Believe Series box set

by L Chapman

  “Aw, Kate, is that all you want?” I question as I look down onto her pink note paper.

  “Yes,” she replies, drawing love hearts on the page. She enjoys spending her time drawing and is turning into a right artist. She has been busy covering my fridge with pictures, and I love all of them.

  “What would you like from us for Christmas?” I ask as I take a seat next to her.

  “Nothing. Maybe you could get my daddy a new tie,” she adds.

  “I can do that. What colour?”

  “Daddy’s favourite colour is blue.”

  “Does Dolly need anything?” I question.

  “No, she will be fine. If I get the new pram, I can look after her then. I can wash her clothes before bed.”

  Listening to her say this hurts me. She is so young, and she shouldn’t be like this. Kate has lived with her Grandma Betty, her mum’s mum, since she was three months old. Her mum passed away after a terrible car accident that involved Kate and Connor. Kathy was thrown from the car and died instantly. Both Connor and Kate escaped uninjured. Connor has never gotten over the accident. He feels like he is the one to blame. Kathy was driving with Kate in the passenger seat behind her, and a drunk driver hit their side of the car. A lorry hit the back of the car, launching Kathy from the vehicle. Kate was restrained in her car seat and saved. In Kathy’s will, there was a clause stating what was to become of Kate if anything happened to her. She was to go to Kathy’s mum Betty, and Connor was to have no contact. No one knows why, but Betty has developed dementia and has begun forgetting to look after Kate. With Mark’s help, Connor has managed to have more contact with her and they are in the middle of getting permanent custody granted to him. I’m not sure about the full ins and outs of everything, but I do know that Kate is the most introverted, unselfish child I have ever met. I know Connor will be a great full-time dad for her. I just hope they manage to get it sorted.

  “Kate, what do you want? You can have something just for you,” I state.

  “I want Grandma Betty back,” she says as tears stream down her face.

  “Aw, Kate, what do you mean? She is at her house.”

  “No, she isn’t my grandma. She’s changed.”

  “She is poorly. She will always be different now. That’s why you’re staying with your daddy,” I inform her.

  “Does Daddy love me?” she questions.

  “Oh, Kate, yes, he loves you. He doesn’t want to ever let you out of his sight. You’re his princess,” I say. “How about you and me go shopping? We can get Daddy his tie and anything else you want.”

  “Please, can Daddy come, too?” she asks.

  “Of course,” I reply as she runs ahead into the front room. I follow her in to see her reading to Lucy. We bought a Christmas book the other day, and after our long talk, she seems more settled. She is starting to come out of her shell a little bit and becoming more talkative. I love seeing her happy. I hope we can get her to fully open up in time.

  Chapter Four

  We spent last night at home, waiting for Jenny to come and join us before we sent the Christmas letters up the chimney. It’s a little tradition that Mark did as a child on Christmas Eve, so I thought it would be nice to do it with Kate. Maybe that little bit of magic will help her. I would love for her to believe in Christmas magic. This Christmas needs to be special for all of us, including the children.

  “Hi, everyone,” Jenny says as she walks into the room with her boyfriend, Warren, standing beside her and holding her hand.

  A smile spreads across my face. The old Jenny, the one who was carefree and fun has been brought back. I am so happy that she is here and not alone. She has a spark now because of Warren. The pregnancy glow is unmistakable as well. I’m looking forward to next year with two little ones here for Christmas. It will be doubly special. I want everything to work out for her, because the pregnancy is still early. With just over three months left, anything can happen, so we are on our toes. She finally went for a scan last week to check everything. The doctors are keeping a close eye on her this time, so she has more scheduled regular appointments to ensure nothing goes wrong. I think that is on everyone’s mind at the moment. We want both Jenny and the baby safe and healthy. I’m scared that something will go wrong. I love Jenny, and I don’t want her to go through the pain of losing another child. She is lucky to have Warren; he tries to go to every appointment with her. If he can’t, he gets me to go and rings five minutes after the visit. At her twenty-week scan, they couldn’t determine the baby’s sex.

  Finally, the little monkey let them find out, and I’m so excited Jenny shared her secret with me. I remember the day she told me.

