The Christmas Vigil

by Chris Taylor

  “Oh, Christ, Chloe. You’re right. How could I have been so stupid? How could I have been so blind? My cop instincts kicked in and I refused to consider any other possibility. He’s my father! How could I forget his loyalty? How could I forget his love? I’m a complete and utter jerk. And Tom. Shit, the things I said to Tom.” He shook his head, burning with shame.

  “It’s okay, Declan. It’s okay. I’m sure Tom understands. You’ve all had a tremendous shock. Apart from discovering your father might or might not have been unfaithful, he’s lying in a coma and no one knows whether he’ll come out of it. I think everyone will forgive you for being a little…irrational. They love you, after all. Almost as much as I do.”

  His heart filled with tenderness and he swallowed the lump in his throat. “Thank you, sweetheart. I really needed to hear that. I love you so much it hurts.”

  “I know what you mean,” Chloe whispered.

  Declan sat up and drew in a deep breath and then blew the air out on a sigh. “I owe Tom an apology.”

  “Yes, darling, you do.”

  “I need to see Dad. I owe him an apology, too.”

  “I’m sure he’ll understand.”

  “Christ, Chloe, what would I do without you?”

  “I’m not going anywhere and neither are the kids.”

  Declan frowned. “Kids? Who are you talking about?”

  “Our children. Jessie and…the twins.”

  “Twins?” He heard the laughter in her voice and convinced himself she was joking.

  “Yes, darling. The twins. I’m pregnant.”

  “Pregnant? With twins? Are you sure?”

  “As of this morning, I am. I had an ultrasound a couple of hours ago. The doctor happily confirmed it.”

  Shock surged through him, followed quickly by elation. “Twins?”

  Chloe’s laughter gurgled over the phone. “Yes, darling, we’re expecting twins. They’re due in a little over six months.”

  Declan shook his head, still overwhelmed by the news. “You’re three months along? How come we didn’t know?”

  “I don’t know. I guess we’ve both been busy with work and Jessie and everything else that takes up our time. It wasn’t like we were trying. I guess it just happened and I wasn’t paying that much attention. You are happy about it, aren’t you?”

  He heard the sudden uncertainty in her voice and hastened to reassure her. “Of course I am! I’m over the moon! I can’t wait to tell the others. Are you okay? Have you been sick?”

  “A little,” Chloe admitted, “but not sick in the way of vomiting. More like dizzy and light headed. It was the reason I went to the doctor.”

  Declan frowned. “You should have told me about it.”

  “You’ve had a lot going on lately. Besides, I didn’t think it was too serious. It came and went very quickly and only happened every now and then.”

  “I wish I could have been there with you at the ultrasound. It’s too bad you had to go alone.”

  “I was sad you couldn’t be there, but Savannah came along to keep me company,” she said, referring to her good friend. “She and Will are down from Sydney for a few days.”

  “Hey, that’s great. What are they doing in Canberra?”

  “Oh, I think Will has some kind of work thing on. He didn’t really say. They were booked into a hotel in Civic, but I told them to come and stay here. We have plenty of room for all of them, even little Cole. He’s the splitting image of Savannah and as mischievous as a litter of puppies. He and Jessie are getting on like a house on fire.”

  Declan laughed. “He must have his father’s charm. I can’t imagine Jessie sharing her toys with anyone.”

  “That’s what I thought, too. We’re going to have to watch the two of them over the next decade or so.”

  A chuckle escaped his lips. “That’s if we have the time. With a couple more on the way and Jessie not even two…”

  “Yes, we’re going to be busy for a while. There’s no doubt about it. Lucky I know firsthand how good you are at changing diapers.”

  He shook his head. “Twins. I still can’t believe it.”

  “You’d better get used to it, Daddy. They’ll be here before you know it.”

  * * *

  Declan spied the hospital straight up ahead of him and breathed a sigh of relief. It was a fair walk back from the river and he was pleased to see it end. He hadn’t noticed the distance when he’d stormed away from Tom earlier, his mind fixed on other things, but now, he picked up his speed. As he crossed the car park and headed toward the entrance, he thought longingly of the hospital’s air-conditioned interior.

