Up ahead, our family are congregated outside our house. Some are holding balloons, some hold congratulation banners, and some hold gift bags or flowers.
“I have no idea,” I admit, pulling onto the drive. “Wait there, I’ll help you out.”
She’s waving at her mum and dad as I slide out of the car. “What are you all doing here?” I ask, greeting my brothers.
“Wait for it,” Eli replies, jerking his head to the others.
I rush around the car, saying hello as I pass by the others. Maverick is already opening the door for Lily. He helps her down and she takes a look around at everyone. “What is going on? Why is everyone here?” she asks, her entire face lighting up at the sight of them. “I thought you were all coming tomorrow.”
“Merry Christmas,” is yelled from the crowd.
“And congratulations,” is followed.
Her mum steps up beside her husband, wrapping her arm around his waist. “We decided that since you missed Christmas Day, we would make it up to you and bring Christmas to you.”
“So today, pretend it’s Christmas Day again,” Maddox teases.
Lily wraps her arm around me as she glances around at the others. “This is, this is…” She bursts into tears, this time happy tears, as she clings to me.
“Guys, the gesture is sweet and all, but she needs to go inside and rest,” I explain, trying to remain respectful as I pull her closer.
Mum grins as she steps up beside the in-laws. “We have dinner cooking. It’s nearly done. Me, Maverick, Teagan, Maddox, and Lily’s siblings are going to be having dinner here with you two. The rest of them will be split between your grandpa’s and Charlotte’s.”
“Mum,” I begin but she cuts me off, giving me the ‘mum stare.’
“Lily will be waited on hand and foot. She is not going to lift a finger. And if she wants to go lie down and rest, then that’s what she will do. We will pack up and go.”
“Lily, what would you like to do?” Teagan asks.
Lily lifts her head, wiping her red nose with the sleeve of her cardigan. “I really did want to make it a great Christmas.”
“It’s already been the best Christmas of my life, Lily. You gave birth to our daughter.”
Her hand presses against my chest, above my heart. “Please. It’s family.”
I let out a breath. “Okay, but the first yawn and everyone is leaving, and you are getting some rest.”
She beams wide at me. “Thank you.”
“Now, everyone, quickly give your congratulations, so I can get them both inside.”
I pull open the back door and smile as I see Rose sleeping soundly in her car seat, her pink hat lopsided. After tucking the blanket around her, I unclip her seat, before lifting her out.
Everyone begins to gush, which I knew they would. I just wish they would do it whilst we were inside, in the warmth.
“Right, come on everyone, give them some room,” Aiden yells.
“You’re just hungry,” Wyatt retorts.
“Yeah, so would you be if you knew how good it tasted,” he replies.
“All of you will get a chance to come say hi,” Mum announces. “Now come on, get moving.”
“Wait, before you go inside, there’s, um, can I talk to you, Lily?” Reid asks.
Her expression drops to concern. “Reid, what happened to your face? Jaxon said you weren’t in the accident,” she rushes out, and snorts from my siblings filter through the air.
His gaze flicks to me, and he gulps. “I, um, I walked into a door.”
“Oh Reid. You need to be careful. It looks really painful.”
“Yeah, the door was made out of solid oak,” he replies, trying to sound light. “So, um, can we talk?”
“Of course.”
“Let me take Rose inside,” Maverick offers.
“Wait, we will come inside with you,” Lily rushes out, and I laugh.
“She doesn’t want to leave her,” I explain.
Maverick’s expression softens. “I get that.”
Reid holds up his hands. “It’s fine. I can talk another day.”
“It’s okay. You can come inside,” Lily tells him, and as Maverick helps Lily into the house, I carry our daughter.
Once inside, I take a second to savour the moment. We are home, and we are a family of three.
People spend their lives chasing their dreams, taking the next step in life, or seeking something better. I’ve managed to find it all in one person.
Lily.
There isn’t a love greater than the one I share with her. There isn’t a dream I wish to seek because she is my dream. And every step I now take in life, I take it with my wife at my side.
I clear my throat and turn to the first person, who happens to be Teagan. “Teagan, will you take Rose into the front room for us?”
“Of course,” she replies, taking the car seat off me.
When Lily goes to protest, I pull her against me. “She will be fine for a few minutes. Let’s hear Reid out so he can go eat his food. He’s probably starving.”
She relaxes against me. “Okay.”
I turn to my brother, who shifts nervously at the front door. “Say whatever you need to say.”
He nods, running a hand across the back of his neck. “Lily, I just want to say I’m sorry. I should have started with ‘he’s fine’ but I didn’t, and for that, and for the stress I put you through, I’m truly sorry.”
“Reid, you didn’t know your phone was going to die,” she replies softly. “It’s okay now. Everything worked out in the end.”
“I know, but I truly am sorry. It’s my fault. If I hadn’t got drunk the night before I would have been okay. And you wouldn’t have been stressed and gone into labour.”
She bites her bottom lip, hesitant for a moment. “I think I had been in labour before Jaxon left and I put it down as Braxton hicks.”
“Why didn’t you say anything?” I ask, only just hearing this now.
“I didn’t want you to worry. I wanted you to enjoy Christmas.”
“Angel,” I murmur.
She places her hand on my chest before turning her attention back to Reid. “Thank you for apologising, but it’s really unnecessary. You weren’t to know, and it couldn’t have been helped.”
“Thank you for feeling like that. It means a lot that you don’t blame me. But still, I’m sorry.”
“Today is about celebrating, so why don’t you come inside and have a drink and something to eat.”
He quickly turns to me, and I narrow my gaze on him. He takes a breath. “I can’t. I have to be at grandad’s. He needs some help.”
“Are you sure?” she asks.
“Angel, why don’t you go check on Rose. Reid will be okay,” I promise her.
She nods and lets me go to pull Reid in for a hug. “Merry Christmas, Reid.”
“Merry Christmas, Lily. And congratulations.”
“Thank you. Make sure you pop back so you can meet your niece.”
“Can’t wait,” he replies sincerely.
She leaves, and once I know she won’t hear, I turn on Reid. “Thank you for apologising, but this doesn’t mean you’re forgiven.”