All That I Want

[Izaak Finch]

There was a rare serenity that had befallen the Bondi home; on any other day it and its occupants, one in particular, were stirring before the sun rose. But Christmas morning was an exception, a treasured one at that. The fibreglass board that had been taken out religiously each day at the break of dawn stood where it had been left the previous morning: leant against the wall and somewhat overshadowed by the luminescent Christmas that towered right by it, its owner still slumbering in an adjacent room. Still not quite ready to shatter the serene atmosphere.

A ray of sunlight cleaved the drapes in an otherwise dimly lit bedroom and spilt warmly across the man’s bronzed face. He stirred ever so slightly at the changing ambiance, a breath of a sigh lingering on his lips as he folded further into a different kind of warmth, one more welcoming than the break of a new day. In the ginger moments of a first conscious train of thought, Izaak instantly connected the warmth with that of his wife’s body and was content to bask in the sensations for a while longer. It was a rather bittersweet feeling to have almost done with this year; so much had come to pass throughout it after all. The most significant of all was definitely the pair’s marriage to one another -- a quaint ceremony on a particular beach that harboured a firm place in their hearts, surrounded by people they held closest.

For Izaak, who up until a few years ago had not thought that he would ever find a way to let go of Alexis, it had seemed almost too good to be true. But Alianne, the adventurous blonde with a heart the size of Texas, was still in his arms. Falling in love with a girl like her and having her fall right back in love with him was something Izaak was certain he would never take for granted. They had then spent two breathtaking weeks together in the Caribbean but their honeymoon had seemed to extend long past that fortnight and well into the year. In fact, Izaak wasn’t even sure if he had both feet back on earth yet – it all still seemed so perfectly surreal. Although as the soft blonde tresses of her hair that had collected on his collarbone tickled his skin, the sweet scent of her shampoo wafting gently into his senses to stir him awake even further, Izaak knew that this could be nothing short of reality.

Those exquisite blue eyes opened languidly then blinked several times to adjusted to the streak of sunlight that assaulted them. A groan, thick with sleep, slipped quietly from Izaak as he finally awoke. He didn’t want to stir Aly in the process but as his gaze travelled to the digital clock on the nightstand, he realised he just might have to. Sleeping in a little longer would have been a present in itself but Leah had conclusively decided that this year Izaak and Aly would play host to the family for Christmas, seeing as she had done so last year. It’s a rite of passage as newlyweds. She had quipped, to which Izaak had simply shook his and laughed. But they had been landed with the role anyhow and, consequently, would now have to get out of bed sooner rather than later. Especially if they wanted some time to themselves before being inundated with his boisterous relatives. His adept fingers smoothed back a lock of his wife’s lustrous hair from her face. “Aly, sweetie.” He urged softly with a smile as he pressed his lips against the tip of her nose and moulded his hand over the curve of her waist. “Merry Christmas.”

 

[Alianne Finch]

Alianne Finch was in the mists of a wonderful dream when she felt the brush of her husband's fingertips across her forehead. His gentle voice, calling her name, waking her up to Christmas morning. A small groan escaped the beautiful blonde's lips as her eyes remained firmly shut. It had been such a good dream, or rather a memory. Alianne had been reliving a date night she had with her husband about a month prior. They had gone to a nice dinner and then a drive-in movie before coming home to continue their romantic night when Izaak had called her back to reality. Not that Aly's reality could get any better than it already was. The vivacious blonde was truly living out her own fairy tale complete with the perfect prince. However, that did not make Alianne like mornings any more than she did before she got married. Really, it wasn't surprising that it was that memory that her brain had brought into her dreams. She had been thinking about that night right before she drifted to sleep in Izaak's arms late last night.

Aly buried her face further in her pillow. "Five more minutes." she mumbled to Izaak, knowing even as she said it that it would buy her no more time. It was time to wake up, and Aly knew it even if her body was reluctant. The Finches had a very busy day ahead of them. Izaak's family had decided that it was Aly and Izaak who needed to host the family Christmas party. Alianne had no problem with this. She had told Izaak it would be fun though it did mean the young couple would have a very busy day ahead of them. That was why Aly suggested that they open their Christmas presents early in the morning, just the two of them, before the craziness of the day took over.

It took a few moments, but Aly coaxed her eyes open. The striking amethyst eyes stared directly back into the beautiful bright blue eyes belonging to Izaak Jay Finch. Alianne's lips stretched into a smile as they always did at the sight of her love. "Merry Christmas to you too love." she said before sliding further into his arms. "Are you ready for the big day ahead of us?" she asked, knowing that it was going to be a very exciting day for Izaak. Aly was certain that she was going to give him a present that would blow his mind. She smiled as she thought about the surprise that she had in store for him. Yes, it was going to be a big day indeed.

