MISSING YOU; Bradley Simpson

25.

EVELYN

"It's Christmas!" Faith runs into our bedroom shouting. I wipe my eyes and look at the time. 8 a.m. Seriously?

"Faith, go back to sleep," Brad mumbles, turning on his other side and facing me.

"No! Santa is coming today!" the small girl squeals, jumping on me.

"Ouch," I whine.

After listening to Faith singing 'Santa is coming today' non-stop, we finally get out of bed. While Brad gets ready, I make us some breakfast. My father comes out of his room and into the kitchen and laughs as Faith tells him the good news, too about Santa.

I set the table up nicely and we all begin to eat. Brad places Faith onto his lap and feeds her. As I look into my daughter's eyes and see the spark in them, I realize this is her first Christmas with her father around. At the thought, butterflies begin to dance around in my stomach, but at the same time, sadness creeps its way into my chest. Brad hasn't been in Faith's life for almost two whole years, and it's all my fault. If I told him that day, when I found out about my pregnancy, maybe we could've fixed everything and became the family I've always wanted. But now, I have that. Brad is back in our lives and is the best father to Faith.

"Are you crying?" Brad asks quietly. I snap back to reality and wipe the tear that escaped my eye without me realizing.

"No, just... something's in my eyes," I wipe my eye. Brad looks at me suspiciously, but doesn't push it, which I'm thankful for.

"We are going to have guests over tonight," I warn my dad.

"It's okay. I'll be out, anyways," he says and worry takes over me.

"Why?" I ask.

"I've been invited to one of my friends' Christmas party," he tells me with excitement. A friend. Where was that friend when my father needed a home? I ignore the little voice in my head, telling me to say that question out loud and smile at my father. He has been locked inside the guest room for the whole week, not knowing what to do. He tried to get a job, but he didn't hear back from either company ever since he sent in his resume.

"That's nice," I say with a fake smile, but it still convinces my father. Brad? Not so much. He can read me like a book.

Brad puts his hand over mine for a second and gives it a squeeze before pulling away. Once everyone finishes breakfast, I wash the dishes. Brad and Faith head into the living room to watch a cartoon, while my dad goes back to the guest room.

I join my daughter and fiancé once I'm finished with the dirty dishes and plop down onto the couch. Faith crawls into my lap and lays down, watching the TV quietly. I rest my head on Brad's shoulder and close my eyes.

—

The others arrive right on time for dinner. Brad and I decided to host this year's Christmas with our group and invited them over for dinner.

We gather around our Christmas tree in the living room after finishing our meals. Kirstie lets Faith sit in her lap while everyone sits in a circle.

"So, let's begin the Secret Santa!" Maggie claps her hands cheerfully.

"I'll go first!" Lucy says, getting her present from under the tree and handing it to Connor. The boy kisses Lucy gently on the lips and opens the present, finding a copy of his favorite book inside, signed by the author.

"Oh my God!" Con gasps. "Thank you so much, babe!" he kisses Lucy one more time.

"Your turn, Con," James says.

Connor takes the box and gives it to Ashley. We all laugh when we see Ashley's expression, which is both surprised and afraid. She opens the box and practically screams with happiness. She got what she wanted.

The circle goes on, Ashley gives her present to Kirstie, Kirstie gives hers to George, Brad gives his to Lucy, Maggie gives hers to Tris, Tristan gives his to Brad, James gives his to Maggie, George gives me his, and I give mine to James.

I open the present from George only to find a CD. The latest album of The 1975. I've been dying to buy it, but never been able to.

"Thank you!" I jump in George's neck. He falls back on the floor and we both laugh.

"That's enough, get off my husband," Maggie jokes and I let go of George. I walk back and sit down next to Brad and Kirstie.

The rest of the night is spent with talking and laughter. Faith comes out of her room a few times and I always have to send her back to sleep. By the time everyone leaves, it's past midnight and both Brad and me are exhausted. As I wash the dishes, the front door opens and in stumbles my father. He looks... drunk?

"For God's sake!" I groan, hurrying to help him stand on his feet.

"Hi, sweetie," he grins at me when I wrap one arm around his waist.

"You promised you wouldn't drink anymore," I glare at him. Brad comes out of the bathroom and helps me get my father inside the guest room. "I can't believe him," I sigh once we drop him onto the bed.

"I'm sorry, babe," Brad pulls me in a tight hug. I reciprocate and we leave the room to let my father rest.

I knew it wouldn't be a good idea to let him go to a party alone. I should've told him to stay and enjoy Christmas Eve with us. But no, I was too selfish.

Brad and I walk into our bedroom. I sit on the edge of the bed and burry my face into my palms.

"Eve, it's not your fault," Brad kneels in front of my and tries to pry my hands away from my face, but I don't let him.

"No, it is. I shouldn't have let him go."

"No. Stop blaming yourself for every shit your father does. None of it is your fault," Brad manages to pry my hands away from my face. "Now let's go to bed," he kisses my lips softly and we both get into our pajamas and fall asleep in each other's arms.

—

A/N: Merry Christmas guys! Thank you for this amazing year here on Wattpad. I love you all! ♡