The place was just so serene and beautiful. The garden had an annex with a state of the art gym, indoor heated pool. There was also a tennis court and a beautiful garden. The house had been purpose fitted for someone in a wheelchair and there were many staff at hand to assist with whatever wish the occupants desired.

"Mom, he is getting better? Isn't he?" I said looking at my brother in the heated Jacuzzi as the masseuse rubbed down his legs.

He smiled at her and she gave one in return.

My brother was like a three year old. He was learning to walk, talk and eat on his own. It broke my heart to see him like this but the progress he had made over the last year was unbelievable.

"He is doing marvellous!" Olivia beamed going over to her son.

She tried to help him get out of the pool. He stopped her assistance. His feet were very unsteady and it took a long time to actually get one foot out of the pool. He was determined and wanted to do it on his own which he eventually did after ten minutes.

"Well done Chris! You will be running marathons tomorrow!" Our Mom beamed.

"I ... sure... will!" Chris spoke slowly with a slur. His speech had been the most improved. He could barely utter a word after the operation.

I was still angry with him for not telling us about the operation. His PA Alison eventually felt we had to know and our mother had been shattered when she had first learnt about the operation and the rehabilitation. I think almost losing Chris had been the most heart wrenching for us. He could have died and we would have been clueless to it all.

However I knew my brother had not wanted us to see him so vulnerable. He did not want his loved ones to feel his pain. He was now learning everything again. The doctors had been positive. They felt that his progress was great and soon he would be back to normal. His physiotherapy and speech and language sessions had shown remarkable progression since we had found out about the surgery.

I went over to them and gave him a hug.

"So Mr. Marathon would you like a game of cricket?" I asked watching his eyes light up.

"Game...on!" he said wheeling himself to the indoor area set up for the game.

"That is cheating!" I screamed as Chris stoned the ball to me. As a former fast bowler his techniques were still there and the throwing action actually helped to strengthen his arms.

"Lo...ser!" he shouted as he wheeled to get the ball. It was difficult for him to pick it up but he did so. He was very determined to be fully mobile as he wanted to do tasks on his own. He would fail multiple times but never gave up. He had better, the company missed him.

"Okay two balls left this over." Our mother said who was our umpire for the match.

"I am waiting, bring it on O'Connor!" I egged on my brother who bowled a superb delivery at me and all I could do was twist and fall to the ground as the ball hit the cricket stumps.

"Out!" our mother screamed as she high fived Chris.

"I...win!" Chris shouted spinning his wheel chair in a victory dance.

I sat on the artificial grass and threw my bat in mock protest as I watched my brother thoroughly enjoying his win.

Later that night we sat in the terrace enjoying the evening sky which was awash with coloured clouds and a cool breeze.

"So what do you think we should do about the Salman Project?" I asked Chris.

He looked pensive before he spoke, "You... need...to...find...out...about...the...land...first."

"Then we can proceed with the construction. The development appears to be lucrative but the land sale appears mirrored." I informed him

"Indeed...check...if...it...is...gen...uine...first." Chris told me as we continued to discuss the business.

Although Chris was not physically involved he was ready to assist me in discussing ideas and projects. His brain was sharp as ever. It was just his body which was playing catch up.

Chris had been staring at the sky for the last half an hour. We were relaxing after our weekly business catch up session. I had not wanted him burdened but he had insisted he be kept in the loop. I was fine with that as being involved in the company appeared to aid him.

I remembered the random call from Rhysa. We had all been devastated when she and Chris had broken up. Rhysa had run to the US and Chris had disappeared. We had felt so sad because she had been distraught. I had wanted to throttle my brother at the time but now I knew that he did everything to protect her and that warmed my heart. He truly loved her.

"You miss her?" I asked softly.

Chris said nothing just shifted slightly in his wheelchair.

I could see the tears glistening on his face as he sobbed quietly. I held his hand in mine as the tears flowed. He was hurting inside. His heart was missing Rhysa and this pain I could not stop.

"Welcome home dear!" my mother said giving me a tight hug. "I missed you so much!"

I turned to my dad who also enveloped me in his arms. "So good to have you home Rhysa."

"It is great to be back home although the weather is dreary as usual." I said putting down my bag and removing my coat.

"I'm dying to have some warm ginger tea!" I said rushing to the kitchen.

"How was the flight?" my mother asked as she prepared dinner. I was helping her as my jetlag would force me to sleep for days if I even sat down to rest.

"It was not so bad since I had that two day stopover in New York." I chopped the tomatoes for our salad and put them in the serving bowl. "The Christmas feeling is everywhere but I must admit the Americans do Christmas better than we do!"

"Never!" my mother protested as she placed the Yorkshire puddings into the oven.

