Chapter 25
Christmas update just in case I don't get a chance to before Christmas. Hope you all have a very merry Christmas ! Xxxxxxx
It was 5:30 in the morning on Christmas Eve and Jess woke up, she'd been completely hyper about Christmas for the last couple of days and if everyone wasn't in such high festive spirits she would have got on everyone's nerves but they all understood how excited she was and thought it was quite sweet.
As soon as Jess woke up she went straight into her aunts bedroom, despite the fact it was extremely early and pitch black outside.
"Auntie Rachel" Jess said stirring her aunt awake which could sometimes be quite hard when Rachel was in a deep sleep.
Eventually Rachel opened her eyes and could just about make out Jess stood there, she sat up wondering what on earth she wanted at this time.
"What's wrong Jess? Are you okay love"
"It's time to get up, it's Christmas Eve"
Rachel sighed if Jess was up at 5:30 and all excited she dreaded to think what she'd be like this time tomorrow morning, but then again she was used to Jess by now, she was always a lot more hyper than most kids about things and Rachel loved seeing her so happy and excited even if it was driving her a bit crazy at the moment,
"Jess it's 5:30 in the morning, go back to bed"
"No I'm too excited" Jess said
"If you're not a good girl and do as I say Santa might not decide to come at all" Rachel threatened knowing this would work wonders.
However hearing her auntie say this actually only made Jess get really upset and scared and she started crying, which instantly made Rachel feel awful.
"Come on don't cry" she said "look it's not time to get up yet, no where near,but why don't you come in with me for a cuddle"
Jess liked the sound if this so quickly got in next to her aunt and snuggled next to her.
"Straight back to sleep now" Rachel said
Jess tried hard to get to sleep but just kept tossing and turning
"Rachel" Jess said shaking her aunt "are you awake?"
"No" Rachel mumbled
"Well you must be awake silly, or else you wouldn't be able to hear me, because when you're asleep you start to dream and you can on,y hear people in your dream and not really people"
"Well you should be asleep"
"I need to ask you something"
"What?"
"What time do you think Santa will come down our chimney tomorrow, will it be at night time or really early in the morning"
"Well that depends on when you fall asleep doesn't it? The quicker you fall asleep the quicker he'll come"
Jess was then quiet for a few more minutes but then started shaking Rachel again
"What now Jess, I'm trying to go to sleep"
"I need a wee, can I go to your toilet?"
"Jess just go and then come straight back and go to sleep" Rachel hissed
Jess quickly got out of bed and went to the toilet before going back in with Rachel but this time she did fall asleep.
A couple of hours later they were woken up again by Olivia, like always she wanted to come in with her mum for her morning cuddle.
About 10 minutes later Rachel sat up as she was fully awake now, so put her arms round the two little girls
"Morning girls" she said still sounding a bit sleepy
"Mum I had a bad dream last night, it was really scary" Olivia said
"Oh dear, we shouldn't be having bad dreams near Christmas, what happened in your dream?"
"Well I dreamt that Santa didn't come so we didn't have any presents"
"Well if you're a good girl hopefully that won't happen will it"
Rachel then started to read some more of her book, like she always did first thing on a morning
Suddenly her door opened again and Katie walked over with some coffee and toast.
"Aw thankyou darling" Rachel said "I could get used to this everyday"
Katie smiled at her, she always did like treating her aunt now and then
"You may as well get in too, there's just about enough room near Jess"
Katie began to climb in next to Jess
"No I don't want Katie near me, she smells funny"
"No I don't" Katie said indignantly
"Yes you do, you smell of all those perfumes and stuff you use and it gets in my nose and makes me sneeze"
Rachel and Katie both laughed at this, Jess could be very funny sometimes.
"Well I haven't got them on yet, so I won't smell of them now" Katie said laughing
They stayed in bed for a while before eventually deciding to get up.
Olivia went into the kitchen with her mum to help her make the breakfast while Katie and Jess put some tv on.