  “Megan?” Jenny bellowed as she ran into my kitchen.

  “Yes?” I paused. “What’s up?”

  “It’s a boy. I’m having a boy!” she squealed.

  “Oh, I am so happy for you.”

  We spent days messaging each other boy’s names we like. She has chosen to keep the baby’s surname as Wright, the same as hers. She doesn’t want to know who the father is. She is scared it will be Rich’s baby. He refused to have anything to do with her or the baby when she told him. By keeping the baby’s name as Wright, she saves her job. The only thing she’s decided for sure is the baby’s middle name is going to be her baby brother’s name. Jenny knows her mum will be okay with it, but she is worried about what her dad will say, if he says anything at all. He had a go at her when she first told the family about her pregnancy. He called her a slut, so she hasn’t spoken to him since. She hasn’t told her family what she is having. She wants to keep it a surprise, but she can’t keep everything from me. She never has been able to.

  “How are you and bump?” I enquire as Jenny takes a seat on the sofa behind me.

  “We are both good.” She pauses. “How are you all?”

  “Good. We have been waiting for you to come, so we can send these letters up,” I reply.

  “Oh, I can’t wait.”

  “Kate, are you ready to send your letter to Santa?” Jenny asks.

  Kate sits there and nods. She doesn’t talk to strangers. She hasn’t spent enough time around Jenny yet. Kate runs off into the kitchen and comes back with all the letters she made us write— hers, Lucy’s, Connor’s, Mark’s and mine.

  Kate comes over to me, whispering into my ear. “Does Jenny have a letter for him?” she questions.

  “I think she does. Why don’t you ask her?” I ask.

  “I’m scared.” She grabs hold of my top.

  “I’ll come with you.” I turn around to face Jenny. “Kate has a question for you.”

  “Do you have a letter for him?”

  “I do and so does Warren. Are you going to send them all up?” Jenny asks, taking the letters from her bag and passing them to Kate.

  Mark takes Kate’s hand. Leading her to the fireplace, he helps her send the letters up before running out of the house to watch them float into the sky. I sit there watching her giggle. It is so amazing; I love it.

  “Jenny, I’m going to make mince pies tomorrow with Kate,” I inform her.

  “I can’t wait. You know I love them, and I love watching you make things.”

  “I know you do. I thought Kate could help.”

  “That’s a good idea. I hope she relaxes soon. She seems so scared of me,” Jenny states.

  “Hopefully, she will settle soon. Since you’ll be around for the next few days, she will get to know you some more. I’m just hoping she likes her present,” I say as I glance over to the tree that has only a few presents under it.

  We have left the rest of the presents upstairs in my attic room behind the bookcases so that no one can see them, even if they go up there. I don’t trust the boys from shaking the packages to find out what’s inside. Annabella warned me that she found both Connor and Mark doing it last year only hours after finding Mark’s siblings doing it. Mia had unwrapped the presents and re-taped them so no one could tell that she had opened them. I remember doing t
hat when I was younger, not that I would ever admit it. I hate surprises, but love them at the same time. I’m excited to see Kate’s face, because I know Lucy will understand Christmas more and be able to open her presents next year. This year is more for me, and I have been good.

  “I love the new hairdo, Megan.”

  “Thanks, I decided to treat myself. I love the blonde tips, and I think it’s a nice change. I just might keep it like this.”

  “I love it. It suits you, and you seem happy with it,” Jenny replies.

  “I do love it. I enjoyed a full-on pampering session. I even had a manicure and a pedicure; my toenails are now an icy blue. Mark took Lucy for me, so Kate and I could have some girlie time. Her grandma cuts her hair. I thought it would be a nice treat for her to have her hair cut by a professional.”

  “It looks good. She has such long, wavy, blonde hair, and she will either love it or hate it when she is older.” Jenny points out.

  “Don’t we know it?”

  Chapter Five

  What are we doing with the rest of today?” Connor enquires as he takes a seat on the edge of the sofa.

  “Well, I had planned to do some baking. I want to make some mince pies for tomorrow. If you want to help me, Kate, you can.”

