Christmas Year 50

Beth looked around the Beach House kitchen and gave a shake of the head at the huge task in front of her. Placing the apron around her waist, she clapped her hands at her helpers. ‘Okay guys! Lets make sure today is the most awesome Christmas ever!’ she said turning to Mellie, Aaron, Faith and Tilly. Beth gave Aaron and Faith the task of one of the lambs, Mellie the roast vegetables and Tilly the dessert.

‘You guys alright out here?’ Beth said walking into lounge room where Neil and Chelsea sat with beers in hand and entertaining the children. Beth smiled when she saw Zelda sitting on the floor reading Max a book about airplanes as Addison and Dylan presented toy after toy to Jesse, who was sitting in on the floor in his play gym, for him to play with.

Turning around on her heel back to the kitchen, Beth stood stunned for a moment, taken back that Mia was standing there, Cockatoo behind her. ‘Hey…’ Mia said her eyes drifting off to the side, looking sheepish. The anger, Beth had for her daughter disappeared as the kitchen took an awkward silence. Beth pulled Mia in for a hug and whispered, ‘So glad you are here sweetheart,’ and handed her an apron. She gave Cockatoo an affectionate kiss on the cheek and sent him along to the living room where everyone else was entertaining the younger children.

The next few hours of cooking was filled with a lot of laughter and fun, consisting of Faith rolling around the kitchen on her roller blades, Mia flicking gravy at Aaron and Mellie and Tilly’s constant requests for help, which led to Chels coming in and giving a hand.

Finally, the house was filled with the aroma of roast lamb, roasted potatoes, sweet potatoes, pumpkin, carrots and Yorkshire pudding with thick gravy. Hustling everyone to the table, Beth’s heart swelled with pride ‘Thanks kids… and Chels.’ She said giving the kids a kiss on the cheek as they passed through and embracing Chels in a hug as they walked out to the table arm in arm.

‘Thanks everyone!’ Beth said as she took her spot at the table as Neil filled every one's glasses with wine or juice. She dragged Jesse’s high chair close to the spot between her chair and Neil’s. She smiled as Neil took a place beside her. ‘Merry Christmas Cowboy.’ she whispered giving him a kiss on the lips.

Lunch with Sylvia

Beth put down the menu and looked over at Jesse in the carrier, putting the pacifier back in his mouth. With a grin she shook her head, 'Can you believe how much he looks like your brother?' she said across the table at Sylvia who was battling Cabot in a high chair. She snicked as she nodded, securing Cabot into the seat.

Beth looked down at the menu again, when Neil suggested that she have lunch with her best friend and the two youngest babies, Beth thought nothing of it. She'd offered to bring Max too, but at the age of two he was going through such a destructive phase Neil was insistent on taking him along to the round of secret errands he had to do in the afternoon. 'I am really curious as to what Neil had to do this afternoon,' Beth said as she pondered over the chicken or the fish. Sylvia took a sip of her water and waved her hand as if to say 'Forget about it', choking slightly on the water. 'Oh my kobe are you okay?' Beth exclaimed as Sylvia nodded.

The girls both ordered their food and Beth looked over at her best friend and took a deep breath. 'Something really weird has been happening lately....' she began.