HWA Message Board: Family

The sun was just beginning, the rays filtering through the slats covering the windows to illuminate the floor with a warm glow as the doorbell goes, causing the cup of coffee to pause in its inexorable rise to your lips, if only for a moment.

Taking a hurried swallow, not leaving yourself time to savour the flavour, you turn to face your wife who is currently at rest across from you in a high backed chair similar to the one you’re currently at rest in.

You’re sat at present in the ‘reading room’ as you’d call it. Around you are bookcases that claw at the ceiling, cabinets that showcase various curios and memorabilia from both you and your wife’s lives and between you both, a vinyl player.

It’s on, as is normal for when you’re both together in this room. On this occasion, it’s your wives choice of music, Aurora to be precise. The almost ethereal voice flitting in and out of your conscious mind.

A mind that’s been very much focused on the small bundle of joy sleeping on your chest.

’Want me to get it honey?’

You shake your head gently from side to side, slowly maneuvering the coffee mug onto the side table next to you.

Vanessa stands up out of her chair and you can’t help but be taken aback by her aura like you were on the first date you’d had all those years ago.

Who she was, correction, who she had been then was a professional. There was a wall up and a hesitation to let it come down anytime soon.

In truth, some of it had still been up until late last year.

But seeing her now? It takes you right back to that moment when you’d finally plucked up the courage to ask her out and then witnessing her glide into that restaurant a few short days later. It was akin to a blind man gaining his sight. You had been smitten before but then you were enraptured.

You smile at her, she returns it.

She’s radiant. Absolutely radiant.

Reaching down, your son is plucked gently from where he’s resting before being held against Vanessa’s chest, one hand cradling his head gently.

You both wait, eyes flickering between one another and the ticking timebomb that your child has been.

’Nothing?’

’Nothing… but you don’t you dare jinx it Mr!’

You’re both speaking in hushed tones and there’s a playfulness to the words coming out of your wife’s mouth.

The last few days had been an absolute whirlwind. Getting back from Havoc, a day or two later… you’re not quite sure, but that’ll be the sleep deprivation talking… but then you’re in the hospital and having your hand squeezed like it’s in a vice.

You’re being called every name under the sun and yet being explicitly told not to move and to keep holding her hand lest the world end.

If it wasn’t Vanessa, it was the family on either side of the Atlantic desperate for updates.

You hadn’t thought you’d be nervous… hell, anything other than being the rock Vanessa needed was ludicrous really, those moments that you’d let drift onto that upcoming point in time. And yet, there you’d been, just like the sitcom dad in any show, as much a hinderance as a support.

And then in the small hours of the morning, this little bundle of joy had came into the world.

And everything else just seemed a little less important.

You share a kiss with your wife, holding her close as both of you then stare down adoringly at your sleeping son.

The doorbell goes again, causing your son to stir and make a murmur.

’That’ll be them.’

She’s referring to your family who have flown in. Your mother, brother and his family not to mention Vanessa’s parents being here already. Yes this was going to be quite the Christmas.

’Ok, let me go get them in.’

Another quick peck on the lips followed by another lingering glance at your son.

’Time for you to meet them little one.’

The scene fades slowly to black as you make your way towards the door.