With Christmas songs playing in the background, they set about preparing a feast that would feed fifteen, let alone the eight of them it was supposed to.
THE REST OF his family arrived around four-thirty, and Ed’s usually quiet bungalow was filled with laughter and multiple conversations going on at once.
How Christmas was meant to be.
Ed loved it.
Loved being surrounded by his family, especially when coupled with good food and a nice glass of wine.
As he stood at the living room door watching them all, Oliver’s words filtered back to him.
“There’s nothing wrong with wanting to be near your family, Ed. Relying on them, letting them help you when things get tough isn’t a weakness. It’s not something you need to grow out of.”
He was absolutely right.
Ed wasn’t moving up north because it was something he desperately wanted to. No, it was stubbornness and wounded pride forcing him into it. He could see that now.
Tom’s words had hurt him, cut deep into his insecurities. He’d wanted to prove that he didn’t need his family as much as Tom said he did, could easily make a new start on his own if he wanted to. But who was he proving that to? Tom was long gone.
He had friends up in Nottingham, it wouldn’t be the end of the world. Ed had no doubt he’d be okay if he moved up there.
But he didn’t want to be just okay.
He had a wonderful family and friends right here, who he both relied on and wouldn’t hesitate to help out if they needed him. Why would he ever want to give that up?
It all seemed so obvious now, he felt suddenly foolish for ever thinking otherwise.
Dinner was almost ready, but Ed had something he wanted to do first.
Getting the champagne out of the fridge, he poured up six glasses with Bucks Fizz for the kids and took them through to the living room.
After handing them out, he cleared his throat to get everyone’s attention, fingers tight around the stem of his glass. “As you’re all aware, I’m due to agree to a moving date in a few days.” It felt like the whole room held its breath. Smiles turning sombre. Ed swallowed. “Well I’ve decided not to.”
Ruth gasped, hand flying to her mouth, understanding written all over her face.
“I’m not moving up to Nottingham. I’m going to stay here. In the bungalow.”
He hadn’t decided on that last bit until just now, but as he looked around at his family’s beaming faces, in a room decorated by him and Oliver, he realised it no longer felt like Elise’s old house.
It felt like home.
His home.
“So,” he said, raising his glass before any of them tackled him into the hugs he knew were heading his way. “Merry Christmas. Here’s to many more.”
DINNER WAS A far more riotous affair than he suspected it would have been before his announcement. And he’d had to field far more questions than he had answers for, but he hadn’t felt this settled in months.
His mum and Jack had taken Ruth’s kids home in a taxi, leaving the four of them to see Christmas Day.
Ruth handed him a plate to dry, smiling at him. She’d not stopped all afternoon. “So you reckon your mate will be alright with you changing your mind?”
Ed frowned. “Yeah. Eventually, anyway.” He might be a pissed off to start with, but Ed was never going to join him permanently anyway. It was only supposed to be until he found his feet.
“What about Oliver?”
Ed scrunched his nose up, and she stared at him, mouth hanging open. “You haven’t told him yet?”
“No.” Ed shook his head. “I didn’t want to do it via text.”
