"Come on!" Emma Temple said to her parents, ushering them into the living-room. She was only three, but she already had her Aunt Jennys knack for bossing people around.

"All right, we're coming, we're coming" Connor said, holding the hand of a very pregnant Abby and leading her through into the lounge where their giant Christmas tree stood and their three stockings were hung on the mantelpiece. Four, counting Rex's, which was filled mainly with snacks and a make-shift collar that Emma had made him.

"Mummy, daddy, can I put cookies and milk out for Santa?" The little girl asked, jumping up and down in her nightdress and causing her long, blond curls to bounce off her shoulders. Abby gave Connor a look and he smiled at her, warmly.

"Of course, angel" He said, taking his daughters hand and releasing his wife's, "Why don't we do it? Mummy's a bit tired"

Abby gave Connor a grateful look as he led Emma through into the kitchen and she sat down. One of the twins gave her a hard kick and she winced, but she was smiling.

Abby couldn't remember a time in her life when she'd been happier.

She loved Connor more than ever; Emma was the most beautiful little girl on the planet to her and their two little boys would soon be making their way into the world.

Abby and Connor had recently been looking for a larger place. Their current apartment had been perfect for them and Emma, because it had two bedrooms but when the twins were a few months old, they were going to need their own room and Abby and Connor just didn't have enough space in this apartment. Earlier that week, they'd seen a house uptown, near Nick and Claudia, which they both loved.

Emma and Connor came back into the room, Emma carrying a plate of cookies, Connor the glass of milk. There were cookie crumbs around Emma's mouth.

"I hope you haven't been eating Santa's cookies, little lady" Abby joked and Emma grinned, shaking her head.

"Don't fib to mummy" Connor told her gently and Emma nodded at Abby, who laughed.

"C'mon" Abby said, "Put the cookies and milk down, lets watch The Polar Express and then it's bedtime for Emma"

The little family settled down to watch the film (Emma's choice) and Connor wrapped an arm around his wife's shoulders. Abby leaned against Connors chest.

Watching Emma settle herself in front of the television, sitting on her favourite beanbag, wrapping her arms around the teddy she had loved since birth and breathing in the scent she loved, Connors, Abby realised she wouldn't have it any other way.

"Merry Christmas" Connor whispered in her ear and she kissed him.