  Tom’s rental car was still parked where he’d left it and Declan breathed another sigh of relief. At least he wouldn’t be walking home. It was now a little after two, but it was possible Tom was still inside. He might have even caught up with Josie, who’d leaped out of the car in disgust within moments of them coming to a stop.

  Not that he could blame her. He’d been a downright idiot. It was time to find his brother and apologize.

  Christmas decorations lined the walkway that led into the hospital, reminding him that the season to be merry was right around the corner. A pang went through him at the thought his father might still be in hospital over Christmas. His father loved to celebrate the season like no one else he knew. He could still remember, that as kids, they’d go with their dad and find the biggest Christmas tree around. They’d cart it home in a trailer and then spend the rest of the day decorating it, their dad in charge.

  Christmas had always been a time for celebration, a time for families, a time for peace and goodwill on earth. Outsiders might think it was sappy, but it was the way it had always been. Declan only hoped this year would be no different.

  His stomach grumbled and he remembered he hadn’t had anything to eat since breakfast, not even a coffee. A café, half filled with diners enjoying a late lunch, was immediately off to his right. He walked over to the counter and surveyed a handful of freshly made sandwiches and wraps inside a glass display cabinet.

  “I’ll have a chicken, lettuce and mayo roll, please and a large cappuccino to go,” he told the woman who asked for his order.

  “Hey, Declan! Over here!”

  Declan turned and spied Tom, Clayton and Josie at one of the round tables. Clayton waved to get his attention. Tom simply looked away.

  “I’ll be there in a minute.” He handed over some money to the woman who’d taken his order and collected his lunch at the end of the counter. A moment later, he joined his siblings.

  “Take a seat, mate,” Clayton offered, pointing to an empty chair. “Brandon was here a little while ago, but he’s gone out to get some fresh air.”

  Declan nodded his thanks and set his lunch and coffee on the table. He took the empty seat next to Tom. His brother studiously ignored him. Declan cleared his throat. His apology was way overdue.

  “I’m sorry for the way I argued with you, Tom. It wasn’t right. No matter what anyone else thinks, Dad deserves our loyalty and support. Most especially, mine.”

  Tom started in surprise and turned to face him. Josie merely shook her head, her eyes wide with disbelief.

  “What the hell happened to you while you were outside? Did you have an epiphany, or something?” Josie demanded, frowning.

  “No, even better, I had a call from my wife. Let’s just say, she made me look at the whole thing a little differently.”

  Tom shook his head. “Well, whatever she said to you sure changed your attitude. Thank her for me next time you talk to her.”

  Declan smiled and went to tell them his news. At the last minute, he closed his mouth. He’d wait until he’d told his father. He deserved to be the first one to know. Impatient now to see him, he took a huge bite out of his roll.

  “You look like you’re in a hurry, mate,” Clayton teased. “Easy does it, or you’ll be the next one in the hospital. They’ll be fishing out lumps of chicken that you’ve darn well gone and chok
ed on.”

  “I just want to see Dad. How is he, anyway?” He directed the question to all of them and was met with a variety of shrugs and murmurs.

  “He’s about the same, as far as we can tell,” Tom finally offered. The nurse said he still has some swelling on the brain and he probably won’t regain consciousness until it recedes.”

  “If he regains consciousness,” Josie added, her expression grim.

  “Of course he will,” Declan said. “He’s Dad. He won’t let a little thing like this get him down. Not for long, anyway. Besides, it’s Christmas in a few days. We all know how much Dad loves Christmas. Did you notice the lights all over the front porch? He’s seventy years old and he’s still climbing ladders to hang Christmas lights! There’s no way he’s going to miss it.”

  He looked around at his siblings and noted their half-hearted nods of agreement. Dread shivered along his spine and his body went still. “What? What is it? What aren’t you telling me?” He looked from one to the other and then swore out loud. “What the hell is going on?”

