WRITTEN IN THE SCARS

All I want for Christmas is you

Summary:
Alex is enjoying being at his parents' house, making the most of the time he spends with them when he's not in Liverpool with Miles. Pauline and Penny decide it's gonna be a good idea spending the Christmas Day all together and Alex has the chance to get a little closer to his dreams.

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Liverpool, December 2025

I had been living with my parents for two weeks already and I was more than fine. Due to Haylee's birthday, my mum had obviously expected me to show up in November instead of waiting for Christmas but she hadn't dared hope to have me in Sheffield the whole time because that meant to sleep in my little bedroom and behave like his son although I were a grown up man and a millionaire rockstar who usually lived in a big house with a swimming pool, doing the heck I wanted whenever I wanted to do it. Probably she expected me to stay in the UK spending most of the time in my London's house or in a hotel in Liverpool but well, I had surprised her. I was enjoying being at my parents' home and having someone taking care of me without expecting anything in return except make my bed, put the dirty clothes in the laundry room and set the table. Over the years a very few number of people had enjoyed my company without expecting anything in return but well, I had to admit that, most of the times, it was only my fault accepting or searching for such kind of people, especially when I needed to keep Miles at distance.

Predictably, my mum and I had gotten very close after I had revealed my feelings for Miles; I felt relieved by the fact that I was completely at ease with her even when talking face to face because I definitely needed a point of view that wasn't Matt, Nick or Jamie' one and, probably, my mum was the best person to ask for advice or help about my love troubles. I had also found the courage to talk to my dad while we were playing some music together; it's been a little more embarrassing than with my mum but, at least, he understood the situation without me having to give him too many details. He had known Miles for several years and he had always adored him so he let me know that he didn't have problem with me and Miles being more than friends. He warned me that it wouldn't be easy but he told me to follow my heart because my happiness was worth every battle I would have to fight.

I spent every night at home with my parents, sitting on the couch in front of movies that none of us was watching because engaged in pleasant conversations; I really tried to make the most of the time we could spend together, knowing that life would have taken its course and, one day, I wouldn't be allowed to enjoy their company anymore. I drove to Liverpool almost every other day without staying for the night because Miles was still living at his mum's house and I didn't want to make things complicated and I enjoyed every hour spent with Miles and Haylee. Pauline wasn't surprised to see me so overprotective and attached to Miles but, probably, she had noticed also something else. I was sure that my mum hadn't told her about my feelings so probably it was just written all over my face how much I loved his son beyond friendship and I was confident that one day, Miles would have noticed too.

*

"Did you notice that he hasn't skipped a dinner in the past twenty days?" My dad told my mum as if I wasn't sitting at the table with them.

"Yeah, he probably missed mum's cooking," she replied looking at me fondly and I smiled.

"Don't think I haven't noticed that you are cooking all my favourite food; thank you, mum. Now I think you can add also something that dad likes," I said with a chuckle looking at him.

"Luckily we have pretty similar preferences and your mum is really great whatever she cooks."

"Absolutely!"

"Come on, Alex, do not exaggerate! You have been in best restaurants all over the world so I guess you have enjoyed better cooking."

"Well, I have certainly enjoyed great food but at the end, nothing is better than this and I really mean the words, mum. As you and dad noticed, apart for the days I go to Liverpool, I have never skipped a family lunch or dinner with the excuse of meeting some friends I haven't seen for ages and this says it all, I think!" My mum covered my hand with hers and she smiled at me happily but, a second later, she was back talking to my dad as if I weren't there.