A Mothers Love.
Children are the flowers of life, Mum loved to say. And Dad, always quick with a grin, would add, The only flowers that bloom on their parents gravesa playful jab at childhood mischief, tantrums, and the endless, boisterous noise.
Evelyn breathed out, weary yet content, bundling her children into the black cab. Millie was four, little Daniel just eighteen months. Theyd loved every moment at their grandparents house: biscuits, cuddles, fairy tales, and all the sweet indulgences that Gran and Grandad dished out just a bit more than at home.
Evelyn was grateful for this visit, too. Her parents, sisters, and niecesthey welcomed her home, no explanations required. Mums cookingcomforting, impossible to refuse. The Christmas tree brimming with ancient, charming ornaments. Dads toasts, a bit drawn out but always from the heart. Mums giftsuseful, thoughtful, always tinged with love.
For a moment, Evelyn felt like a child again. All she wanted to do was blurt out, Mummy, Daddy, thank you for being you!
This year, Evelyn and her husband Charles had planned a special gift for her parents. Not out of duty, but deep gratitudefor a joyful childhood, for the love and care that had shaped Evelyn and her sisters. For the trust with which her parents had welcomed Charles into the fold, handing over their precious daughter. For every bit of support, for the faith theyd shown in their path, for taking part in every big moment.
I always dreamed of buying my father a car, Charles once confessed softly. But he never lived to see it. He paused, then continued, resolute: But we can give your dad one. Well make it happen.
Evelyn had only smiled at her husband, with that lookfull of love, gratitude, respect, and hope for the future.
Just as theyd planned, Evelyn arrived at her childhood home with the children. In her handsclear boxes filled with homemade salads, roast meats, and sweet treats, each dish prepared with care.
Daniel tottered over and presented his gran with a huge bouquet, so large he nearly tipped over under its weight. Evelyn hugged her dad, kissed his cheeks, inhaled that familiar, comforting scent of home.
But wheres Charles? Why isnt he with you? her parents asked with concern.
Just then, Evelyns phone chimed.
Its Charles, she said, smiling. Hes running a little late. Told us to start without him.
The children were already darting into the sitting room. Under the tall, glittering tree, they found boxes and bags labelled for each recipientpresents from Father Christmas.
Millie, not surprisingly, had the biggest haul. One box hid Cinderellas enchanted carriage. Another, a pair of majestic white horses with long golden manes, plus gleaming glass slippers fit for a princess. There was a gossamer ball gown, a flouncy petticoat, long gloves sewn with sparkling gems. Trinkets, a magic hand-mirror, childs makeup, arts and crafts sets, booksall treasures fit for a fairy tale.
For Daniel, there waited a giant box with a multi-storey car park: shiny cars zipped up in the lift only to whiz down spiral chutes with peals of delight. More boxes revealed a giant dinosaur with glowing eyes, a bow and arrow, a pop-up play ball pit, a space-age laser blasterall manner of coloursand, of course, stacks of colouring books, crayons and magic markers.
And nobody had forgotten Evelyn! In a little gift box tied with ribbon sat a dainty pair of gold earrings, twinkling under the fairy lights.
On the dining table stood her favourite puddinga towering honeycomb cake with nuts, raisins, candied peel and shavings of chocolate, just like Mum used to bake.
Beneath the tree, separate boxes awaited Charles. No one was allowed to open thosenot without their beloved son-in-law.
Evelyn and the children handed out their own gifts: a delicate French perfume for Mum, a silver chain-link bracelet for Dad. Millie solemnly presented a hand-drawn portrait of Gran and Grandada little silly, rather like a Wanted! poster, but so filled with love that everyone roared with laughter.
Yet the main present was still to come!
About half an hour later, after the first toasts and a flurry of excited chatter, Evelyn slid the gold earrings into her earsthey sparkled brightly, highlighting her joy.
Millie scrutinised her mother and suddenly asked, Mummy, did you wear those so Id tell you youre pretty?
