“Dad, where's the real tree?" Bethany asked she stood in the living room, staring at the fibre-optic tree Ethan had bought.
“I didn't get one this year. They set off Lauren's hay fever.”
Bethany eyed Lauren, who smiled back sweetly.
"Oh, that's a shame for the rest of us."
Ethan sighed. "You can do what you want in your own home, Bethany. I'm sure a few hours with a fake tree won't kill you."
Lauren had taken a shine to Elise straight away. She was a quiet young woman, still in Bethany's shadow after all these years. Bethany, on the other hand, had been getting on her nerves from the second she walked in the door.
Now, Elise sat in the corner with a book in her hand. Her husband, Oliver, sat at her feet, occasionally looking up at her adoringly. For whatever reason, Lauren was glad Elise had found someone good for her. She now knew what that felt like.
Bethany's husband, Matt, was trying to calm down their children. Ethan had told Lauren that Matt got left with the majority of the childcare, and today was no different. While he struggled with the toddlers, Bethany strutted around the house as if she owned it. If this was some kind of challenge to Lauren's newfound relationship, Lauren intended to meet it head on.
"Bethany, just sit down and we can get the gifts out of the way for the kids," said Ethan.
"I still wish we had a real tree. I suppose this will have to do."
Lauren fought the urge to roll her eyes, but didn't miss that Matt was doing so. She stifled a giggle, causing Bethany to look towards her. Smiling sweetly back in response just drew more haughty looks.
She watched as the children got their presents before Bethany, Matt, Elise, and Oliver. Their excitement made her smile, and she looked up to see Ethan focused on her. Before him, his grandchildren played with their toys, but he only had eyes for her.
His gaze was full of longing, as if he wanted them all gone and to be with her alone. At that moment, nothing would have made her more happy. He had sat by the tree while they handed out gifts, and now he retrieved one, moving to Lauren's side.
It was a small oblong box, and he handed it to her with a kiss on the cheek. "Merry Christmas, Lauren."
"I didn't expect anything. We agreed not to exchange presents."
"I know. I couldn't help it, it just seemed fitting."
She smiled, unwrapping the gift to find a velvet box. Inside was a bracelet. Engraved on the fob, it simply said 'take a chance.'
Lauren met Ethan's gaze, grinning as he took it out of the box and placed it around her wrist. "Get the message?" he whispered.
"Loud and clear," she replied, turning back to kiss him.
Bethany began to make gagging noises, but Ethan kissed Lauren again as she hugged him.
"Thank you," she said.
"It's just the beginning."
“I’d like to think that too."
He grinned as she hugged him tight. "You're going to have to let go of me, sweetheart. I've got to go and check lunch."
Lauren nodded, giving him another kiss on the cheek as he left.
She looked across at the children. They were still playing happily on the floor. Matt just looked relieved they were distracted, and Bethany was giving Lauren the filthiest look she'd had since Jess was in her life.
Lauren raised an eyebrow, smiling back again. When Bethany scowled and looked away, Lauren had another little laugh to herself. Nothing would get her down, or take her away from Ethan. Not today, anyway.
When Christmas lunch was finished, the others all left for their own homes and celebrations. Elise hugged Lauren.
"Thanks for being here. It's nice to see Dad happy."
"I'm glad that you think he looks happy. He makes me happy too."
Bethany was hugging her father. "We need to talk later in the week." She glared at Lauren. "Good to meet you, Laura. Hope you have a good trip home."
"It's Lauren," Ethan said.
"She knows," Lauren muttered under her breath.
Elise laughed. "Bethany never was very smart."
She turned on her heel, walking out arm in arm with Oliver, who looked bemused at his wife's words.
Lauren held in her laughter. At least one of them was supportive.
After saying his farewells, Ethan returned, his arms wide open for her to go to. "I hope that wasn't too painful."
"Elise is lovely. I don't know if Bethany is keen on me."
"Bethany is a law unto herself when it comes to everything. Don't worry about her; I'm not. She's just surprised I scored some young chick."
Lauren laughed. "I don't think I've ever been described that way before. Mind you, I don't think I've ever gone out with an older man before.""Not too old." He kissed her tenderly.
“Do you worry that we're moving too fast? I've screwed up so many relationships trying to get to the next stage without spending enough time on the present one."
Ethan shook his head. "Things will go at the pace we set. If you want us to slow down, just say the word and we'll slow down. Right now, I am happier than I ever thought possible again, and I'm glad you've met my family."
“I’m glad I’ve met them too. Your grandchildren are gorgeous.” She walked with him back to the living room, resting her head on his shoulder as they sat on the couch, looking at the Christmas tree.
"Christmas makes me miss Mark."
"I know, sweetie. Do you want to go and see Patrick and Cassie this afternoon? They'd love to see you, Sophie too."
