles, what are you doing?"
"I'm loving you," he replied as he pretended to be hurt. "Have I made you wait so long to return your affections that you can't tell?" Charles joked. His rough fingers massaged her arm and silently begged her to join him once more.
Normally she wouldn't reject his advances, but she still had to finish the cake and get ready before Anna and John returned with Aidan for their little birthday dinner. "Charles, the cake will be coming out of the oven soon," she reminded him.
"We have time," Charles argued as he pawed at her skirt.
"How would you know?" she asked. Her body slowly slumping and giving in to his actions. In truth, she wanted nothing more than to fall into his arms, but she rather enjoyed playing hard to get.
"I don't," he replied with a witty smile, "but I know I'd always make time for you."
"Charmer," she said with a playful smack to the arm.
"Was I not always charming?" he asked.
"You were, but I don't remember you being this…" her hands flailed as she tried to find the word she was looking for.
"This…" he left the sentence open ended as he began unbuttoning her blouse to expose her skin to him.
"Free," she said with a laugh.
He couldn't help but laugh along with her, her laughter and joy was infectious. "I suppose that is partly my fault. Losing Alice forced me to grow up in ways I hadn't expected. I had to be the parent Anna deserved," he said softly. Charles looked like he was regretting some of the choices he made while trying to be a father to Anna.
"No one could have asked for a better substitute for a parent than you," she said sweetly as she stroked his cheek.
Charles smiled warmly back at her, the kindness in her eyes reflected in his own. "I'd like to think I tried to have fun, but I know I wasn't as free as I am when I'm with you," he confessed.
"Better late than never I suppose," she said.
With those words, Charles cupped her cheeks in the palm of his hands and brought her towards him to meld his lips with hers. It was odd, how in such a short amount of a time the taste of her that was still so relatively new, seemed to be so unbelievably familiar and nostalgic. Every time they came together it was like old memories were rewriting themselves, stars were aligning, and it seemed as if they hadn't spent a day apart in the years that followed Alice's death. They were both more than familiar with each other's past, quirks, and personalities. Now they were both eager to discover and memorize each other's physical touch and desires. The two of them felt like uncontrollable teenagers whenever they could find a stolen moment for themselves. And it seemed that right now was no exception to the rule.
Elsie and Charles had just finished showering and getting ready when John and Anna arrived back from the Crawley house to celebrate Aidan's birthday in their own special way. They were fools to think they could keep their earlier actions under wraps. Elsie's lips were still blistered from kisses and her cheeks flushed from their exertions. Anna probably wouldn't have thought much of it until they walked into the kitchen and the overwhelming smell of burnt cake overtook her senses. "What on earth happened to the cake?" Anna asked when she caught sight of the charred cake left in the trash can.
"We got sidetracked," Charles stammered.
Elsie tried to avert her eyes, but couldn't contain the smile that was overtaking her face.
"Nevermind, I don't want to know," Anna said.
"It's not as if the whole cake is ruined. It's only one layer," Charles said.
"Cake is cake. One less layer won't kill us," John said as he kissed Anna on the cheek. He hoped his action would take her mind off things. "Besides he only cares about presents," John joked as he tickled the lad. "Right, Aidan?"
"Right," Aidan agreed.
John patted Aidan on the bottom and shooed him off to join Jasper in running around the house. Anna gave him a playful, but disapproving look. "I'll just take out the trash then before it stinks up the house. Shall I?"
"Yes, it would be greatly appreciated," Anna said as she helped out with dinner.
"The roast was delicious. Thank you, Elsie," John complimented the chef as he dabbed at his mouth with a napkin.
"Thank you. I haven't gone all out with preparing a dinner in sometime. I couldn't think of a more appropriate occasion to celebrate," Elsie said as she caressed the back of Aidan's head. "Though I can't take all the credit. Anna helped plan the meal and prepared the side dishes," she added.
"And what wonderful sides they were," Charles complimented his daughter.
John smiled as he helped himself to another spoonful of homemade macaroni and cheese. "This one is my favorite. Tastes just like my mother's."
"Good. That was the point when I got the recipe from your mother. You and Aidan couldn't seem to get enough of the last batch she brought over," she answered back.
