A Christmas Wish--A Contemporary Erotic Feel Good Christmas Romance (Darkest Fears Christmas Special, Book Four)

by Clair Delaney

  “Yes, I know I said I would take it easy, but Lucy has a friend that’s returning from abroad and wanted a little Christmas cash. She came in last week, and she was really good, so we are giving her a trial next week. Lucy is going to supervise as I’m having the week off, back at work next Monday.” Tristan seems placated with that.

  “Ok. Are you taking Danny with you?” He asks. Our new bodyguard and driver since...since what happened left us without one.

  “Tristan, its Saturday. Danny has the weekends off, remember?” I remind him.

  He frowns down at me. “But I thought that was only when you weren’t going anywhere?”

  I can't help rolling my eyes at him. “Tristan, I am not having this discussion again! I didn’t know I was going to be going out, last minute decision, besides, I’m perfectly safe,” I tell him in my most assuring voice.

  He sighs heavily. “Alright. You have your mobile?”

  “Yes, I have my mobile,” I reply, trying not to get worked up about the fact that he’s being overprotective again – I know it’s because he loves me so much.

  “Is it fully charged?” He asks, his chocolate brown eyes distracting me from my mission.

  “Yes my darling. And I have the emergency PAYG mobile, safely tucked away.” I say.

  “Good, are you sure I can't tempt you to eat anything?” he asks again.

  I narrow my eyes at him, so he raises his hands in the air in full surrender. I turn feeling a little annoyed, and head out of his office, leaving the door wide open behind me.

  “How about a cup of tea?” he asks, as he follows me out.

  “I’m not thirsty,” I tell him, smiling now, because I know that’s his way of getting me to the breakfast bar so he can tempt me with something.

  “Ok – Edith!” Tristan shouts as he continues to follow me, ‘poached eggs on toast please,” he says.

  I cock an eyebrow up at him. “You should have some wilted spinach with that, or asparagus,” I tell him, because I care about him. And he doesn’t always eat enough greens.

  “With wilted spinach and asparagus,” he shouts to Edith, with an added chuckle.

  I try to hide my smile. “You know it’s her day off, don't you!” I tell him.

  He throws his cute, innocent, big wide eyed puppy dog smile at me, and it has the desired effect. I practically melt, as a strange fluttering spreads throughout my body. And I’m reminded again of how deeply I love him. And how surprised I am by how much deeper our love has grown. If it keeps doing this every year, it may wipe me out, crush me under the power of it – I shake my head at that silly thought.

  “She doesn’t mind, told me so earlier,” Tristan adds, a little smugly.

  I shake my head at him again and head over to the utility room, with Tristan following. I pick up my winter coat, which Tristan takes from me, and ever the gentleman, he helps me slip my arms in. He turns me then, his face now serious, and begins buttoning me up.

  “Why don't you wait a couple of hours and I can come with you?” he says. “I’d feel a lot happier,” he quickly adds.

  I sigh inwardly, knowing my baby will always worry, it’s in his nature. I grab my over the shoulder bag with my keys, mobiles and wallet, and pull it over my head so it rests on my hip.

  “Got everything?” he asks. I nod once. “Darling, are you sure you’re ok?” he asks, his fingers tipping my chin back so I have to look up at him – And I know he means about the moment I just had.

  “Yes,” I whisper back, and not wanting to get into a deep discussion about my safety, or what just happened, I reach up and kiss his soft, full lips. “See you later sexy pants!” I tease.

  He grins broadly hearing me say that, and I give him a quick wave as I head out the front door.

  Under the large porch, I take a moment to compose myself. Almost losing Tristan that day really took its toll on me, and some blurry vision part of it keeps trying to come back as I sleep, but thankfully George and Cindy have been helping me with that. Still feeling a little off balance, I take a deep breath, and blow out the memory, it’s a ‘letting it go’ technique that Cindy, my hypnotherapist taught me.

  I do this several times, and within minutes, I am back to my normal self, well, as normal as I can be, which just proves how much better I am doing, because something like that would have left me shaken for the rest of the day – Again, I think it’s down to Tristan, and how safe and settled I feel with him, there really is something special about marriage, and knowing that person will always be there for you, that you are now life partners, in it together forever.

