Apologies for inaccuracies. I can't skate.

Chapter 2

December rolled around, and things seemed to calm down and become normal. Well, as normal as possible when most dates involve blood and you live with very not-normal people. London suddenly seemed festive, lit up with red and blue, with Christmas music from every speaker in every store. One morning when it was very cold, Nathaniel arrived in a car he'd borrowed from a mate. Katie pulled on her coat, hat, scarf and gloves and trotted out.

"Hiya." she smiled.

"Hello beautiful." he kissed her on the nose. "Hop in, we're going out."

"Where?" she asked, sliding in and shutting the door. Nathaniel just kissed her cheek and turned on the engine.

After ten minutes of driving they arrived at a town on the outskirts of the city. Nathaniel parked and got out, holding the door open for her. They walked hand in hand into the town, which was holding a huge Christmas market. Together they browsed the little wooden sheds, occasionally buying the odd item or present. Then Nathaniel started over to the ice ring, bringing Katie with him.

"Wait! Nathaniel, I can't skate!"

He just grinned. "Never fear, I'll teach you!"

They got the boots on and were out on to the ice. Nathaniel had one arm around her waist, and the other holding her hand across his chest. She wobbled, but he held her up. "Now, weight forward, and slide." Together they glided slowly around the rink until Katie got the hang of it. Eventually they were only holding hands as she could do it on her own, her boyfriend's teaching second to none.

Mrs Hudson was very keen on Christmas. Eleanor managed to persuade her not to decorate on the first of December, and to wait a little while. This year she wasn't going to spend it at her sister's, but instead at 221. She and the residents of 221c were organising a party, and were planning everything early.

It would be held in 221b and Greg, Molly, Nathaniel and Conor would be staying for the whole of Christmas day. On boxing day the girls would split up and visit their families. John and Rachel would go to see her family for two days, and then up to Harry's and back down on the evening of the 28th. Everyone wanted to see the ring, and Rachel's sister in law wanted to talk about the wedding so much she was costing millions in phone bills.

Eleanor had been feeling really odd these past few weeks. She couldn't really define it, but something had changed. She lay back on her bed, letting out an almighty sigh. Eleanor vowed to talk to Rachel about it. Having a female doctor friend was awesome sometimes.

"So, you just feel weird? Bit vague..." Rachel raised one eyebrow. "Any specific symptoms? Queasiness, missed period-" she watched her friend squirm uncomfortably. "Eleanor, we can talk about this like adults or you can go sit on the naughty step."

"Fine! Yes, I missed a period and I feel tired all the time! What do I do?" Eleanor huffed.

"If you're tired, sleep."

"Some doctor you are..."

"Hey! Sleep and laughter are the best medicines. Go watch the Big Bang Theory and go to bed or something." She patted her friend's shoulder and left the room, closing the door behind her and leaning on it, eyes shut. Her mind flicked back to the time when she had stayed at Conor's all night, eight weeks ago now...

She swore under her breath, and ran to the chemist's.

Rachel returned with a little bag to a flat in which three girls were giggling at the TV. She grinned. They took her advice. Incredible. She continued down the corridor and let herself into Eleanor's room. Rachel sat on her bed and wondered how to break her suspicions to her. She had no idea if she was right, if it would be well received and if she was just getting excited over nothing. One thing was sure, she couldn't, despite being a doctor, say it to Eleanor's face. Rachel started writing.

Eleanor returned to her room later, belly full of spaghetti cooked by Chloe and legs that felt full of lead. She pulled a nightdress and turned to her bed where there was a piece of paper and a bag. The note read:

Eleanor,

I don't know how to say this, but I have my suspicions on your condition and they are in that bag. Don't look yet, let me talk. On paper. Whatever. If I am right, then...please keep it. If I am wrong, I may as well hand in my paper and give up medicine for life.

I am done. You may look.

Rachel.

Eleanor opened the bag. A pregnancy test. Shit. She took a deep breath, took it out and headed to the bathroom.

Rachel was sitting on her bed chewing her lip over the note and Eleanor. There was a hesitant tap at her door, which opened onto a very lost, very scared looking Eleanor. Rachel pulled her into a wordless hug. The look on her face needed no explanation.

Positive.

Apologies again. I'm thirteen, not exactly an age of experience on these matters.