 

[Izaak Finch]

Izaak gave a soft, humming chuckle at his wife’s protest against the early hour. He had realised, of course, that this would have been her reaction as he squeezed her waist gently, attempting to urge her up from the refuge she had sought in the pillow with the brightest of smiles stretching across his expression. Admittedly though, five more minutes to ease in to the morning would have been great. But as it were, the couple had a busy schedule on their hands – food to cook, things to clean, a house to babyproof now that little Alexis had learnt how to walk and somehow squeezing in time for themselves prior to that. It seemed like the smart idea to have done some of the work yesterday but no, they had left it all until the last minute and now had only a window of time to themselves. Despite what complaints he may have had though, Izaak truly did love being around his ever expanding family. It was a struggle to believe that not all that many years ago it had only been Leah, Jay and himself when now holidays with the Finches teemed with life and personality, not to mention disorder. It would surely only be a matter of time until they were graced with more new additions – all eyes, his mother’s in particular, were on Alianne and himself for this one. But having already lost two daughters before he had ever really had them, Izaak was extremely wary of the enthusiasm, almost fearful of what it was directed at. Sure, he wanted children but could he subject he and his wife to that vulnerability? Now that they were married, they hadn’t been overly careful as of late but Izaak supposed that he would have to let chips fall where they may.

Feeling Aly sidle in closer to his athletic frame, Izaak enveloped her further into his arms in response. A groan laced his exhausted lips as she prompted him gently because looking down at his angelic wife, that lustrous blonde hair tousled from sleep and those gleaming amethyst eyes dancing with his own, Izaak wanted nothing more than to spend the rest of the day with her right here in their bed. “Mmm...” He hummed contemplatively, leaning in towards Aly as he did so, the very corners of his mouth curling in to a cheeky grin. With all the allure he could muster so soon after waking up, which was surprisingly a lot, he pressed his lips against his wife’s and treated her to a long, probing kiss; only pulling away when he remembered they could not afford to lose any more time and this was a sure-fire way to do exactly that. “I’d rather spend it right here with you. Remind me again, how did we get roped into this?” He groaned, albeit good naturedly, as he reluctantly pulled away from their embrace and wandered aloofly in to the walk-in wardrobe, rummaging around for a fresh set of clothes. “Rite of passage, my arse.” He mumbled to himself as he pulled on a pair of denim cut-offs.

 

[Alianne Finch]

Alianne pouted as Izaak pulled away from her after a kiss that she thought was taking them in another direction. A direction that did not require the couple to leave the bed just quite yet. A direction that was oh so appealing to the young woman. Her lover's azure eyes peering back into hers with such an intensity that so clearly displayed his lust. Unfortunately, Izaak was being quite sensible though Aly was definitely in favor of not being all that sensible. They had a plethora of things that they needed to do before the other Finches arrived. Things that would not get done if Aly was so easily distracted. Alianne Faith needed time to give her secret present to Izaak Jay before the relatives arrived and the craziness of the day began. A laugh escaped her rosy lips as her husband asked her how they got roped in to hosting the Christmas festivities. Aly shook her blonde locks. "Because Leah can be very hard to deny." she said with a grin. Alianne loved her sister-in-law very much. Though Leah hadn't been too warm to Aly in the beginning, they had quickly grown to be the very best of friends. They saw each other at least once a week, more if Izaak was busy training for a competition. "C'mon you. Its time to get up. We have a very big day ahead of us." Alianne said, placing a light kiss on Izaak's cheek.

Alianne rolled reluctantly out of the bed with a groan. The soft thuds of her feet echoed across their dark mahogany hard wood floors as Aly made her way to their master bathroom. She turned the heat of the water so hot that she could see the steam rising in the stone shower stall. Alianne proceeded to shower and dressed for the day ahead of her. Aly fixed her hair in loose curls that framed her face with the front strands pulled back and bobby pinned to her head. With minimal make-up on her face, Alianne decided that she was ready now to cook, clean, and most importantly, give Izaak his surprise. With a smile, Aly went to find her husband. She was itching to give him his surprise, though she was slightly nervous. Aly just want Iz to be happy. The blonde woman smiled at him when she found him. "Iz, now that I'm ready for our company, I think it might be good to go ahead and exchange our presents. What do you think?" she asked him.

