Merry Christmas.

Ruth reached over Harry, to dip a strawberry in chocolate. "You're liking those, aren't you?" he asked, both pleased and amused. Ruth nodded, eyes bright as she ate the strawberry. They were both naked, entwined together on the living room floor, in front of an open fire and were laying on a mess of cushions and blankets. They were both incredibly comfortable.

"Yes, they're delicious," she said. "Today's been a good day."

"Why, because we haven't left the house?"

"Maybe," she said laughing. "Spending hours exclusively in your company is rather enjoyable. Even more so when clothes aren't involved." Harry laughed quietly, then kissed her lips briefly.

"I love you," he said.

"I know," she replied. "Is that just because I'm cooking for everyone tomorrow?"

"No," he said. "Although having someone who knows how to cook a turkey will make a better impression on my two kids," he added. "Inviting them over for Christmas dinner and all."

"The trick is to cook parts of the bird separately," Ruth said. "The white meat and dark meat doesn't take the same amount of time to cook, so why would you shove the whole bird in the oven in one go?"

"I'm not arguing with you," he said. "Although I did worry slightly when I came in and found you holding a knife and manically chopping it to bits this afternoon." Ruth laughed. He'd brought some logs in, and he had stopped, stared at her with the knife, then turned around and left her in the kitchen alone. "Where did you learn to cook?" he asked softly, stroking her hair as she rested her head on his chest.

"When I was a teenager, I had a holiday job in a hotel," she said. "When I wasn't at boarding school. I washed up basically. And I watched as the chef put wonderful dishes in the oven, and then when they came out an hour later, or whatever, they were completely different. I found it fascinating. Clearly I was a lonely child, but I tried to learn all I could. And then living on my own so long, I learnt out of necessity, and found I enjoyed it."

"Learning you can cook was a wonderful surprise," he said softly. "The way to a mans heart is through his stomach after all."

"I thought the way to a mans heart was through this," she said, reaching between his legs and making a fortunate grab. Harry gasped as her thumb started stroking him.

"I need a little bit longer to recover from last time," he said quietly. She smirked slightly, but then willingly let go. "I wish I was thirty years younger," he said bitterly. "I could keep going all night then."

"Well I don't," Ruth said firmly. Harry looked at her, wondering if she was flattering him or not. "Men half your age have no skill in making love to a woman. They're more concerned with themselves. I have no desire that you be younger." He smiled and kissed her, this time a deep and passionate kiss. She wrapped her arms around him which made the blanket fall away from her. When they parted, Harry got a good look at her full breasts before she covered back up again.

"Mm, spoil sport," he said and she smiled.

"You've tasted, touched, stroked and kissed every inch of my breasts. You can manage without seeing them all the time."

"If I have to," he agreed. She smiled again and buried into his shoulder once more.
The silence was only broken by the crackle of logs burning, but it was very comfortable. "I'm so happy," she said after minutes of quiet. "Is it wrong to be this happy?"

"Why would it be wrong?" he asked in confusion.

"Maybe it's just that happiness is an unusual feeling for me," she said slowly. "I can't imagine how my life's changed in just a year." He kissed her temple gently.

"I know," he said. "I can't either. I have both of my children coming over for Christmas dinner tomorrow. That would never have happened a year ago. And its thanks to you."

"I didn't do anything," she protested.

"Yes you did," he said. "You told me to stop being an idiot with wounded pride and call my son."

"You just had a bruised ego because he rejected you," Ruth said. "You just needed a kick to jar you into action."

"Mm," he said.

"You're going to be pleasant to his girlfriend aren't you?" she asked. "Don't act all… spook Harry."

"I'll be nice," he said.

"Good." She pressed herself into him, sliding one leg in between his thighs and he "mmed" with satisfaction. He loved holding her like this. It felt so good and right.

There was a distant electronic beep of the alarm, signalling midnight and Ruth kissed the hollow of his throat. "Merry Christmas."

"Mm, merry Christmas to you to," he said. "And to many more together." He held her tight and after several minutes, they both fell into a happy sleep.

Ruth awoke to the cat pawing at her hair. She groaned as she sat up, the blankets falling away from her. She shivered at the sudden bite of cold. They hadn't turned the heating on last night, because of the open fire, which had been wonderfully romantic. But now it had burnt out and she was cold. She looked at the clock and groaned. Seven in the morning. They had to get up and get organised before their guests arrived. Which included showering and putting some clothes on.

"Wake up Harry," she said quietly.

"Hm?"

"It's Christmas," she said. "We have to get dressed."

"Well I suppose so," he said. "If we have to." She smiled at him and then opened her eyes in pleasure as Harry moved to get her gift from under the tree. He still wore nothing and she was treated to a wonderful view of his rear as he moved away from her. When he came back, he caught her looking and she grinned, completely unabashed as Harry handed her a wrapped gift.

"We agreed, no presents," she said.

"Well, I lied," he said. "Open it."

She rolled her eyes, but then did. It was a jewellery box, and she opened it. Inside was a beautiful sapphire necklace. Deep sparkling blue jewels which were clearly genuine. "Oh my God," she said. "Harry, this is far too expensive."

"Is that your way of saying you don't like it?" he asked quietly.

"Like it? Harry, its beautiful. It's gorgeous. And it's far too expensive."

"Let me put it on you," he said, ignoring her worry about the price.

"No, not yet," she said. "I need a shower first, then I'll wear it all day, I promise."

"Okay," he said.

"How much did that cost?"

"If it makes you feel any better, I only paid a third of the price for it."

"How come?"

"When I was working in six, a band of terrorists used a jewellery store as a way to lauder money. It got very complicated, but essentially I proved that the owner had no involvement, it was the employees, and I managed to get certain items of jewellery out of evidence, so he could sell them and not lose too much money. He gives me a reduction ever since on... particular items I want."

"Well thank you," she said. "It's absolutely stunning." She touched the sapphires gently and then closed the box. "I wish I had something for you."

"You don't need to give me anything," he said. "You've brought my family together today, that's more than enough."

She kissed him deeply and smiled again. "Merry Christmas, Harry."

Have a great day everyone.