John was overwhelmed by the way Anna reached out to his mother and tried to include her in a way Vera never had. "That was incredibly thoughtful of you."
"I invited her over tonight too, but she said one party was enough excitement for one day," Anna reported.
"That's a shame, but I'm glad she was able to come today," John replied as he ran his finger across her cheek. She turned her face into it to relish his touch a little longer.
Aidan ran up to Charles and climbed into his lap and began whispering something into his ear.
Charles whispered something back and a grin erupted on Aidan's face as he nodded his head in agreement.
"Hey, hey. What's this?" Anna asked him. "We don't keep secrets."
"This is more of a surprise, not a secret," Charles clarified to his daughter.
"Yeah a surprise," Aidan said excitedly.
"I thought the only surprises going around today were for you little man," John said as he began to pick up the dishes around the table and run the water in the sink to let them soak.
"No. This is a surprise for…" Aidan began to say but Charles quickly covered the little boy's mouth.
"Remember what we discussed?" Charles reminded him.
"Oh right. Sorry John," Aidan apologized.
"Well, while we're on the topic of surprises, perhaps we should start having you open your gifts from your Grandpa and I," Elsie suggested.
Aidan couldn't hop off his grandpa's lap fast enough as he ran around enthusiastically awaiting his next gift. He clapped along as Elsie pulled out a large box that had been wrapped to perfection, "What is it Mrs. Elsie?"
"You wont find out until you open it," she said with a Scottish lilt.
Aidan tore through the packaging and revealed a dinosaur bone archeology set. "Whoa! It's just like the one Freddy has!"
"That it is, but this one comes complete with an Indiana Jones hat for my little explorer," Elsie said as she revealed the hat from behind her back.
Aidan threw his arms around his godmother and hugged her tightly. "Thank you, Mrs. Elsie. Will you help me to hide the bones and uncover them later?"
"Of course," she replied with a smile. The older woman didn't know why but she was suddenly overcome with emotions as the little darling pulled away and looked up at her with utter devotion and love. Elsie could only surmise that it was because she thought her chances at having a family were long gone. She had never expected to be blended in with unique collection of souls and love them all so completely. She had been there the day Aidan was born and had loved him from the moment she laid eyes on him. To see the little man he was becoming and know she had some part in it was a humbling notion. Elsie couldn't love him more than if he was her own grandson and the same rang true for Anna.
"Mrs. Elsie, why are you crying?" Aidan asked.
"Just happy. You've grown before my eyes like a weed. I can barely believe that I used to cradle you in my arms when you were just a wee bairn," she said with tears in her eyes.
Anna also had tears in her eyes now as she remembered back to the day that Aidan was born. How she had felt scared to become a single mother. Wondering if she could give Aidan all the things that two parents could and worried that she couldn't be as strong as she needed to be to guide this little being. And then the doctor had placed Aidan in her arms and she was in love. All those fears melted away and she made peace with the fact that it might always just be the two of them. But she realized that two was better than one. He was her light in the darkness and so Anna decided to call him Aidan, meaning 'fire'.
"Mrs. Elsie, you can still hold me in your arms," Aidan said sweetly. His voice broke Anna from her thoughts.
"That I can," Elsie replied as she picked Aidan up and pressed a kiss to his cheek.
"I guess a little party wasn't so bad after all," John mused as he gave Anna squeeze and offered her a tissue. "He doesn't seem to notice with all the love that can barely be contained in this room."
"No, he doesn't. It's just as it should be," Anna replied.
Aidan opened the rest of his presents and was thrilled at the sight of them all. His favorite was a bicycle from his grandpa that was already assembled. Both Charles and John had offered to help him learn how to ride as he had outgrown his tricycle. John was careful not to step on Charlie's toes, knowing full well what a big role he had been playing in Aidan's life. John, having never had a spectacular birthday as a child (or a child of his own for that matter), went all out and splurged on Aidan. He bought him a collection of books about dinosaurs and offered to take him to dinosaur exhibit at the museum in Yorkshire, just the two of them.
