Unchained Melody (Daniel Ricciardo)

A Christmas to remember

"Grace, please let me help you." Ayla asks her mother in law who has been preparing enough food to feed an orphanage.
Daniel's mother hasn't allowed anybody in the kitchen to help, she prefers to do it all herself.

Ayla doesn't like that, she has two hands and she is very capable of helping out. So far she didn't get a chance though.
"No Ayla. I know you want to help, but I'm almost done. Maybe you can provide us with some music?" Grace suggests.

Ayla has been hanging around the kitchen, trying to get Grace to allow her to help, but Grace loves cooking Christmas dinner and she is used to doing it by herself. At least then she knows it's done the way she wants it.

They have all gathered in Daniel's house because he has the most space for his entire family.
Not only are Grace and Joe here, but also Michelle, her husband Luke and of course the kids came. Daniel wasn't sure if they should do the big Ricciardo Christmas this year because of Ayla's injury, but she has been healing very well and her stitches were removed about a week after they arrived in Perth.

The scar looks good, once her hair has grown back, you won't be able to see it unless you are looking for it.
For now Ayla keeps her hair styled so it covers the part where they had to shave her hair. It is starting to grow back, but it will need some time to be at a length she is comfortable with.
Then she will go to get her hair cut and styled that it all fits together.

When Daniel suggested to skip the Ricciardo Christmas she was almost insulted. It's the first year she will be here as a part of the family and she doesn't want them to cancel it because of her. Besides, she feels fine so she insisted on doing it the way they are used to.

Her father has also flown over to spend Christmas with her and the Ricciardo family. For the first time in many years Ayla and Robert will be together for Christmas and that is a pretty big thing.
Robert and Joe have connected, but Joe doesn't know why Ayla and Robert didn't see each other for a while.

Ayla decided it didn't matter anymore. She forgave her father and they moved on. There's no point in telling others what happened and getting them angry when it's not even an issue anymore.

Realizing she won't be allowed into the kitchen, she decides to do what Grace asked and she goes to the piano.
As soon as she sits down, she voices in the room fade and everybody looks at her in anticipation.

"Grace didn't want me to help, but she asked me to play some music, so does anybody have any requests?" She says, a bit nervous for being in the spotlight.
"How about I'm dreaming of a white Christmas?" Joe suggests.

Michael, who was also invited to join the celebrations together with both Blakes, snorts.
"Joe, we are in Perth. There's not gonna be a white Christmas."
Everybody chuckles, but Joe shrugs.
"It's still a good song."

"You are right Joe. Let's start with that one then."
Ayla flexes her fingers and in her head she can see exactly how to play the song. She doesn't even have to think about it, it all goes so automatically.

The first notes of the song fill the room and she starts to sing.
Very soon her father, Joe and Michelle join her.
More songs follow and before they realize it, Grace comes out of the kitchen with the announcement that dinner is ready.

"Oh my god Grace! This is too much!" Ayla exclaims when she sees how much food there is presented in multiple pots, pans and bowl.
Grace has made a sort of buffet style dinner, so everybody can just fill their plates as much as they want but it doesn't feel to formal.

On the bar there's different salads, fresh greens and vegetables. Ayla sees a large bowl of Cesar salad, next to is there's deviled eggs, then she sees pickled cucumbers and another fresh looking salad with pasta and chicken.