DISCLAIMER: I'm looking in my stocking – there are no rights in here. Oh well. Maybe next year.

Presents

Present For Long Ago

Nellie is shyer than usual, standing next to Ben in the pews. It's the first time she's wore a fancy dress in front of him, and the first time she's seen him in a suit.

She doesn't usually go to church, not even on Christmas, since her dad usually brought her back to his house in Liverpool for the holidays. However, she never refuses an invitation from Ben, especially since stupid Lucy had started to make her move on him.

Nellie smiles, knowing she needs to eliminate Lucy as soon as possible. Ben had always been into blondes, with Nellie as the only exception.

"This is a good part," Ben mumbles, startling Nellie out of her plans of murder, "The Magi are really neat to look at."

"Neat?" Nellie repeats, giving him one of her patented eyebrow raises, "Ben, ya could've said anythin', and ya pick neat?"

Ben slaps the back of her hand gently. "Just because you have the mouth of a bloody sailor." He snaps, looking away.

She giggles into his ear; her breath makes him squirm, "See, 'bloody' isn't so 'ard to say, is it?"

"Quiet down!" The widow behind them snaps loudly, interrupting the naivety play.

They both laugh until the end of the play, where Ben pulls Nellie outside amongst the confusion.

They sit in the abandoned alley, one of the few areas clear of snow, still laughing softly. The sun is emerging, and the soft light reflects off the snow and made London look like a wonderland.

"Nellie," Ben says, "I got you a present."

She smiles at him and leans her head against the wall. "Oh, you didn't 'ave to do that."

"I wanted to," he whispers, reaching into his pocket. He pulls out a black and red locket, with a silver chain and trimmings, "Here."

"Oh, Ben," she murmurs, grabbing the locket, making sure their fingers touch, "It's beautiful."

He smiles, obviously pleased. "Can I put it on for you?"

Nellie nods, and Ben's hands play gently on her neck, fumbling with the clasp. "I hope you like it," he jabbers, "I mean, I got it really cheap, but I know you like red, and I thought it suited you, and-"

"Shut up, Ben," she cuts in, "I love it. It's bloody beautiful."

"Good," he sighs, "Want to know what I got Lucy?"

"What?" She gasps, her heart falling. He pays no attention to her, rambling on about how 'amazing' Lucy was, and how he felt about her, and how he loves her, and the 'very expensive' earrings he got her, and other pointless facts.

"I don't think Lucy is a good person for you!" She yells, startling Ben out of his lecture.

He asks why.

'Isn't obvious?' she thinks, 'I love you.'

He leaves, confused and angry, but she keeps the locket on.

She'll still be wearing the locket twenty-five years later, when Ben will be challenging the honesty of a faux Italian barber, and her feelings will be the same.