Chapter 38

Michael's POV

Since it's Christmas the clinic was very quiet this morning. Most patients went home for the holidays but without my family, I had nothing to come home to.

However, I enjoyed the peace the clinic offered as I drank some orange juice while staring out the large window, getting lost in my thoughts.

With the pen in my hand I scribbled down every word that crossed my mind but after some time I drifted off thinking about my Maeve and our children.

Would they already be awake by now? Were they wearing matching Pyjamas, like we did these past years?

The thought of my family being away from me on a holiday made me sad, even though I only celebrate Christmas for them.

Over the years I got used to these traditions, I was always just as excited for the holidays as the kids. Maeve wanted it to be special for the children with lots of beautiful decorations and fantastic food, lots of cookies of course.

People always say that Christmas is a magical time but I never celebrated Christmas when I was younger, so to me it was just December. Ever since having children of my own I realized that mothers are what makes Christmas so special.

And Maeve clearly does put a lot of thought into every detail.

Oh, how I miss them.

I tried shaking the thought of being alone on Christmas morning out of my head and instead concentrated back on writing but the events of the past year came creeping back into my mind, never giving me a break. The worst of it all, the people believe everything that is written about me. Maybe I should turn this feeling into a song?

Just because you read it in a magazine or see it on the TV screen, don't make it factual!

More and more words came gushing out of my mind, I could barely keep up with writing them down and before I knew it, the page was filled to the brim with lyrics.

Now that the words were out, I felt relieved but as I reread the lyrics, I got interrupted.

"DADDY!"

At first I thought my mind was playing tricks on me when I heard Nicolas' voice.

"Daddy" little Charlotte's voice filled the room and when I turned around I saw both my children, dressed in matching Pyjamas, running towards me.

With my arms wide open I welcomed them as first Nicolas and then Charlotte crashed against me, hugging me tight.

All this time I was scared that they had forgotten all about me since I haven't seen them in months.

Maeve and I both agreed that the clinic isn't an ideal place for young children, but now that they are here in my arms I am more than happy that she changed her mind.

"I know we said no visits but Christmas isn't the same without you" I heard Maeve's voice but I kept my eyes closed while enjoying the warm hug of my kids.

"I missed you both sooo much!" I told them after they let go of me.

"We know, daddy..." Nicolas answered.

"You do?"

He nodded his head, his black curls slightly bouncing along. "Mommy told us everyday how much you miss us and we got to see you in a lot of movies whenever we missed you too much, I like the one with the lion and Charlie likes the one with the bunny riding the motorcycle..."

The lion? The bunny riding a motorcycle? Oh- he's talking about music videos of mine. Black or white and Speed Demon.

"Mommy said, you need to get better before you come back home... Are you better now, daddy? Can you come home?"

Oh. Grabbing his arm, I pulled him close again, kissing his head before embracing him in another hug. "I'll be home soon, I'm feeling way better, now that you, Charlie and Mommy are here!"

"I want to go back home, I miss my room. The tiny house is great but I like Neverland better..."

"We all be home soon... together, I promise" I whispered into his ear before glancing over at Maeve.

She was putting some gifts on the table, my eyes immediately searching her neck when I noticed she wasn't wearing the necklace I gifted her for her birthday a few days ago, my head sunk and that's when I noticed her left arm was casted.

"What happened to mommy?"

"Mommy likes to sleep in the bathtub" Nicolas shrugged his shoulders and ran over to Maeve who just placed a container with what looked like cookies on the table.

She struggled with opening the lid but Nicolas came to the rescue. As soon as the lid came off, he grabbed one and immediately put it in his mouth. Maeve shook her head at him as she reached back into her bag, before walking over to me. With one arm she threw what looked like Pyjamas that matched hers and the children's at me. I didn't even attempt to catch them as they fell on the floor next to me.

"What happened to your arm?" I got a closer look of her cast. It was painted colorfully with many different motives and shapes. I recognized the sun, a car, a tree and some kind of animal. The rest was just lines and shapes.

"I slipped and landed on my arm..."

"In the tub?"

"No" Maeve looked at me confused. "In the kitchen" she made it clear.

"What about the bathtub? Nick mentioned you like sleeping in there? I assumed you fell while showering" I was confused.

"No, god this is embarrassing. I sometimes fall asleep in the bathtub, but without water, I just use the bathroom to relax, the house is so full right now..."

"Why's the house full?" I raised an eyebrow.

"My mother stays with us and she's having company" Maeve smirked lightly.

My expression changed from confused to furious in a matter of seconds as I stared at Maeve with angry eyes. "You let a stranger live in your house? With my children-"

"No stranger, Michael! It's Bill!" She interrupted me and I needed a moment to let the new information I was given sink in.

"What?! Bill and your... oh my god!" my eyes widened, my mouth was wide opened, I was shocked. Maeve just nodded.

"That's exactly what I thought!" Maeve laughed at my reaction. "But it's nice to have him around... he's helping a lot!" She spoke and I was genuinely happy for Bill. He got divorced a few years ago and has two adult children. Besides, Maeve's mother is a nice woman.

It lead me back to our original conversation. "And how did you break your arm?"

"Oh, yeah right. I fell asleep in the bathtub and Nicolas, the little angel that he is, turned on the cold water to gently wake me up in the morning... So I was chasing him and eventually slipped in a puddle I created myself..."

After she finished telling me all about how she broke her arm, I couldn't contain my laughter any longer and by the look on her face I could tell she was getting annoyed by my behavior.

But she just rolled her eyes at me before picking up the Pyjamas from the floor and throwing them at me once again. "Now get changed!"

*****

The time with my family flew by way too quick and it was time for them to go.

During these hours we ate cookies, I read the new book, the kids got for Christmas and we did play with Nicolas' new toy, which were racing cars, of course. We also celebrated Charlotte's birthday, she turned 3. For her, Christmas time is very excited as she's showered with twice as many gifts as everyone else.

Nicolas' hands reached around my shoulders, hugging me tight. "I promise!" I reassured him, knowing he'd understand what I was talking about.

Maeve looked at us with a raised eyebrow.

"It's something between men" Nicolas told her, causing her to smile.

Little Charlotte jumped into my arms, I picked her up and started spinning causing her to laugh.

"I'm going to miss you, my princess!"

She put her tiny hands on my cheeks and grinned at me before brushing our noses against each other's. She started laughing.

"I love you, daddy!"

"I love you more" I let her back down and watched both my children wave at me before heading to the car where Bill was waiting for them.

My eyes shifted to Maeve as we stood awkwardly in the entrance hall.

"Oh, before I forget, I need your help" Maeve said, reaching into her pocket. My eyes immediately lit up as she pulled out the necklace.

"I can't reach" she admitted and I felt relieved since I was scared she didn't want to wear it.

She handed me the gold chain and turned around. With her right hand she held her hair up as my hands placed the necklace around her neck.

At my touch, I could feel her shiver lightly and I noticed small goosebumps appeared on her skin as I took my time. I was standing close to her, I bet she could feel my breath on her neck.

My eyes stared at her bare neck in front of me, so close, I wanted to kiss the spot but decided against it. I couldn't risk it, not yet. 

"You're good to go" I said instead and smiled at her as soon as she turned around.

Without any further touch we said our goodbyes and I watched the car with drive away.