  Tom sighed and clasped his arm. “It’s all right, Dec. It’s nothing. It’s just that…” And he proceeded to warn him about his father’s frail appearance.

  “He’s unwell, Dec,” Clayton said quietly. “Prepare yourself. He’s really unwell.”

  Impatience and a wave of urgency surged through him. He had to see his father for himself; make his own judgement about the precariousness of his dad’s hold on life. Finishing his coffee in two quick gulps, he pushed his chair away from the table. “Where is he?”

  “He’s in the ICU. It’s on level three,” Tom replied.

  Declan compressed his lips and nodded and strode toward the elevators.

  * * *

  The caustic smell of disinfectant and cleaning fluid burned Declan’s nostrils as he made his way down the corridor to the ICU. Nerves jangled in his belly. After what Clayton had said and the expressions on the faces of Josie and Tom, he was bracing himself for the worst. With a deep breath, he pressed the button to request admission and waited for it to be answered.

  A young nurse with a bouncy, blond ponytail and a friendly smile opened the door within moments.

  “Oh, hi, I’d like to see Duncan Munro. I’m—”

  “His son. I can see how much you resemble your siblings. You all look quite alike. There’s been a fair parade of you through here today. It’s lovely that your father has so many people who care about him.”

  “Thank you. Do you think he’s up to seeing me?”

  “He’s resting peacefully at the moment. If you don’t stay too long, I’m sure it will be fine. My name’s Bridie, by the way.” She smiled again and then turned away, throwing over her shoulder, “Follow me and I’ll take you to him.”

  Declan fell into step beside her and kept his gaze averted from the handful of other patients lying in beds along the wall. A moment later, she halted. In the bed lay his father. Declan drew in a sharp breath at the helpless fragility of the man before him.

  The tubes and bandages were as his siblings had warned him. A tube protruded from his nose and another one from his arm. Yet another one drained urine to a bag which hung from the side of the bed. The respirator pumped and murmured, along with the flashing green LED lights of the monitors. The ward was otherwise quiet, apart from the whisper of machines attached to the other patients and the soft rubber-soled progress of the staff around the room.

  Declan released the breath he wasn’t aware he’d been holding and pulled up the chair near the bed. He was glad he’d been warned. It was a shock to see his father like this.

  He looked like he was dying.

  Immediately forcing the thought away, Declan took his father’s hand and held it fast.

  “Hello, Dad, it’s Declan. How are you doing? You’re going to be fine, Dad. Everyone says so. Besides, it’s nearly Christmas. We all know how much you love Christmas. You have to get better, Dad and get out of here. Who’s going to carve the turkey if you’re not home? And what about the home brew we bottled together last time I was home? You told me you were saving it for Christmas. I’m not going to have one without you.”

  Declan paused and waited for a response, but there was nothing. Trying hard to remain positive, he spoke again. “I have some news, Dad. Chloe’s having twins. Can you believe it? I’m still getting used to the idea. I wanted you to be the first to know.”

  He smiled. “I bet you still remember when Mom told you about Clayton and Riley. I bet you even remember where you were. I know I will. I’ll remember the moment forever. I can’t wait to tell the others. I’ll be bugging Riley to death, asking him a million questions, seeing as he’s already been there.”

  He shook his head and his smile widened on a chuckle. “Twins, Dad! Can you believe it?”

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  Chanel

  Grafton, New South Wales

  Chanel watched the passing scenery for a moment or two and then returned her gaze to the road. It had been years since she’d lived in Grafton, but she still knew her way around. There might have been a new building or two and the occasional new apartment block built since she’d left home to attend university in Brisbane, but there were still plenty of familiar landmarks around to guide her to where she was going.

  “Take the next left, sweetheart. The hospital’s right on the corner.”

  “Yes, Mom. I haven’t been gone that long,” she teased and flashed her mother a grin.