Aidan insisted he had to master riding a "big boy" bike that very evening and dragged them all outside to watch him. It wasn't freezing, but it wasn't as warm as usual. Both Anna and Elsie wanted Aidan to wear a jacket, but the men disagreed and said he was fine. Anna of course was fretting even after a helmet had been placed on his head as he wobbled back and forth uneasily without the help of training wheels in place. He nearly wiped out on the driveway twice and another time he started to get the hang of it and almost disappeared into a set of their hedges. The sunlight was dwindling and Anna knew if her son was anything like her, he'd stay out there all night until he figured out how to ride his bicycle without the training wheels. They weren't out there much longer when Charles ran alongside of him for the hundredth time pushing him and keeping him balanced with his hand on the back of the tiny seat when it finally happened. She heard her father and John cheering him on to keep peddling and keep the handles straight. Aidan's small, pink tongue was jutted out of the corner of his mouth with pure determination written across his face. Anna caught the moment on the camera of her phone as he shouted, "Mummy, mummy, look at me!"
"I see, my darling," Anna cheered as he rode in circles up and down the driveway.
Anna went inside shortly after to make them all some tea and hot cocoa, John tagged along not far behind her offering to help out. But once they were in the haven of the kitchen all alone she almost knocked him over as she collided into him. Their bodies running into the side of the refrigerator and their lips locking into the most exquisite, passion-filled kiss.
His hands ran up her sides and danced along the small of her back. One began to tug at the loose strands of her hair while the other cupped around her cheek and drew her in closer. "Where the bloody hell did that come from?" he asked. John was still panting as he tried to catch his breath.
"I don't know. Seeing you today the way you were with Aidan and with your mother. Getting to see a little slice of the future and what our family might be. I'm sorry, I'm rambling," she said as her hand flew up to cover her lips.
"No," John said as he lowered her hand. He kissed her fingertips. "Go on. I want to hear more of this," he encouraged her to go continue.
"Why?" she asked with a giddy smile.
"Because whatever it was, you haven't looked as happy or as beautiful as you did today in some time. I'm glad I got the chance to share in it with you," John said with a small smile.
Anna ran a free hand up John's arm and pulled him in closer for another kiss, but the sound of the screen door opening and shutting caused them to distance themselves.
"Mummy, what does it mean to burn a hole in your pocket?" Aidan asked innocently, having not even registered the mood of the room as he walked in.
John bit back a smile, knowing that they had nearly been caught going a little further than they probably should have in Charlie's house.
"Where did you hear that love?" Anna asked.
"Um, I can't say," Aidan said.
"Well what was it about?" she asked.
"I can't answer that either," Aidan replied. His curiosity had gotten the better of him, "So what does it mean?"
"Usually it's referring to money, but it means you are tempted to use something," Anna answered back.
"Oh," Aidan said nodding his head in understanding. He began to walk off but turned back around, "Mummy?"
"Yes, sweetheart," Anna replied.
John laughed at their exchange. He loved Aidan of course, but somedays he didn't know how Anna had the patience of a saint to continue to answer one question after another.
"What's tempted mean?" Aidan inquired.
"It means something you really want to do," Anna responded.
"Thanks," Aidan replied before skipping off outside.
"Wonder what that was all about," John said with a perplexed look as he leaned against the counter.
"Do you really want to follow him and find out? Or would you rather stay here with me?" Anna quipped as she ran her palms lazily up his chest. She could practically taste his musky scent and felt the familiar stirrings like butterflies in the pit of her stomach. Anna wasn't a stranger to such sensations, but she often found that her nerves won out when it came to her ability to press forward. Only now she was wishing they were somewhere more private.
"I kind of want to find out," John said as he paused his ministrations. He began to walk in the same direction as Aidan when Anna yanked him back by the hand.
"You must be joking," she said in a voice filled with laughter.
John could hardly keep a straight face and sniggered lightly at the expression on her face. "Of course I am," John replied as he pulled her back towards him.
"You're a horrible flirt," Anna said before kissing John.
Their actions ground to a halt at the sound of Aidan's cheers coming from the back yard. "It's time! It's time! Hurry up, you guys!"
"I love that boy with all my heart, but one of these days I'm going to get you alone," John growled.
