I had barely seen Cass since that weekend we’d shared with all our friends as our lives had been so busy since then. Greeting her with a long kiss and cuddle, I was aware the others left us alone to have a moment of privacy. She couldn’t stop smiling as she leaned back, caressing her cheek with my thumb, her blue eyes just drinking in my face.
“Now this is the Christmas present I wanted,” she whispered, head resting against my shoulder.
“I’m glad you’re here, Cass.”
“So am I, Mark. Thank you too, Cindy.”
Cindy hugged her good friend, assuring her she was family as much as Alexa and all our other friends. Jane, Greg, Emily and Nicole arrived just as we’d wrapped up opening presents. Jane had presents for my daughter; Cindy and I had presents for my nieces, pleased to see Megan and Caroline had also bought a couple for them too.
Greg didn’t particularly want presents, preferring either cash gifts or giftcards he could put to use, particularly as he was now driving. Megan and I had discussed buying a car, but even a second hand car in good trim was pricey. We agreed to wait until his eighteenth birthday to give us both time to save a little more money so we could get a good car for him. We’d insinuated that was our plan so he wasn’t disappointed there wasn’t a car in the driveway waiting for him.
Once the gift giving was over, we prepared to head over to my parent’s place. It was when we were getting ready that I realised my sister was looking rather upset about things. Cindy picked up on it too, as did Megan. When she noticed me approaching, Jane could barely meet my eyes, but the lower lip tremble was something I was now used to seeing.
Hugging her without a word, she felt like a dam ready to burst open. “What’s wrong?” I had to ask.
“I’ll tell you when we get to their place. I can’t tell you right now.”
Cindy and I had to pick up her parents first. As we drove there, she was wondering what the problem was with my sister, though we shared a glance and sighed. “I saw the same look in a mirror when my marriage was failing,” I muttered, “But they’ve looked so happy whenever I’ve seen them recently.”
“Talk to her. She needs her big brother.”
“I just hope it’s not as bad as what I went through. But if he’s done anything…” I gripped the steering wheel harder, Cindy taking one of my hands, giving it a squeeze. “Thanks. Shouldn’t be getting angry on Christmas Day.”
Laura and Stephanie were delighted to see us, as always. Laura greeted me with a big wet kiss on each cheek before hugging me ever so tightly. It was a reminder of how my own mother greeted me every time I’d visit my parents. Squeezing her in return, she burst into laughter, muttering with humour about how strong I was, and how she missed a nice strong man around the house. I instantly offered to help her around the house if she ever needed work done, something I should have probably done long ago. I think I won brownie points with Cindy, her mother and sister in an instant with the offer.
Stephanie left a soft kiss on my lips before hugging me, her head resting against my chest. Caressing her hair, I noticed her mother watching on approvingly, an arm wrapped around Cindy. “She hasn’t said too much, Mark, but I’m aware the three of you are talking about things. I just want you to know that I approve already. I know it’s a big decision, particularly with your wedding on the horizon.”
“Thanks, Laura.”
Helping carry a couple of bags of presents out to the car, Laura took the passenger seat as Cindy sat in the back with her sister. As we were driving through the suburbs to my parents’ place, I glanced back to see Stephanie snuggling into her sister. Winking at Cindy, she returned a smile. I knew how much she missed her family at times, and we’d been far better at inviting both of them to our apartment when they had the time to visit.
Arriving to find my mother and Megan’s mother already busy at work, Laura leapt straight into helping out, the three latter middle-aged women soon cackling away as they no doubt talked about all the goings on in the family. My father and Megan’s father had always got on rather well, stood by the barbecue, sipping at beers as they prepared the meat. My brother and brother-in-law were sharing a beer, but I noticed that my sister was keeping her distance.
Cindy was made welcome by both families, introducing Alexa, Cass and Emma as very close friends and women we considered family. I’m fairly sure they figured out that they were close to both Cindy and myself but no-one said a word otherwise. My father was still smitten by Alexa, constantly asking if she needed a drink, a bit to eat. My mother noticed and thought it was equally hilarious and very sweet.
