Amelia sat at the small wooden table in their kitchen enjoying the comforting smell of the turkey and ham that had been roasting in the oven since six that morning. She watched her husband Bennett with fascination as he searched for something.
“What are you searching for, dear?” she asked after finishing some toast. Bennett disappears upstairs to the bedroom and reappears a few minutes later. She hoped he wouldn’t go into her bedroom drawer where his card was in case he remembered.
Amelia remembered their Christmas Eve wedding at the local church like it was yesterday; it was a beautiful but cold day, and for the first time in years it had snowed, which made the occasion even more magical for them because it made them feel it had happened just for them. She wore a beautiful white lace wedding dress with her mum’s matching pearl necklace and earring set given to her as her something old; her older sister Lucy and lifelong best friend Beatrice were bridesmaids in pale pink.
Bennett looked proud as punch, standing with his friend Gareth as best man as he watched her walk up the aisle.
“It’s ok I’ve found it,” he said with a mysterious glint in his eye.
“He’s forgotten our anniversary again, Rita’ Amelia sadly said to her daughter. “I’m sure he didn’t do it intentionally, Mum,” unbeknownst to Amelia, Rita was grinning from ear to ear; she knew exactly what was going on ‘He went out about an hour ago acting a bit shifty,” she said dully. “Perhaps he hasn’t forgotten and is going to surprise you.” Rita was still grinning like a Cheshire cat, feeling glad her mum couldn’t see her because her face would’ve been a huge giveaway. “That’s as unlikely as your dad turning out to be father Christmas” Amelia said sarcastically “Anyway I better go it’s Christmas eve and I’ve still got things to do see ya tomorrow dear” “I’ll be there late tomorrow morning see ya tomorrow mum.”
Amelia cheered herself up, proud that she was mostly ready for Christmas, her favorite time of year, and looking forward to seeing her daughter, husband, son, and his partner the next day. She was about to head out when a text message arrived on her phone as she was locking up.
“Meet me in the park at 12 midday,” it was from Bennett. The park was where they first met. It was freezing cold. She was on her way home from work as a hairdresser, and he was walking his dog, a Doberman Pinscher called Rocky. A lovely dog full of character, but sadly passed away since.
She was intrigued but still wasn’t building her hopes up. Could it be true? Had he remembered after all?
After some last-minute shopping, she made her way to the park across the street from their three-bedroom Victorian terrace. She had spent many hours sitting on a bench with a takeaway coffee watching the world go by.
It wasn’t busy. She looked round, and there he was sitting on a bench under a tree; she noticed he had her mum’s old wicker picnic basket. When he saw her, he got up holding a bunch of beautiful flowers.
“You didn’t think I would forget again, did you?” Bennett embraced and kissed her on both cheeks. They were silent as he poured two glasses of champagne. He had made their favorite sandwiches: ham and cheese for him and egg mayonnaise for her. They shared some delicious strawberries and a tube of salt and vinegar crisps, some of their favorite things.
“This is so sweet Bennett” she said after a bite of her sandwich. “I’m sorry I made you think I had forgotten again.”
Amelia didn’t need to say anything; she knew he meant it. She just smiled as they peacefully ate.
“I love you very much, Amelia, have done since the day I first set my eyes on you, I know I don’t always show it but I do.” Amelia had caught his attention a while before they first spoke to each other. He thought she was the most beautiful woman in the world but was too shy and nervous to even talk to her. It was actually thanks to Rocky who got them talking. Rocky had managed to escape chasing after another dog due to Bennett not holding his lead tight enough. Bennett had found him in the park making friends, to his surprise, with Amelia, the woman he had wanted to talk to for ages. Seeing that he was lost, Amelia was making a fuss over him and had given him a doggy treat that, despite not having a dog herself, she always carried with her for such occasions.
“Same,” she smiled graciously at him.
“This isn’t the only thing I have planned for today.”
“My, my, you are full of surprises,” she giggled.