She smiled. "That sounds great."
After the morning's activities, it was relaxing to be with Cassie and Patrick. They welcomed the pair with open arms, inviting them to stay for Christmas dinner.
Sophie babbled about Cassie being pregnant. She was clearly excited to be getting a baby brother or sister, and although there were still some months to go, she disappeared with Lauren to show her the nursery.
"How are things with Lauren? I have to admit, I was kind of surprised when you told me that you were spending Christmas together. That's a pretty big commitment. You only met six weeks ago," Patrick said.
Ethan grinned. "I know it's early, but she feels more lost without her brother than I think even you realise. This morning was interesting, and I've told her she can set the pace. It just feels right."
Patrick patted him on the back. "Good for you. We invited her here to stay with us for a few days. Imagine Cassie's surprise when Lauren turned her down."
"I’m sorry to butt in, but she’s being very well taken care of. You should have seen the look on Bethany's face, though. She was not happy. Elise was wonderful as always, but my eldest daughter is another story."
"Bethany was always a bit bratty." Patrick stopped, staring at Ethan. "I didn't mean to make it sound like I was criticising your daughter."
“What happened between you and Bethany is in the past. Yes, I did know you were seeing each other behind Matt's back. I also figured she didn't tell you about him. Maybe I should have said something back then, but I just wanted to stay out of it."
He smiled. "It didn't last long. Cassie always trumped everyone else anyway."
"Things worked out for the best, then. I'm so pleased for you."
Patrick was in charge of the barbecue for dinner, and Cassie brought out plate after plate of food to cook. Ethan sat, watching Lauren as she lit up among the people she loved. She listened intently to all of Sophie's news, and he couldn't help but notice her watching Cassie.
Cassie was three months’ pregnant, and some time away from showing, but she glowed with good health and the love of her family. Was that longing on Lauren's face?
He reached for her hand, squeezing it, and she shone that amazing smile on him. His heart swelled as he thought about her being his. She had no clue just how beautiful she was. Over time, he would show her.
"You know there's enough food to feed a small army here, don't you?" Lauren asked.
Cassie laughed. "There will be plenty of leftovers to freeze. At least I know Patrick will have some decent lunches for a while."
“I’m so spoilt," he said leaning over to kiss her.
Ethan watched them, no longer envious of his young friend. When Patrick had been reunited with his first love, Ethan's thoughts had turned to Catherine. He hadn't heard from her in years, but from what he had heard, her life without him had not been rosy.
He hadn't looked her up. Those days were long gone, and she’d turned her back on him, on their family. Even if they had gotten back together, there was no guarantee she wouldn't do it all over again.
Now, in the early days of a relationship with Lauren, he had hope again.
"How's it going?" Cassie asked.
"What?"
"You and Ethan."
Lauren grinned, playing with the bracelet on her wrist. "It is amazing. Ethan is so sweet, and wonderful, and the sex is fantastic."
Cassie laughed. "Too much information."
"Hey, I had to listen to you talking about Mark. It's my turn."
"That's fair enough, then." Cassie smiled. "What's that bracelet? I've not seen it before."
"Ethan gave it to me for Christmas."
"Show me."
Lauren held up her wrist, smiling as Cassie turned the fob over.
"Take a chance. Does it mean anything?"
"Everything."
Cassie looked at her curiously.
"We both know that we're not the best candidates for a relationship. Ethan has been alone for a long time, and, well, you know what I'm like. So we decided to take a chance on each other. He gave me this to remind me."
“That's beautiful. I'm so glad you're happy. Long may it continue."
"I get it now. I understand what it was like for you and Mark. At least, I think I do. Ethan's just such a lovely man, and he gets me. For the first time, I’ve found a man who wants to romance me, bring me flowers, take me out and that's it. You know, on our first few dates he didn't stay the night? He drove all the way to my place, took me out to dinner and drove home again."
Cassie squeezed her hand. "I'm happy for you. You deserve someone who will respect you and love you. I hope it all goes well."
She smiled at Ethan, standing by the barbecue with Patrick. They were deep in conversation, and she had no doubt that they were engaged in a similar conversation to the one she had just had with Cassie. The not-so-subtle glances in their direction told her that.
He smiled back at her when she caught his eye, and she blew a kiss in his direction. His face lit up, as he pretended to catch it, touching his cheek with the palm of his hand, looking at her as if it were the most precious gift he had ever been given.
"Aww you two are so gross, as Sophie would say."
Lauren laughed. "You can’t talk."
"Whatever." Cassie pretended to gag as she mimed putting her fingers down her throat.
"You two are just as bad. Don't give me that."
She looked back at Ethan. He was watching her while he spoke to Patrick, smiling at her with so much affection, it made her warm inside. This was real. For the first time in her life, she realised she was in love.