 

[Izaak Finch]

As he reached for a plaid shirt that was hooked up on a clothes hanger, the azure-eyed man gave a knowing chuckle. “Well she needs to learn how to be told ‘no’.” He quipped, tugging the soft material until it fell into the palms of his hands as Alianne disappeared through the bathroom door. His wife was right though, however jesting the conversation may seem, Leah was a very persistent individual. She always had been, that was what had landed the pair of siblings in Australia in the first place after all. ‘No’ wasn’t a word Leah could grasp the concept of and he doubted that she would ever learn how to. Once he had threaded his arms through the sleeves of his shirt, Izaak wandered back out into the bedroom as he fiddled with the buttons, doing all but the top couple up. Then after slipping out into the yard to fed one very hungry Kobe, Izaak sunk back down onto the mattress, half tempted to crawl back under the covers and doze away the rest of Christmas morning.

But sooner than he could fathom in his still rather drowsy state, Izaak heard the jets of the shower being shut off and watched as a refreshed Alianne stepped back in to their room. Naturally, the man returned her smile and nodded in agreement at he raised himself up from their comfortable bed. “I think that seems manageable.” He smirked as he stretched his tired arms upward before letting them fall back around his wife. Hand-in-hand, the couple ventured down the stairs of their luxurious home and settled in the living room by the elaborate Christmas tree that stood gloriously in the corner. Grinning at the sight of the space, lavish with dozens of wrapped presents for all their loved ones, Izaak pressed a kiss to his wife’s temple before picking up a small present labelled with her name. “Do you want to go first?” He asked, his voice laced with excitement as he sunk down into the recliner opposite the tree and patted his lap, gesturing for Aly to snuggle up with him despite the fact that there was an abundance of space on the adjacent couches. Since leaving America, Christmas had always been an excitable time for Izaak, seeing as he had never had the chance to indulge in the holiday throughout the years of his childhood. And he was sure this year would top even the last.

 

[Alianne Finch]

Alianne kissed her husband on the cheek as he dragged his very tired, half asleep body out of their California King bed. The blonde smiled lovingly at Izaak as he threaded his fingers through her own. It was such a familiar and comfortable fit that Aly was certain that no one else's fingers would ever match just as perfectly as this young couple's did. It was as perfectly matched as a hand inside a mitten. Through the house and down to the living room they went. It was fantastic sight this Christmas, their first Christmas as a married couple. Alianne had spared no time, effort, or energy decorating the inside and outside of the Finches' spacious home for this special and momentous occasion. It had most certainly been fantastic to see the look in those bright blue eyes when Izaak arrived home from his short business trip. Aly smiled softly at the memory. She really did love surprises, and the suspense of the latest surprise was killing her. The vivacious blonde thought that at any moment Izaak's surprise was going to bubble forth from her lips without her control. Thank heavens it would be out in the open in just a few short minutes.

Alianne flitted over to the twelve foot tall Christmas tree that was overflowing with presents for their loved ones. She picked up two presents that were labeled 'To Izaak' in her distinctive curling cursive. On of the packages was tiny box, about the size of a shoe box. Inside it was the most wonderful gift that Alianne could ever imagine. It held a sonogram. It was a muggle picture that showed a tiny little thing that was a baby at its very earliest stage. Aly had suspected that she might be pregnant a month or so back, so she had taken an at home pregnancy test. Finding out that it was positive. Two weeks ago, Aly had gone to see a muggle doctor who had taken this picture. The other parcel was long and flat. That package contained a special wet suit for Izaak and his surfing. It had several magical properties even though Aly knew Izaak much preferred not to use magic. Aly had spent many hours toiling over spell books looking for the spells to complete the properties that she wished the suit to have. It had not been an easy or a small task, but Alianne had a feeling that Izaak was going to love it. Just as he would hopefully love his first present. Alianne grinned as Iz patted his lap so clearly wanting her to join him in the chair. She nodded her blonde locks, not hesitating to crawl right into the chair with him. Despite the spacious room that they had in this house, Aly and Iz would rather be side by side than across the room from one another. Aly shook her head at his question. "No. I would actually rather you go first. I can't hardly wait to see you open your presents. The suspense of the surprise is nearly killing me!" Aly told him, a sly smile on her angelic face. There was no way that Izaak Jay Finch could do anything but love the presents she had to give him. "C'mon then. Which one would you like first?" she asked almost impatiently.

 

[Izaak Finch]

It was no use attempting to smuggle away the grin that was itching to stretch right across Izaak’s handsome expression, the excitement of the moment suddenly all too much to take in as his azure eyes followed Alianne’s path back from the tree. For a moment his gaze met hers, an electric current sparking between their bright eyes, before Izaak allowed his eyes to fall down to the presents in her hands. “I get two?” He questioned brightly albeit sceptically, just as a child might when being offered a second bowl of ice cream. But there seemed no trick up his wife’s sleeve, each package appeared as tangible as the other as she curled up with him inside the recliner’s cushioned embrace. “I knew I married you for a reason.” Izaak chuckled and poked her side lightly before tangling his arms around her warm body, taking comfort in the sensation of just being able to have her near him. Though hearing the impatience ring throughout her voice caused Izaak to laugh out loud once more. Beneath that lay a curiosity, surely her over eagerness was justified somehow? It wouldn’t be long until he found out. Eyeing each of the presents she offered him, Izaak hummed thoughtfully and pursed his lips at his options. “Well, if you insist...” His hand finally reached out for the smaller of the two, he childishly figured that the biggest should be saved until last. If only he knew just how big the surprise he was about to unwrap was. “This one.” He smiled softly over at his wife and graced the elegant line of her jaw with a tender kiss as his fingers began to fumble with the wrapping paper.

