Chapter 4

Christmas Eve

"You okay?" Alison asked her sister as they stood in the kitchen, "you've been quiet."

Maddy smiled a little, cupping the warm cup of coffee between her hands as she looked out into the garden. She watched as Jamie played with her nephews in the snow, her brother-in-law Paul also teasing as he continued to throw snow balls at the kids.

"I'm just tired," Maddy replied simply.

"You know I can tell when you're lying right," Alison said with a small chuckle as she nudged her sister's shoulder as she stood beside her.

Maddy sighed, "Jamie's going away with work in a few days."

"A few days? What about the holidays? New Year?" Alison asked.

Maddy shrugged, "I only found out yesterday," she replied as she thought back to last night.

*Last night*

"Were you going to tell me? Or just leave me and wait for me to find out from your dad?" she asked as she chucked the brown envelope across the kitchen counter to him.

"Did you go through my things?" Jamie asked only to instantly regret what he just said.

Maddy scoffed, "wow is that all that you're concerned about?"

"No," Jamie said bluntly as he walked over and grabbed the envelope, "this is classified information Maddy."

"So classified that you weren't going to tell me?" she asked.

"No I was planning on telling you," Jamie said as he sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose.

"When?" Maddy asked, "and don't give me no BS crap about how there wasn't a right time because you've had plenty of time!"

"I don't know how long for so I don't know when he'll be back or even if I'll be able to see or talk to him in the meantime," Maddy said as she turned around and lent on the counter.

She felt her sister's hand squeeze her shoulder in comfort. She sighed lightly, she hated their argument from last night.

"Are you two okay?" Alison asked.

"We'll figure something out," Maddy said with a small smile as she stood up, "right let's go see what taking Mum so long with those photo albums."

Jamie hung his jacket back up in the wardrobe and turned to look back at Maddy. He couldn't help but smile a little as he watched her stifle a yawn whilst fixing her hair up into a bun. His smile soon turned into a frown as he thought back to last night.

*Last night*

Maddy shook her head as she wiped the stray tear that fell down her cheek, "you've just listened to me go on these last couple of weeks and make plans of us, for our families all the whilst knowing you wouldn't be there for them!"

"I am sorry for that Maddy," Jamie said as he walked over to her, her small frame stood in front of him as he looked at her, "I only found out a few weeks ago."

"Why you? Why can't they find somebody else?" Maddy asked, this time a little quieter with her tone showing signs of worry.

"It's my job," he sighed as he brushed a piece of her hair behind her ear.

They hadn't spoken much since last night, they had kept up a false pretense for most of the day with Maddy's family but he knew they couldn't carry on like this much longer.

He looked to her as she sat in bed, pulling the duvet up to her as she looked at her phone. He walked over and sat next to her. He placed a small kiss in her hair, "please can we talk?"

He heard her sigh as she pulled away a little, "I'm tired," she said.

"Maddy please," he said as she turned to look at him. There was a moment's silence between them before she leaned up and kissed him. Jamie's hand ran through her hair as he kissed her back. As they parted, Maddy lent her forehead against his.

"I do love you," she whispered.

"I love you too," he whispered back.

"We can talk, but after tomorrow," she said quietly as she pulled back a little to look at him, "I want to enjoy our first Christmas together."

He looked back at her and nodded, "Okay, after tomorrow."

Christmas Day

"Merry Christmas!" Maddy exclaimed as she and Jamie were welcomed into the Reagan household. They both greeted everyone as they walked into the living area, Jamie setting down the presents and gift bags by the tree.

"Did you bring our presents?" Jack asked eagerly.

"Jack!" Lindsey said sternly as she looked at him.

Jamie chuckled as he ruffled Jack's hair, "you'll have to see and find out bud."

They chuckled as the child rolled his eyes before running off to find his brother.

"Kids," Danny said as he passed his brother a beer, "Wait until you have your own."

"Danny!" Lindsey exclaimed, "god it's like having a 3rd child."

"What! I'm just preparing them both," Danny said with a grin.

"And on that note," Erin said, "let's get dinner on the table."

Maddy smiled happily as she sat on the sofa with Nicky, the whole family gathered around in the living room. She looked around, wondering where Jamie had got to.

"Get ready for the family tradition," Nicky said with a smirk as she gestured over to the doorway.

Maddy rose an eyebrow, slightly confused but all became clear as her face broke out into a chuckle.

"Ho, ho, ho!" Danny exclaimed as he walked in clad in a Santa's outfit, "whose ready for presents?"

"Dad, we know it's you," Jack said matter of factyly as he rolled his eyes.

Maddy smiled as Danny knelt down to him, "are you trying to take my job?"

"Come on, where are the presents?" Henry exclaimed.

"Alright alright, jeez!" Danny said as he stood up, "where my helper gone?"

They all turned back to the door to see Jamie. Maddy couldn't contain her laughter as she looked at him stood there wearing elf ears, elf shoes and an elf hat as he held a large red bag.

"This is perfect!" Erin laughed as she took a picture.

"Don't you dare," Jamie said.

"I think it suits you," Frank said bluntly as he took a sip of his drink, causing the girls to laugh a little more.

Jamie shrugged and gave in as he too began to chuckle, "Thank god it's only once a year."

"Whoa," Jamie said with a chuckle as he grabbed Maddy's arm.

She laughed and ran her hand through her hair as they walked up the steps to their apartment, "Maybe I shouldn't have had that last glass of wine."

Jamie smiled as he opened the door and led her in, "It's Christmas, it's allowed."

She turned to face his as he shut the door behind them, "I haven't given you your present yet."

He rose an eyebrow, "I thought you gave me everything this morning?"

Maddy smirked with a grin, "Maybe not everything," she said as she slowly kicked off her heels and began to walk backwards towards the bedroom.

Jamie grinned as he followed her, his eyes on her as he watched her slowly unzip her dress before it fell and pooled at her feet. He swallowed as he took her in. She looked perfect as she stood there in dark lace lingerie set leaning against the door frame.

"I think you need to come unwrap me," she said slyly causing Jamie to walk towards her. He heard her gasp in surprise as his hand wrapped around her, her legs going around his waist as he walked to towards the bed where he lent them down.

"I take it you like it?" she said with a grin as she looked up at him.

"Love it," he whispered, before he began kissing at her neck causing Maddy to moan.

Hopefully I haven't lost any readers...I'm not entirely happy with this chapter but getting back into the swing of things!

I hope you enjoy this chapter, please review?

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