  A tiny smile tugged at her mother’s lips, but it was gone as quickly as it appeared. Chanel bit her lip in concern. Her mother had barely spoken a word to her all day. Apart from telling the others she’d wait until later to visit their father, she’d done nothing but murmur the occasional comment to Chanel’s almost endless chatter. It was what she did when she was nervous or upset and ever since the phone call the day before, she’d been feeling a whole lot of both.

  She pulled her car into a car park located directly across from the hospital and switched off the ignition. Gathering her courage, she turned to face her mother.

  “What is it, Mom? What aren’t you telling me? I get that you’re worried about Daddy, we all are. But, there’s something else. I’ve seen you worried before and this isn’t it. It’s almost like you’re sad and mad at the same time. It’s not like it’s Daddy’s fault. I’m sure he didn’t plan on bursting a blood vessel.”

  Her mother sighed heavily and shook her head. “Of course he didn’t. It’s nothing like that. I don’t blame him for becoming ill.”

  “Then what, Mom? What is it?”

  Her mother turned to stare out the passenger side window. She was silent for so long, Chanel didn’t think she was going to answer her.

  “The police think your father’s been having an affair.”

  Chanel’s shocked gasp was loud in the sudden stillness. “What? You can’t possibly be serious?”

  Her mother turned back to face her with eyes that were filled with tears. “Yes, sweetheart, I’m afraid I am.” She choked on a sob and covered her face. “I don’t believe it, of course, but some of your brothers are struggling with it. I just wanted you to know.”

  Chanel stared at her, helpless and confused. “Mom, please, I don’t understand. How could Daddy be having an affair? You mentioned he was found in a hotel room. You didn’t say anything about an affair. Besides, I’m with you. It couldn’t possibly be true. We’re talking about Daddy. I don’t believe it. I won’t believe it. The boys can go to hell,” she said a little more forcefully.

  Her mother frowned through her tears. “Don’t talk like that, Chanel. They’re entitled to their opinion. They’re just trying to deal with the shock of it. We all are. Don’t judge them too harshly. I’m sure once they’ve had time to think it through, they’ll realize it couldn’t be true. Besides, I haven’t told you everything.”

  In halting sentences, she told her about what the police had found in the hotel room. Chanel shook her head with increasing vehemence, shock
and disbelief warring with her instinctive need to defend the man she loved above all others.

  “Daddy would never do anything like that, Mom. I don’t care what the police said. You know it as well as I do. There’s another explanation. I know there is. As soon as Daddy wakes, he’s going to set them straight. You wait and see.”

  She finished with a fierce frown, not at all sure she wasn’t trying to convince herself as much as her mother. No, it couldn’t be true. It might have looked that way, but there was no way her father would commit adultery. The mere suggestion of it was beyond absurd.

  “Perhaps he was going to surprise you? Perhaps all those things were for you? Has anyone considered that? It’s nearly Christmas, after all and everyone knows how much Daddy loves to celebrate. Perhaps he was getting into the spirit of things a little early?”

  Her mother stared at her and then her mouth tugged up on a smile. Hope lit up her features. “You’re right, sweetheart. You’re absolutely right. That’s what it was. Dad was waiting for me. Only, he didn’t get to call me before the aneurysm ruptured. Thank you, darling—it makes so much sense. I wish I’d thought of it myself.”

  “Anytime, Mom. I’m more than happy to help. Let’s go inside,” she added, her voice soft and full of love. “I really want to see him.”

  * * *

  Chanel gathered her long hair in her hand and secured it with a hairband. The ponytail hung casually over one shoulder. It was more a style of necessity rather than grace, but it did the trick and kept her hair out of the way. When it was left loose, it had a tendency to fall across her face and she constantly had to brush it away. She didn’t want the distraction while she sat with her father.

  The elevator stopped at level three and the doors slid open. She hoisted her handbag over her shoulder and followed her mother out into the corridor. They stopped outside the ICU and Chanel’s heart picked up speed. She wanted to see her dad, but she didn’t know what to expect. She was terrified she’d look at him and see a stranger.