"So are you excited about Christmas darling"
"Yeah I can't wait, it'll be weird with Jess and Katie too"
Ever since Olivia was born Rachel had always tried to make Christmas so special to Olivia even though it just used to be just the three of them, but now it seemed even more special when there was more of them.
"That's true, I think it'll be nice though, but we'll have to keep an eye on Jess she's hyper enough as it is, without a load of presents added to it" Rachel said
Olivia laughed at this , she too knew how excitable Jess could be.
Once they'd had breakfast they decided to have a lazy morning before going for a walk in the afternoon.
"Rach, I was wondering would you mind if I went to Lucy's for a few hours in the afternoon with some of the other girls so we can give presents and stuff, if you want me here though that's okay"
"No love you go and have a nice time with Lucy, that's no problem with me" Rachel said
Really she would have preferred to have the whole family in on Christmas Eve but she certainly wasn't going to stop her having a nice time with her friends.
The morning seemed to pass quickly and before long it was time for Rachel, Olivia and Jess to go for their walk
Once they got out the car they started walking around the lake.
"Mum I can't wait for Christmas"
"Me neither love" Rachel said, it was true she always had loved Christmas
"Is grandma still going to come over for Christmas dinner?"
Olivia knew how poorly Betty had been, and like Rachel knew this Christmas would probably be her last, it made her upset to think of it like this though as she loved her grandma so much and she'd always been someone to talk to if she couldn't take to Rachel.
"Yeah I think so liv" Rachel said, she knew how poorly her mum was at the moment but also knew she wouldn't miss seeing the girls on Christmas for anything
"Auntie Rachel can I ask you something"
"Yep"
"Is grandma going to die soon" Jess asked
Rachel didn't say anything for a moment or so as she didn't really know how to respond to this without upsetting Jess but she knew how important it was to be honest with her at the moment as it would only make things worse in the long Run if she wasn't.
"It looks that way darling, but hopefully not for a while"
"So she definitely won't get cured not even if a really good doctor had a look at her like the one who saw me when I broke my wrist"
"The thing is darling a doctor can cure most things, like a broken wrist or an infection, but there are some things that even very, very good doctors can't fix"
Jess was quiet for a while, she did feel a but upset now.
Rachel really wanted to change the subject as she didn't want to make the girls feel all upset on Christmas Eve.
"So what do you think Santa might be getting you tomorrow"
"I really hope I get my bike"
Rachel smiled at this, it was the one thing she hadn't managed to wrap up yet and wasn't particularly looking forward to trying to do this tonight.
She really hoped the girls would go to sleep okay tonight as she needed time to get all there presents sorted.
"I just put surprises on my list so I don't know what I'll get, out I hope I've been good enough to get something" Olivia said sounding a but worried now.
Rachel smiled to herself, Olivia had been quite hard to buy for this year as she hadn't given her any indication of what she actually wanted.
"I'm sure you will have been sweetheart"
Once they'd finished walking round, they got back In the car and drove back home.
Rachel was surprised when she got back and realised Katie was already home. She'd have thought that she'd have been out quite a lot longer than this as she was normally out a good few hours after going round friends.
"Hey darling did you have a nice time"
"Yep" Katie said but her voice sounded unusually flat.
Rachel decided to have a quick word with Katie on her own as she did seem a bit upset.
"Girls why don't you go and sit in the upstairs tv room and out a film on, me and Katie will come up in a bit"
Olivia and Jess liked the sound of this so went upstairs to choose.
"You want a coffee love"
"Yes please"
"And a mince pie too?"
Rachel always did make great mince pies near Christmas that wouldn't often last longer than a day or so, as even Olivia and Jess seemed to like them.
"Yeah that's be really nice"
Rachel then disappeared off to the kitchen and came back a few minutes later with the tray.
She put it down on the little table before going and sitting next to Katie on the sofa.
"Are you excited for tomorrow now darling"
Katie nodded her head but looked quite upset.
