The Gift- Complete

27

Polly pov

Me and esme went upstairs to go and get all the gossip from Lydia on her first date. We got up the stairs and ran to her room but slowed when we heard sobs. Both confused, we leaned on Lydia's door to hear better and it was clear she was crying. We opened the door and saw Lydia sat against her bed with her knees to her chest crying

"Oh honey" I said knowing she couldn't hear me but its just reflex. We went over and sat next to her, hugging her and letting her cry before telling us what happened

"He didn't even show up" she cried, her head resting on my breast as I rubbed her back

'Then he's not worth it sweetheart. I promise, there are other guys out there. You're still young and I'm afraid bad dates are part of growing up. But you can cry all you want. There is a very easy way to fix it all' esme wrote

"What is it?" Lydia asked wiping her eyes and sitting up more

'Ice cream' esme wrote grinning making Lydia let a small smile show. Esme went downstairs and came back with a tub of ice cream and 3 spoons. Perfect.

"I'm gonna go wipe my make up off" Lydia said. She went into the bathroom and emerged 10 minutes later. Her cheeks tear stained. She got her pyjamas and began changing into some comfier clothing then jumped inbetween me and esme and had a spoonful of ice cream

"Men are morons" she grumbled

'Definetly. But they only hurt themselves in the long run. Look at it this way. If Liam wasn't a moron, then he could have ended up having the most wonderful girlfriend ever. Since he is a moron, you will experience a few days of pain and then forget it whilst he will always know how he let the best girl go' I wrote down making both esme and Lydia laugh

"Have you had bad dates?" She asked

'On my first date, I was 15 and I thought it was going so well. He was so sweet and handsome' esme wrote

"Then what was the problem?"

'Turns out i had been on a date with 2 people. Twins. They kept switching every time he went the bathroom or when I went the bathroom because they couldn't decide who would ask me out' we were all laughing at esmes story

"What about you aunt pol?"

'Well, I've been on 1 proper good date. When we really connected with one another. I was smitten at just 14'

"Did you marry him?" She asked

'No. Turns out he was gay. You'll soon find out that all the best ones are' I said chuckling and making the others laugh

"Are the good men really gay?" Lyd asked

'Not all the good men. But the ones who take you on good dates are. John is lovely but he isn't the type to go on nice dates. He tries don't get me wrong and I appreciate it. But gay men just seem to be amazing at making a night unforgettable' esme wrote. She spoke the truth. Always a dissapointment when you find out they are homosexual

"What's this a mother's meeting?" Arthur asked walking in. When his eyes spotted Lydia's red watery ones, he stopped joking and ran over to the bed

"What's wrong honey?" He signed

"I'm fine daddy" she said

"You're not fine. You can talk to me baby" Arthur signed

"I'm sorry. I went on a date with a boy who I met last night at the party bit he never turned up. That's why I was dressed so nicely with make up. I know I should've told you sooner but-" before Lydia could finish, Arthur pulled the now crying girl in for a hug. They let go and he kissed her forehead

'What's his name?' He wrote down

"No. Please don't hurt him daddy. I'm not telling you because you'll just kill him. And although he made me upset, he doesn't deserve to die" she wailed. Arthur's fists clentched in annoyance but he slowly let them go and calmed down

'What if we just scare the shit out of him?' He wrote

"No" Lydia said sternly. He huffed but agreed. He kissed her forehead, had a spoonful of ice cream and then left, no doubt to kill Liam

Mason pov

At 9 o'clock, i got home. Arthur told me what happened immediately so I ran upstairs to see Lydia fast asleep in her room peacefully. Thank god she wasn't crying. I hate to see her sad. I closed her door and went into my own room where the letter was waiting for me. I needed to open it. I had to. For Mama. I finally plucked up the courage and opened the letter

Dear my beloved son, Mason

I want you to know how sorry I am that I can't be here for the day you officially become a man. I remember when you were born. The moment I looked into your eyes, I knew I would love you til the end of time. So precious and innocent and I just had to protect you.

I'm sorry I could never protect you from your father's wrath. I tried but I failed. You were always so good. I'm grateful that you would take my baby girl into another room so she didn't see the fighting. And I will always remember when you, despite being only 7, started hitting your father so he would stop yelling at me. It was brave of you and I although I never want you to hurt yourself for me, I am proud

I know you will have become a handsome, kind and wonderful man. There's no doubt in my heart that you still protect that little girl with everything you have. Lydia is an emerald, she's special, different. Lydia doesn't understand the pain of the world, and I know you want to keep her away from it all. But don't make yourself suffer and hide away your grief. Because i will feel so sad in heaven if i know you are suffering

I hope you like the suit. I'm sure you look so handsome in it. I don't know if it fits but I simply went off the size of your 16 year old cousin. He was the same size you were at the age of 9 so I just hope you end up his size. I really want it to fit

Anyway, I just need you to know that I love you. And I love you sister. I'm not sure if your in an orphanage or if you got adopted, maybe you never went into an orphanage in the first place. But I just pray that you are safe, warm and happy. I love you so so so much my darling boy and i will miss until we meet again. But please make sure we don't meet for a very long time!

All the love in the world, your Mama

A few tears had fallen onto the page by the time I had finished. I folded the letter neatly and put it in my bedside table, safe and away from harm. Then I turned off the light, climbed in bed and let myself sleep knowing that tomorrow, I was going to kill whoever the fuck hurt my baby sister like that