The Ultimate Gentleman (Part 2)

Sixty Three

"Well that was an incredible day... darling you excelled yourself once again." Johnny said climbing into the bed in the early hours of Boxing Day. "I had a lot of help." Holly said with a smile as he immediately lifted an arm for her to cosy in to. "Nonsense, you're an incredible host, always have been, always will be, plus you made little man's first Christmas so wonderful." Holly smiled before looking up at her husband. He gently kissed her forehead before moving some of her hair revealing the bruising around her eye that was now coming out. For most of the day his wife had managed to hide it with a lot of make up but now bare faced she still looked beautiful despite the marks. "Is it sore?" He asked softly looking tenderly in her eyes. "It's ok.. I'll take some pain relief tomorrow if I need to." He nodded before leaning over to reach for the lamp on the bedside table that was cluttered with guitar picks, books, pens, and photos of his family. As he switched the light out, they heard the muffled cries of their 8 month old baby. Holly sighed, the past week catching up with her, and Johnny jumped up, grabbing some lounge pants he slipped them on and headed out the bedroom, he can't have been gone too long, but a short while later, he entered the master bedroom to see his wife lying with her hand on his pillow and tears running down her cheeks. "Darling?" He asked tenderly as he sat on his side of the bed. Their baby boy happily in his lap now he was receiving attention. "He wouldn't go back down, I think it must have been a bad dream or out of sorts after zero naps today." He smirked. Holly smiled through her tears. "I'm sorry, it's all caught up with me. The whole ordeal, it's just too much." She said as she sat up and wiped her tears away. "Darling you're so strong, you never need to hide your anguish from me." Johnny said as he manoeuvred into the bed, and laid their little boy down between them. Teddy was none the wiser of what had happened in his own home only days prior and the parents were thankful for that. Johnny reached across and took her hand in his own. "Let's get some rest, he can have one night in with Mumma and Pops can't he." "Johnny you spoil them all." She said with a fond smile. "They are my life, and so are you. I dare think what could have happened that's why I'm focusing on the future, us, him, the girls, the big pickles. It's our future to write. Let's not let him win." Johnny said as they both laid their heads on their pillows.

A good while later, Teddy was sound asleep between them and even had a little snore breaking his parents whispers. Their delicate fingers tracing his every feature. "He's so perfect. In every way." Holly said with a smile. "Well I'm sure he takes after you. They all do, those girls will be heartbreakers when they are older" "Nonsense, J I fell for you the minute I laid eyes on you." "You did?" He questioned shocked as always. "Yes.. of course, you healed me, you made me the woman I am today, before I met you, I was some broken shell." "You were always a stunning rose. Beautiful both inside and out. Still very much are." Johnny whispered to his wife before leaning over and kissing her lips gently. "You mentioned the future.. you're not dwelling again are you?" Holly said as they pulled back. "No.. I don't know, I just know I'm not getting any younger. I wanna do what I enjoy you know? Music? Art, directing?" "Then do it sweetheart. You've worked hard enough to make your mark. Do what makes you happy." "Besides. With the elder pickles going about their lives now it's probably about time we enjoyed a bit of the good life. Maybe I should slow down. I'm sure before I know it, I'll be old and grey." "As long as you're sat on that porch in your rocking chair strumming your guitar, I don't care how grey you go." Holly giggled before lovingly kissing him. "Merry Christmas my darling." "Merry Christmas Johnny."

This story will take a short break for now, just whilst I focus on the other developing ideas. I've had so much love for all my stories, a HUGE thank you to everyone who has commented. I promise updates are coming, but sadly this isn't my full time job so sometimes it does need to take a back seat. Wishing everyone a very merry festive season! 🎄