"They do! I mean we celebrate the day but they celebrate the entire season!" I continued to chop some cucumbers. "I went to about a dozen Christmas parties already. Any excuse to celebrate the season and a party was held. I enjoyed it though. The Secret Santa among staff was the best."

"What did you get?" my mother asked.

"My cheeky personal assistant gave me a dildo! Could you believe it the note said and I quote 'To bring some holiday cheer even down there!'." 

My mother laughed, "She did not! How did you find out it was her?"

I shook my head, "She most certainly did! I overheard her telling someone about the gift in the stairwell. I mean is it so bad to be single? I think not!"

"She was just bringing laughter to it all!" my mother continued.

I wonder what Chris is doing? I pondered. The bastard! I looked at my ringless finger. We would have been married a year by now and I may have even been pregnant. I sighed with regret. Although he broke my heart, I really missed being with him. I do not think any man could compete with the love we had. Chris basically destroyed me for any other man in the future!

"Rhysa!" my mother shook my shoulder. I dropped the knife and looked at her.

"I hate him so much Mom!" I confessed and she took me into her motherly arms once more. "I loved him, I loved us!"

"It will get better honey. Just give it time." She said comfortingly as I shed tears I thought I had run out of.

It is Christmas I needed to be happy and jolly. I was home with my family. Why was I sad? I had to be happy. I was going back to San Francisco in two weeks. I was going to make the most of my time here in London.

Ciane travelled back the next day so the house was a buzz with laughter. It felt like we were teenagers again as we all chipped in preparing for Christmas.

Ciane and I wanted to give our parents marvellous gifts this year. Personally, I wanted to thank them for all the support they had given me post the break up.

We wandered through the bustling streets of Oxford Circus. Shoppers were everywhere and on this no vehicle day the streets were overflowing with Christmas shoppers walking along the way, their arms weighed down with shopping bags.

Our father was in DIY so we had purchased him some power tools. He would love the feeling of fixing things much our mother's annoyance. We entered an accessory store where we had earlier noticed some luxury bags. Our mother could never say no to a bag but we had decided to buy her an expensive one with matching shoes.

We walked around looking at the goods on display, when I noticed a red bag which looked elegant and regal. It was a berry lizard Hepburn bag. It was gorgeous with a retro look.

"Ciane!" I called out to my sister who was at the other end of the shop admiring the shoe selection.

She came over to me and her eyes sparkled as she noticed the bag I was holding, "It is perfect, Mom will love it!"

She took it from my hands and began to inspect it inside and out.

"It is beautiful; it will definitely look good with that blue suit Dad got her already!" I said pleased with my find.

"I know! Guess what else will look marvellous?" Ciane said brightly as we worked our way to the shoe section. Ciane took up a pair of red lizard pumps with a three inch heel which matched the bag superbly.

"She will positively drool over them!" We high fived each other knowing our Christmas list for our mother was ticked and completed.

We got the shoe in the right size and made our way to the till. The sales assistant went to get us the bag from the storeroom. As the lady rang up the sale the manager appeared. She was a skinny middle aged Italian looking woman with a long nose and an air of snobbery.

"I am so sorry ladies but this bag was reserved for another customer." The manager informed us. "It is the last one in stock but you may purchase the one on display."

"What?" Ciane said looking just as peeved as I was.

"The next shipment will arrive around the 5th of January if you would like to wait we can reserve you one." The manager offered trying to be firm but polite.

I looked at Ciane and felt crushed. My younger bolder sister was not deterred.

"I am sorry but we want the new one." Ciane addressed the manager inflexibly.

"Miss you can have the bag from the floor." The manager said to Ciane. Then she turned to the sales assistant, "Get them the one from the display."

"No," I said a bit annoyed at the manager's dismal of us. "Has the one reserved been paid for?"

"No but the customer is very loyal." She said through a fake smile.

"We are paying for it now, so I suggest you get the one off the display for the loyal customer who has NOT paid for the bag." I stated resolutely taking out my card from my wallet.

The manager wanted to protest and straightened her posture and pulled down her jacket. Her fake smile became vicious as she looked at us like we were street rats. "This customer has been giving us business for a long time. We value such people. I would again advise you to take the one on display we can even offer you a 10% discount."

Did she think we were some Essex trash trying to look posh?

I looked at my sister who was just as keyed up as I felt.

"There was no sign or tag on it. That bag is ours. You have no right to force us to exchange it." I said standing up for our purpose.

The manager tried to keep her smile in place. Her cheekbones were frozen in politeness and her neck muscles were sticking out.

"Miss, the bag was reserved for another customer who will collect it shortly." The manager was insisting, not backing down. I had to bring out the big guns.

