Among The Roses

Chapter 22: A Nice Surprise

Ellie and Noah came down the first week of December to spend the Christmas holidays. Ellie could tell right away that something was going on between her son and the gardener, but she could also tell that they were trying to keep it quiet, and that Ned was unaware of any of it, so she held her tongue.

The first snow of the season fell, and Chiara was kept on the run for a couple of days, making sure all of the properties she managed were all tucked in for the winter. She took extra care with the Langton roses, since they were in effect in her front yard now, and Ellie watched from the warmth of the kitchen as Chiara moved efficiently from bush to bush, making sure they were cut back as far as she could cut them until February, when the time would come to actually prune them down to just the canes, and to strip off all the leaves.

"Don't you three feel terrible, watching her working so hard while you just lounge about all day and play video games?" she asked the boys.

"Why should I? I'm a hard working student in school, best marks in my year and everything," Noah reminded her. "I can't speak for these two bellends."

"Language."

"We were up until the wee hours writing for the new album, mum," Ned protested, looking at Drew for support. "Tell her, Drew!"

"Neddy's right," Drew agreed, getting out a mug for tea. "We were using our minds and imaginations and all, letting our creative juices flow, you know?" He leaned in and planted a kiss on his mother's cheek.

"You two," she chided, shaking her head.

"Plus, you know we just got roped into doing the Christmas special in London next week," Drew added. "That means at least three days up there, rehearsing, staying in a hotel and all, with the crowds, the paps, the fans--"

"I thought Luke couldn't make it?" Ned questioned. "I thought we didn't have to do anything unless it was all four of us?"

"Gary convinced him," Drew informed Ned. "Sounds like he really needs the money, and he basically begged Luke to do it, so--" he shrugged.

"I don't really mind, do you?" Ned asked.

"Nah, it's only a few days, plenty of time to get back here for Christmas and all," Drew said with another shrug. "Mum and Noah wanted a few days in London to shop as well, so it works out all the way around."

"Do we know what songs we're doing?" Ned asked.

"A couple from the last album, and a couple of Christmas carols with the Philharmonic," Drew told him. "It's going to be amazing."

Ned whistled.

Chiara had finally finished with the roses, and Drew had timed it perfectly and had a hot cup of tea ready for her. He picked it up to take it to her, but Ned plucked it from his hand, saying, "I got this, mate, you stay here, keep warm and have a wag with your mum."

He was out the French doors before Drew could say anything sensible.

Noah, Drew and Ellie watched as Ned tapped Chiara on the shoulder and handed her the tea. Chiara said something, obviously words of thanks, and gave Ned a blinding smile that lit up her whole face.

Ned shook his head at her thanks, sipping his own tea, and pointed at a bush next to him, asking her a question about it. Chiara turned to look at it, and began speaking, gesturing with the hand that wasn't holding the mug to help her explain. She bent over to look at something, motioning for Ned to come closer as well.

Ned reached out a hand and placed it on her back as he, too, leaned over to look at whatever she was showing him. His large hand showed very clearly against her dark jacket, and Ellie could sense Drew tensing up next to her.