The family were all gathered in the kitchen, plates in their hands, ready for their Christmas dinner. Caroline and Nomsa had decided it would be easier just to put everything out and let them put how little or how much they wanted on their plate, saved them trying to guess!

Fatani and his family had also arrived, as had Vanessa who had also been invited to share Christmas Dinner with the Leopards Den family.

"Smells good." Dupe commented as he grabbed a large amount of everything.

"Tastes good." Caroline added winking at him. Eventually all the family made their way outside to sit on the table on the veranda. Although it was December, it was actually the hottest time of the year for South Africa, and the house was sweltering due to the large amount of cooking that had been happening.

Danny and Alice sat at the head of the table, the places where they always sat. They both had piled plates, full of food. They sat patiently, waiting for everyone to sit down with their food, Danny turned his attention to Alice who was looking out over towards the animal hospital. He smiled and placed his arm on her chair, before leaning forward.

"You ok?" He asked quietly.

"Yeh, great thanks, you?" Alice replied turning to face him.

"I'm good." Danny replied. "You thinking?"

"Yeh, just thinking about how nice today has been already." Alice smiled turning properly round.

"It has been a pretty amazing day." Danny agreed as Nomsa and Caroline finally arrived at the table. "Ah, I think we can eat!"

"Ah yes, the time for the civilised dinner, where you have a full conversation between each mouth full." Alice teased as they turned their attention to the people around the table.

"Merry Christmas everyone." Dupe smiled raising his beer. Everyone toasted to one another, whether it be with a bottle of beer, a glass of wine or a can of coke, everyone was already in high spirits.

The family began to eat their food. Laughter rippled around the table as they all conversed between eating. There was a number of grins lighting up the area, as they all cracked jokes and laughed about the years activities. Soon there were many empty drink bottles, both large and small and a number of cans lay empty on the table. It wasn't long before dinner had been eaten, some had taken Nomsa up on the offer of Christmas pudding, but many were already full including Danny and Alice.

"Fancy a wander?" Danny asked Alice. She looked at the table and noticed Rosie and Max had got up and so had Dupe and Fatani who were talking at the bottom of the stairs.

"Yeh sure, might do me good! God I feel bloated!" Alice laughed as they both excused themselves, after squeezing their way past everyone, they took one another's hands and began to walk around the grounds of their picturesque home. They began to walk down towards the animal hospital.

"I feel like I'm going to work in a dress." Alice said, humour in her tone as they turned away from the entrance and walked around the back.

"Oh yeh I know what you mean." Danny replied seriously, Alice turned to face him, a questioning look upon her face. It was then she was the twinkling in his eyes. "Your face." Danny laughed.

"Hmm..." Alice replied, tilting her head to the right. Danny leant forward and kissed her once. The kiss was short, over before it had started, but it was perfect, it made the moment.

Thabo and Olivia were stood, leaning on the veranda. Olivia turned to face him and smiled, she was so glad he was here, he'd made her Christmas. Her thoughts were interrupted as the young man in question turned to face her.

"Why what's this?" He asked grinning, she looked up and noticed the mistletoe that was above them. She chuckled and shook her head before leaning up towards him, he met her half way as they kissed deeply under the mistletoe.

Olivia looked at him as they pulled away and grinned.

"We could have some fun with that!" She beamed looking at the mistletoe. She pulled him inside the house and into her room, she was sure she had what she needed somewhere in this room!

Danny and Alice had reached the back of the house, they began to walk up towards the rear entrance to the house when Danny pulled Alice into a darkened corner. He looked down at her as she wrapped her arms around his neck.

"I'm feeling neglected..." Danny whispered.

"Why?" Alice teased him, she knew full well why he was feeling that way. They'd not really been able to kiss freely today or hug.

"Well... having to restrain myself when you are in that dress?" Danny told her, his eyes were soft.

"How about me, you in those jeans!" Alice laughed, she wrapped her arms further around his neck.

"Hmm... still we're alone now..." Danny grinned.

"Ah, so you had a motif all along for having a wander?" Alice teased as she felt his arms tighten around his waist.

"Damn right!" Danny murmured before lowering his lips towards hers. It wasn't long before they were kissing passionately. Alice was pressed against the wall as she and Danny continued their embrace. Eventually Alice pulled away for breath and beamed a huge grin at him. She couldn't resist it as he gave her that exclusive smile he saved for her and pulled him back down to her. She didn't care in that moment that the family would no doubt be waiting for them, he was irresistible!

Olivia and Thabo high fived as they took their seats on the veranda, this could be so good! Vanessa and Fatani were walking through the front door when they saw the sign on the veranda.

"Look up?" Vanessa questioned, she saw Buhle laughing on the other side, Buhle had been about to get some juice for Cashile when she noticed the small green plant above the door.

"Mistletoe?" Fatani exclaimed.

"Erm..." Vanessa mumbled looking at Buhle.

"Fatani... you know the rules!" Buhle smiled sweetly. Fatani looked at Vanessa awkwardly. Olivia and Thabo were biting their lips. They kissed quickly before quickly walking off.

"Damn whoever put that there!" Fatani muttered as he walked past Liv and Thabo. They high fived sneakily behind his back.

Danny and Alice decided they'd better get outside and back to the family. Alice stopped in the kitchen.

"I'll just grab a glass of water." Alice smiled, Danny nodded and pecked her before walking out with Dupe. Alice chuckled as she noticed the plant above them. She bit her lip and caught Liv's eye. Liv winked at her and Alice gave her a thumbs up. She stood leaning on the table as Danny and Dupe looked up at it.

"No way!" Danny shouted. "No, No, n..."

Danny was cut off as Dupe put his hands on the side of Danny's face and kissed him very quickly on the lips. Alice laughed hysterically as did everyone else.

"DUPE!" Danny shouted.

"Ach man, mistletoe! You enjoyed it, good kisser us DuPlessis'!" Dupe told him.

"You call that a kiss?" Alice asked him causing Dupe and Danny to turn round. Alice walked towards Danny, determination on her face. She pulled his face down to hers and kissed him tenderly. Everyone began to clap as Max wolf whistled. As she pulled away slightly breathless, she turned to Dupe. "Now that Mr DuPlessis is what you call a good kiss!" She turned back to Danny and patted his chest. "Come on."

Danny followed her like a drooling puppy, following her orders. They took their seats back at the table, immediately throwing themselves into the conversation. This Christmas was truly perfect!