Chapter Thirty Three - Crossing The Finish Line

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All done.

The assignment, that is. Me and Hendrix are still going strong.

Handing in that USB, filled with occurrence (those relevant of course) to the past twelve weeks of the baby project, I couldn't help getting emotional. Yes, I know, what a soft twat. It was a robot baby and two gruelling written pieces, but to me, it was more.

It was realising that I can't do everything alone. It was realising that sometimes, people genuinely do want to help. It was finally admitting that not everyone is a piece of shit and even more so, concluding that sometimes, violence isn't the answer.

I mean, over these twelve weeks, I've finally gotten over my ex-boyfriend, gotten under Hendrix – it was just as I expected, crude throughout, but I won't lie and say I hated it – managed to alter myself in a way that's positive, and I'm genuinely happy.

Mrs Ford is exceptionally pleased with the pair of us and how far we've come. I mean, it's a big deal. This time three months ago all I could see was Hendrix and my fist pummelling his face. Now, well I still see Hendrix, but, in a very different light.

Nat won the bet. Make of that, what you will.

Now, with the school term drawing to a finish, Hendrix and I, Collins, Lena and Seb are all sat in the common area, waiting for the final bell to sound. Seb is sat beside me, though I'm sure he's aware, as much as I am, at Elijah's arm that is slung possessively over my shoulder. It's quite flattering.

"So, tomorrow?" I ask them all, waiting expectantly for their responses. I'd checked with my parents, and all three of my brothers, considering Ben is home for the holidays, if they minded me having one final movie marathon before the new year.

My mum was probably the most excited of everyone, as expected. It was just left to these to confirm; Nat and Addie were easily convinced, more so because Nat couldn't wait to introduce her new girlfriend to the boys and rub in their faces about how she managed to get a girl hotter than them. Lena wasn't impressed with that comment.

Ben, Ezzy and Oli are all pretty nonchalant on the idea, but I know once the evening is in motion, they'll be the life of the party. I'd asked Jack but he assured me he'd rather not have to couple up with Seb for the evening, but I didn't bother arguing that Seb will probably be coupled up with my dad most of the night.

They all chorused agreement and I grinned. It was going to be one full house. "When do you fly?" I ask Seb.

"Monday." He answers through a sigh. "Can't wait to be soaking up the sun in the Canaries while you're freezing your nips off." I elbow him playfully and he gasps as I wind him.

"What about you Lena? Are you going back home?" I say.

"Nope." She says, popping the 'p'. "I put my foot down and said I'm staying here while they go." I raise a brow at her. "They said I was being rude, because my grandma might not have long, but I know that woman. She'll outlive us all, and then some." She tells me sternly. I laugh and let my head find Elijah's shoulder.

I turn up to him slightly with wide eyes. "What about you?"

"What about me?" He counters.

"Well, how do Christmas' work at home?" I ask.

"Well," he begins with a dramatic sigh. "Every year, on the morning of the twenty fifth, we get up and tiptoe into the living room, our eyes tight on the fireplace to see if Santa Claus has nibbled at his mince pie –"

"You're such a dick." I huff out, shuffling away from him. He laughs and pulls me closer, his hand finding my hair, lacing through it languidly.

"It's just Christmas babe. Presents in the morning, food during the day, alcohol from the moment it's deemed socially acceptable." He explains nonchalantly.

"I just, well, thought you might want to, maybe, come over to mine? I've checked with my mum and Tan and Mason are more than welcome too." My voice has fallen into a rambling mess, hardly coherent, but Elijah raises a brow, quick to let a smirk play on his lips.

"You're inviting us over for Christmas?" He inquires, condensing my rather nonsensical speech.

"She cooks too much anyway. Thought it made sense." I say in a grumble, burying into his side as if that'll help disguise the burning of my face.

He kisses my head lightly and I can feel him smile against my hair. "I'll check, but it sounds good. I'll bring the mistletoe." He muses.

Seb groans and edges away from the pair of us. "Gosh, this lovesick behaviour is disgusting. It was less obnoxious when you were fighting each other in the cafeteria." He exclaims.

Elijah grins. "We fight in the sheets now; isn't that right Lottie?" He asks me.

I scowl at him and pull myself away. "I urge you to shut up right now." I warn.

"Or what?" He mumbles.

"I can very easily retire from our wrestling career." I threaten. His lips twitch and he nods in surrender, pulling his fingers over his mouth as if the zip it shut.

~

"Benjamin!" I scream, darting down the stairs in the hopes to catch him before he reaches the door. Poor Hendrix has already been interrogated by two of my brothers, and I really didn't mean to save the worst till last. "Benji!" I manage to reach him just before he reaches the door, throwing myself on to his back, my legs wrapped around his waist as I clamp my hands tight around his neck, trying to steer him away.

He's gotten so strong – maybe from lugging the bricks around to build those schools – and I'm no match for him. He makes it to the door and opens it to a very befuddled looking Elijah.

