Page 14 of Embracing Us

Chapter six

Max

Today is the happiest and most relaxed that I’ve seen Linda in weeks. She looks genuinely delighted to be here. When we’d driven up the street towards the hotel and she’d seen everyone standing outside awaiting our arrival, her eyes lit up. Then her head snapped around to look at me, a huge smile across her face. “Did you organise this?” she asked.

“With a little help from our friends,” I told her, before taking her hand and kissing her knuckles.

Now, we are standing in the bar surrounded by blue and white checked gingham and mountains of cake. This is what I wanted for her, a celebration. An event to mark everything we’ve taken on together over the past twelve months and coming out the other side strong.

My Aunt Susan comes striding into the room with Jackson in her arms. Her face is split with a wide smile as she chats to the gaggle of women following her. “Hasn’t he got the most gorgeous eyes?” she proclaims. “The double of his father’s. That’s a family feature. Our men have the most amazing eyes.” She stops in the centre of the room, my son proudly placed in the crook of her arm. “You’re going to be a heartbreaker,” she tells him, then pops a kiss on his forehead.

“Right, Suzie, it’s my turn,” Crystal says, elbowing her way between the other onlookers. Her red mane has greyed this year, and her gait is more pronounced. But she’s still the feisty straight-talking lady I know and love. “Hand him over.” Linda and I watch on as our precious cargo transfers between one besotted woman to another. I take her fingers in mine, squeezing them softly. She smiles but doesn’t take her focus from our son.

“I’ll sort everyone a drink,” I say. “Or we will still be waiting in an hour.” She chuckles then releases my hand before walking over to the group of women. They all turn to her as she approaches, and I hear the excited chatter of congratulations. My nerves settle knowing coming here was the right thing to do for all of us.

On the bar, there are four silver ice buckets, each holding two bottles of champagne. I walk over and slide behind the counter like I have done so many times before. I’ve turned my back on the proceedings as I collect glasses from the shelves to line up along the bar ready to pour. On turning back, my aunt stands on the opposite side.

“You look happy,” she says, simply.

“I am.” No other explanation is needed. She knows me. This, what I have, is all I’ve ever wanted. A loving partner and family to dote on. Someone to call mine.

“I’m so glad you took the risk,” she continues. “What you have between you, and the little boy you’ve created together, is extraordinary. It’s so good to see you content, Max. You deserve every moment.” My breath catches in my throat as emotion surfaces. Her words mean so much. This woman is a rock to me, she’s always been there. Her support has never faltered. “I love you. Everyone here does. Thank you for bringing your beautiful family to visit us.”

“You couldn’t have stopped me,” I reply. As I look at her, it’s obvious she’s aged in the past twelve months. Her eyes are tired. She’s lost a sharpness which was there a year ago. Something tells me she’s keeping information from me, but now is not the time to ask. A sense of unease flits through my mind. The feeling that bad news is around the corner and life may change once again.

Jackson’s cries sound from within the herd of women congregated around him. He screams at the top of his lungs. The noise snaps me from my dark thoughts. Aunt Susan turns and walks back to the group.

I pop the cork on one of the champagne bottles and begin to pour. The bubbles fizz over the side of each glass, running down the surface and sploshing onto the hardwood below. I watch on as Linda scoops Jackson from Crystal’s arms, then moves in my direction. “Do you have the changing bag?” she asks. “Your son has made his presence felt.” She smirks. “Well, smelt anyway.” I fake a scowl, and she replies with a sickly-sweet smile.

“No, it was with the other bags,” I tell her. “I’ll get it and sort him out as he’s my son on this occasion.”

“Always your son on these occasions,” she confirms.

After putting the champagne bottle back in the ice bucket, I return to the customer’s side of the bar. She passes me my offspring. “Come on, little man, let’s get you cleaned up.” As I leave the room, all sets of eyes within it watch my retreating form. “What are you all looking at?” I call over my shoulder.

“Nothing,” they reply in unison.

“Just a hot daddy with a cute baby,” Crystal shouts as I step across the threshold. “He looks good on you, Maxy.” I don’t answer her but smile to myself. She’s bloody right, being a dad does look good on me. It’s the best job I’ve ever had.

***

Linda

As usual, Max Gordon has stepped up and known exactly what to do to make my day perfect. Here I am in one of my favourite places in the world, surrounded by people genuinely happy to see me. The excited buzz that emanates from everyone is startlingly obvious.

“So, Linda,” Crystal says, appearing at my elbow. She grins up at me with wide red lips and crooked teeth. “One year on and you’re still banging the help.” I blink at her then a snort escapes my nostrils. She doesn’t change. Crude and to the point, always. “You two getting together was enough of a shock last summer, the final result however is completely astonishing.”

“For you and me both,” I agree. “But I wouldn’t change them or anything that’s happened for the world. It goes to show that sometimes things are meant to happen in a certain way, and you never truly know what you need until it falls into your lap.” She nods in understanding. “All the bumps in the road have made me appreciate what I have now even more.” I pause as a familiar sadness fills me. Her hand rises and touches my elbow, encouraging me to continue. “And to think I almost threw it all away. Perhaps I would have if I hadn’t been pregnant.”

“I think that’s what you call divine intervention. They put a bun in your oven so you wouldn’t be a stubborn bitch.”

“Probably,” I mutter, almost to myself. “Max is so special; I didn’t believe I deserved to have him forever. My head told me what we had was a short-term solution to a long-term problem.”

“And what long-term problem is that?” she asks, rising on her tiptoes and leaning towards me.

“My happiness or lack of it,” I reply, unguarded, amazing myself with my honesty.

“In what way?” Her eyebrows draw together as she focuses on me.

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