Page 55 of The Rescue

“Now you Cam.” Dylan kisses the top of his head.

“Our first Scottish winter together.” Cam smiles up at Dylan.

“Rubes?” Cam pokes his niece.

“New Crayons.” Ruby chimes in.

Everyone laughs at her simple answer.

“Being home.” Grannie Jo smiles at everyone.

“Tilly, your turn.” Grannie Jo nudges my nan.

“Having my friend home.” My nan says as she clinks her glass with Grannie Jo’s.

My nan looks at Rosie.

“Seeing my babies happy.” Rosie smiles over at Cam and Dylan.

“Hamish?” Rosie tilts her head to the side.

“F-friends.” Hamish gives Fiona a soft smile.

“Fi, y-your go.” Hamish stutters.

“Aye, Friends.” Fiona copies Hamish as she sips her drink.

They both look at each other with sheepish smiles. I wish they would hurry up and tell each other how they truly feel about each other. It’s my turn, I suddenly feel nervous with everyone looking at me.

“Rab, it’s your go.” Fiona looks at me.

Everyone is waiting for me. I look over at Crystal. There is only one thought that pops into my head.

“Family,” I smile at her. Crystal softly smiles at me, and nods in understanding. This is my family right here. I don’t need my mum or my dad to have the traditional family. All the people who care about me are in this room, and that’s all I could ever ask for.

It’s Crystal’s turn and I find myself sitting on the edge of my seat eager to hear what she’s going to say. A big smile spreads across her face as she looks at me.

“Pumpkin pie.” She winks at me as she puts the last bite of pie in her mouth.

Everyone is watching us stare at each across the table with big grins on our faces. No one says anything but I think they can see the chemistry between us. It’s a shame that we both agreed to only be friends. I haven’t been able to stop thinking about that night in the hot tub.

My nan breaks the spell between us, and shatters the light mood.

“I heard what you said to Rabbie’s mum the other day,” she says directly to Crystal.

Crystal’s head snaps to my nan and then back to me to check if I’m okay. I nod to her to let her know I don’t care about the topic of conversation.

Crystal shifts in her seat. “Yeah, I know she’s your daughter, but I meant what I said,” Crystal sits up straight ready for whatever my nan is going to say to her.

“Dinny stress, hen. I’m glad you were there for him,” she smiles at Crystal.

I see Crystal’s shoulders relax and I’m silently chuffed that my nan is slowly warming up to Crystal, she even called her ‘Hen’.

We spent the rest of the evening sitting in front of the fire drinking whisky and having light conversations. I look around the room, and smile to myself. Ruby is fast asleep in Fiona’s arms. Hamish is stealing little looks at his daughter and his best friend cuddled up together. Cam and Dylan are in their love bubble, she’s curled up in his lap and they’re quietly whispering to each other. My nan, Rosie and Grannie Jo are in deep conversation about something. I glance over at Crystal, she’s staring into the fire, deep in thought, rolling her whisky glass between her hands. I wish I could tell her how much I like her. And, how I don’t want her to rush off back to Boston when she’s finished with the website. But there’s something stopping me. Fear, rejection, abandonment. I wish I had the courage to tell her that since she’s been here, I’ve been the happiest I’ve been in a long time.

I just think I’ve about gotten away with staring at her unnoticed, when her big green eyes float up to mine. I feel the heat rush to my cheeks, the way she’s looking at me right now. I could scoop her up and kiss her in front of everyone. It’s driving me crazy. She yawns softly, and it’s the cutest thing; seeing her in a food coma with glossy eyes.

“I think it’s time we head back, I have an early morning,” I say as I stand.

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