Page 53 of Only You

Andrew smiled, “Olivia and Ana have turned our house into a winter wonderland, too, so don’t fear. I am used to the Christmas spirit this year.”

Damian said nothing, but Andrew saw his friend’s lips tilt up at his words.

They all sat around talking. Lucas recounted some trips he and Mary had been on since his retirement over a year ago. Andrew never thought he’d see the day this man could let go. When he first met Lucas shortly after his heart attack, the man had been a ball of stress and tension. Now he looked younger and healthier than he had for years and was clearly happy with his family. Andrew loved seeing this family together, making him miss his own. His Mum, Dad and brother had called earlier that morning before they left. They were enjoying their Christmas day at the beach, which Olivia had found hilarious, especially when granddad had shown her the sandcastle he’d made for her.

Andrew watched as Mary fluttered around Star. Andrew grinned to himself. He had noticed straight away that Star wasn’t drinking.

“Star, are you doing dry January before January this year?” he couldn’t help but ask.

Star shot him a glance, and colour blazed over her cheeks. “No,” she said, rolling her eyes at him. “If you must know, although I think, doctor, you have already guessed. I’m three months pregnant.”

Andrew watched as Ana grinned at Star, squeezing her arm. Andrew got up out of the chair and moved over to his friend, giving her a hug. “Congratulations,” he said, knowing they’d been trying for a while.

“Best Christmas present ever,” Mary sniffed behind him.

Andrew turned to give Mary a hug, too, before shaking Damian’s hand. “There is going to be a real-life doll for our girls to play with.,” Andrew said, and everyone groaned.

∞∞∞

Christmas dinner was a monster feast. Mary had gone all out on the food, and everyone collapsed in a heap after dinner.

“Where’s Ana?” he asked Damian when he noticed she was missing.

“She’s gone upstairs to the playroom with the girls,” Star said over her shoulder.

“I’ll show you,” Damian said, leading the way.

They made their way up the stairs. It wasn’t hard to track them down. Andrew could hear singing all the way down the corridor. Damian opened the door, and Andrew found himself mesmerised. Ana was laughing and dancing with the girls. She had a microphone in her hand, singing along to the Disney hit that was playing on the screen. Her voice was clear and pure.

“Go on, Ana,” Skylar cheered, “You’re going to open the next level.”

Ana finished the song in a breathless whirl, and they all collapsed in a heap on the floor, the two girls diving on Ana.

“You have it bad,” Damian said to him, clapping him on the shoulder.

“No... what?” Andrew said, spinning towards him.

“Just telling you how I see it,” Damian said, grinning at him.

Andrew scowled at him. Was he really being that obvious? If he was, then he needed to stop.

The girls had turned to stare at them. Ana dragged herself off the floor, clearly embarrassed, as she smoothed her dress.

“Daddy, Ana opened the next level for us,” Skylar said, launching herself at Damian.

“Well done, Ana,” Damian said. “Glad it was you, not me. Singing is not my strong point.”

Ana chuckled before Skylar butted in again. “Look what Ana made me for my doll.” Skylar had run back over and was showing Damian the miniature replica of her Halloween costume.

“That is beautiful,” Damian said to Skylar. “I hope you said thank you to Ana.”

“She did,” Ana said quickly, resting her hand on Skylar’s head.

It was clear to Andrew that Ana had these two eating out of her hand.

“Well, we came to rescue Ana and bring her back down to where the adults are,” Damian said, sweeping Ana out of the room before the two girls could protest anymore.

Ana re-joined the others downstairs. Andrew watched as she relaxed into a conversation with Mary and Star. Before long, the day had turned into night. He knew it was coming up to his shift at the hospital and knew they needed to get home. Saying ‘good night’ to Olivia, he told her to be good and that he would collect her in the morning.