Rachel out her arm around her niece so Katie snuggled into her
As soon as Rachel did this tears formed in Katie's eyes and she began to cry
"Sweetheart has something happened"
Katie just nodded her head in response but then more tears just started rolling down her cheeks
"Hey, we can't be having any of this, not on Christmas Eve can we huh?"
Katie shook her head
"Sorry"
She then started wiping her eyes on her sleeve
"Hold on, I'll get you a tissue love"
Rachel quickly went into the back room and got her box Of tissues, she then walked back into the living room and handed a few to Katie.
"Dry your tears darling" Rachel said
Katie quickly started to mop up her tears so her face felt a bit fresher
"There we go"
Katie wrapped her arms round her aunt and snuggled right into her, this always did make her feel slightly comforted if ever she was upset.
"Now are you going to tell your auntie what this is all about?" Rachel asked feeling a bit concerned about Katie now.
"Nothing's wrong Rach I'll be okay"
Rachel sighed before edging closer to her
"Please don't give me any of that love, just tell me what's happened"
"It's daft"
"Well even if it is daft if it's upset you, you tell me, you know that's the rile Katie, I'm not having anyone upset especially not the day before Christmas."
"Emily found out her mum had breast cancer and she was telling us and it was just so hard seeing her so upset"
Rachel was shocked hearing this, she knew hoe upsetting that must have been for any kid especially at that age
"Oh love, no wonder she's upset the poor girl"
"Her mum didn't want her to know especially not near Christmas but she found a letter"
"That must be so hard for her"
"I think it's got to me so much because of grandma and everything"
"I know darling, how lint has Emily known"
"She only found out this morning, she didn't want to tell us but we kept asking because she seemed so quiet"
"Well what's really important is that she's got all you lot to get her through it"
"I know we're going to try and be there for her"
"Good girl" Rachel said
She decided to have a word with Emily as soon as they got back to school and maybe a bit earlier if she got the chance just so she knew she had some support
Her and Katie finished up staying down for quite a while as it felt good for Katie to have someone to talk to after hearing that, and after quite a long conversation with her aunt, she was starting to feel a bit better.
They then brought some chocolate upstairs and watched the film with Olivia and Jess.
It was such a lovely Christmas film and by they end of it everyone really was in the Christmas spirit.
Once it was done it was getting quite late so Rachel decided to get the two little girls bathed before they had there tea.
Once Rachel had ran the bath she shouted them up.
Eventually they both came so got in straight away
"Now I hope the two do you are going to be good girls and go to sleep straight away when I put you to bed because Santa can only come when you're fast asleep"
"I'll try my best mum"
"auntie Rachel can I sleep in Olivia's bed, like I odd last year on Christmas Eve"
Rachel knew how much they loved sharing on Christmas Eve as they could get up early and chat for a while before going into her room.
"Yep but that does not mean you can stay up late taking"
"We won't auntie Rachel" Jess said looking innocent
"I know what you're like Jessica"
Jess instantly pulled a face at this
"Don't call me Jessica I hate it, it's a horrible name"
"It's your naughty name"
"I haven't even been naughty though" Jess protested
Rachel laughed at this and ruffled her hair
Once she'd finished bathing the pair of them she quickly got them into their new Christmas pyjamas she'd bought yesterday.
"Mum they look funny"
"That might have something to do with the fact you have them on the wrong way round my love" Rachel said laughing.
Once she'd put them on the right way round she took the girls downstairs and started on tea.
About half an hour later they had their tea and after watching a bit more Christmas tv she took the girls up to bed.
"No Jess that's my side" Olivia said when she saw Jess had got in the side that she normally slept in
Jess sighed heavily before moving over.
"Rachel read us a story"
"Okay but not a long one"
Olivia chose one out of her bookshelf and Rachel got in the middle of them
"Liv get my glasses for me darling"
"You can normally read without your glasses you just have to squint a bit" Olivia said
"Well my eye sight seems to be getting worse in my old age I'm afraid love, there just on my bedside table"
Olivia got out of bed and got them for her mum.