"Yeah?" Anna said enticing him to go on.
"Yeah. And then all bets are off," he said flirtatiously. His forehead came to rest against her own and he chuckled softly. "We should see what he wants."
"What's it time for?" Elsie asked Aidan.
The young boy pushed her softly out towards the middle of the yard to stand by his grandpa and ran off shouting over his shoulder, "You'll see."
"What's all this about Charles?" she asked as he held her close.
"You'll see," he repeated his grandson's words.
"You're just as bad as Aidan," she said with a smile.
Aidan switched the back porch light off so that it was completely dark outside. Charles and Elsie laughed as they heard him grunt to reach the other switch on the wall. Charles simply drank in the view standing before him. The light cast a wonderful blue glow across her face and illuminated her features in a way he hadn't quite experienced before. He could feel his heart thudding in his chest at the prospect of what was about to happen. He hoped his hands weren't sweating as much as he thought they were and gave them one last good wipe on his pants before taking her hands in his own. Charles took a deep breath and tried to steady his nerves, but when his eyes met hers there was no reason to. He felt his heart beat slow and everything seemed right in the world as she smiled back at him. Inside, he was scolding himself for not doing this sooner, but he couldn't think of a better time for it to happen or place for it to happen.
Elsie, began to ask what happened with the lights just as Aidan flicked the switch on and the tiny backyard had been transformed into a winter wonderland. Charles had managed to put up every last Christmas light and decoration that he could find, knowing that it had always been Elsie's favorite time of year. He reveled in the delight that crossed her face and her eyes lit up like a child on Christmas morning. He could see the different colored lights reflecting in her irises and told himself that as long as he lived he'd never forget the way she looked in that moment. Charles could feel a lump forming in his throat and ran a nervous hand through his hair as he felt the small box in his pocket with his free hand.
Elsie covered her mouth as a small gasp escaped her, "Charles, this is gorgeous! You certainly went all out this year."
"I couldn't think of a reason not to," Charles whispered to her. "I know how much you love Christmas. And it's our first together as a proper couple."
Elsie bit back a smile, but it didn't do any good; the happiness was so clear as it danced in her eyes. Her cheeks flushed red, but Charles was sure it wasn't due to the cold that was whipping up outside. "That it is," Elsie said as she gave his hand a gentle squeeze.
"And the first of many more...I hope," Charles responded with a grin and a reassuring squeeze of her hand.
A look of concern crossed her face when she saw him bend forward slightly, looking like he'd lost something. Her emotions shifted to concern and then understanding when he bent down on one knee before her. "Charles, what are you doing?" she asked.
He cleared his throat and chuckled nervously as he gathered his courage. "I know, we haven't been dating long. And I might even be too late in asking such a favor of you. But I feel like we've known each other long enough to skip the formalities...well most of them anyway. I don't want to skip this one. I've always been one for tradition, but I don't know how much time left I have to court you properly. I can only promise to love you with my whole heart for the rest of our days. I'd be extremely honored if you'd accept my proposal and become my wife," he said with tears in his eyes. His voice was filled with emotion as he waited on her answer.
Time seemed to stand still as she considered what he was saying. Were they ready for such a change after all the trials and tribulations they had gone through? Then again, could they really afford to put it off any longer? Deep down she knew she had always loved him and would always love him. The thought of rejecting him broke her heart and the longer she stared, entranced by his warm, welcoming eyes, the more she felt her resolve give way. He had her heart from that first moment they met and each day she had only grown more fond of him, even in their time spent apart. "Yes," she whispered.
"You'll have to speak up, I'm not as young as I used to be," he teased.
"I said 'yes' you big oaf, now get off your knee before you hurt yourself," she scolded him playfully.
Charles slid the ring on her finger and kissed her fiercely before pulling her into a warm embrace. She lifted her hands to cradle his face and brought his head down so she could kiss him. Her tongue slid along the length of his lips, begging for entrance. She didn't have to wait long as he opened his mouth slightly and their tongues mingled in the most blissful way.
"Did she say yes?" Aidan shouted.
"She did," Charles answered back proudly.
