Hi everyone! We at Miniaturists Towers are delighted you are enjoying our run of One Shots. JP's story really got us all in the mood for some Christmas love. The next author needs no introduction- the fabulous Itsembarrasing has revisited 'To Let Myself Go' with a special festive addition. I know you'd rather read that than my witterings, so here we go! Enjoy!

To Let Myself Go - Christmas Edition

"Does everyones boobs go like that Molls? You know….."

I wonder if one day Elvis will finally grow up. There's not even the chance I can pull my dress up to cover more of my chest, Bella's fast asleep and I am not waking her. Instead, I'm watching Elvis stare at my tits and move his hands to try and represent the size of my boobs.

"Anyway." He clears his throat, still staring at my chest. "Is there any chance I can borrow her?"

"Who?" I ask confused, looking around for Fi, or Jane… or any female. But all I can see is the lads, Charles' Dad and Sam; who I give a little wave to. There was the chance he wasn't going to come down, join in our Christmas party come anniversary party, what with another new game and his recent coming of age Xbox gold which means he can also chat to 'friends' when playing.

"The baby. Her."

"You mean Bella?" I ask incredulously.

"Yeah Bella. But can you make it snappy. I need her like now."

Elvis is looking shifty, his hands already outstretched. I'm not sure why I find myself handing my child over, though if I'm honest I think it's because I'm gagging for a drink, have expressed enough for tonight and a 2 day hangover. Also a few precious moments without a 5 week and 6 day old baby would be appreciated - I love her but it's been a bit tough. "You need to support her head-"

"-Yeah, yeah, I know, seen Charlie boy doin' it, ain't I. If he can do it, anyone can do it."

"He was a father before you know."

"And so was I."

"Christ, I keep forgettin' that-"

"Even so Molls. Still can't be hard, can it? Shit, she's a strong little fuc... thing.. Ain't she? It's fine I've got her look, she's not gonna' fall backward again… Hello, gorgeous, it's your Uncle Elvis. Yes it is...it is..."

Oh God, he's actually quite sweet with her, holding her small head in his large hands, the love he feels for his best mates daughter shining out of his eyes.

"So, did it work?"

"Did what work?" I ask confused, my hand still millimetres from my daughters head.

"The whole, bloke going all soft over one of these things.." He nods at Bella. "It is true girls love that kinda' thing, don't they?"

"A little bit, I 'spose."

"Don't screw your nose up like that Molls. All the girls love it. I'm tellin' you, not that I'm caring about all the girls."

God I'm thick. I've just realised who he's talking about. A grin takes over my face. Okay, I'm all for this. "Right Elvis, here's what you've got to do. Lift her up a bit, that's it, until she's snuggling into your neck, place your hand on her back and just give her little kisses.. That's it."

"You are the best Molls, you know that don't you."

"Well, when I forget Charles tells me. Now before she starts crying, go and get your Georgie."

Elvis, grins, starts to walk and then stops, turning back to me with a look of horror on his face. "I was about to tell you I love you there, which is a bit weird, I've only ever told one other bird I love her."

"Keep your gob shut Elvis, that's my final advice."

"Thanks Molls. I'll try."

I've come to love Elvis as a mate. Have a tear in my eye watching him walking out the kitchen in search of the dark haired female last seen chatting with Jane at the tree - Georgie.

I bloody knew her, imagine that, it meant Charles and I could accidentally invite them both around for dinner at the same time, help them along a little bit and finally, after a year of behaving himself he is so close to giving her the ring he's had in his possession since, well, forever I think.

And now I'm by myself. On my own. It feels strange. Like what do you do? For nearly 6 weeks I've hardly been without her. I know, I'll go to the toilet, by myself, you know with no little thing with me, completely and utterly by myself.

10 minutes later, which has been equivalent to a weekend retreat in the wilderness I come out feeling like a different person, I'm relaxed…. chilled….

"Molly, where's...?"

Charles.

