All I Want Is You

Chapter 9: All I Want Is You

We were ushered into the dining room for our Christmas dinner, a spread of everything you could possibly want laid out on the table in front of us: turkey, potatoes, pigs in blankets, parsnips, Yorkshire puddings and gravy. We helped ourselves and tucked in until we got halfway through and realised we'd inevitably forgotten to pull the crackers.

With multiple bangs, we pulled them apart. Unfortunately, Cocoa, who'd been asleep at the time, shot up all spooked and began whining; refusing to settle. Cas ended up on the floor with him, stroking him and whispering soothing words.

Then, the conversation shifted onto an all-too-predictable topic, yet not in the direction it usually went in...

"So, Theo, have you thought about what you want to do about work?" My father queried and I sighed.

Here we go...

"I've been toying with a few ideas..." I alluded and my father.

"Well, I'll be frank, your mother and I have talked about it and..." He looked to my mother and Chloe paused eating. "We'd like you to take up a permanent position in the company in the new year."

"It's just... you turned twenty-one this year, it's about time you started thinking about the future."

I froze and looked down at my food, a little dejected. I completely understood where my parents were coming from. I'd spent the last three years working on and off at my Dad's company to earn a little money and my parents had been supporting me financially until I truly figured out what I wanted to do.

I needed to make a choice, I knew that. I'd been thinking about it a lot, even more so since I met Cas. Thanks to him, I'd regained what I'd lost: my passion and joy, amongst many other things. However, there was this lingering doubt and question on my mind as to whether it would even be possible... if I could actually do it.

"Actually, I... it's just—" I cut myself off, unable to say it.

My father looked at me expectantly and my mother had a look in her eyes, the kind of look that signified she knew what I wanted to say but wasn't going to say it for me. This was my time to speak up and decide, but could I do it alone?

"Theo..."

I perked up and looked to Cas, who was gazing at me with understanding and it made me think back to that day we baked those gingerbread shapes; how it made me feel. Then, my mind drifted to this morning and the conversation I had with my mother. Cas nodded and I gained the confidence I needed. I wasn't alone, far from it. I had Cas, and the support of my entire family.

I faced my father with determined eyes and set my cutlery down.

"I'm going to have to turn down your offer," I spoke with a steady voice and took a deep breath. "I want to be a baker."

The room fell into stunned silence and it felt like a weight had been lifted from my chest. Cas gave me a small thumbs-up in the corner of my eye and Chloe smiled. I waited with bated breath for my father's reply and my Mum met his eyes.

Then, just as I feared the worst, Dad beamed with a proud look in his eye.

"It's about time you finally said it." He stabbed a piece of potato and popped it in his mouth, chewing with a smirk on his lips.

I stared at him in disbelief before chuckling.

"If you knew, then did you try to give me the position at the company?" I debated and Mum grinned.

"Because you had to be ready to make that choice, we just thought it might push you to finally decide!" She explained and I sighed. "Especially after this morning..." She winked at me and I felt a blush creep up my ears.