Someone to Love

by Jenny Frame

  Wendy looked at her quizzically. “What?”

  “Before I left home, I asked my lawyer to set the wheels in motion so I could get full custody of you both, and eventually adopt you.” Trent held her breath waiting for the reaction.

  “We stay with you in our forever home?”

  Trent nodded. “What do you think?”

  “What about boarding school?” Alice asked.

  “No, I’ll enrol you both in a local private school. I want to see you every day, not just in the holidays.”

  Both kids squealed and jumped on her excitedly. Trent squeezed them tightly.

  Wendy had the biggest smile on her face. “Thank you. You’ve made them really happy.”

  Trent closed her eyes and felt the love these two precious kids were giving her. She opened her eyes and looked up at Wendy. “I love you all.”

  Trent wanted Wendy to be a part of their family. She was ready for this, but was Wendy? Maybe she wanted to enjoy her youth, dating women of her own age. She had said that older women were a turn-on for her, but making Trent her partner and getting an instant family was a very different thing.

  Not only had she started the proceedings for custody, but she’d also started to look for a family home, not a penthouse flat, for them to settle down. It was going to be a surprise for the kids, and she hoped Wendy might want to settle with them.

  They spent the next few hours laughing and joking while they decorated the tree until it was finally time to switch on the lights.

  “Okay, Noah. You can have the honours,” Trent said. “Press the button.”

  “This one?” Noah pointed.

  Alice put her arm around him. “Press it, Noah.”

  He did, and they all gasped as the multicoloured lights twinkled. When they had been decorating, the choice of clear lights or multicoloured ones had been a hotly contested debate between Trent and Wendy, but of course Trent followed Wendy’s lead and it had worked out beautifully, as always.

  “You were right about the multicoloured lights, Dee.”

  “I know.” Wendy grinned. “All the different colours are much better for a kids’ tree.”

  Trent squeezed Alice’s shoulder. “What do you think, Ali?”

  Alice walked closer to the tree and touched the bauble with her dad’s picture in it, then turned to look at Trent. She smiled with such openness and with such emotion that Trent felt her take that final piece of her heart she was holding back.

  “I love it,” Alice said. Trent felt Noah hug her legs and so she put her arm around him. “My dad will love it.”

  In this moment, standing next to Wendy and with two children smiling up at her, Trent felt what had been missing in her life. Now she just had to convince Wendy that they belonged together, and the picture would be complete.

  Chapter Twenty-two

  It was Christmas Eve, and Trent, Dale, and all the kids were going on a husky ride to Santa’s Grotto. Wendy and Becca were staying behind with Gracie to make a buffet dinner. Gracie was too young for the husky ride.

  Becca kissed Dale and Jake and said, “You make sure Jake is safe in that thing. They go very fast.”

  “Don’t worry, hen. I’ll take care of him.”

  Trent then said, “I can’t believe we’re going on a husky ride to Santa’s Grotto. If my colleagues hear about this, my reputation as a tough negotiator will be gone.”

  Wendy chuckled. “No one outside these four walls need ever know. Now remember, magic doesn’t just happen—you need to make it happen.”

  Wendy had been telling Trent this all day, when she was complaining about the husky ride. This part with Santa was the main event, the experience that would make Santa alive in their minds, and it was up to Trent.

  After they left, Wendy said, “I think we deserve a glass of wine.”

  “Yes, please.”

  Becca sat Gracie at the kitchen table with her favourite Disney movie on an iPad. Wendy took two bottles of wine out of the drinks fridge and said, “White or sparkling rosé?”

  “Oh, sparkling, I think. It is Christmas Eve, after all.”

  Wendy poured them out two glasses and said, “Isn’t it nice that the elves provided us with wine and lots of it?”

  Becca laughed. “They knew we’d be stressed out with a gaggle of kids at Christmas. So how did things go last night?”

  Wendy could feel the heat of a blush on her cheeks. “It was really special. Thanks for looking after the children.”