“Would you like to know where we are going?”
“Yes.”
“I’m taking you to Parkside Plate.”
“Sounds great.”
Parkside Plate was where they went on their first date and had since been regular customers.
The staff was friendly, and the food was excellent.
When they arrived at the restaurant, they were warmly greeted by the manager, Martin. It had been tastefully decorated for Christmas without being over the top with lots of garland and iced lights; each table had a beautiful little arrangement. A stunning tree stood in the corner of the room where someone was playing music on the large black piano.
“Mr. and Mrs. Greene, welcome. Your table is ready.”
When Bennett had booked, he requested a table by one of the arched windows looking out onto the pretty cobbled street and the dazzling lights.
“I understand congratulations are in order; happy anniversary.”
“Thank you very much.”
“Isabelle will be over with a bottle of champagne to take your order, and as our special guests tonight, it will be on us.”
As well as looking at the menu, Amelia took a peek at the plates that the waiting staff were taking to other tables, trying to decide what to have to eat; it all looked so delicious she almost couldn’t decide. Bennett would no doubt have steak, being a traditional meat-and-vegetable-loving man, and Amelia had decided to have pasta for a change from what was going to be days of leftover Christmas dinner.
A familiar song starts playing on the piano, their wedding song secretly organized by Bennett, who got up.
“I believe they are playing our song, he said, holding out his hand, and they started dancing as though they were the only ones in the room with eyes only for each other.
It had been a while since they last danced. It was amazing; Amelia wished they did more.
After their lovely meal and a few more glasses of wine than they intended, a bitter wind was cutting through them as they walked home via the park. The feeling of excitement for what tomorrow would bring filled them as Amelia had her arm linked in Bennett’s.
“There is one more surprise,” Bennett announced proudly as he showed her his wedding ring finger, and there on the side she saw it.
“I’ve had our wedding date tattooed where I’ll always see it, no more forgetting.”
“I love you, you daft bugger.” Amelia had to fight back tears of happiness as she hugged him.
“Your final gift is at home, on the bed, for your eyes only,” he cheekily winked at her.
“Bennett really?” Amelia’s cheeks went red with embarrassment, nothing to do with the chill in the air.
Christmas Day had arrived; it was freezing cold, and it had snowed just like on their wedding day. A pale, colorless sky was threatening more. Inside Amelia had lit candles creating a gorgeous smell of cinnamon and orange, ginger bread cookies had just come out of the oven. It really did feel like Christmas. Rita and her husband Tom had arrived a little later than expected due to the snow, closely followed by Rita’s older brother Ryan and his wife Lisa. Rita had made a delicious Baileys cheesecake to go alongside Amelia’s Christmas pudding, which was both Bennett and Tom’s favorite.
Feeling stuffed after a lovely meal, they all settled in the sitting room in front of the brightly lit Christmas tree, drinking eggnog. With the fire lit and Christmas music playing from the stereo, they exchanged presents.
Amelia had got Bennett a season ticket to watch his favorite rugby team and a Christmas jumper. Bennett had got her tickets to “We Will Rock You.” She had been a massive Queen fan since she was young and had wanted to see the stage show since it started, but with work, she had not had a chance to go.
“This is for both of you.” Rita handed Amelia a pretty gift box.
Amelia was sitting next to Bennett, leaning against the sofa, and opened the box, which contained what first looked like a piece of paper till she picked it up for a closer look and realized it was an ultrasound picture.
“Oh my, is this true? Are you having a baby?” Amelia was filling up inside with joy as she took in the news.
“Yeah, you’re going to be grandparents,” Tom confirmed with a huge warm smile. Amelia had noticed she had not been drinking wine as she normally would have, but decided not to say anything. Both she and Bennett were thrilled and excited about becoming grandparents.
“This is the best Christmas ever,” Bennett said as they all clinked glasses together.
This was written by our contributing writer, Emma Radford.
Image Source: Magnific
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