  I smile widely at that thought, and look up at the sky. There’s no sign of this damn awful rain relinquishing. So bracing myself for the cold, I take a deep breath and dash through the rain, towards my new car that automatically unlocks as I reach it, well, it’s not really a car.

  Despite the fact that I love Tristan’s F-Type, I decided when Tristan was adamant I have my own car, that I wanted a 4x4. My reason for this is that we are now Godparents, and I wanted something that was going to be easy to get baby Mei, and Lily, in and out of when we have them once a month, and whenever I have Mei, Lily comes too, she loves her ‘little sister’ as she calls her. And yes, I have become the aunty I should have been to Lily - I guess you could say I’m making up for lost time.

  Anyway, Tristan didn’t seem too impressed with the choice of car that I wanted, but a week later I came home to a brand new Range Rover Sport sitting in the driveway. And of course, it was the top model. Automatic, 5.0 litre, Supercharged, V8, 4WD model in Aintree Green, which is a deep green colour - that part he got right.

  But as for the rest, she’s a beast; in-fact that’s what I’ve named her ‘The Beast’ - You should hear the noise it makes when you press the engine on button, and the sound of the engine revving. It actually startled Mei the first time she was in the back. I had to quickly sing a song from the Lion King to calm her down – Ugh! It’s ridiculous!

  Tristan’s answer to the fact that he got me such a brutal model was that it’s the best one in the range, and he wanted the reassurance that if I had a problem, the car would get me home safely. Which is a little crazy considering I only have a ten minute drive to work, or Robs, or Gladys’; and it’s only a thirty minute drive to Debs.

  Opening the door, I jump inside, my hair already wet from the rain, and fire her up – she growls to life, actually making me jump a little. But I have to admit, I love the fact that all my tunes are in her database, and all I have to do is press play. Then remembering to call Gladys, I use the controls on the screen – as my mobile automatically connects – and hit the call button, it only rings a couple of times then it’s answered by Malcolm.

  “Hi Dad!” I say, feeling excited to see them both.

  “Hello darling, how are you?” He asks, he sounds happy.

  “Great thanks, you?” I sound happy too – I think I’m finally getting used to it.

  “Very well thank you. Calling for your Mom?” He asks.

  “Actually, I was going to ask if I can pop over?” I say.

  “Of course darling,” I can hear his smile.

  “Ok, see you in ten,” I say.

  “Lovely, see you then,” Malcolm replies.

  I press the end call button, and pulling forward, with the engine grumbling beneath me, I head out the driveway. The music continues on a shuffle - Big Brovaz’s Baby Boy starts playing. So using the steering wheel controls I turn it up loud, because it’s become my favourite song for Tristan and I, it’s like it was written for us. As I sing away, feeling happy and excited for the coming day, I head out towards Gladys and Malcolm’s new pad, which happens to be on the Marina.

  I am sure they bought this particular swanky four bedroom town house, located in a private mews, in the most exclusive part of the Marina, because the golf course is only five minutes away – and Malcolm sure loves playing golf, but also for the fact that it has enough bedrooms to host Malcolm’s girls, their husbands and kids wh
en they come to stay – which is quite often. And it’s also a five minute walk away from Bob, which has really put my mind at rest about him being down there on his own.

  And although I do miss seeing him every day, taking care of him, and making sure he’s eating well, I am relaxed, because Gladys has taken over. She goes on walks with him every day, does his grocery shopping, and a couple of weeks ago, when a really bad storm came in overnight, Gladys and Malcolm got him over to their place, and he stayed the night. So all in all, things are going really well, and somehow, we have become this bigger family, that’s full of fun and love, and good times.

  ARRIVING AT THE PRIVATE GATES, I press the button for access, and I’m buzzed in. Carefully crawling the beast forward, I pull up outside their house, and park in the designated bay. Gladys swings the front door open and comes dashing out towards me. I smile and wave to her as I kill the engine, grab my bag, and step outside into her warm arms that squeeze me tightly.

  “Oh Coral,’ she gushes, ‘you look so happy darling,” she adds, kissing my cheek several times, but taking no notice of the fact that we are getting soaked out in the rain.