I turn. Guilty. Only to see him with Bella, his shirt sleeve wet from her gnawing, her legs going nineteen to the dozen at being back with her favourite person. He looks completely at ease with his daughter, has done since the moment she was born. He pulls me against him and places a kiss against my forehead. "Where's your bloody drink, god you deserve one… Come on let's get you one."

"Did you save her from Elvis?"

Charles places his hand on the small of my back, guiding through to the kitchen. "Georgie passed her back to me. Elvis wasn't coping well with her regurgitated milk."

"I shouldn't laugh should I?"

"Laugh away, Dawesy, laugh away. Now what can I get you?"

"Anything."

"Anything? That bad?" He's laughing now, multitasking with Bella, whilst getting me a glass, some cola from the fridge, and the vodka. Vodka; my eyes are widening, it's such an adult thing, and it's been ages since I've done anything remotely adult. "Can we make it a little vodka though?"

"Why?" I pout. Honest to god, this is so unfair, teased with some moments of being me, then it's taken away. Charles splashes an extra bit of vodka in the glass, coming around to my side of the kitchen island and bending down to whisper in my ear:

"Have you not been counting Mrs James?"

"It's the first bleedin' one of tonight, since 10 months ago."

"No not the drink. Tonight's a very special date."

"Yeah, it's our anniversary." I grin, taking a sip of the drink. It is delicious. "We got engaged 2 years ago tonight."

"We did. And…" He prompts, biting his lip with amusement. "How old's Bella?"

"She's gonna' be 6 weeks at 12.01, our babies gonna' be 6 weeks Charles."

"Exactly. 6 weeks. 6 weeks Molly, 6 weeks…"A look of hope lights up his face, making him instantly 5 years younger. This is going to be fun. I keep my expression neutral, pulling my eyebrows together like I'm a little bit confused. Charles starts to falter. "We can…..if you wanted to, though of course if you want to wait longer."

"For what, I ain't got a scooby what you're on about?"

I have a calendar, it's in my knicker drawer and since 3 weeks I've been crossing each day out. This is because at 3 weeks and 5 days I suggested to Charles it might be a bit of fun to get a little bit jiggy with each other, but, man of the rules he is, if the midwife said 6 weeks then 6 weeks it had to be. I've been gagging for it.

"You know." He murmurs, his cheeks starting to get a tinge of red.

"No I don't know?"

"Excuse me everyone, excuse me."

We both look with surprise towards the living room, where Elvis's voice is coming from.

Charles dips his head for me to follow him through. I'm a few seconds behind them because obviously I needed to top up my drink - a little bit of dutch courage won't go amiss tonight. By the time I'm through it's to see Elvis down on one knee in front of the Christmas tree, the velvet box in his hand shaking. I snuggle into Charles, watching the expression on Georgie's face, feeling a bit of relief, she's obviously going to say yes, it's been a tough time for them. I'm sure there's even a glint of a tear on her cheek.

Elvis clears his throat; it's cute seeing him this uneasy.

"I know I've been a bit of dick, that I ain't always treated you right but well, I love you Georgie, I never ever thought I'd ever feel this way about anyone, 'n' all I want to do is spend the rest of my life with you and…" I giggle at the bead of sweat on Elvis's top lip, I think he maybe needs a little push.

"Get a move on Elvis mate."

"Right Molls, we all know Bella's 6 weeks today 'n' you 'n' Charlie boy…."

"Why does it matter Bella's 6 weeks." Asks the innocent voice of Sam.

"She should maybe sleep through the night." I answer quickly, earning myself a poke in the ribs from Charles.

"Anway, Georgie, if we can get on without any rude interruptions. Will you marry me."

"Yes."

"Thank fuck for that." Whispers Charles in my ear. "Would have put a bit of a dampner on our night if she'd said no."

"I was more thinking, you'd of had to comfort him, instead of…."

"Instead of what." Growls Charles.

"Instead of making love to your wife.. Mr James."