PAYBACK IS A BITCH

Chapter twenty seven: Christmas gift

Four months flew by in a blink of an eye, and before I knew it is christmas. But a lot changed during these months. Billy and I are officially dating. How did that happen? You ask. Well we were a bit smart with it, like every other thing we have been doing. I made sure that the kids never got wind of what was going on between their father and I, until my relationship with them was fully established. 

First we broke the news of Billy's divorce from Kate. Surprisingly the kids took it well, at least two out of three. Josh was the one who had an issue with it, shocking and he was also the one who threw a temper tantrum when his father declared his intension to see me officially. His other siblings were cool with it. 

Sophie was happy, Dave didn't care, but Josh vehemently made his disapproval known to me and his father. For weeks he refused to acknowledge me, nor speak to his father, asking every minute to go and see Kate. His obsession with her baffles, right from when he was a kid. I noticed Billy wavering under his persistent pestering, but I was quick to reinforce his refusal, reminding him how detrimental it will be to Kate's mental health to see any of them. I did my best to keep them as far away from Kate as possible.

Weeks past with him not getting his way, and he began to mellow down. I was patient with him, never got angry with his rudeness, or smart ass replies or taunts, and now I have my son back, and gradually they stopped seeing me as their nanny, but as their dad's girlfriend. 

I had to quit my job as their nanny, as to not make things weird, and tried to get my job back at the bar, but they aren't hiring so now I am working at a departmental store. Billy thought the kids are old enough so he didn't bother with another nanny.

In the past shopping for a Christmas tree together is one of our tradition. Technically we aren't family, that I know, but I was glad when Billy asked me along, joking that he wouldn't know the perfect tree if it bit him in the ass.

I did the picking when I was married to him, but I don't know about when he was married to Kate and I was curious about that.

"Billy, if you don't pick the Christmas trees, who does?"

It was Dave who answered.

"Mum did it when she was alive, and Kate doesn't like Christmas so we usually don't celebrate."

"Don't like Christmas, what! is she crazy?"

The car fell silent and I realized what I said and how that sounded.

"I am sorry guys, I shouldn't have said that," I looked behind at the kids, they looked mildly uncomfortable, which made me want to smack the back of my head. Today has been going well, and now I am about to make it awkward.

"It is alright, is not as if it is your fault," Billy said kindly squeezing my hand gently. I nearly snatched my hand away from his touch. We have been keeping the physical affection to a minimum in front of the kids to give them the chance to being used to their father being with another woman. My eyes went to them through the mirror, Dave was staring at his phone, Sophie out the window, she has always loved to seat there so she could gaze out of it, and Josh...

He was glaring at his father's hand on mine. maybe he hasn't come around liked I believed. I slowly withdrew my hand from his father. When he looked up and our eyes met, I saw anger in his eyes, which made my heart ache. I didn't like the idea of him being angry with me, and not being okay with this. I wish I can stop, but I can't.

"So why does Kate not like Christmas?"

Billy answered this time.

"We don't actually know, and she wouldn't tell me. She usually get so depressed during this time, and her emotions is all over the place."