Choose Me- the second novel

Epilogue

During the festive season myself and Matthew do all of the things couples are supposed to do; decorating the tree, drinking mulled wine, watching Christmas films and making minced pies.

The big day finally arrives and before spending it with Matty's family we open our gifts together at home, by the fire. I glance over at him as he pulls open the ties on his gift from me. It's a large package and I just hope he gets some use out of it. Of course I purchased him all of the usual stuff too, like fancy aftershave and boxers. He unravels the paper to reveal a large easel, packaged in a box for self assembly.

I had visions of him seated on the porch during summer standing before an old fashioned wooden easel. Painting and drawing landscapes whilst sipping coffee.

"Taylor this is incredible" he whispers opening up the box and beginning to assemble it. I smile pleased that he likes the gift.

"You're something else" he laughs once he's set it up, wrapping his arms around me in front of the fire he smiles.

"Your gifts now" he whispers handing me a box that is wrapped up in red paper and bows. I tear at the paper as he watches me and smiles. Undoing the box to reveal a necklace that shimmers under the firelight. He delicately places the necklace over my neck swooping my hair back.

"It suits you" he smiles and I kiss him, his hands run up my velvet maroon dress and he smiles.

"Also" he whispers guiding me into our kitchen and placing his hands over my eyes as he walks behind me. He steadies me and giggles as he removes his hands slowly and I look over the oak table by the fire and see a new acoustic guitar standing upright with a sparkling red ribbon wrapped around the neck.

"Matthew" I gasp and he laughs as I walk over to it and hold it in my arms.

"Thank you" I whisper to him once I've had a little play on it, appreciating its tone and timbre.

We spend the day at Matthew's mums, and I try my absolute best not to remember the last time we were sitting at her marble table revealing our pregnancy to them. Kim keeps me entertained the entire day by topping up my glass and sharing fashion ideas with me. Matthew bundles me into his arms on his mom's sofa holding me close until we leave heading back out into the snow.

Awaiting me on our porch when we arrive home are two packages, Matthew eyes them and scoffs as I take them into our kitchen away from the cold. I open up a packaged first edition Wuthering heights novel from Ross with a handwritten note telling me that I did save his life and so I at least deserved to be on his Christmas card list.

"I don't even get gifts from my friends!" Matthew laughs and I smile up at him drinking mulled wine by the fire.

"This is a joint gift" I explain opening the next package from Gilbert Scott. A bottle of fancy champagne accompanied by a note.

I know how much you both love champagne. Jay x

I laugh imagining him smile as he sent it and Matthew scoffs. They seem to have an ongoing joke about how Matthew only enjoys wine or brandy and not champagne.

"Champagne, swanky" Matthew comments focusing on his mulled wine. All the same he pops the cork and pours me a glass.

As the day draws to a close, and I've had several glasses of champagne. I take a moment to find the small present Jay handed me after the dance show, I dial up his number and speak with him on the phone cross legged on the bedroom floor.

"Taylor" he says softly as the call connects.

"I'm opening it now" I whisper whilst Matthew sleeps steadily downstairs on the sofa.