Forgive me?

Chapter Twenty

Emma. 

I leave Lacey to get on with cooking whatever else needs to be cooked, while I have a quick shower and make myself look semi presentable, I can't exactly be opening the door for guests with sex hair now can I? 

I head downstairs and stand in the doorway to the kitchen for just a minute, watching as Lacey works her way around the kitchen, she's not the greatest of cooks by any means, though she can make a few really tasty pasta dishes, but she has gotten a lot better since I've known her, and I'd almost say she actually enjoys cooking now. 

"Want me to take over so you can go up and shower?" I finally make my presence known. 

Lacey jumps slightly from the sound of my voice, but turns with a flustered look on her face, which is quickly replaced with a smile as she takes in my outfit, which is nothing special, faded blue jeans and a tan flannel shirt. yet somehow Lacey makes me feel like my outfit is worth all the money in the world. 

"You look nice" She smiles. 

"Thank you, I try my best sometimes" I flick my hair with a wink.

Lacey laughs at me with a roll of her eyes. 

"So you want me to take over?" I ask. 

"Yes please, I just need to put the vegetables in goose fat and put them in the oven with some seasonings, and" 

"Babe, I've got this. go shower okay your hair is looking wild" I laugh running my fingers through the ends of her hair. 

"Okay okay, thank you. I really do love you" She smiles, leaning in to kiss me. 

"I love you too, now go" I swat at her butt as she heads out of the kitchen. 

Lacey scowls at me over her shoulder which quickly turns right back into a smile. She loves me. 

I finish preparing the vegetables and chuck them in the oven, moving over to the sink to tackle the small mounting of washing up that has somehow accumulated in the space of thirty minutes. best to keep on top of it now, so we don't have to worry about having so much of it later when everyone is here. 

Just as I finish rinsing off the last saucepan the doorbell rings, I take a quick glance at the clock and chuckle, obviously it's Bailey, because no one else is going to be showing up an hour before the actual time we told people. 

"Honestly we should just give you a key" I say as I open the door. 

"Oh, you're not Bailey" I laugh staring at Trish and David on my doorstop, with a very tiny Jayden in his carseat. 

"No, but I'll happily take a key" Trish grins. 

"What are you doing here?" I ask pulling her in for a quick hug. 

"Um it's Christmas Eve duh?" She says. 

"Yes and you've just given birth" 

"I know, speaking of, it's cold out here and my newborn is cold, you going to move out of the way or what?" Trish asks. 

"Sorry sorry" I quickly step aside to let them into the house, both of them beelining towards the living room. 

"I didn't think you would be coming?" I say as I follow after them. 

"You really think that I am going to be missing Christmas Eve dinner just because I've had a baby? Girl don't be silly" Trisha shakes her head, making herself comfortable on my sofa. David joining her after setting Jayden's carseat down on the floor. 

"Aren't you sore and tired?" I ask. 

"Of course, but honestly I'm fine. I want to be here, we want to be here" Trisha smiles.