"Hooray!" Aidan cheered. He ran towards his grandfather and his godmother enthusiastically. Charles bent down to meet him and lifted him up to give his grandson a hug. Elsie placed a kiss on the little boys forehead as she cried tears of joy. "Did I do good grandpa?"
"You did excellent my boy," Charles answered back.
Aidan beamed back proudly. He leaned forward to whisper in his grandpa's ear, "Did she like the ring we picked?"
"I don't know," Charles responded as he looked from Aidan to Elsie.
"I didn't even think to look at it yet," Elsie said as her eyes drifted down to look at the large sapphire that was framed by two slightly smaller diamonds. The band was white gold and molded in a braid design. "Oh Charles, it's incredible. I hope you didn't spend too much on this."
"And what if I did? You're worth it. Besides it's not every day you get engaged," he argued playful.
"Well it looks as though congratulations are in order," Anna chimed in. She outstretched her arms to envelope her father in a hug. When they walked in on the proposal it had caught her off guard. It had come sooner than she thought; in retrospect it was probably long over due. But Anna had to admit that they were a good match and she recognized better than anyone the heart wants what the heart wants. Her situation had not ended the way she thought it would with Henry, but if it was what led her to John she couldn't regret it. And of course she had Aidan. These are the positive thoughts that she was training herself to focus on when memories of Henry were weighing heavy on her mind.
"Thank you," her father replied in a deep voice as he held her close.
"I love you. Both of you. I couldn't be happier that you guys are finally doing this," Anna said. She leaned forward and kissed Elsie on the cheek before giving her a squeeze.
"Thank you my dear girl," Elsie replied.
"Now we can celebrate with cake!" Aidan announced. He ran ahead towards the back door with Jasper running along side.
"I see you've turned my son into an accomplice," Anna said as she nudged Charles gently in the ribs with her shoulder.
"You should know better than anyone I needed a little bit of help when it came to showing my affections for Elsie," he said with a grin. Charles lifted his arm and wrapped it around the back of Elsie's shoulder as he pulled her closer. He finally had the woman he loved and he wasn't letting her go.
"I guess. Though I must say I'm surprised you picked him to help. I thought for sure he'd give a secret like that up in no time, " Anna quipped.
"Yeah how did you manage to get him to keep the secret?" John inquired.
"Well that's a secret in and of itself. One that I may be able to use to my advantage," Charles said with a knowing grin.
John exchanged his congratulations with the happy couple before they made their way inside the house.
The next evening was Aidan's sleep over with Freddy Morrisum and Charlie Bryant. They were a lively and rambunctious bunch, but Anna was glad to see Aidan having such a wonderful time with his friends. Even more encouraging was seeing the way John jumped in to help her with them and playing along with them. She knew it was too soon to entertain such thoughts, but it gave her an interesting peek into the future of what a house full of children with John might be like. Perhaps there would be more boys, one of John's own to carry on his family name. Or perhaps a little girl with his dark hair and hazel eyes that John could spoil and Aidan would dote on. It was when she walked in on John and the boys having a pillow fight in the living room that she came to the conclusion that would suit her just fine.
The boys had just settled down in Aidan's room and John returned to their bed after checking in on them, but found that Anna wasn't there. She had been in the bathroom for quite some time and he wondered if she was alright. Perhaps all that talk earlier about them celebrating his birthday meant she wanted to take their relationship to the next level. Whatever it was he wouldn't push her. He tried not to look too eager for when she returned and fished a book from the pile on his side of the bed, but his eyes barely registered the words on the page. With his reading glasses on he would peer over the edge of the book whenever he heard some noise come from the other side of the door. When she emerged his legs were crossed at the ankle, his long, hairy legs exposed up to his boxers and he wore a simple t-shirt. After their previous failed attempt at intimacy he tried to put as much clothing between them as was comfortable when they slept together.
Anna stopped in the door frame with her hair tied back in a loose bun and her face free of make up. She looked gorgeous even in an old sweatshirt that hung just off the shoulder, revealing the most tempting hint of skin he'd ever laid eyes on. Her pajama bottoms were a little too baggy on her thin frame, but the outline of her arse still made itself known.
