"Options... I've ran out of Options..." (Book 3)

Chapter 70 - "Jumper Day II..."

Chapter 70 - "Jumper Day II..."

Clara's PoV

'No' Poppy scoffed arms folded as she stood by the front door.

'What's the problem here?' John mumbled confusedly as he approached the bottom of the stairs all dressed and ready for work.

It was way too early in the day to be arguing but it's always Poppy at the moment. I know she's going through a lot and she doesn't understand why she has to miss so many days of school. But it is what it is.

'Poppy doesn't want to miss school. They're meeting Santa today' I said as I rolled my eyes but knew just how excited she was.

'Yeah. I know. Reception are this morning so she'll get to meet him this afternoon. I spoke to the school and they organised it so that she can meet Santa this afternoon' John grinned.

'Why did you do that?'

'So she doesn't miss out. She's 4 years old Clara. She doesn't deserve to miss out' he hummed, as he kissed my forehead.

What he obviously hadn't considered is that the chemo this morning will make her weak and sick and that she won't possibly have a good time meeting Santa whilst she's not well - but I guess that I could go in as well. Parents were welcome.

'Where's your Christmas jumper Daddy?'

'I'll put it on tonight buddy. I can't wear a Christmas jumper to an important meeting' he grinned ruffling Henry's hair.

It was weird. We were not only a few days away from Christmas but we were only a few days away from Henry's birthday.

It's so weird having a baby that was born on Christmas Eve. He gets lots of presents and cards. Twice the amount that the girls do.

He looked pretty awesome I had to admit in his little reindeer jumper. He was such a little monster.

- - -

'Come on munchkin. Don't go to sleep yet. We can go and see Santa and watch a film for your last day of school before Christmas and then you cans sleep?' I said as I lifted Poppy out of the car seat in the back and headed to the school front doors.

The meeting of Santa was only really for the infants, and the first thing I had to chuckle at as we were beeped into the school was Henry and his little class mates from the nursery all in the hall meeting Santa.

I didn't want to intrude in his moment so just headed towards the reception classroom where all the class were just playing with toys.

It was the last day of term and I couldn't see much actually happening in the classroom: no learning that's for sure.

I spoke to Adrien for a bit, trying to encourage Poppy to go and play but I couldn't really blame her for not wanting too.

She was feeling too sick and tired for that, so I went to my year 3 class with my sack of presents for each of them so I at least get to see them before the Christmas holidays.

'Miss Oswald. We're watching Christmas films' a couple of boys yelled as I plopped Poppy onto my desk chair and went to join in with their little game before Mr Foster came to find me.

'Clara. They're ready in the hall for you and Poppy'

'Okie dokie. Come on munchkin. Want to go and meet Santa?' I smirked, as it was now 2 o clock and very near to the end of the school day.

It was very clever how they had redecorated the school hall into Santa's grotto with lots of Christmas lights and presents everywhere.

'Hey there. You must be Poppy' one of the other Mums said as she clung to my leg and I just chuckled pushing her forward. It was one of those Kath kidsten posh mums that was on the school governing body.

'Go on munchkin. You were so looking forward to seeing Santa this morning' I laughed.

'Why exactly does she get the whole hall to herself? I mean she's the last person to see him. Santa will be getting impatient' another snottyMum mumbled.

'Did you seriously just say that?' I scoffed. 'I'll have you off the governing body if your going to be horrible to a sick 4 year old like that. Go ahead Poppy' I smirked as she saw santa and suddenly perked up a little climbing onto his lap.

'And how do you propose that? I'm not going to have you on the parenting body'

'I'm a teacher here. I teach year 3' I rambled. 'Part time'

'I've never seen you. My daughter would be in your class' she scoffed.

'I'm only part time at the moment because my daughter is sick. Very sick. So just watch yourself yeah' I growled, going into the grotto and smiled at Poppy on Santa's lap.

'I want to not have to be sick for Christmas. I want to be better' she mumbled looking up at Santa which no one really saw coming.

Everything has happened so fast and treatment was starting so fast and testing that no one had really thought about how Poppy was really reacting to this.

'Well. I don't know about that. But I'm sure Santa would like to bring you a very special Present? What is it that you might like?' He asked stroking her cheek.

'A horsey. A horsey like my sisters' she said with pleading eyes.

I should have seen that one coming.

'Your a teacher? How on earth can you have horses?' The mother scoffed.

'If it's any consolation in a teacher with 4 kids and two horses' I giggled taking photos of Poppy as she opened up the present she got today from Santa. It was just a little stuffed teddy and chocolate that she couldn't even have but that wasn't the point.

- - -

'The mother was such a Fucking snob' I whined as John and I continued to pack the suitcases for our Christmas extravaganza.

The girls were all downstairs whilst John was playing with Henry and pretending to pack him in one of the suitcases.

'Oi. Language. 2 year old' John hummed even though he was only two days off of three.

We fly to Chicago tomorrow. I dress to think how that will work. I'd rather just spend Christmas here instead of in a hotel in Chicago but it was John's ideas.