London Has Your Eyes

Chapter 83. Alex

Four years later

I sit in an armchair by the fireplace while little Chris falls asleep in my arms. The flames play whimsically before my eyes, making me feel especially cozy. Outside the window, snow flakes fall, dressing the fir trees in white fluffy outfits.

- Let me take her to her bed, - Daniel says, gently picking up our daughter. He kisses her sleeping face and, rocking her, carries her into the room.

We rented this chalet for a whole week. We gathered our friendly company, which has grown noticeably in four years. Max is all grown up now. He has gone to college to study programming, has a girlfriend, and only comes to visit us on holidays and sometimes at weekends. He now cares about his own life, his thirst for adventure and new discoveries. I liked his girl, by the way. Not immediately, but soon enough. As soon as I saw how hard he was trying for her.

- Tucked them in, - Janine says on her way down the stairs, - those cunning children ask a million questions just to stay awake. Offered to keep me up all night with them to catch Santa. Just like us as kids, - she giggles.

- I'll teach them some tricks, - Liam intervenes.

- Shut up, - Stella pokes him lightly in the side. With an artistic "whoa," Liam demonstratively rubs the point of the blow.

- The morning will start with shouting and presents and everything, - Tyler adds as he arranges the wrapped boxes under the tree.

It's the perfect Christmas. The kind I've only dreamed of. A wooden house, a fireplace, yellow lights, socks, fir decorations and a Christmas tree. We deliberately asked the owners not to decorate it so we could all do it together.

I love these meetings. We always laugh, tell stories, are less often sad, but somehow manage to find the right words.

We lay a tablecloth, put different dishes and add decorations. It's like a picture postcard. Daniel leaves the room, scratching the back of his head.

- May all our Christmases be like this, - I tell him, sinking into his arms. I look at the people closest to me, at their smiles. My mind flashes back to our first Christmas: Anton, Switzerland, the accident, and the long, sleepless days in the hospital. I waved those thoughts away, pulling myself closer to Daniel.

- That's exactly what's going to happen, - he whispers back to me.

- We'll, uh...go to bed, - Max says. A nervous chuckle unintentionally escapes from my mouth.

- Sleep gently, - Daniel tells him, - the walls in this house are so damn thin. - Max gives him the middle finger, takes his girlfriend's hand and stays down until morning.

- Embarrassed a couple, - Janine chuckles, - Max is so grown up. I still can't believe he's your son, Alex. - I shrug, smiling.

We're pouring wine, clinking our glasses in celebration of Christmas, when Liam takes the floor.

- You guys know these past few years haven't been easy for me. That's a fact. But thanks to all of you, and especially you, Stella, I'm like a cucumber again. I don't need any more crutches, canes or any other crap. I'm even practicing my football, - Stella glares at him angrily, - and I'm careful! Anyway, it wouldn't have worked without you.

When I woke up after the accident, I thought my life was over. That that was it, I would never go back to my usual way of life again. I wandered in darkness until Stella forced me to find a way out. Then she said she'd be my wife when I got back on my feet. Baby, I'm up.

Liam drops to one knee. A blush appears on his cheeks. He's so cute in the moment.

- Will you marry me?

Stella burst into tears. She's so touched. She folded her palms over her lips and started nodding hard.

- Of course, - she says, before Liam kisses her and spins her on the spot.

- I knew you wouldn't resist, - he hums smugly.

- A poser, - she replies.

I'm so happy for them. I stare at the fireplace and plop down on the couch to the noisy voices of my friends. Daniel's hand holds out a glass of white wine to me.

- Do you mind? - He asks, settling down next to me. I lie down on his chest, stroking his hand.

- It feels so good, - I purr. - I'm so happy.

- Me too, - he says, - thank you.

- For what?

- For this. For family, for Chris, for making sense of everything, and for the feeling of permanent happiness, Alex,- Daniel kisses the top of my head. - Do you know what I asked Santa for this year? - I look at him questioningly, - A son.

I choked a little at his words.

- You can't tell about your wishes to Santa, or they won't come true, - I parry.

- About Chris, I seem to remember you saying something similar, - he smiles contentedly.

THE END