Forgotten

Chapter 30

1 YEAR LATER…
 
Mornings in Manhattan never got old. The beautiful sunrise towering over the skyscrapers was breathtaking every time I saw it. I sipped my coffee and watched snow fall outside the living room window. Christmas was a week away and Gabby already went home to Oregon for the holidays. So I was alone, in New York. The big Christmas tree at Rockefeller had already been trimmed and lit. The bow on Cartier was red and shiny like every year. New York is the best place to celebrate Christmas because everything is always so festive and people are so happy, unlike every other day of the year.
I had about 2 hours till work and I decided to get ready early in case there was traffic, because of the snow. So I took a shower and got dressed. I made sure to put on a heavy coat before leaving.
On my way down to my building I munched on a chocolate croissant I had picked up at the café underneath my apartment. Snow was falling harder and Christmas lights were hung up on nearly everything. Snow was beginning to fall harder and I could barely see. I received an email notification on my phone and I tapped the open button.
 
Dearest Employees,
 
We are afraid to say work is cancelled because of the snow. We don’t want you getting in a tiffy, especially during the holidays!
 
Happy Christmas
Diane
 
Day instantly made. Only downside was having to trudge all the way back to my apartment. To kill time I stopped by an independent bookshop a little ways down from my apartment. The bell above the door made a small sound as I walked in. An elderly woman, with a small bun on the top of her head, smiled up at me. I smiled too and sat down in a little armchair by the window. A small heater was sitting on the coffee table beside me. Before I knew it, I was getting lost in Great Expectations…
 
            “Dear?” I heard a female voice say. I opened my eyes to see the elderly woman looking down at me. I had fallen asleep. It was dark outside and snow was still falling but not as hard. I must’ve been out a long time. I needed to get home. So, I gathered my things and said goodbye to the woman. Down the street I heard the familiar sound of a bell ringing, from one of the many New York Santa’s.
Once on my floor I fiddled with my keys until I found the right one. I was about to insert it into the lock when I saw it was already open. My heart started to quicken, someone must’ve broken in. Just perfect, work is cancelled and now my apartment is robbed. I shakily push open the door and screamed. A big tree was in the corner of the living room, lit up and gleaming. It added a certain warmth to my gray apartment. I almost burst into tears when I saw who was here. There, sitting on the couch smiling at me, were my two brothers. Niall and Greg, together. Greg was holding…a baby?
            “Surprise! Happy Christmas, Bea!” Niall jumped up and ran over to me. Tears started to fall down my face as I wrapped my arms around him. I laughed and rocked back and forth. When we broke apart my gaze traveled to Greg. My smile grew bigger. He set down the baby in a little bouncy chair and opened his arms. I rushed past Niall and Jumped into my big brothers arms. He looked a lot older.
            “Oh Bea, I’ve missed you so much!” He said, swinging me around. Memories filled my head as I breathed in his scent. The first thing that came to my mind was the wedding, and now a baby which I assume is his and his wife’s. His face changed, he obviously knew what I was talking about.
            “Look, Beatrice, the reason you couldn’t go to the wedding was because mum and dad knew there would be publicity, with Niall being there. The whole reason you left was to get away from that. I wanted you there more than anything.” He put his arm around my shoulder and turned me around towards the couch. The baby was bouncing around and kicking his chubby feet into the air. He was precious. I felt Niall put his arm around my other shoulder as Greg walked over to the couch, picking up the little infant and bringing him over to me.
            “Meet Theo Horan. Your nephew.” Greg said, smiling. Theo grinned wide, he looked just like Greg, and Niall, and…well me. I cradled Theo and made sure to keep his head up.
            “Hi Theo. It’s nice to meet you, precious one!” I nuzzled my nose to his. I had a nephew, and two brothers here for Christmas. Everything was going to be okay…