This = Love

Chapter 23

It was almost 5pm by the time we decided to get up and my flight was at 9:30 so after having dinner we went over to Mark and Rina's and I would leave from there to go to the airport.

It was slightly embarrassing seeing them after last night but we soon returned to our usual banter.

The kids were really excited about Christmas and Lila told me it was only 3 more sleeps until Santa will have been.

I gave her some reindeer dust to sprinkle on Christmas Eve and told her that it would help Santa to find their house, she was really happy with that.

It felt like no time at all before I was leaving again, goodbyes never get any easier, this one didn't feel quite so drawn out as I hugged Rina and Mark and wished them the best for Christmas and then Danny walked me to the door.  He never comes to the airport with me, we prefer it that way, so as I stretched up to kiss him I said "Have a fab Christmas, say hi to the family for me, and I'll see you back here soon."

Danny replied with "I'm going to miss you so much. Give my love to your family and I'll call you every day."

Kissing him one final time I made my way to the taxi, I forced a smile back to him as I opened the car door and then I was gone, heading home.

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As I made my way through the arrivals I saw Eleanor waiting for me.  I hadn't realised how much I had missed her until I saw her.

"Glad to be home?" She asked as she hugged me.

I kind of avoided this question because I wasn't really sure of the answer, opting instead for "Its so good to see you." I don't think she noticed this.

George was waiting in the car for us as we made our way from the airport. I noticed what a cute couple they were as we were driving home.  Eleanor was asking questions of me non stop and George was concentrating on the road but there was just something really sweet about their silent gestures.

After I finished answering all of Eleanor's questions about me, I stared out of the window as I took in the familiar surroundings.

"So what's new with you then?" I asked.

Eleanor turned around in her seat with a smile beaming from ear to ear and started by asking me if instead of going out for drinks tomorrow night we could go for a meal. I agreed to this without asking any further questions but then realised that this didn't explain the grin.

"Why, what's going on?" I asked her.

Eleanor replied by saying "I'm off alcohol for a while" whilst gently rubbing her flat stomach.

"Oh my God are you ...." I didn't need to finish my sentence as Eleanor nodded proudly and finished it for me ".....pregnant"

She told me that the baby is due in July and that they are both really excited to be parents.

"Congratulations, I'm really happy for you both." I told them, and I meant it.

Dropping me at home, Eleanor arranged to pick me up tomorrow night.  Then I was alone.
After showering and putting on my pyjamas, I curled up on my sofa and flicked through the TV channels until I found something to watch.

My phone rang and it was Danny.  I was so happy to hear from him, even though it is only a couple of hours since I left him. He was just checking I got home safely and we only spoke very briefly.  He had just got back from Mark and Rina's and was going to bed because he had an early flight in the morning.  I told him Eleanor's news and he joked that we needed to find new friends as we will soon be the only ones without kids of our own.

I felt more content after our phone call and I headed off to bed shortly after.

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I woke up disoriented believing I had slept in for work. There was a sound that I thought must be my alarm but as I lifted my phone to silence the alarm I realised it was a phone call.  I didn't even notice the caller ID before I answered it.

"Hello"

"Kay, where the fuck is my passport?" Danny asked sounding frantic.

"Morning babe, how are you?" I replied with a light chuckle and a hint of sarcasm.

"Yeah, morning babe, where's my passport?" Danny asked again slightly calmer but still sounding agitated.

"Danny calm down.  It's in the bottom drawer of the desk. Are you all ready to leave?"

"I am now" he said sounding like my Danny again "how are you so organised? I don't know what I'd do without you."

"How are you so not?" I laughed.

"I know, I know, I've got to go, I'll call you when I'm home, love you."

"Love you too"

I giggled to myself as I hung up the phone trying to imagine how long he would have searched before ringing me.  He has always kept his passport there, I didn't move it.

I decided that now I was awake I would go and see my mum.  Since I only really come home for days when I'm at work it seems like forever since we've spent some quality time together. 
I got dressed and drove the short distance to her house. 

Letting myself in I shouted "Mummy I'm home" like a child would, being the youngest I can get away with it.

My mum came from the kitchen, still in her pyjamas.  "You're early" she said as she hugged me. "Yeah, Danny couldn't find his passport and once I was awake I thought I might as well come round."

I sat on the sofa looking around my childhood home while my mum went to make us coffee.  It felt strange being back this time, almost like I didn't belong.

Handing me my coffee my mum sat down and started asking me 100 questions like she hadn't seen me for ages, in reality I called in for a cuppa last week.

"Do you think you could face the shops today?" my mum asked me. I knew that this meant that she was going to buy more presents.  She always buys too much and until the shops close tomorrow she will not be finished Christmas shopping. 

I rolled my eyes at her. "Hurry up and get dressed then."

The shops weren't as bad as I had imagined they would be and the shopping centre decorations actually started to make me feel quite festive.

We stopped at a diner for lunch before hitting the shops for round 2. We bought way too much but all in all it was a really enjoyable day and I realised that I should make more of an effort to see my mum when I'm home.

As we unloaded the bags from my car she asked "What are your plans for tomorrow?"

"Wrapping presents?" I said sarcastically.

"Aw Kay, I was hoping you'd offer." she said, hugging me before I left.