Page 69 of The Accidental Nanny
Brody seems to study me for a moment before he says, "Aftershave."
"Aftershave?" I question him.
“That’s what I would buy. If I was you.”
Is he trying to help me? This is Brody, though. Of course, he isn’t trying to be nice. He has to have an ulterior motive.
“What do you want?”
He rolls his eyes. “Fine, Mum and Dad miss you. I don’t know why. I know you have a new life, just don’t forget your old one. Maybe pop over and see them. It has been weeks,” he reminds me.
I had been caught up with Alex and the children; it was my job, after all. I nod. “I’ll be over soon, I promise.” Brody goes to leave. “Is there anything you want for Christmas?” I ask just before he leaves.
“Just be nice to see your ugly face.” He walks off before I can return the insult. He misses me.
Heading to buy Alex some new aftershave, I sample various types until I find the one I recognise. I purchase it and have it gift-wrapped before I leave.
Maybe I can squeeze in a load of laundry before I have to fetch the kids. I haven't shrunk anything in a week, so I'm definitely getting better at it.
When I get home. I decide to decorate the house as a surprise for Alex, given he’s not got around to it yet. I'm grateful that Jill and Charlie are willing to come and help because I haven’t got a clue where he keeps everything. I want our home to be perfect for our first Christmas together.
As soon as I put on some Christmas music in the background, the children are filled with excitement. Jill takes Edento the kitchen, where they start working on some Christmas sugar cookies. Meanwhile, Charlie gets down the decorations and the tree, so Ace and I can help him put them up.
“Where does this go?” I ask, picking up a snow globe.
It's pretty, with a green bottom that's supposed to be covered with snow, and it depicts a wintery scene. It’s a family of four building snowmen in front of a house. Charlie takes it from me.
“Alex got that for Julia when she was pregnant with Eden. She cried and threw it at him, smashing it. The next day, she bought another one, but they never put it out. He was heartbroken over it.”
As I go to put it back, Charlie takes it from me. He walks away, and I hear him scratching around in the drawers in the kitchen. When he comes back, the whole thing is lit up, and he places it on the mantel.
"It just needed some batteries. I think it's safe to bring it out again, given how happy everything is."
The kids sing along to the Christmas song playing on the radio, then Eden comes hurrying out of the kitchen to help decorate the tree. The cookies look delicious and are the final touch when Jill places them on the table in the living room.
We finish the tree, and Charlie holds Eden up to top the tree off with the star. Charlie pretends that he is dropping her, and she squeals in delight as he catches her at the last minute. My heart skips a beat. No one can deny that I love these kids with my whole heart.
Back in the kitchen, I help Jill make dinner. By help, I mean I sit on the unit and pass her utensils. Alex texts that he's going to be late, so I feed the children first and get them ready for bed. Jill and Charlie make an exit when the kids are asleep.
Eden has been sleeping in Alex's bed less since I moved in there, thank goodness. I giggle to myself as I walk downstairs, only to find Alex walking in.
"What's so funny?" he asks with a slight frown.
"You are," I say with a grin, going over to kiss him.
"Why am I funny?" he asks, confused. "Is it because I'm late?” He notices the decorations. “You did all this? You’ve done well.”
“With some help.” I smile and warm up our food. "Eat, then we can relax in front of the fireplace."
I know what I plan to do tonight. I’m going to make my feelings clear to Alex. I want us to put a label on what we are. It's almost Christmas, and I want to spend it together as an official family. I don't want Alex to keep telling Ace and Eden that we'll discuss our relationship status later.
Alex eats, telling me about how excited he is for the launch party coming up.
I pour some wine and get comfy as I watch Alex light a fire and then he sits back down beside me. I slide my legs over his, and he rests his hand on my thigh.
He sighs. "This is nice."
"It is." I hum a little to the soft Christmas music still playing in the background. "Alex?"
