She flicks her eyes between mine slowly. “Oh, sweetheart.”
“Everything okay in here?” Finn asks as he approaches, a brow curled at the position we’re in.
Andrea drops her arm from me. “Just saying how lucky we are to have Maya and Skye with us for Christmas.”
Finn’s eyes gravitate to mine within seconds. “Oh, the luckiest. But you can’t have them, they’re mine.” He winks at me, and I bite down on my lip to stop myself from grinning like a fool, despite the butterflies going crazy in my stomach. “Need help, mum?”
“No, I’m all good. Your father will be down in a second to help. You guys go play with Skye, catch up, whatever it is you youngsters do these days that isn’t getting into trouble.”
The sound of Finn’s laugh makes me feel lighter. “How times have changed, Mum.”
“And I’m glad to hear it.”
Finn wraps his arm around my shoulder and guides me out of the kitchen as I watch Ivy playing with Skye. My heart swells to the size of a balloon, and I realise that this is what family is about; I’ve just never had the chance to experience it.
CHAPTER 40
FINN THOMPSON
Christmas Day was everything it needed to be.
Not only was it Skye’s first Christmas, but it was the first time spending the holiday with Maya, too. There isn’t a better word for it than perfect. After stuffing ourselves full with a roast dinner and playing silly games, we got dressed into our matching pyjamas to curl up on the sofa with hot chocolate.
My heart has never felt so full after feeling empty for so long.
We’re up early on Boxing Day, which is usually unheard of for me, but we have to complete our tradition this year. Especially since Maya has never been in the sea at Willows Bay. Nothing like a cold-water dip before midday.
JJ arrived around eight this morning, and the excitement on my sister’s face is heartwarming. They’re so in love it’s sickening, but I’m happy for them.
“How cold are we talking?” Maya asks as she leans onto the counter with her forearms and slowly places a grape in her mouth.
My mother laughs as the corner of my lip tilts upwards. “Only a little.”
Maya narrows her eyes at me. “Little?”
“It’s going to be very cold, Maya,” I hear my mum say as I prepare Skye’s bottle. “But thrilling.”
“Are you joining us?”
“Absolutely no chance. I’m too old. Do you want me to have a heart attack?”
I roll my eyes and glance at her over my shoulder. “You’re not old.”
Footsteps ring in my ears as Ivy and JJ emerge. “Are you guys ready to go?”
“Ready as I’ll ever be,” Maya huffs as she straightens her spine. “I’m terrified.”
Ivy chuckles and walks towards Maya before placing a hand on her arm. “Trust me, it’ll be worth it. Then we can go somewhere for a nice pub lunch and have a debrief.”
Maya’s eyes flick to mine at the mention of a pub lunch. I nod at her, letting her know I’m okay with it, and she visibly relaxes. Just because we’re at a pub doesn’t mean drinking has to be involved. It’s easy to associate things when I’ve been doing it since I was sixteen, but now it’s time to break the cycle.
“Right.” Ivy claps her hands together. “Ready to go?”
Maya glances at my mum. “Are you okay with Skye?”
She releases a playful tut. “Of course. I’m excited to spend some one-on-one time with my beautiful granddaughter.”
I hand over her bottles before my mum kisses me on my cheek. “Have fun, don’t hurry home.”
