"Another one of mums traditions" Rhode begins to quietly explain as Michael digs a present out from the pile and hands it to Briella. "She makes the young ones help to hand out the presents, supposed to be some sort of psychological thing that helps them learn about sharing and giving back. So they
"Mum you might want to come get a cuddle from her" Rhode tells his mum after helping me to turn the material around to show the rest of the room, obviously catching sight of my teary eyes. Eloise walks quickly over and kneels down beside my seat, hugging me gently."It's so lovely, thank you" I say
Presents carefully stowed away, it's all hands on deck to help prepare for the extended family to come for Christmas lunch. Even I've been put to work, folding napkins around silverware for all of the attendants. Well that, and minding Theo, who's sitting on my lap playing with a ball that rattles w
"It's no big deal" I say with a shy smile as Theo shifts in my lap, reaching a hand up to touch my face. Eloise grins and I catch her looking down at the hand where my ring sits proudly on my finger, glistening under the light."I'm so happy you said yes" She tells me in a low whisper, giving my sho
"Don't worry, you can talk to him this year" Rhode says with a soft grin. I remember Rhode 's extreme freak out after Dante tried to talk to me for a minute at last years pre Christmas get together. All Dante wanted was for me to help him bridge the gap between the two of them, to show Rhode that
"An excellent point Dante" Rhode states as Eloise, Peter and Michael all carry over large dishes of different meats and vegetables and place them on the table."Okay everyone, take a seat!" Eloise calls out to everyone who's still gathered in the kitchen. Rhode sits to my right and Briella squeeze
We leave Eloise's house just the afternoon of Boxing Day. It's been lovely spending so much time with Rhode 's family the past few days and having my mum around, but I'm eager to settle back in to the house and get some well needed rest. Plus, renovations have finished on the new house and Rhode 's
If there was anybody that was going to call that would have made Rhode so mad, it would either be Luke or my father. Judging by this reaction, I think he would have rather it be my father."Oh that's nice of you. It sort of fucked up the whole right side of my body, I was in the hospital for like t
"Wanna give one a go?" I suggest to her with a small grin."Might be a bit premature, don't think Max is the marriage type quiet yet" She responds with a quiet giggle, then catches herself as we all stop and gape at her. She hasn't mentioned Max in that context in a very long time. Behind Poppy, Fra
"It's stunning sweetheart, absolutely stunning" My mum comments excitedly as I allow my hands to rest at my sides, my reflection making my heart race quickly. I'm wearing a wedding dress. Maybe not the wedding dress, but a wedding dress none the less. It all seems insane to think that I had spent th
Fran, Bianca and now Sarah are at the racks, perhaps browsing for me or for Fran, who recently moved to London and is flat hunting with her boyfriend Zayn."They have wedding dresses at charity shops? I can't tell if that's bleak or romantic" Poppy comments quietly to me as I sit down beside her."
"You are referred to as exactly what you are, a man, while I am referred to as my relationship to you, a wife. Like the only identifiable thing about me is that now I am your wife but you still get to be a man in your own right" I explain. It's something that's always irked me while watching TV show
"You forget we had sex in a bookstore?" Rhode leans in close and murmurs to me, heat rising on my cheeks instantly. One of my wilder moments I would say."Did not forget that, but I'd rather not have to explain that story to, well anyone" I say with an embarrassed giggle. I definitely told at least
"Please, take it" He states in a soft tone that makes butterflies flit around my stomach. "When?" He adds with a little more urgency."How about, before the years end?" I suggest. It's early October now so going into the colder England months, it's not exactly going to be extraordinary weather but t
"Thank you" I mumble against his lips, brushing my nose against his. His hand lingers on my hip as I come down off of my tiptoes, the wind blowing some of my hair into my face."I'll support you either way, it's up to you" He softly states, his eyes never leaving mine as his hand leaves my hip and t
"Hey, you remember yesterday when we had the family over for lunch?" I say just as we approach the small coffee stand near the fountain at the centre of the park. It's run by a father and son out of a truck that normally attracts a large crowd of locals but today seems a little isolated, supposed we
"To be honest, I feel anxious about taking her out on my own" Rhode states honestly as we wait at the corner for our crosswalk light to turn green. It's a surprising admission that immediately gets my attention."You've never mentioned anything like that" I express as I put a hand on his arm while h