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“I’ll get you some Tylenol and water. And perhaps something with electrolytes will help.”
“Please do your magic.” I moan again, then compel my ass out of bed and to the shower before attempting breakfast.
“Pesens,” Rose screams as soon as she finishes her toast with vegemite. She claps her hands.
“Yes, honey, now we can open our presents.”
Samuel gets on the floor with Rose. Pure joy sets in on her little face with every present she opens. “Bluey,” she screams, pulls the soft toy to her chest, and hugs it.
Samuel whispers to Rose, and she pushes up and waddles over to Caroline and Christopher and hugs them
“You’re welcome, beautiful girl,” Caroline says.
She waddles back to Samuel, and he gives her a parcel to deliver to his parents. She carries it and helps them unwrap their gift. When they reveal a furry toy kangaroo, Rose claps her hands, then runs back to Samuel ready to deliver the next gift. “It’s from Rose,” he says and winks. “She chose it. Your real gift will be delivered when you return home. A dozen red wines from my favorite McLaren Vale winery.”
His father beams a wide smile. “Thank you.” He holds up the kangaroo. “We’ll find a special place for this fellow.”
Rose carries another present to Caroline. She pulls out a small furry koala. “Oh, I love it.” Rose claps her hands again and giggles when Caroline rocks it like a baby.
“Okay, my turn.” I hand a box to Rose. “Give this to Dad-da.” I watch his face as he opens the lid and reads the card inside.
My gift to you is a chance for us to escape reality and immerse ourselves in the green,surrounded by Mother Nature, and discover each other again.
I love you xx
Samuel’s lips part in a grin. “I have a good feeling about this.”
I push up and go over to Samuel, lean in, and kiss him on the lips. “So do I.”
He grabs my hand and holds me so he can keep kissing me. Until Rose taps our faces. “Pesen.”
Samuel laughs against my lips. “Mommy is distracting Daddy.”
“Ha.” I go to rise, and his hand holds me still.
“I haven’t given you my gift.” He picks up a small box topped with a bow and places it in my hand. “Merry Christmas, Eden.”
Inside the box is diamond-encrusted heart earrings to match the special necklace he gave me last Christmas in Georgetown after being discharged from the hospital. It was our first Christmas as a family, and it came close to being the last. As I placed it around my neck this morning, the happy memories came flooding back to me. I wrap my arms around him and kiss his lips. “Thank you.”
I thread the earrings in my ears and move to our framed wall mirror to admire my gift. The earrings and necklace are stunning. “Oh wow, honey. They are beautiful.” Only I don’t have time to dwell as I hear the door downstairs with our guests arriving.
* * *
Presents are unwrapped, and food is consumed. Popped Christmas poppers and streamers cover the table and floor.
Mum is in the kitchen preparing the pudding and custard for dessert. Faith has positioned her pavlova in the center of the table.
I’m so full I have no room for sweets, but it’s Christmas, and our tradition is to eat dessert. Samuel has eaten small helpings of food that won’t upset his stomach. He’s trying.
Will is entertaining the kids like the big kid he is.
“Tell me…” Faith says to him, “… is there a girl we should be meeting soon?”
Will dips his head back and stares at the ceiling while letting out a loud sigh. He looks back to Faith. “I knew you would ask me this. The answer is the same. No. If there were a chick, I wouldn’t be introducing her to you because I don’t want to scare her away.” He turns and messes James’ hair. In retaliation, James wrestles with Will at the table.
Faith shakes her head. “We’d kiss any girl’s feet to tolerate you.”
“Ha-ha,” he says without looking at Faith. “I’ll keep you to that.”
