Page 44 of A Highland Family Affair

‘Thanks so much for coming,’ Olivia said with a kiss to Charlotte’s cheek.

‘Thank you for inviting us,’ Charlotte said with an expression of genuine happiness. ‘We feel like part of the family.’

‘Hi, Will, great T-shirt,’ Brodie said to the teenager who wore a long-sleeved black top with an image of the Grinch on the front and the words ‘Bah Humbug’. ‘So, are you excited about Santa?’ he asked with a wink.

Will laughed. ‘Oh, yeah, I’m sure he’s been very busy sorting my presents out. In fact, we’d better not be too late as he won’t leave them if I’m not asleep.’ He glanced sideways at his mum.

Charlotte nudged him. ‘Aww, I remember when you did believe. It was so magical watching your face light up on Christmas morning.’

‘Yeah, until I saw you stuffing presents into the stocking at the end of my bed wearing your hair in curlers and your fluffy pink robe with some icky green gunk all over your face. It kind of ruined the illusion for me then.’

‘Now that sounds like a sight to behold,’ Kerr teased.

Charlotte whacked her son’s arm playfully. ‘Thanks for that, Will. They were revitalising face masks that I used to use. Honestly, be warned, Olivia, there are no secrets when you have kids.’

Olivia glanced at Brodie, and he smiled adoringly at her. ‘Right, what can we get you two to drink?’

‘Something non-alcoholic for me, please, I’m driving,’ Charlotte said.

‘I’m not driving so I’ll have a mojito,’ Will said with a grin.

Brodie chuckled. ‘Erm, you’re fourteen, pal, it’s not happening.’

Will shrugged. ‘It was worth a try. Orange juice it is then.’

Later, during the festivities and while everyone else was playing charades, Olivia pulled Innes aside.

‘How are the wedding plans coming along?’ he asked.

‘Pretty well so far. I guess the panicking doesn’t set in until the weeks or days just before the wedding is due to take place,’ Olivia replied with a smile. ‘I have something I wanted to ask you about that, actually.’ Her stomach knotted as she thought about her mum and dad and how they wouldn’t be there to see her walk down the aisle. She swallowed a hard lump of emotion down.

‘Ask away, my dear. If I can help, you know I will.’ Olivia loved how he was always there for her, no matter what.

‘I wondered if you would maybe walk me down the aisle and give me away?’

Innes’s eyes widened and became glassy. He cleared his throat. ‘Oh, Olivia, darling. I would be absolutely honoured… although… Please don’t take this as a refusal but… have you thought about asking Kerr?’

Olivia crumpled her brow. ‘Kerr? I… I don’t suppose I had thought about that, no. Do you think he would like to?’

Innes smiled warmly. ‘My dear, I think he would be just as honoured as I would. But I think it would mean so much to him. He’s worked so very hard to get his life back on track and I think this would be the ultimate sign to him that you forgive him. And that you trust him again. Don’t you?’

Olivia shook her head. ‘I think it would. It’s just that, since I knew I was getting married, I always imagined you being by my side.’

He placed a hand on each of her arms. ‘And I will happily be there, Olivia. And if that’s what you truly want, then of course. I just believe… I believe that Kerr would love to feel he’s part of the family again. And I think this would make that happen. It’s your decision, though. As I said, I will be more than happy to walk you down the aisle. It would be wonderful to do so. Just perhaps think on it a little longer?’

After the trouble Kerr had caused Innes throughout the years, it was a true testament to the man’s character that he would step aside and sacrifice such a thing. It was selfless and thoughtful.

Olivia nodded. ‘Perhaps you’re right. He really has made amends and I do feel like I’m able to trust him more and more each day. It would be lovely for him to be involved.’

Innes squeezed her arm. ‘You have your answer, darling. But please know that I am here and if I can help in any other way at all you just need to say the word, okay? You’re like a daughter to me and I simply want to see you happy.’ He leaned forward and kissed her forehead.

The group were on the final game of charades of the evening and Olivia noticed Adaira and Kerr off to the side talking. She worried for her uncle, briefly, but then saw how Kerr glanced off to Charlotte every so often with a smile she had never seen before; contentment. Perhaps he was apologising to Adaira like he had to most of the others he had hurt. She knew she had to have a little more faith in him. He was continuing to go to meetings and was really making changes.

‘Blade Runner?’ Brodie called out as Will zoomed around the drawing room with an angry look on his face. He stopped, rolled his eyes and shook his head. Brodie raised his hands and let them flop into his lap. ‘Ugh, I’ve no bloody clue.’

‘Speed?’ Mirren called out. Another shake of Will’s head.

‘I’ve got it! Forrest Gump!’ was Dougie’s offering but it was still wrong, and everyone moaned. ‘What? He does a lot of running in the film. And he always looks quite serious.’