Dad stood in front of me hands crossed and expression blank. Where are you coming from? His earlier question rang in my head as I stared at him. "Lizzy?!" Mom calls walking to stand beside dad, "hey mom" I smiled. "Lizzy you missed dinner," fuck! How did I stay out so late. "You made your father look like a fool in front of your uncle having no idea where you were. Gladys said you went to Geraldine's did you have to stay so long" mom rants. Dad was my focus. He stood still waiting for my answer as mom rambled off. "Trisha go tell Claire to make Lizzy a plate" he sighs. Mom knew that was his way of telling her to fuck off. "Okay" she whispers before heading off. "Elizabeth I'm waiting," "dad can we have this discussion after New years?" I sighed. "Okay we'll visit this again but no more sneaking out" "yes sir" I nodded. He looks me up and down before shaking his head and walking off. Looking down I wondered if he knew what I had being up to I hoped not, no one wants to get the sex talk from their parents.
I joined mom in the dinning room where Claire placed a plate on the table in front of me. Mom stared at me as I ate and it took my appetite away. "Yes mom?" I groaned letting my spoon fall to the plate with a click. "You sneak out now. You didn't do that when you were a teenager. You're doing it now" she glares at me. Her brows were pulled down as she waited for some made up excuse. She would rather hear a false story than the real truth but I don't give her the privilege. "I'm tired and I need to be fully rested for Christmas" I pushed my plate aside standing up. "Lizzy?" "I love you" I pecked her cheeks ignoring her questioning gaze. It didn't faze me anymore dad was the one that scared me.
My room light was on was the first thing I noticed followed by the small body folded up in my bed, Hailey! Why she was in my room was a question for another day. For now I covered her up with the blanket that some how found its way to the ground. I sincerely hoped she wasn't a rough type of sleeper. Taking a quick shower I changed into my pajamas and climbed into the bed, trying my best not to wake sleeping beauty. I can't tell if she's a light sleeper or not but by the deep snores filling the quiet atmosphere I guessed not. My eye lids were heavy but some how my mind refused to let me sleep. Beads of perspiration had formed on my armpit as I wondered how dad will take the news. No matter how I tried to think positive I knew I was bound to lose William or my father. That brings me to why my brain refused to shut up. If worst came for worst like I know it would, who will I chose? The man who gave me everything I ever wanted or the man who listens to me and loves me uncontrollably?
Turning again for what would be the millionth time I flopped my pillow staring down at Hailey in pure envy. There she laid blissfully asleep while I struggled with the turmoil in my brain. One quick glance at my phone and I knew this had to stop. I had 1 hour left before it was Christmas morning and here I laid still very much awake. Forcing my eyes shut I took deep breaths praying for the blanket of sleep to fall over me. Not knowing when I fell asleep I was awaken by my alarm. I tried to get to my phone on the nightstand and turn it off when I noticed a blockage. Hailey had her body on top mine. How I didn't feel the weight while I slept was beyond me. My forming headache needed to be tended to so I not so gently pushed her off. I held my breath waiting for her to steer, nothing she slept like a log.
Turning off my phone I head to the bathroom. Twenty minutes later I was dressed and ready for Christmas. "Good morning Lizzy" a sleepy voice greets. I looked back at the bed which now held a fully awaken Hailey and I smiled. "Morning princess and merry Christmas!" She grins wishing me back before jogging to the bathroom. My purse from last night caught my attention from where it laid on my vanity table. What called me forth was my Christmas present that laid inside. I badly wanted to see what William got me but the thought of Hailey being a door away stopped me instead I walked out the room. Chatters could be heard from downstairs as I made my way down the stairs. "Merry Christmas!" I yelled bringing the rooms attention to me. "Merry Christmas" they wished back but I could feel the underlining tension. They were all curious to know where I went and the air was awkward. Taking the spot beside Aunty Fiona I kissed her cheeks and indulged her in a friendly banter over our favourite Christmas memory. Both heads of our family where absent. Hailey joined in a while earlier. "Where is uncle Morgan those gifts won't open themselves" Henry points to the stacked gift boxes under our tall Christmas tree by the corner. Mom rolls in followed by Claire with trails filled with hot choco and funny shaped cookies. I didn't want to know how long they stayed up making those. I grabbed a cup and two of the elf shaped cookies.
Deep laughter's from the stairs attracted not only my attention but everyone elses. Dad and uncle Marcel walked into the living room with only sweatpants on and a large smile on their faces. It wasn't an unusual sight but it was rare, as rare as mom and aunty Mary agreeing on something. "Merry Christmas family!" "Merry Christmas daddy" Hannah rushed to her father with her tiny feet who picked her up spinning her around and her cute giggles filled the air. "Harrison go get your grandpa" "can I go with him?" I stood up. "Ofcourse Lizzy boo" aunt Fiona smiles and I nodded reaching for my coat that laid behind the chair. "Let's go" Harrison placed his arms around my shoulders as we strolled towards the door. "I haven't seen that old man since last Christmas" I murmured. "Why?!" Harrison asked sounding so surprised. I expected it I mean my grandpa lived a few blocks away I could easily visit him. "I lost touch" I gave him a sad smile. "You will be fine cuz. Everyone went through what you're going through" he jokes to lighten the air. You have no idea!
We took the minivan so we could easily carry grandpa's wheelchair. Christmas songs blasts through the radio as we rode down the street. I watched the snows fall as Harrison drove. Soon he horns at familiar gate similar to ours. The gate opens and he drove in.
The house was a bungalow with only five rooms but big enough for a man who lived alone. Not really he had maids on his berk and call. "Cuz hop down I don't have all day" Harrison called out. I didn't even realize he had parked the car. Jumping down I walked towards the front porch as the cold air kissed my face. It was the only thing left uncovered in my body. Ringing the door bell with Harrison beside me I folded my arms across my chest. The door swings open few seconds later to reveal my grandpa in his wheelchair. "Charlotte are my eyes deceiving me or is Liza on my porch" he addressed the maid who stood behind him hands on his wheelchair. I laughed squatting down to kiss his cheeks. "It's me grandpa," "liza my child" he pats my cheeks with a smile that warmed my whole being. God! I missed spending time with him. "I guess she's still your favorite grandchild" Harrison pulls me from my reverie making his presence known. "Wheel me out of here boy" grandpa jokes and we all laughed.
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