Christmas music blasted through the radio in Luke's kitchen. Luke and Maisie were stood in the kitchen preparing the vegetables ready for today's lunch. Alice was bringing her family and Lara was bringing Lillia. That was six people to cook lunch. Not to mention the friends he had coming around.

"Are you ok peeling if I get the turkey ready?" Luke asked.

"Yeah that's fine." Maisie said as she sat on a key peeling into the bin.

"You ok?" Luke asked.

"Yeah. Why wouldn't I be?" Maisie said.

"You know first Christmas without your parents and all that."

"I'm spending it a crappy children's home. Some good people are coming around."

Luke smiled and went back to getting the turkey ready. He poured himself a large glass of wine.

"Are you nervous?" Maisie laughed.

"Me…never. All these people coming over. My partner's mum meeting my mum…. honestly petrified." He said sipping from the glass.

Maisie laughed again. Before the two of them knew it was 11:30 and they had to go and get changed ready for guests. At 12 the first guests arrived, it was Alice and her mum, Julie. Luke had met Julie before, and he had always got on with her. Then Lara arrived.

"Luke."

"Mum."

Lillia reached out for Luke. He took her off his mum and carried them in his arms. He led his mum through to the living room. Maisie was in their talking to Alice and her mum. Luke placed Lillia down on the floor and she started to play with one of her toys. Everyone was getting on great. Chatting away, it was like they had known each other for years. Luke went out to the kitchen to check on the food. Alice came and stood next to him.

"Everyone is getting on great." Alice said as she sipped from her glass.

"It's great isn't it."

They had both of their mums laughing from the living room. "Bloody hell." Luke said.

Alice raised her eyebrows.

"Right you going to help or watch me get this ready."

"Watch I think." Alice sat down on the same chair Maisie had used earlier.

"Your horrible to me sometimes you do know that."

"Mhm." She said as took another sip from her glass.

Luke made plates of food for everybody and Alice decided that she was going to give Luke a hand bringing the food through to the dining room. Before they knew it the day had flown by and it was getting pretty late. Lillia was asleep in Luke's arms as he was sat on the sofa with Alice. Maisie had gone upstairs. Julie and Lara had gone home together in cab. Luke offered to look after Lillia for the evening so Lara could have a good night sleep because she had got rather merry throughout the day.

"It's been a good day hasn't it." Alice said sleepily.

"Yep." Luke replied as he kissed Alice on the head.

"You owe me a story on how you know Jac Naylor."

"I guess I do. So me and Jac go way back, like I mean before my army days back. We went to the same university as each other and we were in the same year. We both started off with a passion for cardiothoracics. We became a dynamic duo me and her, hard to believe from what people tell me at the hospital. We were really good friends. We did a CT rotation together she stayed on and I went into the army. We were still good friends whilst I was serving. Wrote to me more than my mum. Then I got discharged, she came to visit. Then I was cleared to return to work, and she set about helping me getting a job. That's how I ended up at Holby. Jac isn't the ice queen everyone thinks she is. Jac is my best friend, I love her like a sister." Luke said.

"Wow." Alice said.

Lillia began to cry.

"Shhhh." Luke stood up. "I'm going to take her up to bed."

"Ok."

Luke took Lillia upstairs and put her to bed. He sat with her entire she fell asleep. She looked so peaceful as she slept. Luke crept out of the room and went in to go and see Maisie.

"How you doing?" Luke asked.

"You Joey or something now." She smirked.

"Funny." Luke said as shut the door.

"I'm good though. It's been a good day." She smiled.

"Well I haven't poisoned you which is a good start." Luke down on the chair in her room.

"Are you ok?"

"Tired I haven't had a Christmas so busy in forever. The last few have been spent in a warzone. Can't decide which I prefer."

"I definitely know which I would."

"How's Erin? I haven't asked."

"No, she's good. You did a pretty good job. She hasn't stopped saying how awesome you guys are."

"Good. She was pretty awesome too."

"Do you know I think I want to be a doctor too."

"Really?

"Yeah you guys are so awesome, and I couldn't thank you enough for everything you've done for me. It's also really interesting and you do a really cool job."

"It's hard work."

"Well it's a very good job. I have a very good mentor then isn't it."

Luke smiled. "Night Maisie."

"Night Luke."

Luke went back downstairs, and he found Alice asleep on the sofa. He picked her up and took her up to bed. He sat on his phone in bed with TV quietly on in the background. Just then his phone started to ring. It was Jac.

"Jac?"

"I'd say merry Christmas, but I don't think this one is going to be very merry. Kayleigh, our stent patient from the other day. Its clotted. She had a massive heart attack. We stabilised her earlier on but it's not looking good."

"Oh god. She's only got a young child. Thanks, Jac."

"I'm sorry it's not good news."

"No, it's not your fault."

"I'll see you soon mate."

"Yeah see you soon."

Alice woke up. "Who was that?"

"Jac. It was Kayleigh, she had a massive attack today but it's not looking good for her."

"Oh Luke, I'm so sorry."

"It's ok. We knew the risk."

"Don't let this ruin Christmas for you." Alice said as she wrapped her arms around him.

"No of course not. We've got the friends coming around tomorrow haven't we."

"Yeah. Night Luke."

"Night Alice."