Anchor of Hope Read Online Free PDF Page B

handed it to her. She tore through the wrapping, revealing a huge box of chocolates.
    “Ah, they're actually not allowed those, not this late at night.” Bryan stepped in to take the box from Coco’s hands.
    The kids moaned in unison.
    Jess rolled her eyes at Bryan.
    Ashley guessed that Bryan was still strict with what he allowed the children to eat—especially when it came to sugar.
    “All right, they can have one. After dinner.”
    Ashley pulled out the gifts for the kids and handed a wrapped box each to Jess and Bryan.
    Jess gasped as she opened the box to reveal a pair of Manolo Blahnik heels. “Ashley, these are incredible! Thank you. I can wear them to the wedding on Saturday. I had a pair picked out but these are so much better.”
    Bryan opened his gift—a new iPad. “Thanks, Ash. This is awesome.”
    Coco squealed as she unwrapped her gift of a microphone which came with a stand, a mini light-up disco ball and a speaker. The perfect gift for an energetic seven year old.
    Meika got a diary, a mixed craft box and a new dress. She was nine. “Yes!” Meika clutched the diary to her chest and jumped up and down on the spot. “My very own diary. I love writing – and if you ever touch it Coco, I'm going to-”
    “Hey. That's enough.” Bryan turned to Coco.  “That's Meika's diary. OK Coco? You're not to touch it.”
    “I won't. I promise.” Coco shook her head then resumed constructing the microphone stand.
    Harley got a stacking block set and he busily got to work on building a tower.
    Bryan handed Ashley a glass of red wine.
    “Dinner smells delicious. I'm starving. What are we having?” Ashley asked.
    “Spaghetti!”
    They all laughed as they turned to see Coco with her microphone set up—and apparently turned up to full volume.
    Dinner was satisfying. The conversation flowed spasmodically, due to the constant interruptions and protests from the kids. It was like trying to talk to someone who had to concentrate on several different conversations as once. Ashley couldn't help but wonder if it would have been easier to feed Harley in the bathtub after watching his attempts to feed himself food somehow ended up on the floor, his chair, and some even ended up in his hair.
    Afterwards the kids watched Frozen while Jess, Bryan and Ashley cleaned up, then sat around the table talking and catching up on the recent events in their lives.
    “Did you have a rest this afternoon? You looked pretty tired.” Bryan reclined in his chair, resting his hands on the table.
    Ashley nodded. “I didn't realize I was so exhausted.”
    “How are you feeling now?” he asked.
    “Much better. Wide awake actually.” 
    “Well, you should go out with Jess.”
    “Yes!” Jess placed her wine glass on the table. “You should totally come out with us. I'm meeting a few friends for some drinks.”
    “Oh, no. I don't want to intrude. I'll go back to Mom’s house and watch a movie or something.”
    “What? No.” Bryan frowned. “Mom and Martin won't be home from the Johnsons for hours. You can't spend your first night back home on your own.”
    Ashley looked down at her outfit. “I didn't dress for ‘going out’, and I don't want to have to drive all the way back to Mom's to get changed.”
    “Your jeans are fine and you can borrow one of my tops and some shoes. We have the same size feet, after all.” Jess took a deep breath. “Come on, it'll be fun. I never go out any more—and trust me, if I can get a chance to escape from dirty nappies, screaming children and mountains of mess, I'll take it.”
    “I don't blame you. Kids are so much work. Is it this messy every meal time?”
    “Oh yeah. They are hard work, but I love them to bits and wouldn't have it any other way.” Her eyes softened as she looked at them laying on the couch, trying to keep their eyes open long enough to see the end of their movie.
    “But, I do need some ‘me’ time every now and then. What do you say, will you come out with me?”