The Doctor cried out in frustration and let his arms flop to his sides, the wrapping paper and ribbons falling open around the gift.

"What is it sweetie?" his wife asked as she appeared at the top of the stairs above the console room. He leapt frantically forwards covering the present with his body.

"Don't look!" he cried. "It's a surprise. Go away!" River chuckled to herself and turned to walk back towards the Library. The Doctor watched her go and then turned his attention back to the present. If only he could have it gift wrapped, but seeing as he hadn't actually bought it that wasn't a possibility. But he had to make it perfect. He had it all planned out, every last detail, and it had to be perfect.

When the Doctor finally allowed River back into the room the air was filled with the soft sound of Ella Fitzgerald Christmas songs, and the TARDIS seemed to buzz contentedly in tune with the festivities. She had even decorated herself, great sliver baubles hanging from the ceiling, and lush leafy green garlands winding themselves up the banisters and pillars. She sauntered in, going slowly down the stairs, her hands held behind her back, a little smile playing about her pretty lips, and suddenly he had forgotten all of his planning, and could focus only on her, and of course, what she was hiding behind her back.

"What have you got behind your back?" he asked suspiciously. She grinned and revealed a small neatly wrapped cylindrical parcel. The Doctor beamed and ripped the paper off like and over excited, over grow child.

"Fish fingers and custard!" he cried out as he opened the warm cylinder to pull out a hot fish finger, dripping bright yellow custard back into the pot.

"Mother told me the story ages ago," River chuckled. He placed them, still smiling, on the console table and reached around him to present his poorly wrapped gift to his wife. River raised a single slender eyebrow incredulously as she eyed the wrapping, and opened it slowly, to find a small white silk bag inside; the bag had belonged to her mother. She looked at him, eyes wide, sadness reflected just beneath the surface.

"Doctor?" she breathed. He smiled comfortingly at her, and said,

"Open it." Reaching tentatively inside she pulled out the green and gold velvet star, her name embroidered in gold on either side, translated by the TARDIS from the language of the Gamma Forrest.

"She gave it to me, saying that if ever anything should happen to her, that I should make sure you get it." The Doctor smiled softly at her, and she kissed him tenderly, wrapping her arms around him.

"Merry Christmas River," he smiled.

"Merry Christmas my love."