25. I Do...Again

                                    

                                          
Seb chuckled to himself as he saw how fidgety and excited Savannah was getting.  She was like a hyperactive little puppy.   
"Mein Engel, sit down," he said, patting the sofa beside him.  
"I can't.  They'll be here any minute!"
Seb smiled.  He knew how much she was looking forward to seeing her friends again.   
"Are they nearly here?" said Casey from the doorway.  "I want to see Ellie-Mae."
"They will be here very soon."   As if on cue the gate buzzer went.   At the same time Savannah's phone beeped.   She looked at the text.  
Joel: Hurry up and let us in.  My wife is driving me crazy! X
Savannah rushed into the hallway and pressed the button to open the gates.   Then she went to the front door and opened it. 
She shivered as an icy gust of wind blasted into the house.   She felt Casey slip her little hand into hers.   
Everything was white for as far as the eye could see.  Winter had well and truly arrived. A snowstorm overnight had topped up the already generous layer of snow on the ground. 
Back in the house she heard a scream of excitement come from the playroom.  She'd bet anything that her brother was winding the kids up.  He was so good with them, she thought it was probably because he was a big kid himself.    
A silver 4x4 came slowly up the drive.  It stopped several feet away from the front door.  The passenger door opened and a  petite brunette jumped out.  
"Sav! Oh my word!  It's so good to see you!"   Sav threw her arms around her best friend and they both shrieked with excitement.   "This place looks massive! Oh my, Casey!!! Look at you!  You've grown so much!"   She scooped the little girl up into her arms and hugged her tightly.  
"She's been overexcited ever since we left Heathrow," said a tall, blonde man.  "Hello Sav, you're looking fantastic."
"Joel," she exclaimed.   He pulled her into a hug.   "Where are those
godchildren of mine? Max and Casey are sooo excited to see them."
Joel returned to the 4x4 and opened the back door.    
Savannah crouched down as a small girl and a small boy rushed towards her.   She hugged them tightly.   
"Auntie Sav!" they exclaimed.    
After they'd hugged Savannah Daisy put Casey down.   She rushed over to her friends and she grabbed their hands, dragging them inside the house.   "You have to see my room, well it's Heidi's room too."  They disappeared up the stairs.   
"So where is this divine specimen of a man of yours?" Daisy asked, winking at Savannah.   Savannah blushed.  
"Behave Mrs Barnes," Joel joked.  
"He's in the lounge."   She shut the front door and gestured for Daisy and Joel to follow her.  She found Seb where she'd left him.  
She thought to herself that he looked good enough to eat.  He was wearing a pair of faded black jeans and a black knitted sweater, with the sleeves pushed up to his elbows. He looked up as they entered the room. 
"Seb, these are my friends Daisy and Joel, guys, this is Seb."
Seb stood up, extending his hand for Joel to shake.  He then hugged Daisy and kissed her on the cheek.
"I'm so pleased to finally meet you both.   I've heard so much about you."
"All good I hope?" Joel asked, a twinkle in his eye.