The festive paper fell away from the box easily enough as he tugged at it and Izaak let it fall forgotten to his feet. Suddenly mesmerised by what could possibly be contained inside, his perplexed azure eyes drifted over to Alianne. But the mystery of it all was too compelling to tear himself away from for too long. Carefully, he pried open the lid and peered inside. At first glimpse, he thought it was an x-ray but as his long fingers plucked the photograph from within. A sonagram – the last time he had seen one was when Alexis had been pregnant with Ella. Izaak’s jaw unhinged in shock. Immediately he realised what it represented and yet could not move a muscle, could not tear his eyes away from the grainy first picture of their baby. Although his expression remained frozen, beneath the surface a river of emotions were coursing through Izaak. He was happy, ecstatic, yes. But a fear grasped a hold of him too, one that froze every beam of happiness within him. A fear of losing this tiny life, a fear of losing Aly, a fear that wouldn’t easily be overcome. Izaak bit down on his lip with such force that he almost pierced the yielding flesh as he finally gathered the composure to meet his wife’s gaze. “We’re having a baby?” He asked dazedly, the awe in his voice apparent but Izaak was extremely wary of keeping his ecstatic emotions in check, no matter how much they desired to burst from him. It was silly but he had learnt from his experience as an expectant father – a miscarriage and a still birth – that he would only be setting himself up for heartbreak. “Aly, I...” But Izaak wasn’t even sure of how to finish that sentence, all he knew was that he was sure that Alianne would understand his internal struggle. She had too, she knew about Cassie and Ella after all. If their baby was destined to have the same fate, Izaak wasn’t sure that he would know how to live with himself anymore.

 

[Alianne Finch]

Alianne watched her husband with anxious curiosity as Izaak chose to open up the smallest present first. "Perfect choice love." the blonde told her husband in an even voice. A soft kiss brushed her jawline as she snuggled further into Izaak's warm embrace. Anticipation ripped through the young, pregnant woman's body. She was not quite sure how Izaak Jay would react to her surprise. Aly had been taking a risk when she decided to reveal this important news to her husband in such a way. It was daring since there was a slight possibility that Izaak would not be pleased at all with the fact that she was going to have a baby. Though, his fears were justified with Izaak's previous history. However, this was Aly and Izaak's baby. There was no way that it could be anything less than perfect when the relationship between the parents was so flawless and completely wonderful. Alianne couldn't believe that her husband would be anything less than ecstatic. A baby was an amazing, precious gift. One that Aly had been having to hide for the last month. A bright grin slowly spread across Alianne's face with every small tear Izaak made in the festive silver and blue snowman wrapping paper. Alianne twirled a blonde lock of hair around her fingers to contain her nervousness. All the built up anticipation, happiness, and excitement were threatening to spill over as Izaak opened the box. Aly could see his expression as he stared at the tiny little black and white picture. Aly knew her husband well. She could read the flickering of emotions that crossed his face.

Confusion. Shock. Excitement. Fear. All of those things Alianne could see on Izaak's face, no matter how hard she knew he was trying to hide them from her. Then, when he spoke, Aly heard awe. She smiled at him, nodding her head though he couldn't see it. "Yes, sweetheart. We are having a baby! Isn't that wonderful?" she asked happily. Even while she said the words, she could see Izaak wasn't quite with her yet. He was no doubt worrying that their little one would have the same fate as both Cassie and Ella. Alianne refused to believe that fate was in the cards for Izaak and Aly as a pair. Their relationship had always been so effortless. As comfortable as breathing. Just then, Izaak's brilliant blue eyes met her own violet ones. The blonde shook her head at him, throwing her arms around his neck. "Oh Izaak! Be happy!" she said, wanting his thoughts to be where hers were. "Our baby is going to be healthy and beautiful with bright eyes. You have nothing to worry about." Aly said, squeezing her husband once more. Aly was actually at a loss for words. She wasn't sure how to convince Izaak that it was okay to have hope. It was okay to be happy. He didn't have to guard his heart against her or their baby. He need not fear for the fate of Aly or the unborn child she was now carrying inside of her.