  “Don’t mention it. I am only sorry your night was cut short. Alice has really bad nightmares, but it’s not surprising,” Becca said.

  “They’ve gotten a lot better recently. It was probably being away from Trent. Trent is her rock.”

  Becca smiled and shook her head. “I never thought I’d see Trent changing her life like this. I’m so proud of her.”

  “Yes, me too. The kids were so happy to find out they were staying with Trent,” Wendy said.

  “It’ll be the best thing she ever does. So, are you together officially?”

  “Not yet, but she told me she loved me last night.”

  Becca hugged her. “That’s so wonderful.”

  “I’m finding it hard to let go of that final piece of my heart. I’ve been so hurt before,” Wendy said.

  “You can trust her, Wendy. Trent never gave me cause to distrust her, and the way she looks at you is plain to see. She loves you.”

  “I just need some more time. We better get this food cooked before they come back starving.”

  * * *

  Trent had to admit, rushing through the wintery forest on a dog sleigh was exhilarating. She kept a firm hold on Noah and Alice, but they seemed to be loving it. The ten minute ride was slowing down. Dale and Jake’s sleigh was in front of them, and when they came to a stop, Dale shouted, “Woo-hoo! That was amazing. We beat you, Trent.”

  “She’s such a show-off,” Trent said to Alice and Noah. “Why don’t we teach her a lesson?”

  “Yay!” Noah said.

  After they were helped out of the sleigh, Trent gathered up a snowball and threw it at Dale. It hit her square on the back of the head. “Bull’s-eye!” Trent shouted.

  “You got her, “Alice said excitedly.

  Dale turned around slowly and glared at Trent, but then the corners of her mouth lifted into a sly smile. “Snowball fight!” Dale shouted.

  Dale, Jake, Trent, Alice, and Noah started a full-blown snowball fight. They laughed and giggled throughout. Trent had never done anything like this before. It was so unlike her, but she loved it.

  The fight ended when a rather serious elf admonished them and said Santa was waiting for them. So they calmed and walked up a cleared path into the forest. In a clearing they came upon a cute little cottage.

  Dale leaned over and said, “You know, in other circumstances, a cottage like this in the middle of the forest would be in a horror movie.”

  Trent laughed and they approached the door. The elf leading them said for one child to knock. Dale told Alice to go ahead.

  The door opened and a lady dressed as Mrs. Claus answered with a big smile. “Hello, children.”

  After some milk and cookies they were taken through to Santa. Trent had to admit that he looked like the perfect Santa. Alice held on to Trent’s hand tightly while Jake and Noah went first.

  When it came to Alice’s turn, she hesitated. They hadn’t talked about it, but Alice was probably too old to truly believe in Santa, though she was entering into the spirit.

  “Hello, little girl, your name is Alice, isn’t it?” Santa said.

  “Yes.”

  “What would you like for Christmas, Alice?”

  Alice looked to her and then back to Santa. Trent was worried she’d ask for her dad back. That was one piece of magic no one could perform.

  Instead she said, “I’d like my dad in heaven to know how happy we are with Trent, and how much we love her.”

  If there was any speck of hardness left in Trent�
�s heart, it truly melted then and there.

  * * *

  “I’ll treasure that moment forever.”

  Wendy was lying with her head on Trent’s chest while Trent told her what had happened at the grotto.

  They came home and enjoyed the evening with their friends, and then after the children went to bed, they put out the presents. Then they went to Trent’s room and couldn’t help but make love.

  “You see,” Wendy said, “you have to make the magic happen. That was a special moment.”

  “It was. I’m very lucky.”

  Wendy kissed Trent’s lips and said, “I better go back to my room before the kids find us in the morning.” Wendy got up and started to put on her clothes.

  Trent sat up in bed. “Why don’t we just tell them? I don’t want to be apart from you.”

  Wendy sighed. “What would we tell them? We’re dating to see how it goes and figure out how we feel? You can’t do that with children, especially these two who have been through so much emotionally.”

