Sing Once Again With Me

Who's my big Star

Ben's Point of view

"Good Evening Mum's, Dad's Grandparents to our performance this evening by Mrs Crutchley's Class telling us the story of the nativity we hope you all enjoy it as much as the children have rehearsing it" one of the teachers from Riley's class announces to everyone as the lights go out. I have butterflies in my stomach for my little lad and Lisa is even worse I can tell she keeps fidgeting and holding and letting go of my hand. "Sweetheart relax he will be fine" I say to her and she just smiles that nervous I don't really believe you but I'll pretend I do smile. The children come out onto the stage with Riley leading everyone he looks so confident not a bit of stage fright in sight. He takes his place at the top of the stage but then he spots us all and gives a big thumbs up making us all laugh "Oh Riley" Lisa whispers as she wipes a tear from the corner of her eye proud Mummy she is today I can see it in her face, the children, this, is her whole life it's what she lives for and me of course but it's being a mother she knows that she is good at even though she is possibly the best wife a man could ever ask for. I wrap my arm around her and kiss her on the top of her head the emotion of it all has got to me too and yes I'm blubbing now at the sight of my little man. Oh god Gran has not a tissue but a box of them on her lap.

The children are just adorable but none so much as our little Riley I am absolutely bursting with pride for him. He keeps looking over to where we are sitting and smiling at us and doing sneaky little waves when no one is looking bless him. Dad looks at him like me so proud it's all a bit much for him and I can see him sob. He's trying his best to comfort Diane too. Little Amelia is loving the play and quite happy sat next to Gran she's a sweet little girl but this all this I wasn't expecting it, but right now my focus is on Riley my boy. "Do not be afraid I bring good news" Riley calls out to everyone playing his part perfectly. As everyone gathers round in the stable it's time for Riley's song I can feel Lisa get more nervous now for him "He'll be fine darling" I whisper to her and he was his sweet little voice so confident so strong

Mary nodded, pa rum pum pum pum

The ox and lamb kept time, pa rum pum pum pum

I played my drum for Him, pa rum pum pum pum

I played my best for Him, pa rum pum pum pum,

rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum,

Lisa is full on crying now but smiling through her tears her eyes just sparkling. When Riley is done everyone just lets out the biggest "Aww" you have ever heard which makes Lisa worse "My little boy" she sobs to me as Gran offers her one of her tissues not that there's many left now. Then everyone claps and he just smiles at everyone especially us we all give him a thumbs up and I mouthe to him "Daddy's clever boy".When the play ends all the parents are given the chance to take photographs of the children in their costumes so Lisa sends me to the front to take a picture of Riley when he's brought out by Mrs Crutchely "Daddy Daddy" he shouts when he spots me waiting with the other Mum's and Dad's "Hiya matey, who's my big star then hey" I say to him "ME" he shouts as he wraps his arms around me "Did you see me Daddy did you see me" He asks eagerly "I did matey I did you were so good Daddy is so proud of you" I tell him "Did Mummy see me too" he asks he never forgets his Mummy "She did darling she loved it" I get him to stand on the stage as we only get a few minutes "Stand by there then mate and give Daddy a big smile" "Cheese" he grins at me "Good boy" "Let me see Daddy" he asks "Wow I look super cool don't I Daddy" he says to me "You sure do matey" I tell him.

The school has laid on refreshments for after the performance and then all the children go to sit with their parents. "Mummy" Riley shouts to Lisa running over "Oh My darling boy, you were so very very good Mummy is so proud of you well done" she says while giving him about a thousand kisses all over his face. "Riley come and give your Gran a big cwtch" cwtch see we all do it now "Well done cherub you were super duper" she says "Thanks Gran" he says as he walks over to Dad "Did you like my song Grampa" he asks as Dad bends down to him "It was the best part of the show mate Grampa is very very proud of you" this makes Riley smile he does love his Grampa "You were really good Riley" Amelia says to him it's very easy to warm to her she is lovely and Riley and Ellie seem to like her but where on earth was all this going. Freja is making plenty of noise while sat in her Mummy's arms "Did you enjoy the play my little darling" I say to her and she smiles "You did" I say back. Lisa looks so pale and worn out "Sweetheart are you alright you really don't look to good" I say to her "I'm fine I'm just feeling sick sweetie that's all" she says "I'm taking you to the doctor tomorrow" I tell her "No Ben don't be silly it's just morning sickness" she says "What twenty four seven sweetheart I don't't think so" I say quite insistent I do that a lot apparently "Oh for goodness sake" she huffs at me then re thinks "Sorry" she smiles while still trying to look like shes grumpy with me "I just worry darling that's all" I say "Yes I know" she says as she leans forward to kiss me "But this is nothing new been there done that spewed over the t shirt as it were" she says making me laugh "I'll be alright" and where do you think she rubs no not there before you start we are in a public place you know, she rubs my arm the old familiar stop worrying Langley "Daddy can we open our chocolate calendar when we get home" Riley asks "We can matey" I answer "Have you got one Amelia" Riley asks her as they start having a little conversation to themselves while Dad has a chat with Diane they look deep in it so we keep Amelia close to give them space "No my Dad said I couldn't have one, my Dad is not a very nice man" she tells him and I can't help but feel sorry for the girl. "Is he a nasty man" Riley asks and she nods at him "I had one in my old house then my Daddy came along he's the best Daddy ever" as if my heart couldn't swell enough "I like my Uncle Will" she says "Who is Uncle Will" Riley asks and she points at Dad Riley laughs "Noooo that's Grampa Silly" making me smile again and Amelia smiles too. "What are you having off father Christmas Amelia" he asks and she smiles I'm assuming she still believes "I don't know I can't decide" she says "Whats your favourite thing" he asks blimey Gran has been teaching his the art of nosing I swear. "I like Frozen" she says "Ellie likes that and Mummy, Mummy sings the songs from it" he says which is true Lisa's "Let it go" is just the cutest. Riley loves it too but makes out that its for girls so its not super cool he makes me laugh but then having said that I'm quite partial to a bit of sing a long seeing as Ellie not only has the film DVD but also its sing along version, ever the girly girl and she's only two and a half. "I like frozen" she chirps up listening in "Don't I Daddy" she says to me "You do Princess" I answer her "I got Anna and Elsa" she tells her and she has too. "I'd love an Elsa doll" Amelia says "Ask father Christmas" Riley says to her and she smiles looking at me "I'm sure he will get you one lovey" I say to her "But he won't know where we are now we've run away" she says Lisa has been listening too and I feel her hand in the small of my back her eyes are full of sympathy for her "Well we will have to write him a letter then to tell him" Lisa says to her. Maybe this was me being selfish this poor little girl didn't ask to be treated like this by her father like my darling Riley and Ellie didn't, it was Christmas a time for family and for magic we could give her the Christmas she should have.