"If you're so cold, why didn't you say something? Come here."

For Ellie Adams McCord and skellymccord

December 1998

The Christmas music from the radio filtered slowly though the kitchen, the volume was low and the soft music was comforting Elizabeth. She was stood staring out of the window at the snow that had started to fall gently from the sky, she let her mind wander to her parents and of Christmas' past. Her mind pulled up memories of the radio softly sharing carols as the Adam's family opened gifts around their tree. She tried to remember their Christmas dinner and the last present she got from her mom and dad but she couldn't quite recall. A shiver ran through her body as the disappointment washed over her and she realised how cold she was.

It was 5am, her eyes were stinging and Elizabeth suddenly felt the newest addition to their family wriggle inside her. She looked down and placed her palm on her swollen tummy, she couldn't quite believe she was nearing 8 months pregnant with only a couple more to go. Whispering to the growing baby inside her she she didn't hear Henry come downstairs and approach her from behind.

Henry appraised his wife from the doorway before padding across the cold kitchen floor to meet her. He admired her pregnant silhouette which was illuminated by the faint lamp in the kitchen. That lamp had been a godsend when Stevie was born, their neighbours and friends bought it for them citing it as the best baby gift they could receive its bright enough to see what you are doing in the middle of the night…. but not bright enough to scar your retinas!

Henry enveloped his wife and unborn child in his arms, placing his hands over Elizabeth's tummy. His large hands covered hers and together they felt little baby McCord squirm around inside. Elizabeth let her head rest against Henry's chest and she let her eyes slip closed as she felt his warmth surround her.

"Woah, that was a big one" Henry exclaimed suddenly as he felt a big kick under their hands. Elizabeth smiled and opened her eyes once again. She watched as the snow swirled around outside with gusts of wind blowing it this way and that. Elizabeth felt the deep rumble of Henry's voice as he said "How long have you been up? I missed you"

"I've been awake for about an hour, this little baby wouldn't let me sleep. So I came downstairs to get a drink and got distracted by watching the snow" Elizabeth felt the coldness surround her again as Henry moved away to the fridge, no doubt to get some milk to warm for cocoa. She shivered again and wrapped her arms around her body trying to replace the heat that Henry provided. She watched Henry make the cocoa and secretly wished he would hurry up so she could be in his arms once again. "Stevie is going to be so excited when she wakes up"

Henry smiled as he imagined little Stevie's face as she saw the snow in the morning, he guessed he would be dragged outside before breakfast to make a snowman. "She will, won't she?" Henry poured the hot cocoa into two mugs and turned around to see Elizabeth shivering.

"Brrrr, it's so cold downstairs" Elizabeth muttered as she reached out for the cup of warm cocoa taking it in her hands.

"If you're so cold, why didn't you say something? Come here." Henry took her mug back and placed it onto the countertop and took her in his arms once again, albeit a little awkwardly with the baby bump getting in the way. "I have a way that we could warm up rather quickly" His hands brushed up and down her back trying to create heat to warm her up.

"Oh yeah, what do you have in mind professor?" She gently teased him, tilting her lips up towards his hoping he would take the hint and kiss her. He didn't disappoint, Henry brought his lips to hers and gently kissed her. Softly moving their lips together, allowing them both time to savor this moment. Henry felt Elizabeth's cold nose brush against his and pulled away.

"You go and get wrapped up on the sofa babe and I'll get the fire going and bring your drink through to you" He said softly as he pushed her slightly towards the den. He couldn't help but laugh at her face as she pouted and said

"Oh, I thought you had other ideas on how to warm me up?"

"We have a good couple of hours before Stevie wakes up and it's not going to take us that long to drink our drinks, now go" Henry grabbed the cups from the side and followed his wife through to the den to warm her up in more ways than one.