  I giggle at her. “I am,” I say, trying to shield my face from the cold rain.

  “Oh goodness!’ Gladys says, ‘raining cats and dogs again,” she adds as we dash inside.

  I quickly strip my coat, hang it up to dry, and turn to Gladys. “You look so happy too Mom,” I say, and pull her in for another hug – It’s so nice feeling like this now, to be able to fully appreciate my family, and love them without hesitation.

  “Yes, very happy,” she whispers, and I can tell she’s been crying. I’m about to ask her why, when I hear it playing in the background – It’s A Wonderful Life – It always gets to Gladys, and makes her feel weepy and sentimental.

  “Mom,” I chuckle, ‘why do you do it to yourself? You know it makes you sad,” I add.

  “Do what?” she asks, dabbing her tears.

  “It’s A Wonderful Life?” I say – and I get it, it’s a really lovely film, and every time it makes me cry at the end, but Gladys really blubbers at it, from beginning to end.

  “Oh pish-posh,” she says, waving her hanky at me. I shake my head and laugh at her, then I notice Malcolm walking down the hallway with a big smile on his face.

  “Dad!” I gush, and step into his arms for a hug – I have absolutely no bad feelings when I hug Malcolm, I only feel love - It’s a revelation!

  “How are you darling?” He asks as he gives me a little squeeze of his own.

  “I’m really great,” I say, pulling back to look up at him, we give each other a kiss on the cheek, which makes Gladys make a funny squeaky noise – she still gets very emotional about everything that happened, and she’s been watching that film!

  Malcolm and I both turn to look at her, she’s fighting back the tears, I can tell. I want to roll my eyes at her, but I don't.

  “Cup of tea?” Malcolm asks, obviously not wanting to make a big deal out of it.

  “Love one,” I reply, he releases me and heads down the hallway towards the kitchen. I turn to Gladys and shake my head at her. “Oh Mom, what are you like?” I say in a soft voice as I wrap my arm around her waist, and lean my head on her shoulder.

  “Oh Coral,” she sniffs, placing her arm around my waist too, ‘life has changed so much. For me and for you, I never thought we’d ever be this happy,” she adds, not surprising me, because of her watching that film.

  “I know,” I whisper, with a little laugh as we begin walking down the hallway.

  “Bob was here last night,” Gladys says in a lighter voice.

  “Yeah...was he ok?” I ask.

  “He’s got a little bit of a cold at the moment, but I took him to the doctors and they checked him out. No infections or temperature so he’s not on antibiotics, he just needs to keep warm and dry. I’ve been taking him my chicken stew everyday to keep his energy levels up.”

  I stop walking, my face falling at this news. “Why didn’t you tell me?” I whisper, wishing she had. I would have had him come and stay with us.

  “He didn’t want to worry you,” Gladys says then she hesitates, frowning slightly.

  My heart starts to race. “What? What is it?” I ask, my mouth suddenly feeling bone dry.

  Gladys looks down at me, and places her hand on my cheek. “He’s not getting any younger sweetheart,” she softly says. Oh god, not this again!

  I instantly feel relieved that it’s not some new information that I don't know about. You see, this is not the first time Gladys has given me the whole ‘Bob won't be around forever’ speech. Which I am well aware of, and I will deal with it the day it comes, but for now, he’s fine. I stare back at her, and I know she’s going to tell me all over again because she’s been watching that film.

  “I know that Mom, you don't need’ - “It’s just that sometimes, without any warning...people at that age can suddenly’ – “Please don't say it Mom!” I interrupt. “It’s Christmas!” I add, hoping she’ll let it go.

  “I know darling. I just want you to prepare yourself for the fact that it may happen,’ she says, I try to butt in, but she continues. “When my father went, it happened that way, and as devastating as it is, it’s better than suffering. That’s the most important thing darling. You wouldn’t want Bob to suffer would you?” she softly asks.

  I look up at her, my eyes wide, not quite believing we are having this conversation. “No,’ I scoff, ‘of course not,” I say, sighing in defeat. Please can we change the subject!

