“Hey,” he says brightly. “You okay?”
“Yeah, I’m great.”
“Good Christmas so far?”
I release a breath. “Best Christmas I think I’ve ever had.”
Finn’s face drops a little as he takes in my words. “That means Christmases are only going to get better. I’m excited for the day we do all the Father Christmas stuff and all the silly games and assembling toys for hours on end.”
My eyes stay glued on his face as he speaks with such enthusiasm it makes me want to sob. It’s all I’ve wanted for our daughter, to have a family around her who cares, and she, without a doubt, has the best dad in the world.
The T-shirt proves it.
“Yeah,” I say with watery eyes. “Me too.”
When Finn and Ivy sit with Skye and play with her new toys, I greet Andrea in the kitchen, who is preparing our feast.
“Can I help at all?”
Andrea shakes her head. “No, go chill out. We’ve got everything.”
“I’m really grateful that you invited me,” I murmur. “I know I’ve said it a thousand times, but I need to keep saying it.”
“You’re family, Maya.” Andrea places down the knife. “And you always will be.”
I swallow back the lump in my throat.
“I’m just really glad Finn has you in his life,” she continues. “I was really worried about him going back to university after this summer, but when I found out that he had you and Skye, it made things a lot easier for me.”
“He’s changed,” I murmur.
Andrea hums. “He was a little lost. But he’s found his purpose again, and I know how much he loves you both. I’m justreally happy that he finally looks happy, you know? I haven’t seen him like this in years.”
The ball in my throat returns within seconds. “I’m really proud of him.”
“You and me both,” Andrea says sincerely. “Thank you for spending Christmas with us.”
I release an awkward chuckle. “No one else wanted us, so yeah.”
Andrea’s mouth falls open before she recovers quickly. “Wanted you? Oh, I don’t believe that for a second.”
“I’ve always had a difficult relationship with my mum,” I confess. “When I fell pregnant, she wasn’t very supportive, and she never comes round to see Skye or ask how I am. I’d honestly rather spend Christmas alone than be with her and her new partner.”
I watch as Andrea’s face warps into sympathy, but I don’t want anyone’s sympathy, it makes me feel some type of way.
“I’m sorry, Maya,” she says. “I don’t know how any mother could act like that.”
“It’s fine.” I shrug. “I’m just glad I can be here where I feel wanted and included, especially Skye. I never wanted her growing up thinking she was a burden because that’s all I got from my mother.”
Andrea steps forward and places a hand on my shoulder. “You’re always welcome here, Maya. No matter what. You and Skye.”
“I’m starting to see that now.”
Before I know what’s happening, Andrea wraps me up in a tight hug, and I latch onto her cardigan. It’s warm and motherly, and everything I’ve ever wanted from my own mum, but have never received. I don’t remember the last time she even hugged me.
My eyes squeeze shut at the thought, and I try to push it away. She’s irrelevant. If she doesn’t want to see her own family, then why should I bother anymore? I’m done chasing her, waiting for her to change her mind about me.
Andrea pulls away after a few moments and holds me at arm’s length. “I think I needed that.” I sniffle before wiping my eyes.
