Chapter 38
I smiled as Martha helped Lexi wrap her baby in the blanket that I’d started and she had finished. She ran a finger down the baby’s cheek and squeezed the new mum’s hand. As she moved out of the way so Jake could retake his position, the train engine suddenly fired up.
‘Looks like we’re off,’ the conductor said.
‘At last,’ Julia said. ‘The quicker I’m out of this train, the better.’
The conductor placed a hand on Jake’s arm. ‘I’ll ring ahead again to double check the ambulance is ready and waiting for you.’
‘Thank you,’ Jake said. ‘That’s appreciated.’
‘Just so you know, it won’t take long. We’ll be there in a few minutes.
’ The conductor hesitated and taking off his Santa hat, handed it to Jake.
‘A memento.’ He ran a hand through his hair to tidy it.
‘Something to give him when he’s older.’ Taking one last look at the newborn baby, the conductor let out a contented sigh.
‘This is definitely one for the record books.’ Pulling himself together, he headed off to the next carriage.
As a calmness settled around us, I watched Jake kiss first his child’s forehead, and then his wife’s.
I couldn’t just see the love he had for his little family, as it permeated the air; I could feel it.
He pushed Lexi’s damp fringe to one side, while she reached up and wiped away his tears of joy.
Quietly envious of the bond they shared, I wondered if anyone would ever hold that much love in their heart for me.
As if he had read my mind and taken pity, Alex’s hand wrapped around mine.
‘Thank you,’ Lexi said, cradling her baby. ‘To all of you.’
Julia bristled. ‘No, thank you .’ She scowled. ‘For putting me off having children for life.’
‘It’s a good blooming job,’ Brian said. ‘I don’t imagine you’re cut out for parenthood.’
Forced to agree with him, I doubted Gideon was built for it either. Sat with a glassy stare, that evening’s experience had clearly traumatised him. He looked like he’d checked out of reality.
‘I don’t think any of us will forget tonight in a hurry.’ Alex gave me a playful nudge. ‘What are the odds we’ll be telling our grandchildren about this one day?’
My eyes widened in mock surprise. ‘Well that’s a bit presumptuous.’
Alex’s cheeks reddened. ‘I’m not suggesting the two of us will… What I mean is… You know… You telling yours and me telling…’
I grinned.
Alex shook his head. ‘You knew exactly what I was saying, didn’t you?’
Martha reached into her bag and taking out a pen and piece of scrap of paper, wrote something down.
‘Our contact details,’ she said to Jake and Lexi.
‘So you can keep in touch.’ She turned to the rest of us.
‘I think we’d all like to know how these three get on, wouldn’t we?
’ She passed the pen and paper to Alex, who wrote on it and handed it to me.
Scribbling down my name and email address, without thinking I tried to give the pen to Gideon and Julia. Julia shook her head and grimaced, while Gideon stared at me as if in a trance. Shrugging, I passed the scrap of paper back to Martha, who, in turn, folded it and gave it to Jake.
‘You keep that safe,’ she said. ‘And remember, we want regular updates.’
Jake duly tucked it into his trouser pocket. ‘You can count on them.’
‘Have you decided on a name yet?’ Brian asked, curious.
Lexi looked to Jake, her eyes full of anticipation.
He discreetly nodded.
‘We were thinking, that’s if you don’t mind, Alex, we might call him after you?’
‘Really?’ Alex’s face broke into a smile and holding his chin high, he puffed his chest out. ‘I’d be honoured.’
The train slowed, signalling the end of our evening excitement.
‘Looks like this is us,’ Jake said. He looked from Alex to me to Martha and Brian and rising to his feet gave each of us a hug. ‘I honestly can’t thank you all enough. We couldn’t have got through this without you.’
Lexi handed him their baby so she could button herself up in readiness of their departure.
‘Why don’t we help you with your things,’ I said.
Giving Lexi her privacy Alex, Martha, Brian and I got to our feet to gather the new parents’ belongings.
I wasn’t quite ready to say goodbye when the train came to a standstill and the exit doors opened enabling two paramedics wearing Christmas hats to step on board.
The first one smiled at the scene that met him. ‘I bet none of you expected this tonight, eh?’
His colleague, jump bag at the ready, immediately checked over Lexi and the baby.
Alex leaned in and I heard him say something about the placenta.
The paramedic checked his watch. ‘Any moment now, I’d say.’ He smiled at Lexi. ‘Time to let these people get on with their Christmases, don’t you think?’
Julia scoffed. ‘I’m not sure some of us can, after that experience.’
‘I think it’s been marvellous,’ Gideon said, as if waking up from a wonderful dream.
Seeing Gideon’s mental state, the second paramedic chuckled. ‘Came as a bit of a shock, did it?’
Alex smirked. ‘Something like that.’
As the ambulance staff helped Lexi, Jake and their baby from the train, I wondered if I should get off with them.
Thanks to Gideon and Julia, it wasn’t as if I needed to complete my journey.
I considered the long cold night ahead, supposing if I stayed put, I could at least enjoy the relative warmth of the carriage a little longer.
Despite my predicament, as we waved everyone off and retook our seats, I couldn’t help but smile. Never mind telling our grandchildren, Alex and I would no doubt be dining out on the night’s events for years. I pictured Erin and Joyce when we told them, wondering if they’d even believe us.
I let out a contented sigh. I was about to experience the worst Christmas Day imaginable, with no clue how I was going to get home. Yet neither issue seemed to matter. Thanks to Lexi, Jake and baby Alex, that year would always go down as one of my most favourite Christmases ever.
Gideon suddenly got up from his seat, an action that pulled me out of my reverie.
‘Hattie,’ he said. He straightened his hair and tugged on the hem of his shirt to tidy himself up. ‘I simply have to say your performance tonight was fantastic.’
Knowing I hadn’t acted alone, or been the one directing events, I stared at him, confused as to why he was singling me out. ‘It was a team effort, Gideon.’ My cheeks reddened at the unnecessary attention.
‘I know. But I saw a side of you I’ll never forget.’
Julia huffed. ‘I doubt any of us will forget tonight.’
‘You handled everything with such calm.’
‘Like I said, we all played our part.’
‘Not quite all,’ Brian said, gesturing to Julia.
My chest tightened as Gideon lowered himself down onto one knee. ‘What are you doing?’ I asked. A nervous laugh escaped my lips, wondering if we should call the paramedics back to check him over too.
As Julia’s eyes darted from Gideon to me and back again, I looked to everyone else. Experiencing the same disbelief as me, everyone stared at him, jaws slackened.
‘Gideon, I think you should get up,’ I said, my voice shaking.
Ignoring my plea, he put a hand up to his chest. ‘Hattie. Would you please do me the honour of becoming my wife?’