"Hi babe, come in." I breathe out, moving my hands to clamp over Ben's mouth, ignoring the way his trimmed beard scrapes my palms and his tongue shamelessly licks me in an effort to have me retreat. "Me and Ben are just going to have a chat." I tell him. He nods and begins walking though to the living room and only then do I drop off of Ben's back, wiping the saliva on his shirt. "Please Ben; I really like him, and I don't need you scaring him away."

He looks at me, frowning, clearly not satisfied. "Mum and dad really like him. Ez and Oli too. Plus, he was really supportive when Ferne was in labour." I try to assure him.

He huffs, rubbing a hand over his face. "Fabulous. So, he's seen both of my sisters' vaginas." He mutters.

"He's seen neither," I lie swiftly, "and I'd really appreciate if you never, ever, mentioned the word vagina around me again."

He says nothing for a moment and then grunts. "Fine. I'll be nice. But I'll be laying the groundwork kid. It's just what big brothers do." I nod emphatically in understanding. "And you can't be there." He adds, leaving me feeling slightly dejected.

"Right. But be friendly. Please don't put him off me. Maybe have Ezra sit in?" I suggest. He gives me a deadpan look that clearly explains my suggestion has been acknowledged and ignored. "Fine. Go. Oh!" I grab him just as he's about to turn into the living room. "Maybe ask him when he plans to ask me to officially be his girlfriend? I mean, I would, but I don't want to look too eager, you know?"

"Charlie, I'm your brother, not your love guru." He says bluntly and then leaves me stood slightly disgruntled in the foyer. Seriously, he's come home in a god awful mood. He's really grinching it out this Christmas.

I let myself hang in the kitchen, craning slightly in the hope to catch some snippets of their conversation but they're both speaking so quietly its virtually impossible. Disgruntled, I pour myself some juice and slouch on the barstool, sat only for a minute before Seb, Collins, and Lena are letting themselves in.

I jump up and grab Seb by both his arms. "Go in there and make out you're saying hello to Ben, but just make sure he's being nice to Elijah." Amidst my panic, I hear laughter resonating from the living room. I turn slowly and right there, as if they've been friends for years, the pair of them are cracking up.

Ben didn't even smile like that when he saw his baby sister for the first time in eight months. Marvellous. I march over and clasp my hand on Elijah's shoulder. "We good here?" I ask, slightly sharp.

"Yeah Char. All good. Seems a good kid." Ben says with a small smile. I blink slowly.

"Wait, you like him?" My tone is completely befuddled. There's no way Ben has reached a verdict in as little as five minutes. He interrogated Adam for a solid half an hour.

"Yeah; he knows to treat you right and knows what will happen if he doesn't. We're good here." The Ben stands, nods once at Elijah and leaves to go say hello to Seb who is practically jumping with glee at the sight of his long lost friend. Why has everyone else gotten better reception for Ben than I have?

"How do you do it?" I inquire, stunned, as I sit beside Elijah. "You're literally a smug prick twenty four hours a day and yet you can impress Mr Misery in four and a half minutes?"

He grins boyishly and leans forward, planting a kiss on the end of my nose. "What can I say babe? I'm just the dream boyfriend."

I scoff and shove him away. "You're still a pain in my arse." I tell him pointedly.

"Yeah, but I'm a pleasure in your–" I slap my hand over his mouth to muffle his crassness as my friends and brothers join us. Ezra and Oli are quick to greet Elijah as old friends, Lena perches herself beside me with Collins sat between her legs on the floor. Seb and Ben are completely submerged in conversation and just as my parents join us, Nat and Addie walk in.

The living room quick becomes stuffy, with people sat wherever they can possibly fit themselves. The movies are quick started though the conversation doesn't cease, less so when the Chinese spread arrives and everyone is digging in.

I'm sat on Hendrix lap, a blanket pulled over the pair of us as he tries to discreetly cop a feel. When I scowl, he just grins and offers me a bite of his prawn cracker. I accept, naturally, and settle back against his chest, every so slightly smiling as I realise, I'm so unbelievable content.

What more could I possibly need than an evening like this, surrounded by all my favourite people, cuddled with my forever nemesis, eating a Chinese that's good enough to orgasm over? Honestly, it just doesn't get better.

Well, maybe if Hendrix officially asked me to be his girlfriend, but that's a problem for another day.

~~~

A/N - one more chapter to go🥲. I'm honestly emotional letting this one go. These guys are like my family.

I don't write to be noticed, I just let my over imaginative mind run away with me and here I can spill it all out and have something to feel proud of.

That said, I genuinely want to thank everyone who has taken the time to read this book and supported me in the process. It's honestly unreal to know people are reading and enjoying your work!!

I can't explain how much it means.

Thank you guys so much and I hope you enjoy the finale to come💕

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