  Trent got out of bed and pulled on her jeans and a T-shirt. “I know what I want. I want you, Dee. I love you.”

  Wendy was silent and started to get dressed. “Give me a chance. I’m old enough to know what I want. I want you and the children to be a family.”

  “Maybe you’re not ready for a family. You’re young—maybe you want to live a bit first.”

  “Would you stop with the age thing? It’s nothing to do with that. I’ve been ready for a family since I was sixteen years old. The truth is, I love you and I’m frightened,” Wendy said. “I don’t think I could survive another broken heart. I need time. The kids knowing would just add pressure. We probably shouldn’t have done this,” Wendy said. “Is that all right?”

  Trent walked around the bed to Wendy. “Everything is all right, now I know you love me.”

  They kissed softly and then Trent’s door opened. It was Alice, who gasped and ran away.

  “Shit,” Trent said.

  “Go and get her. Just be honest with her,” Wendy said.

  “Okay.”

  Trent put on shoes and walked into the living area. Through the window she saw Alice standing on the deck of the porch. She grabbed a fur blanket from the couch and went outside.

  “Ali? Come inside.”

  Trent wrapped the blanket around her and said again, “Please come inside. We’ll talk and I’ll tell you the truth.”

  Alice was silent when she walked back in but she was shivering.

  “Sit down on the couch and I’ll start the fire to warm you up.”

  Making fire was a new skill for Trent and it took her several attempts before it caught light. “I bet Dale does it first time,” Trent said under her breath.

  Trent went back to Alice and sat beside her. She looked like she had retreated into her shell again.

  “Alice, I know what you saw between Wendy and me, and I think we should talk about it.”

  “Don’t want to talk,” Alice muttered.

  How should she do this? Wendy said the truth, so that’s what she would do.

  “Now, Ali, I told you last night that you and Noah were going to stay with me. A forever home and family. I don’t want to start our family life with misunderstandings and bottled-up feelings.”

  “Fine,” Alice snapped.

  Trent let out a long breath. “Okay, well, Wendy and I have been getting closer over the last few weeks. We have feelings for each other, but we’re just trying to work out what we are to each other.”

  “In your bedroom?” Alice said with anger.

  “Why does that make you angry, Ali? You love Wendy,” Trent said.

  “I do, but we just got you, and now you’re going to love someone else.”

  Suddenly it dawned on Trent what the problem was. “Ali, I do love Wendy, but that love in no way takes away from my love for you and Noah—it only makes it better. I’d love to make a family with you two and Wendy, but Wendy has had her heart broken, and she’s being careful.”

  “Why didn’t you tell us?” Alice had a softer tone in her voice.

  “Wendy didn’t want you to feel bad if we didn’t work out, and it became awkward with her being your nanny.”

  Alice started to cry and threw her arms around Trent. “I thought you wouldn’t want us if you had Wendy. I’m sorry I ran away.”

  Trent squeezed her tightly and kissed her head. “Of course I want you and Noah, and no matter what happens with Wendy and me, I will love you and keep you safe. We can even write out a contract if you want,” Trent joked.

  Alice giggled. “I believe you, and I love Wendy. We have to make her part of our family.”

  “Let’s see how it goes. Adult relationships are complicated,” Trent said.

  “But you can make her believe,” Alice said.

  Trent pointed to the Christmas tree. “Look, Santa’s been. We better get you back to bed. Noah will be up at the crack of dawn to open gifts.”

  * * *

  Wendy yawned and brought out two cups of coffee for herself and Trent. She sat down and laid her head on Trent’s shoulder. “Christmas morning is tiring.”

  “But so much fun,” Trent said happily.

  Who would have thought Trent would throw herself into Christmas like this. She had a video camera set up on the other side of their tree to capture this moment forever.

  “You got them so much—you’ll spoil them,” Wendy said.

  “It’s what I like to do, I’m a giver.” Trent winked and Wendy laughed.

  “True.”

  Alice came over when she unwrapped her iPhone and iPad and hugged Trent.