Yesexactly for that, Evelyn replied with a laugh.
Youre very pretty, Millie declared gravely. And so am I! And Daddy too! And even Daniel! Laughter echoed through the room.
So wheres our favourite son-in-law? He should be here by now!
And just then, he was. The drive lit up, gates opened, and into the frosty courtyard rolled a big, gleaming white carits new paintwork sparkling, horn blaring.
Everyone poured outside, breath swirling in the crisp winter air, laughter mixing with the cold.
At the gate it stood: new, shining chrome emblazoned with balloons tied to the mirrors and bonnet.
Charles stepped out from behind the wheel without fanfare. He approached Evelyns father and handed him the keys.
For youwith all my heart.
He hugged himfirm, steady, wordless, sincere. Her father blinked, uncertainly smiling.
What are you thinking, you two? he stammered. I canthow could I possibly His words tangled, as if he didnt dare believe it.
But already they were ushering him forward, settling him behind the wheel. He ran his hands along the steering wheel, stared at the blinking dashboardlit up and futuristic. The new interior smelled of fine leather and future adventures.
He wiped his eyesthe ones not often clouded by tears.
Well I never he managed at last. Then he hugged each of them in turn: Evelyn, Charles, both little ones, his wife.
This, truly, was a Christmas to remember.
Everyone was brimming with happiness. These days together were a delight for hearts, young and old. But time, as ever, nudges you onit was nearly time to head for home.
In the morning, Charles left early for work. Father-in-law drove him in the new carconfident, beaming, as if ten years had fallen from his shoulders. Evelyn watched them go, her heart full and lighta gift finding its own new life, just as theyd hoped.
After lunch, Evelyn packed up and called a cab. The suitcases were lighter than on arrival, but their hearts heavier with contentment. Millie clung to her grandmother once more, Daniel waved at his grandad, clutching his little car in his fist for the journey.
Evelyn and the children climbed into the back seat. The ride home was peaceful; the children soon nodded off, warm and happy, curled against each other as the cab hummed through wintry lanes.
Partway home, Evelyn asked the driver to stop at a tiny roadside shop.
Just a momentneed to pick up nappies and some water, she said.
Five minutes later, she returned to the cab, slid into her seatand her world dropped away.
The children were gone.
The driver was casually chatting with a strange young woman in the front seat.
II dont understand Evelyn stammered.
The woman snapped round. Whos that? Whats she want?
The driver shrugged. No idea, he said, turning to Evelyn. Who are you? Whatre you doing here?
Are you mad? Where are my children?!
The woman screeched, Youve got kids as well?! Oh, you absolute toerag! She began thumping the driver with her handbag.
Are you just letting anybody in your car? Evelyn shouted. Where are my children?! ANSWER ME!
For several frantic minutes, the cab turned into a scene of utter chaosshouting, flailing hands, wild accusations, and a sense that the universe itself had buckled.
And thenthe back door snapped open. A passerby bent down and said gently, Excuse me Love, this isnt your cab. Yours is just up ahead.
The world, for a moment, stood perfectly still. Evelyn clapped the door shut, bolted out, and dashed up to another identical car parked a few metres further on.
She flung open the door.
On the back seat, her children slept soundly, two little angels unawares.
Evelyn exhaled as if she had just stumbled back from the brink. She slid in, closed the door, and muttered, Lets go
Then the laughter startedshaking, giddy, unstoppable. The driver began to cackle too, wiping his eyes, visibly relieved that the ordeal was over and, thank heavens, only a story now for the ages.
Evelyn gazed at her sleeping children and knew, with a clarity beyond words: parents, in everyday life, are gentle, weary, sometimes absent-minded, quick to giggle. But let the faintest whiff of danger appearand within them, lions awake!
No hesitation, no second thoughts, no fear. The feeling is pure and overwhelming: protect.
Thats the nature of love. Quiet when all is well, but unshakeable whenever their children are at stake.
