A/N So, some of you may know that I started a Christmas story last year... And it didn't get very far. I would like to continue it at some point, but this year I would like a to pre-write a story so that I can just post chapters every day or every couple of days in the run up to Christmas, with the last chapter on Christmas day itself. I was originally going to write one about Chloe in TDG, but the story I wanted wouldn't really fit... So here we are again with Tracy. XD Hope you enjoy it. :-)

This was the original plan, but I've ended up not finishing it in time so I'm just going to post them once or twice a day until it's all up and carry on writing in between. This is what I get for nt being organised and thinking I had loads of time. :-)

Tracy POV

It was all systems go at the Dumping Ground. It was a week until Christmas, and everyone was excited. The tree and decorations were up, Mike had made sure that Christmas music was playing throughout the house constantly, the fridge and cupboards were full of food for the big day, and there were presents all around the living room, along with several rolls of wrapping paper and tape.

Only thing was, I wasn't nearly as excited as I usually was.

Cam's mum had been taken ill a few days ago and she had gone to see her to spend some time with her and help her out at home. And although Mike would have given me the leave to go too, I had felt it wouldn't be fair on the kids to suddenly disappear at what for a lot of them was an important time of the year.

So I had decided to stay.

I sighed as I walked down to the kitchen, where Mike was making lunch (having improved since he'd cooked for me as a kid, thankfully). I hadn't had a Christmas without Cam since she'd adopted me, and it felt strange that she wouldn't be here this Christmas, although Mike had told me I could spend the day at Elm Tree rather than on my own, which I was grateful for.

"Hi, Tracy," said Mike, noticing me as I entered the room. "Any news from Cam?"

"Not at the moment," I said. I'd just been to the office on my laptop to see if Cam had sent any emails (as apparently her mobile signal was horrendous), but there hadn't been anything. She hadn't emailed for a few days now, but I had sent her some. She was probably just too busy.

"I'm sure there will be soon," said Mike, giving me a reassuring smile.

I gave a small smile back.

"Come on, it's Christmas!" said Mike cheerfully. "You have to be happy!" He paused what he was doing and looked at me closely. "I know you're worried," he said, "but I'm sure everything will be fine."

"It's not just that," I said. "I haven't had a Christmas without Cam since I've lived with her, and then after Christmas she's supposed to be going back to New York, and..."

I sighed and trailed off, knowing I didn't have explain myself further, and not really knowing how to. Mike beckoned me for a hug and wrapped an arm around me.

"It's OK," he said. "We're all still here. You know that from last time."

I gave a small smile, but at the same time Mike's words were bittersweet. I definitely did know about last time, and even though I didn't panic anymore, I still didn't like being on my own in the house, as it still got very lonely.

"Anyway," said Mike. "Do you want to call the others for lunch?"

I nodded and pulled away, before I went to tell the kids that lunch was ready.

After lunch I was in the living room helping Harry to wrap some presents he'd bought for people. He was obviously excited for Christmas, singing to the songs that Mike had on and chatting away happily. I felt a pang in my chest as I realised just how much I wanted to be with Cam now in the same way.

"Do you think Carmen will like this?" asked Harry, as he held up some pink hair clips.

I gave him a smile. "I'm sure she'll love them."

We wrapped the hair clips, before wrapping the rest of Harry's presents.

"There, all done," I said, helping Harry to put his presents with the others under the Christmas tree. "I'm sure everyone's going to love their presents."

Harry smiled. "Thank you for helping me."

"My pleasure," I said.

Harry then left the room, leaving me alone with my thoughts. I went back to the office to see if Cam had replied.

Mike was in the office when I got there. I opened my laptop and turned it on.

"Are you seeing if Cam's sent anything?" he asked.

I nodded.

"I'm sure she's alright," said Mike.

I opened my emails once the computer had loaded.

"She's sent one," I said.

Mike looked at me expectantly as I read through it, and then his face changed to concern as tears began to make their way down my cheeks.

"What does it say?" he asked.

"That she doesn't know when she's going to be back as her mum isn't getting any better, and that she might not even come home before she has to go back to New York," I said.

Mike gently squeezed my hand. I covered my eyes with my hands to try to stop the tears flowing, and Mike came round to my side of the desk and gave me a gentle hug.

"It's OK," he said. "When she's in New York you'll be able to video call her like you did last time, won't you?"

I nodded, although I was thinking about something else. "Mike?"

Mike looked down at me.

"Would I be able to have some leave, to go see Cam for Christmas?" I asked.

Mike smiled. "Of course you can." He paused. "I thought you wanted to spend Christmas here though?"

"I want to see Cam," I said. "It gets lonely when she's away, and I want to see her if I can."

Mike sighed. "I understand." He paused, before sighing again. "I don't know what else to do about that one."

I turned back to the laptop and sent an email to Cam, telling her that I was coming to see her. Almost instantly I got a video call.

"Hi, Tracy," she said once I'd opened the window. "I got your message. What's happened?"

"I miss you," I said. "And I want to see you before you go back to America."

Can sighed. "Look, Tracy, as much as I want to spend Christmas with you too, I don't think it's possible."

"Why not?" I asked.

"Well, I don't think there's space for you here," said Cam. "And we won't be doing a proper Christmas anyway."

"I don't mind," I said. "I could sleep on the sofa, or the floor."

Cam sighed again. "Tracy, Mum's quite ill. I don't think she'll want anyone else in her house. And she's still bossing me around like she always has. I'm only here to help her while she's ill. Then I'll come straight home!"

"Or go to New York," I said.

"We'll sort that out when we get to it," said Cam. She gave me a small smile. "I'm so sorry, Trace," she said.

"It's OK, I understand," I said. I did understand where Cam was getting from, as I wouldn't want someone I'd only met once in my house when I was ill.

Cam looked to Mike. "Can you look after her, please?" she asked.

Mike ruffled my hair, giving a smile. "Don't worry, I already am."

Can smiled back, before she looked back to me. "I've got to go, Tracy," she said. "We can talk another time, yeah?"

I gave a small nod.

"OK then, bye," said Cam.

"Bye," I said, before Cam ended the call. I then turned to look at Mike anxiously.

"Are you OK?" he asked.

I took a few deep breaths, before I flung my arms around him, hugging him tightly for support.

Mike gently hugged me back, hugging me tighter as I hugged him.

"It's OK," he said. "I'm here. You've got me."

I continued to hug Mike tightly as I started to cry. I didn't want to be in the flat my myself for so long, and I didn't know what to do.

"Hey, shh," said Mike, gently rubbing my back once he'd realised I was crying. "It's alright. Shh."

"I'm sorry," I said.

Mike gave me a squeeze. "Don't be sorry. I understand."

He then put his head on to top of my head and gave me a gentle kiss.

I closed my eyes, still hugging Mike tightly.

"You can stay here at night if you want," said Mike. "The spare staff bedroom is always free if you want it, you know that."

I gave a small smile.

"And I'm always here if you need to talk or anything else," Mike continued. "And you know where to find me."

I nodded.

Mike lowered his voice, making it as gentle as he possibly could. "Is there anything else worrying you?"

I shook my head. At the moment the only thing bothering me was not seeing Cam, but Mike already knew that.

"Good," said Mike. He paused for a moment. "Do you want the afternoon off? I don't think we urgently need you."

"Here?" I asked.

Mike smiled. "Of course."

I nodded, before I rested my head on Mike's chest and hugged him tightly again. Mike hugged me back, and I thought I heard him mumble something to himself.

"That'll be the best present ever, and make all the difference."

A/N So, that was chapter one. Really hope you enjoyed it, there will be more to come tomorrow. Please review. :-)