  “Thank you, Trent.”

  Trent cupped her cheek. “Anything to see a smile on your face.”

  Then Noah ran over and jumped on Wendy’s lap. “Xbox, I got an Xbox from Santa.”

  “You did?” Wendy turned to Trent. “Why did Santa think that Noah needed another games system?”

  Trent grinned. “I believe Santa said that Jake had one, so Noah needed one. They can play their games together now.”

  Trent was still competitive with Dale—it was funny. Then Trent’s mobile rang, and she grabbed it from the coffee table quickly.

  “Who’s calling you on Christmas Day?” Wendy asked.

  “It’s business, I need to take this. Excuse me.”

  Trent left the room and Wendy felt a bit annoyed. She thought Trent had left the workaholic side of her behind.

  Five minutes later, Trent came back into the room with a strained look upon her face.

  “Everything all right?”

  Trent clapped her hands together. “Yes. Ali? Can you bring me that present?”

  She pointed to a large square present, perfectly wrapped. Alice brought it over and Trent came to sit beside her again.

  “This is for you, from me and the children.”

  Wendy clasped her hand to her chest. “Oh, thank you. I wasn’t expecting anything.”

  “Well you should, because you are special to us.”

  “Open it, Wendy,” Alice said, full of smiles.

  She unwrapped the present and found a black velvet box with Cartier printed in gold on the top.

  She looked up at Trent. “What have you done?”

  “I knew you weren’t a regular jewellery person, but I wanted you to have something special, and when I saw this, I knew it was perfect.”

  Wendy opened up the box and saw a gold necklace with three thick loops, two gold, one silver, each encrusted with small diamonds. She was stunned.

  “We wanted something to make you think of us. The two gold hoops are Alice and Noah, and the silver one is me. You can keep us close to your heart, wherever you are.”

  Wendy was in shock.

  “You like what Santa brought, Wendy?” Noah asked.

  Wendy couldn’t stop the tears from dropping from her eyes. She knew that this was it for her. No more being afraid.

  “I love it, and I love all of you. I’m not going t
o be frightened any more, Trent. I want all three of you as my family.”

  The three of them engulfed her in a hug. “We love you,” Alice said.

  Wendy looked in Trent’s eyes. “I love you and I’m yours.”

  Chapter Twenty-three

  “I said to him, forget it. I want to have fun. I’m not going to become some stuffy old viscount’s wife and pop out an heir and a spare at my age—I want to live a bit first.”

  The door to Trent’s office was ajar and she couldn’t help but pick up on India’s telephone conversation.

  It was late Friday afternoon on a wet, gloomy January day. The excitement of Christmas in Lapland had ebbed away for Trent. Now she was back to reality, and worries and uncertainties had beset her, backed up by what she had just heard India say about her boyfriend.

  She clicked the screen on her computer and brought up the details of the property she had put in an offer for before the holidays. Wendy had been annoyed at her secretiveness around phone calls and messages while they were in Lapland, but at the time Trent thought it was all worth it. Now in the harsh light of day, she wondered if she was doing the right thing.

  She looked over at the outfit hanging on her bathroom door. Wendy had picked out jeans and a jacket from her wardrobe and bought her an appropriate T-shirt to wear with them. Her clothes were meant to make her fit in with those attending Wendy’s show tonight.

  Her band was playing their first gig since they got back together, and Becca and Dale were looking after the children so they could enjoy the night together. Wendy said she could wear what she wanted, but Trent didn’t want to stand out and embarrass her.

  The outfit, along with this night at a pub venue, was yet another reminder of their age gap, and that was what was niggling away at her. Before she went away with Wendy and the kids, and she’d set the ball in motion to adopt Alice and Noah, she had been secretly viewing properties, trying to find that perfect family home for them all.

  She felt the kids deserved security, a forever home that they knew would always be theirs and a garden for them to play in. But here she was buying a house to set up a family home, a settled family home where she hoped they might get married and be a family, but Wendy wasn’t at that stage in her life.