Living the High Life

Chapter 22

Christmas was horrible. Lilly's first Christmas and I hated it. Connors mum was constantly criticising what I was doing as a mother. 'You shouldn't do that.' 'You should do this.' 'Babies need to learn how to calm themselves.' She drove me round the bend. Connor stuck behind me when I confronted her about it all and she just turned her nose up at me. I had to leave at one point because she was being so horrible and rude. Anyway Christmas Day came and went. I had managed to get through Christmas Day without snapping at her. Which I thought was a miracle.

I put Lilly to bed at just gone half 6 on Christmas night she was so tired I knew she would sleep right through and if she didn't James would be up with her. He always was, even if me and Con could hear Lilly James would be first. Connor mum disapproved of this as well. Said something about the mother always getting up with the child. I tried my best not to argue with her.

"She goes home tomorrow babe." Connor said wrapping his arms around me in bed that night

"I don't understand what her problem is." I said

"I don't either babe. But she goes home tomorrow and that's it until we have another one." Con said

"If this is how Lilly's first Christmas was then I don't want any more." I said

Connor laughed at me

Next morning to save argument I got up with Lilly and James slept in.

Lilly timed her nap perfectly with Connors parent leaving. Alice tried hard to get me to go wake her up but I wasn't having any of it.

"I'm sorry Alice no. She's asleep and I will not wake her because you said so." I said

"Fine." She said and she stormed out to the car.

"Sorry about her Rhianne." Rob said

"Don't worry." I said

"Here this is for you. I've been meaning to give it to you since we arrived, but madam disapproves." Rob said handing me a bag

"There's not much she approves of." I said

"True. Don't let her get to you. Your doing a great job with Lilly." Rob said

"Thanks Rob." I said smiling

"Rob." Alice shouted from the car

"Lovely seeing you both." Rob said giving me and Connor a hug

"Thanks for coming dad." Con said

"No problem mate. I'll leave your mother at home next time." Rob said smiling me and Connor laughed.

"Tell James I said goodbye." Rob said smiling before heading to the car.

They drove off and I was glad to see the back of Alice. She really didn't like me.

We had my mother and brothers for new year. I was looking forward to it. It was going to be a welcome break from being told what I should and shouldn't be doing.

All the boys were round for new year as well which was nice and so were Jodie, Charlotte and Michael. They had been talk over the past couple of weeks of Charlotte and Michael moving in together but I think they both wanted to move to London. I wasn't sure, but nothing had beendecided yet.

"Hey mum." I said opening the door to my mum and brother on New Year's Eve

"Hello sweet heart." She said giving me a hug

"Hey E." I said as Edward walked in.

"Where's jay?" I asked

"With dad. He's taken Jay to Norfolk for the weekend." Mum said

"Didn't you want to go E?" I said

"No. I wanted to come here spend new year with you guys. Much more fun and it means I get to see my niece." Edward said

"Fair enough. She's in the living playing with James if you want to go in." I said smiling

"Thanks Rhi." Edward said

"Con." I shouted

"Yes babe?" He said appearing next to me

"Will you take mums bag up stairs please just put it in our room for now." I said

"Yeah course." Con said kissing me as he walked past.

Me and mum walked into the kitchen.

"How was Christmas?" She asked

"Hell." I said

"That bad?" Mum said said

"Yeah that bad. Connors mum really does have something against me." I said

"Oh dear babe." Mum said

"But that's it they're gone now." I said

"Yeah." Mum said

It was lovely to have my mum round it was so refreshing she didn't tell me how to do anything she just let me get on with it. Which is what I needed after the Christmas I had had.

New year 2023.

Back to how it was. The boys were getting ready to go on tour again. Lilly was learning how to crawl. Charlotte and Michael were moving in together but staying in Exeter for now. Jodie was enjoying single life for now and so were the other Vamps boys. Everything was running smoothly which was just how I liked it. The boys were off doing promo for the tour I was joining them but Jodie was a worker down at nursery so I had been asked if I could fill in for the week which meant the boys left without me and I was going to work with Jodie.

29th Jan 2023 boys were heading to Manchester for a Tv interview about the tour and the new album

"When you joining us Rhi?" James asked

"6th Feb in Dublin." I said

"Has Lilly's passport come through?" Con asked

"Yeah came through last week." I said smiling

"Okay good." Con said

"Con don't worry. We'll be fine. Charlotte is coming with me." I said

"Oh. Okay that makes me feel better." He said

"You worry to much." I said

"You don't worry enough." He said

"Bye con." I said giving him a kiss.

"Bye. Bye baby girl." He said giving Lilly a kiss she giggled.

We were at Exeter airport.

"See you in a week." I said

"Okay babe." He said kissing me

The boys left and me and Lilly headed for home.