  “YES!” Kate bellows as she runs into my arms.

  “Then, baking it is,” I reply.

  “Oh, not yet,” Mark says. “I have plans for us all first.”

  “What? What? What?” Kate replies, bouncing up and down.

  “Well, get your coat on, and I will show you,” he answers, pointing at the coats hanging on the coat rack.

  I slowly stand up, taking hold of Mark’s hand as I do, to steady myself. I smile at him as I slide my arms around his body, pulling him closer. Taking a deep breath, I’m able to take in his scent and his lovely cologne. I now have a thing for it. I love it. I can even smell it when I’m in bed alone, while he is away working. I miss him like crazy. I’m so happy that he decided to spend this time with me. I would have hated Christmas if he weren’t here with me.

  “Megan,” Kate says as she walks into the room, pulling my cream coat. “Here.”

  “Thanks, Kate,” I say as I take it from her and slip it over my arms and onto my shoulders.

  “Come on,” she replies.

  “I need to get Lucy a jacket first. Then, I’ll be ready,” I reply, turning around to see her asleep in her purple baby bouncer with the cream teddy bear that Mark got her. She’s so peaceful and innocent.

  “Okay, come on!” she says, grabbing hold of my hand.

  “Why don’t you come upstairs with me, and we will find a snowsuit for her?” I say, heading towards the stairs.

  “Yeah,” Kate says, running up the stairs in front of me.

  I follow Kate up the stairs and walk straight into Lucy’s room to find her sitting on the floor in front of the drawers waiting for me. I walk over to the wardrobe and pull out two different snowsuits, a white one and a pink one.

  “Which one, Kate?” I ask as I hold one in each hand.

  “Pink,” she says, pointing to the pink one.

  “Okay, let’s go,” I say as I follow her down the stairs. At the bottom of the stairs, Mark stands wearing his black coat and holding Lucy in his arms.

  “Hey, princess,” I say, passing the snowsuit to Mark. I don’t have any worries when he’s holding her. He knows what to do, and Lucy looks up to him. It’s so amazing to watch. I hope Warren is the same way with Jenny’s little one when he makes his arrival.

  “Right, are we all ready?” Connor asks as he stands in the doorway, holding the car keys.

  “Yes!” Kate yells, jumping up and down.

  “Let’s go then, okay,” he says as he bends down, scooping up his daughter in his arms and pulling her close.

  I let everyone leave the house in front of me and watch them climb into the car before I lock up. I pull out my phone and see a message from Jenny.

  We are waiting for you at the surprise. I can’t wait to see Kate’s face. XX

  We will be there in 10. Kate is so excited now, and I just can’t wait. She has forced us all out of the house. XX

  Aw, that’s totally sweet. I have my camera with me. It’s the first time I have gotten to use it. XX

  No, and I mean, NO, pictures of me. Lol XX

  Of course, loads of pictures of you. XX

  Jenny knows how much I hate having my picture taken. When I was younger, I went through a stage where I liked to smile, but as I matured; my teeth didn’t grow straight and everyone laughed at pictures of me. Now, I avoid all cameras and the embarrassment.

  Chapter Six

  As we pull up into the car park of one of the local parks, I look over my shoulder into the back of the car to see Kate looking through the windows to find out the surprise.

  “Are we there?” she questions.

  “Yes,” Connor replies.

  Kate looks at him, all confused and lost.

  “Let’s go,” Mark says as he jumps out of the car. He walks to the boot and pulls out Lucy’s pram before walking around to Connor and taking Lucy from him. Kate runs around, taking tight hold of my hand.

  “Are we really there?” she questions again.

  “Yes, we need to find Jenny and Warren. Then, we can go to the surprise.”

  “Oh.”

  “Come on. It’s worth it,” I say, smiling at her. “They are over by the swings in the park. Why don’t you and Daddy go ahead and find them?”

  “Come on, Daddy. We need to find them,” Kate responds as she runs over to Connor, grabbing his hand and pulling him over towards the fenced off park.

  I stand back and watch them run ahead of us. I turn around to see Mark pushing Lucy in her pram towards me.

