Page 57 of Because of Them

“Well, it’s the same thing to me.”

Audrey struggles off the stool and I race over to help her. “Christmas is not all about presents,” she says once she is on her feet.

It’s impossible for me not to hold her protectively while she stands so close to me. I wrap an arm around her, pulling her into my side. My free hand rests on her stomach, and our babies kick playfully under my touch. It’s hard to believe she has two butternut pumpkin sized babies in there, according to the app I downloaded anyway. Although, the midwives did say they will probably be a little smaller. Regardless, I have no idea how they fit. Audrey’s insides must be squished within an inch of their functionality, and the thought only makes me appreciate her more.

“Yes itis.” Maisie stamps her foot in front of us.

I have to bite my lips together to hold back the laughter that threatens to spill out. “Um, yeah. It kind of is for a kid.”

“AndI’ma kid. See Mum.”

Audrey whips her head towards me. “Michael.”

“Sorry,” I whisper before squeezing her closer. Time could stop, for all I know. She relaxes underneath my arms and I breathe in the fruity smell of her hair. Her breasts move against my chest as she breathes, slow and steady like she might fall asleep in my arms.

I forget where we are, forget who we are with. Nudging her neck up with my nose, I kiss the soft skin behind her ear. She whimpers and I move to claim the sound with my mouth. Just a small kiss, a reminder. A promise.

A chirping voice screams, “Ew.”

Audrey pulls away from me like we’re teenagers caught making out behind the gym. Her cheeks are flushed.

“Sorry,” I whisper to her again.

Her chin jerks in response, but she rolls her shoulders and spins to face the room with a wide grin. “Presents!” she cheers, shifting the attention back to Christmas.

Maisie cheers, racing over to the tree in the corner. When I left yesterday evening, the pine tree was still bare. I’d lugged it inside and figured out how to make it stand straight in the base, but it took longer than I anticipated. Once it was safely standing it was time for dinner, and then for Maisie to go to bed. Audrey had toswearshe wouldn’t do the decorations while Maisie was in bed.

They must have spent all morning decorating it. Baubles and handmade ornaments are scattered around the needles, heavily focused on the lower half. Fairy lights wrap around the tree, twinkling a gorgeous snowy white glow that leaves little reflections all through the room.

Maisie crawls under the branches to retrieve a gold wrapped bundle. Baxter follows her in, knocking a few dangling baubles on his way. When he emerges from under the tree, pine needles stick to his fur. Before I can call him over, Cassidy crouches beside the couch. He bounds over for a pet and she works to pick each one out.

Maisie takes a few steps away from the tree and looks between her mother and father. Audrey gives a little nod.

My mouth drops open when Maisie walks over to me, shuffling her feet along the mat and holding the present in front of her. Something tingles along my spine and settles in my stomach. Not like the anxious pit that was there moments ago, this is light and airy. I spent hours trying to come up with the perfect gift for Maisie. Audrey said she likes Bluey and Frozen and singing and dancing but nothing felt right. I scoured the shops, and every online retailer I could think of, and I doubt the silly little token gift is enough. I drop to my knees, hoping that it is because the last thing I expected was Maisie to getmesomething.

“This is for you.” She forces the present into my hands. My fingers tremble as I take it from her.

“Wait here.”

I stand, turning to see Audrey holding out the small wrapped box I left under the tree last night. Taking it from her, I drop back to the ground.

“And this is for you.”

Maisie snatches the present from me and tears away the red paper. Her eyes light up and I’ve never seen her cheeks puff so much with her smile. She beams brighter than all the Christmas lights on the street. In the entire suburb.

“A microphone?!” She squeals, jumps, twirls, in excitement. She rips at the box to get to the bright pink, battery operatedmicrophone. Turning it on, her squeals are amplified through the house. “Oh my golly Michael, this is the best thing ever!”

Audrey’s hand rests on my shoulder as I start to open my present. “Maisie chose it herself.”

Under the slightly wrinkled gold paper is a denim utility belt. The dark fabric is covered with pockets, loops, fasteners, and hangs from a wide black belt. It doesn’t matter that I still have a perfectly fine belt in my ute. It doesn’t matter that I don’t use it as often now that I’m spending more time managing Noah’s hotel build than I do on the tools. It’s perfect. Because it’s for me, from Maisie.

The little girl who once scared me shitless, who I once ran away from. Not only am I slowly getting used to being around her, not only am I not scared to see her anymore but sometimes I get kind of excited. And shewantedto get me a Christmas present. She cares about me.

Tears well in my eyes.

“Michael, are you okay?!” Maisie’s voice still booms as she speaks directly into the microphone.

I reach my arms to hug her, and she squeezes her little body into mine. “Merry Christmas.”

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