a/n: There also wasn't enough Turnadette...

Shelagh smiled and surveyed the scene in front of her. Patrick held Angela in his arms and was making silly faces and cooing at her. Tim's face held an identical smile, though the object of his affection was his new book on spitfires which he was eagerly thumbing, another mound of opened presents set tidily at his feet.

It had been a happy morning at the Turners, Tim excited at his haul of gifts, Patrick pleased with his new scarf, and she liked the new leather gloves he had bought her. The wrapping paper had been put in the bin, so all that was needed was for them all to have one last cup of tea and smarten themselves up before heading to Nonatus for Christmas lunch.

She made to go get changed when suddenly Tim looked up. "Oh Mum, I nearly forgot" he exclaimed, darting off to his room. He returned with a messily wrapped package.

"It's from me and Angela" he said as he handed it to her.

"You and Angela?" Shelagh chuckled,"I see". She opened the paper to find a velvet bag, inside of which was a red beaded necklace.

"Oh Timmy it's beautiful!" Shelagh said, reaching out to give him a kiss.

"You like it?" He asked, and for all his sudden growth spurt, his face looked like the little boy he was inside.

"I love it, I shall wear it today" Shelagh beamed, her first present from her children, she would have treasured it, whatever it may have been. "Speaking of which, we all need to go and get changed. Chop chop!"

"Did you help him chose it?" Shelagh asked Patrick as Tim scampered off.

"Me? No. He asked me for some money to get you a present, but I didn't see the end result until today. He's got good taste!"

"I suspect he had some help somewhere" Shelagh said.

As usual, despite the best intentions of both Shelagh and Tim, the Turners ended up being late. Patrick after faffing about doing who knows what, eventually reappeared in the living room to find Tim and Shelagh with their coats already on.

They made their way as quickly as they could to Nonatus house. Angela was snatched away by Sister Evangelina as soon as they arrived, leaving the rest of the family free to get rid of their many layers of outer clothing, Having divested of his coat fairly quickly Patrick went ahead into the dinning room to recapture Angela, while Shelagh nipped to the toilet to re-do her hair slightly after bracing the wind outside.

She joined the rest of the family a shortwhile later. "I say Shelagh, motherhood certainly suits you" Trixie exclaimed "You are positively glowing". Patrick turned around to see his wife enter the room and his jaw nearly hit the floor.

Her hair was down and in curls, his favourite style, but she had used the bathroom break to apply a deep red lipstick that he certainly hadn't seen before. Underneath the winter coat she had clearly been wearing a new dress which accentuated her tiny waist, with Tim's new necklace complimenting the outfit. She had most certainly *not* been wearing all that at breakfast this morning.

"That's very kind of you Trixie" Shelagh said, while Patrick just stared at her, agape.

"You look pretty Mum" Tim said

"Are you okay dearest" Shelagh asked her husband, who was still staring at her wordlessly.

"I think he likes the view" Trixie winked, taking Tim by the shoulder "Come on young man, lets get everyone some drinks".

"Thank you for the help with Mum's necklace" Shelagh heard Tim say as they walked away.

"Patrick?" Shelagh said.

"Georgoeous" Patrick finally stuttered.

Shelagh blushed

"Is it a new dress?"

"Yes, I bought it especially. Do you like it?" She replied coyly.

Patrick nodded "You bought it especially for today?"

Shelagh lowered her voice so that only he could hear. "No, I bought it especially for you. It's your present. You can unwrap me later" with that she winked at her poor defenseless husband, and sashayed off to find Angela.

Patrick gulped. This was shaping up to be a much better Christmas then last year!