15.06 (#2)

Chapter 4

"MERRY CHRISTMAS!" Felicity jumped on my bed screaming. Christmas was her favourite time of the year, it was no surprise she was awake at the crack of dawn waking the whole household up.

"Merry Christmas to you too my dear sister." I groaned, turning around to sleep again.

"Get up, we have to make Christmas lunch." She said excitedly. Groaning again, I checked my phone. No new messages, no voicemails but the time 5 am screamed at me.

"Bloody hell Fi! Lunch won't take that long to make." I told her.

"Please?" She begged.

"Uh, you're insufferable."

"But you love me," she grinned angelically.

"Only because I probably won't be able to sleep anymore." I slipped out of bed and threw on a t-shirt.

My parents were already awake and sharing a pot of coffee at the kitchen table. "Merry Christmas kids."

"Merry Christmas mom, dad," Felicity and I chorused.

"You're up early Chris." Mom stared.

"Yeah, you know Fi. Adamant to wake everyone up to get Christmas started early." Dad laughed. "Might as well start with the cooking."

"Have a cup of coffee before you start." Dad handed me a cup.

"Gladly. So mom you helping with the cooking again?" My mother was an amazing cook. I may be a head chef at a great restaurant but my mother was the cook of the house when she was home.

"How about you take control of the ship today?"

"This was usually our time though." I complained.

"Don't worry, I'll just be sitting here watching you cook for us." She laughed.

"You're becoming lazy mom." I laughed.

"I'm guessing Frankie is taking over the restaurant today?" Dad asked.

"No I called Jimmy. He's Indian so he didn't take a holiday today." I explained.

"Actually I invited Frankie to have dinner with us. Is that okay?" Felicity announced.

"And you failed to mention this before. When did you invite him?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.

"A couple of weeks ago?" She smiled tentatively.

"Oh man!" I groaned. "Guess I'm cooking for five people then."

"Hey the more the merrier right?" Mom cried. She loved Frankie, and always called me to try and set those two up. I guess her tricks were working.

"Right." Dad muttered. He still believed Felicity was a little girl, so he didn't want her growing up. He did like Frankie though.

"Better start cooking then," I opened the fridge to see all the ingredients I had stocked up on. I pulled out the carrots, parsnips, potatoes. I prepped the ham for roasting before joining everyone in the living room; it was time to open our presents. I brought out a tray of my famous spiced hot chocolate to drink while we opened the presents.

Felicity really looked like a little kid as the joy in her eyes was unmistakeable. "This is my present from... dad!" She squealed. As she tore open her present I couldn't help but think of little Olivia on a day like this. I could just imagine her beautiful innocent smile light up the room, her giggles warming the hearts of everyone around her. Rori would be right next to her daughter, smiling tenderly at her child getting excited at the festivities.