"That is great but we are buying this bag and if you continue to be obstinate about it, I will sue this company and report you to the Financial Conduct Authority. Then, I will register a complaint against you with the Trading Standards Authority." I said. "Plus I will ensure to send a clip of the recording here to as many media companies as possible."

The manager looked at the phone in Ciane's hand and submitted in defeat. She took a deep breath and gave the bag to the cashier. I turned to Ciane and we smiled at each other. We bumped shoulders as the cashier gave us the bag and the shoes.

As we were waiting outside of the store organising our shopping bags, a lady dressed very smartly in a black suit approached us.

"Excuse me ladies," we turned to look at the middle aged woman.

"Yes?" I asked her curiously.

"I believe you have purchased bag which my employer would like. Is it possible to buy it from you?" she asked nicely.

I looked at Ciane and we shook our heads in unison. "No."

We turned around and walked down the street when we heard someone shout at us, "Wait!"

We turned around and my eyes were filled with shock.

"Megan?" I said looking at Chris' sister.

"Rhysa, um... wow. How are you?" she asked giving me an awkward hug.

"I am fine. You?" I replied still in a state of shock.

"I am good. Ciane, nice to see you again." Megan said stiffly.

"What are you doing here?" I asked her wanting to know anything and everything I could about her and her family.

"I was chasing down two ladies who bought a bag I wanted for my mother." She said.

We laughed. "That would be us!"

We decided to have a cup of tea at a department store café nearby.

Megan was polite but appeared to be battling with something throughout the meeting.

At the end of the chat, I stood up to leave and Megan stood up as well.

"Rhysa, there is something I need to tell you but I want you to have an open mind. It really isn't my place to say this but I think you need to know." Megan looked at me her eyes tearful.

I sat down unsure what she wanted to say but whatever it was I felt that I wanted to hear it.

"Tell me." I said.

"Can you drive with me?" She asked nervously.

"I ..." My hesitation was evident.

"It is about Chris, it is very important." She supplied.

I searched her face for a reason to walk away but the sadness I saw in her eyes forced me to accept that I needed to listen to what she wanted to tell me.

"Ciane, why don't you take the shopping home? Tell Mom and Dad that I will be home later."

Ciane gave me a hug, "You will be fine, call me if you need me."

We went our separate ways.

I entered Megan's car but my heart was filled with trepidation and fear.

I stood next to Megan quietly watching the people in the room through the glass. They were unaware of our presence. I had not moved as I watched the man get out of his wheelchair and try to stand on his own. He fell a few times and each time my heart bled for him. He finally got a grip on the balance beams and took a step. My heart was wrenched as he made another step. Tears began to flow down my face as the session unfolded. The man grunted in pain several times but his steely determination made me feel so proud.

At the end of the session, Megan touched my arm. I looked at her. Her face was just as wet as my own. I gave her a hug and whispered in her ear,

"Thank you." I felt her head nod in response.

"He needs you Rhysa and I can see that you need him as well." Megan said to me. I looked into her eyes as hers searched mine for any sign of rejection or apprehension.

I smiled.

"I love him, I never stopped and right now I think I love him even more even if I am a bit pissed he kept this from me." I said as more tears flowed down my cheeks.

I wiped my eyes, "It's Christmas it time to forgive and heal."

I turned to watch Chris manoeuvre his chair skilfully off the ramp.

Chris was speaking to the therapist as he positioned the wheelchair toward the door. The therapist waved to him as she began to tidy up the equipment that had been used. Chris wheeled toward the door. I took a deep breath as Megan went forward to greet him just before he exited the room.

"Hey... sis? You... finish... shopping... already?" Chris joked.

"Yes, it was a good morning. How was your session?" Megan asked.

"It...was...great...my...legs...are...feeling...stronger." Chris supplied to his sister. There was an edge of determination in his voice as he spoke. Although his voice was a bit slurred, his speech was strong. I could understand everything he was saying.

When Megan had told me of Chris' operation I was stunned. My body froze. My first instinct was that I wanted to see him and be with him. Megan had been hesitant saying that Chris was not ready but I convinced her that eighteen months was long enough. She had relented and driven me to Chris' new home.

I had tried to prepare myself for the worst. I was happy to know that Chris had not left me for another woman and was not having babies with Alison. He was mine.

Then I got angry that he had not trusted my love and told me about his brain tumour. He always had a massive ego.

"I brought you an early Christmas present." Megan was saying as I came back from my reverie.

There was some nervousness in her voice.

"Where... is... it?" Chris asked excitement lining his words; I heard the whir of the wheelchair as he came out of the room.

"Merry Christmas Chris." I said coming to stand in front of him.

"Get... out!" he shouted. His face contorted in rage as he wheeled around and left me standing there as he disappeared around the corner.