  Gladys squeezes my shoulders. “I don't think it will happen,’ she soothes then chuckles to herself, ‘he’s a tough old bugger,” she adds. Holy mother of God! – I love her to bits, but she really picks her timing!

  I can't help shaking my head at her. “You really had to tell me that - at Christmas!” I say, my voice high pitched.

  Gladys seems to realise her blunder. “Oh...I didn’t think, well...I’m sorry sweetheart. You’re right, it is Christmas, a time to be cheery!” she says, and giggles at herself.

  This time I do roll my eyes. “How’s Joyce?” I say, then immediately regret asking - I’ll probably get some long drawn out speech about how you never know when you’re time is up – which is true – but who wants to hear that at this time of year!

  “Oh she’s doing ok, most importantly she’s coping,” Gladys replies cheerily, and I feel relieved again. “One day at a time,” she adds. I nod my reply. “So what brings you here?” Gladys asks as we enter the kitchen. It looks brand new, is very modern, and is much larger than the one she’s used to, but it suits them both.

  As I look through the open plan kitchen to the lounge, I notice they haven’t got any Christmas decorations up either, which is odd, Gladys has always had them up on the 1st December. The only thing they have got is a miniature Christmas tree sat on the kitchen table and a few cards up on the wall. Strange!

  “Can't I pop over without having a reason?” I tease, my eyebrows raised.

  “Here you are Coral,” Malcolm says as he hands me a cuppa.

  “Thanks,” I take it off him and warm my hands on the mug.

  We all sit around the breakfast table with our mugs of tea. Malcolm was evidently reading his newspaper when I interrupted them, and Gladys was watching that film, which she quickly scuttles into the living room to pause, moments later she’s back at my side.

  As I take another sip of tea, I begin to feel a little warm, so I reach up and remove the chocolate silk scarf that Tristan bought for me, which makes Gladys frown.

  “What?” I ask, seeing the look on her face.

  “Coral,” she scorns, ‘you look like skin and bone!”

  I suddenly realise that the matching chocolate v-neck jumper I am wearing is showing my collar bone, and admittedly, I am a bit slimmer than I used to be. “Oh Mom...” I mumble, not wanting her on my back like Tristan.

  “Are you unwell?” she asks, her frown still there.

  “No!” I s
ay, exasperated.

  “Darling...” Malcolm pipes up. “Coral looks very well, and healthy to me,” he says, looking over the brim of his glasses at her – which makes me start to smile, because he looks like Professor Dumbledore from the Harry Potter movies (which I am now a fan of, courtesy of Lily) with his white hair, and a matching short beard.

  And his look says it all. Thank you Malcolm!

  Gladys purses her lips then seems to gather herself together. “So you just thought you’d pop over and see us?” she asks, as though I haven’t done that before.

  “Yes, and no,” I chuckle. “I wanted to tell you both something,” I add.

  Malcolm looks as relaxed as ever hearing me say that, but Gladys suddenly squeals, brings her hands to her mouth and starts blubbering. “I can't believe it!” she says, her voice high pitched and gleeful.

  Malcolm and I glance at each other, both equally puzzled at Gladys’ reaction.

  “Mom,” I chuckle, ‘what are you’ – “You’re pregnant!” she squeals again. “Oh darling! That’s why you’ve lost so much weight, that can happen you know,” she adds, her voice full of joy and excitement.

  I suddenly feel guilty for saying I had something to tell them, and then I think how stupid I was for saying that. I know Gladys is desperate to be a Granny again, as she has asked several times when I’ve seen her ‘if there’s a bun in the oven yet’ which feels like she’s pressuring me, but I am not ready – No way, not yet!

  “Mom,” I say, placing my hand over hers. “I’m not pregnant,” I tell her in the softest voice I can manage.

  “Gladys!” Malcolm chuckles, ‘every time she opens her mouth to say something you’re thinking she’s pregnant.” He lightly scolds.

  “Yes Malcolm, thank you for that,” Gladys says, and it’s her turn to give him a look that would have shaken me to the core when I was younger.

  I giggle at the scenario as they tend to remind me of Tristan and I and how we really do push each other’s buttons sometimes, but underneath it all there’s pure love.