  “Thank you, baby,” I say as I stand on my tippy toes and place my lips on his.

  “Anything for my angel. Did I ever tell you that I fucking love you?” he asks, lightly running his fingers through my hair.

  “Oh, I don’t know if you have,” I say, laughing.

  “You’re such a tease, Miss Madden.”

  “Oh, don’t you know it, Mr. Reed. Let’s go and join everyone.”

  I walk alongside Mark with my arm hooked through his while he pushes Lucy. I feel so safe in his arms. I didn’t know I would feel like this, ever. The air has a little chill behind it, but not unbearably cold. It’s cold enough for snow. I wish it would; I want Lucy to see it. Within the garden of the house, there is plenty of room for us to build multiple snowmen and snow families and so much more. I’m so happy.

  “We found them,” Kate calls over to us, waving.

  I wave back, walking over to them.

  “Hey, hun, you got here,” Jenny says, pulling me away from Mark and giving me a massive hug.

  “Hi, Warren,” I say. I can see why Jenny likes him. He looks like a sex god. I have heard all about his tattoos. Now, who doesn’t like a man with a great set of abs and tattoos? All I need to know is if he rides a motorbike. Then, I’ll know she has gotten herself a perfect sex god and bad boy in one package.

  “Let’s go,” Connor says, leading ahead. Kate is holding his hand and looking up at him every so often.

  We walk past the rides in the park and the trees shading the big field. I feel something hit my nose. Rubbing it, I look up to see large snowflakes falling from the sky.

  “YEAH! A white Christmas Eve,” Jenny says, spinning around in the falling snow.

  We all laugh and continue walking past the football goals. I have never seen snow fall so fast. It’s gorgeous. Kate is skipping along, singing Christmas songs as loudly as she can, and Jenny has her hand in Warren’s. Mark stops me from walking.

  “Hey, pop this on,” he says, passing me my grey woolen hat with matching scarf and gloves.

  “Thank you,” I say as I watch him put on his black hat to cover his ears. He wants to go au naturel for Christmas, the one time he feels that he doesn’t have to be clean-shaven. I’m not fully sure t
hat I like the facial hair, but if he wants to go without shaving, then it’s fine with me. I want him to be happy.

  “ARGH!” I hear Kate scream.

  I turn around to see her lying on the grass, crying. I rush over to see what has happened, leaving Lucy with Mark.

  “What happened?” I ask Connor.

  “I have no idea. She fell over,” he answers as he stands her up.

  Kate’s arms wrap around Connor’s as he pulls her tight. “Shh, you will be okay.”

  I kick the ground to uncover a large rock under the freshly fallen snow. I shake my head. That’s what she fell over.

  “My knee,” she says, turning to face me.

  “Let’s have a look,” I say as I roll up her leggings and find her knee grazed.

  Connor reaches into his pocket and pulls out a tissue. Getting back down onto his knees, he cleans her scrape, comforting her as he does it. He then pulls out a pink plaster from his other pocket. I wonder what else he is going to pull from his magic pockets.

  “Come on, Kate. I need to go and see the surprise,” I say, trying to distract her.

  “Come on, Daddy,” she says as she gives him a kiss on his cheek before grabbing his hand.

  I stand up and shake the loose snow from my knees. As we take a few more steps, we are all able to see the surprise.

  Chapter Seven

  “Megan, is that what I think it is?” Jenny asks.

  “Yes, it is,” I reply.

  “I’m guessing this is down to you, Mark,” Warren says.

  “Yes, I wanted her to have a magical Christmas. What is more magical than meeting a reindeer?” he questions.

  “Hats off to you, mate. I never thought it would be that,” Warren replies.

  I turn and look at Warren. Really, did he just say that? I watch Kate jump up and down as Jenny takes out her camera to capture the moment in pictures. Kate is full of questions for the reindeer’s handler Andre. I know all the details from when Mark and I went to meet him the other day to finalize the plans. Andre has been a wild animal handler for over twenty years. He is originally from Australia, but he decided to travel the world. He has his own farm with different animals located a little over twenty miles from us. The reindeer is named Rider. I stand there listening to Andre tell Kate all about him.