The conversation moves on after that, I lose complete interest however as Amelia places her hand on my knee and gives it a soft squeeze. I turn my head to the side and see her eyes light up as a soft smile spreads across her cheeks. She has the faintest traces of dimples at the corner of her mouth. I presume it's a 'well done for being polite' knee squeeze, like I'm a child being told I'm a good boy for eating all my broccoli. I return the smile, I refuse to ruin this weekend for her. She feels so alive to me right now; chatting animatedly with my family, humming quietly to the Christmas music. She can say it doesn't matter all she likes, but I know that this is the sort of family relationships she wished she had all her life. So I'll be good, I'll keep it together, so she can have this. A