John had to push the racy thoughts to the back of his mind and remember to focus on Anna. He set the book down on the side table and asked, "Is everything alright?"
She nodded silently in agreement, but the look on her face betrayed her actions. John held his arms out and encouraged her to join him on the bed. Anna reluctantly slid onto the bed beside him, but it wasn't from lack of want. She leaned against his chest in silence for a moment before his words pulled her from her thoughts.
"Are you going to tell me what's bothering you now?"
"You promise you won't get mad?" she asked shyly.
John let out a small laugh, "Of course I won't get mad. I could never find fault with you. Now what's this all about?"
"You have to promise," she said more adamantly than before.
"I said I wouldn't," John said with a shrug. She stared back at him like she was still waiting for him to actually say that he had promised. John couldn't fathom why she was being so insistent that he said the word until he saw the look on her face. He didn't know why it hadn't dawned on him sooner. In that moment he hated Aidan's father more than anything. But rather than open up old wounds for Anna, he set his anger aside and said, "I promise."
In that moment she realized he hasn't just said it to appease her. He truly understood that this was something she had to hear before she could move forward with the conversation. She sighed heavily without adjusting herself to look up at him. Her hands fidgeted nervously with the hem of his t-shirt before she finally let go in frustration. "I wanted to...to be with you tonight. I bought something nice to wear...to surprise you with. But, instead I just stood there in the bathroom staring at the box from the store. I couldn't go through with it and I'm just so angry with myself right now."
Her confession had taken him aback. As excited as he was to hear that she was already considering another attempt at making love, he wouldn't allow her to force herself into this simply because it was his birthday. "Anna, I appreciate the thought... but if it is so difficult for you to be with me in that way without having some kind of setback, than I would rather we do nothing at all. It's not worth it to me. Not when you mean so much more than that." He held her tight and let her have a few seconds of silence to calm herself.
After she laid there a little longer she freed herself of his hold and began to get out of bed.
"What are you up to?" he asked with a raised eyebrow.
"I have one more birthday present for you," she replied with a mischievous smile on her face.
He watched with fascination as she pulled out one of the drawers from her dresser and began to rummage through it. "Anna, you didn't have to do anything else. The party, the picture, and the tickets were already more than enough," he protested.
"No peeking," she called back over her shoulder.
John quickly closed his eyes but still had a smile plastered across his face. As much as he hated the thought of her being put out by spending so much on him, he had to admit he felt rather spoiled and had never had a birthday quite like this before. Had she listened to his pleas earlier to not do anything on his account he wouldn't be feeling as cherished as he did in that moment. He heard her remove something from her dresser drawer and tip toe back across the cold floor before joining him in bed. "Can I open my eyes now?" he asked.
"Yes," Anna answered back as she placed the box in his hand.
John moved the box back and forth in his hand to get a better look at it and size it up. It was wrapped in white paper and had red ribbon wrapped around it, complete with a bow on top. Whatever it was the box looked impossibly small, almost like it was meant for jewelry, though he couldn't fathom what she would have gotten him that would fit in the box. He shook it for good measure, but couldn't hear anything clattering around inside. John untied the ribbon and lifted the top off the box, inside was a piece of paper with Anna's writing on it. He removed the paper and read what it said, "Happy Birthday, my darling! Thank you for helping me open so many doors that I didn't know were possible. I love you and I can't wait to see what the future has in store for us. Love, Anna." John set the piece of paper aside, folding it neatly for safe keeping. He removed a thin sheet of cotton on top to reveal a key. He studied it for a moment with his brows furrowed together, "I'm not quite sure what I'm looking at."
"This, my love, is a key to my place. I know you've been staying here for awhile, but I wanted to give you something in private to show you just how much you mean to me. I'm trying to set my insecurities aside and let you in. I trust you, John, with all my heart and soul and I want you to feel like you can come and go without asking me to let you in," she said in a soft voice.
"Oh...Anna," he said at a loss for words. "This…"
"You don't like it?" she asked.
"No. On the contrary. This means so much to me. Even more than the tickets to the game," he clarified. John set the box aside and reached his arms out to cup her cheek and bring her closer for a kiss. "I love you so much. This has been the best birthday I've ever had."