Dad Next Door: Volume 1 (Under Editing Soon)

Thirty Seven

Louis turned twenty nine yesterday. 

It was quite an emotional day. 

I got to see his mum and we put white tulips on her grave and we chatted to her and Louis told her all about how great I am and how she'd loved to see the kids. We both cried about it but it is what it is. 

Mum took the kids for the day, a little Christmas party at her house where they made gingerbread houses. 

Louis drove us around on his motorbike. It was cold but I'd want to be nowhere but where I was with him. We stopped off at a restaurant and had their Christmas menu lunch, consisting of turkey sandwiches and pigs-in-blankets, topped with some red wine. 

I got him tickets to see The Fray, which he was very happy about and would not detach his lips from mine for a solid ten minutes. 

It was a great day. I took him out in the evening before the kids got back to look at all the Christmas lights twinkling against the chilly indigo skies, illuminating the world in blue, green, red, gold and white. 

We decorated the outside of our house too and got the kids' Christmas present prepared. Mark had the main present at his house as it would be too obvious if we brought it home before Christmas day. 

Louis collected it at twelve last night whilst the kids were asleep and we set up their Santa presents. He kept their main present in the garage and he decided to sleep in there in case it went missing. Like we'd lose a present that big. 

It's five Christmas morning and I can hear the girls running into each other's rooms, giggling and whispering loudly. I take a huge breath, letting it out slowly and open my eyes, rubbing my neck. 

I hear a knock on my door and suddenly, it's being slammed open and they all come charging into the room, jumping onto the bed. 

"It's Christmas!" Darcy screams. 

"Where's papi?" Natalie asks, seeing the empty space beside me. 

"He's getting the presents ready," I mumble. 

Robin plops his head onto my chest, looking up at me with his big blue eyes, dimples in play and I stroke his hair back from his forehead. 

"Merry Christmas, you lot," I say, giving each one a kiss. 

"Can we go see if Santa came?" Natalie asks, sliding off the bed.

"Alright, wait for daddy, though, yeah? I need a wee." I get up, padding over toward the toilet. 

Robin darts in front of me. "Need wee, wee."

I smile, supporting him on the toilet whilst pulling his nappy off. He does his business and I find some of his spare pants in the cupboard, slipping them on him. I do my business after and we wash our hands.

I grab my fluffy pink dressing gown and shove my feet into the slippers. I tie the dressing gown up as we walk down the stairs. 

The children squeal and cheer when they see the presents under the tree and their pillow cases stuffed with even more.

"Open your Santa presents now, then!" I say, going into the kitchen, flipping the kettle on. 

Louis barges in, slamming the garage door closed behind him with a heaving breath. He grins up at me and plants a kiss on my lips. 

"Good morning, Hazzabear and Merry Christmas." 

"Merry Christmas, Loubear. How's it going in there?" I ask, swirling the spoon in the tea.