My sister was looking rather sad, enough that my sister-in-law and mother were asking what was going on. Jane looked at me helplessly. Taking her hand, I led her inside to the bathroom. Shutting the door, she practically collapsed against me in floods of tears. I’d always been the one she’d confessed things to first. Her first kiss. The first time she’d made love. The first told when she’d been proposed to. We’d always been close, and I’d leaned on her something fierce during my divorce.
Easily picking her up to sit on the basin so her eyes were level with mine, I wiped her cheeks dry. “He’s cheating on me,” she finally said, taking a deep breath to control her voice, “His best friend’s daughter! She’s twenty-one but he’s been doing it since she was eighteen!”
“Jesus,” I muttered, “How did you find out?”
She started to cry again. “His best friend called me last week, told me he found them in bed together. I told Will that we will have Christmas Day together, but tomorrow, he’s moving out and can move in with his parents.”
“You know I really want to go out there and hit him right now.”
“Part of me would like that as I know you’d beat the shit out of him.” She giggled to herself, no doubt imagining her big brother taking care of business. Hugging me tightly, she wrapped her limbs around me, taking a few more deep breaths. “I can’t believe it’s happened to both of us,” she whispered.
Hearing a knock at the door, I called it was open, Cindy walking in with Stephanie and our mothers. Seeing Jane upset, it didn’t take long for any of them to put two and two together. When we’d explained everything, our mother took charge. “You’re not going home tonight,” my mother insisted, “Emily and Nicole can stay here. You can too.”
“I’m going to stay with Mark,” Jane stated, much to my surprise, “I need cuddles with my big brother.”
“You’re welcome anytime, Jane,” Cindy insisted, “Stephanie and my mother were coming to our place tonight for a few hours too.”
Mum gave her daughter a long hug, which just made my sister cry again, asking for us not to tell our father until after Will had left. I wanted to hit him but would listen to my sister. I knew my father would blow his stack and smack the prick around the backyard. Cindy, Stephanie and my mother left the bathroom first so Jane could calm down. Hugging her again, she thanked me for always being there for her.
“You’re my little sister. Not only is it my role in life to look after you, but it helps that I genuinely like you too.”
She chuckled before kissing my cheek. “Can I admit something since I’m feeling emotionally vulnerable but you’re safely engaged?”
“Sure. Whatever’s on your mind.”
“I sometimes used to wish you weren’t my brother.”
I leaned back and smiled, amused to see her immediately blush and look away. “Well, I’m flattered you think so highly of me, Jane. And I love you too.”
“Thanks for not being awkward about that, but you, James and Dad have proven to be the only three men I can really trust, even though my relationship with James has always been fractious at best.”
“Comes with being so close in age, but James has always had your best interests at heart too.” I paused before asking, “Attracted to me, were you?”
“I had a mega crush on my handsome older brother. I knew it was wrong, but I couldn’t help it.” Meeting my eyes, she whispered, “I really love Cindy, Mark. She’s so sweet, and good for you. And I love hearing how open-minded you are nowadays.”
“I’m living a great life. But I will be there whenever you need, Jane. Trust me on that one.”
One last hug, and I took her by the hand, leading her outside. Will knew I knew. As soon as his eyes met mine, there was no missing he blanched slightly. Letting go of Jane’s hand, I walked over to where he was sitting next to my sister-in-law and a couple of my friends. Gripping his shoulder, I leaned down to his ear. “Finish your drink, make your excuses, then get the fuck out of here. Grab your shit and leave my sister’s home before lunchtime tomorrow. If I find you still there after midday, you’d better believe I will put you on the ground.”
Dad noticed. So did my brother and Megan’s father. Meeting my father’s eyes, he realised immediately what was going on and nodded in my direction, knowing his oldest son was taking care of business. Will was smart enough to make his excuses within ten minutes. To say his farewell was chilly wouldn’t be an understatement. I followed him outside to his car. He was scared shitless. I was taller, broader, knew how to fight if necessary, and he knew I was pissed off.
I watched him pull away and waited until he was out of sight. Hearing my father sigh, I turned around to see him with hands on his hips. “Damn it,” he muttered, “Is she okay?”
“She’s fine, Dad. Big brother to the rescue again. Just let me handle this going forward. You’ve already gone through all this shit with me.”