Page 34 of Kissmas Reunion
Merry’s face pales. I share the same dreaded look with my wife. As much as I love my son hanging out with us, I wasn’t planning on a family vacation.
“I thought Shelly was busy with the charity?” Merry says. I know she’s thinking the same thing I am. We have twenty years to make up for, not to mention a bunch of new toys to try out.
Finn shrugs. “She’s on top of everything now, Mum. Since you did all the finances.” He looks up at Merry. “Thanks for sorting that out by the way. I don’t know how Shelly would have managed to get the charity’s accounts done with the baby. She wishes she could hire you full time.”
“Funny you should say that, son.” I raise an eyebrow as I look at Merry. “Weren’t you just saying you wanted a job?”
“I can take on the financial aspect of the accounts for the turtle charity if Shelly needs the help. Part-time of course, because the rest of the time I’ll be babysitting this little one.” She lifts Coral onto her shoulder and rubs her back. The baby squirms in her arms a little.
“I’m sure she’d love you to have that role, Mum, but I’m not sure she can afford you.”
“I can do pro bono,” Merry says.
“Your mother will do anything to prevent her from cooking and cleaning.” I chuckle to myself, remembering that was never Merry’s strength. Especially since finding out Blanche helped with the casserole that night, as I learned when I visited England and asked Merry to cook it.
I hold my hands out. “Stop hogging our granddaughter and give her to me. She wants her papa.”
“All right, but she needs burping.” Merry hands her over and I rest Coral’s head on my shoulder. “There, there.”
She settles instantly as she always does with me. I rub her back, kissing her forehead. I’ve made some bad choices in the past, and it’s taken me the last twenty years to realise that at my age, time is currency, and I choose to spend it wisely with the people I love.
The swell in my chest grows, surrounded by a wonderful family. As I smile down at our newest addition, my chest overflowing with happiness, the milk in Coral’s belly regurgitates onto my shoulder, flowing down the lapel on my jacket.
I chuckle, wiping at the milk but not caring in the slightest.
Merry laughs beside me, using a kitchen towel to wipe up the mess. “Good thing you’ve got plenty of suits.”
“Good thing I’ve got you,” I reply, meeting her gaze with a smile that says everything we’ve been through was worth it for moments like these.
“You mean, Blanche. I’m not your housekeeper, remember.” There’s a sparkle in her eyes, the same one I fell in love with all those years ago, only now it feels stronger—like nothing can come between us this time around.
I wrap my arm around Merry’s waist and pull her close. “No, you’re my wife.”
She leans over and kisses my lips.
“Mum, Dad, do you have to?” Finn holds what remains of his breakfast roll. “I’m eating over here.”
Merry and I both smile as Coral’s tiny hand clutches at my shirt, her warmth grounding me in this perfect moment. Mess, laughter, and all.