Did You Get What You Deserve?

~*Alecsandra’s Point of View*~

“Hey guys!”

“Alec!”

“Dad!”

“Merry Christmas!”

Alec hugged Dad, while I was swamped by Lachlan and Georgina.

“We’ve been waiting for you so we can open presents!”

Linda, Julia, Lachie, George and I sat down on the floor around the tree.

“Who’s Santa?” asked Linda.

Alec pointed at me. I rolled my eyes and began handing out the presents.

~*Alec’s Point of View*~

When all the presents had been opened, Melanie shifted Carlton off her lap and stood up.

“Can I talk to you, Alec?” she said quietly.

I nodded and followed her out of the room.

“We should probably sit down,” she said, closing the bedroom door behind us and sitting down on the bed.

“Melanie, what’s wrong?” I said.

She patted the bed beside her.

“Sit down.”

“Mel, you’re scaring me.”

“Sit down, Alec.”

I sat, and she took a deep breath.

“Alec-” she stopped.

“What?”

“Alec, I took a test yesterday.”

I froze, staring at her. A million thoughts flashed through my head in that instant.

“And?”

She looked at me, her eyes sparkling.

“I’m pregnant.”

“You’re...”

I was aware that my face was breaking into a huge grin.

“I can’t believe it.”

“Neither can I!”

I kissed her, then laughed.

“Shall we tell the others?”

She giggled.

“Yeah, why not?”

“Come on.”

I grabbed her hand and led her out to the living area.

“Good timing, lunch is ready.”

As we took our places at the table, I grinned at Melanie.

“I think we should begin with a toast,” said Frank, “to all present, and to those that can’t be here today. To new beginnings. And to Christmas.”

I exchanged a quick glance with Mel, then cleared my throat.

“Speaking of new beginnings,” I said, “Melanie and I have something to tell you all.”

Seven pairs of eyes turned curiously to me.

“I, er, don’t really know how to put this,” I said, “but, uh, Melanie and I... we’re going to have a child.”

“Oh my god!”

“That’s great!”

Melanie flushed deep pink as the congratulations started flowing. I caught Alec’s eye and winked at her. She stood up and hugged me.

“Congrats, man,” she said, “that’s awesome.”

I turned to Melanie, still grinning like an idiot.

“This is the best Christmas present ever,” I said.