By the time Rachel had finished her story both girls were actually starting to feel a bit tired so Rachel kissed them both goodnight and went downstairs
She found Katie sat on the sofa watching tv
"I'm going to get myself some mulled wine, do you want anything"
"Can I have some mulled wine too please"
"You won't like it"
"Yes I will you let me have a sip of yours before last year remember"
"Well okay then just a small glass, I don't want you hungover on Christmas Day" Rachel joked
Katie laughed at this as Rachel went into the kitchen.
They had a really nice couple of hours just the two of them, but after a while Rachel sent Katie to bed so she could get the present ready.
She got the girls sacks out and started getting all the presents out the garbage and filled up the sacks.
In the end she gave up trying to wrap Jess's bike up so just put a big bow on it instead.
She'd been down there an hour or so trying to sort all the last bits of wrapping up, but realised she'd left a few presents in her wardrobe so went upstairs.
When she was in her way to her room she heard crying coming from Olivia's room so went in.
When she did she saw Jess sat up in bed sobbing.
"Hey sweetheart what's wrong?" Rachel whispered so as not to wake Olivia up.
"I can't sleep, because I'm too excited and now Santa won't come"
Rachel sighed before scooping her up in her arms
"Can I come and sat with you downstairs for a bit?"
Rachel knew there was no way this could happen so knew she had to steer her off this idea
"No darling, why don't you come with me to my room though"
Rachel carried her through to her room and sat her down on her knee
She spent ages trying to soothe her to sleep and after about half an hour she managed it so took her back and put end in bed with Olivia.
It was about 11 before Rachel managed to get to bed, and she went to sleep straight away
It was about 6:30 the next morning when Jess woke up, she instantly work Olivia up and both girls felt really excited, especially when they saw the stockings on the end up the bed full.
They chatted for a while together as they'd made an agreement with Rachel that they wouldn't go into her room before 7 but when they saw the clock go to 6:50 they decided they couldn't wait any longer and went to wake Katie.
Katie was actually already awake when they went in as she too was very excited. She decoded to keep Olivia and Jess occupied for a while as she knew Rachel would want to be asleep for a bit longer.
They all got a shock however when a few minutes later Rachel appeared at Katie's door with her dressing gown and slippers on.
"Were you lot wanting me to miss all the fun or something"
Jess ran straight up to her auntie and gave her a big cuddle
"Merry Christmas darlings" Rachel said and they all came in for a big cuddle.
They then all brought their stockings into Rachel's room and opened them up. Although they were just daft little things in there all the girls got excited by them.
"Is it time we went downstairs" Rachel said when she saw it was 7:30
The girls all raced down and Olivia and Jess were really excited when they saw that Santa had been, especially Jess when she saw her bike.
They all spent an hour or so opening their presents.
All three of them loved every single one of their presents and couldn't believe how much they seemed to have got this year.
After the presents Rachel made them all some fried bread and bacon for breakfast, and got some Buck's Fizz for her and Katie and gave Olivia and Jess some orange and lemonade so they didn't feel left out as this was there little Christmas tradition.
For the rest of the morning Jess and Olivia played with all their new stuff, but neither of them knew really where to start and Katie gave Rachel a hand with the Christmas dinner.
At about 12 Betty came round with even more presents for the girls.
She'd been there about an hour but got quite tired so went for a little lie down on the sofa until Christmas lunch, which ended up being quite late as they got a bit behind schedule. However none of them really minded as they'd been tucking into chocolates all day long,
After dinner they went for quite a long walk, like they always did on Christmas Day, however this meant that by the time they got back all 5 of them were very tired after all the excitement of the day so they all curled up on the sofa and put one of the new films on that Jess had got in her stocking.
Jess and Olivia were fast asleep in the sofa by 7:45. Rachel smiled at them and with Katie's help managed to carry them up to bed.
They'd all had a lovely Christmas and it was so nice for them me to all spend such an amazing day together
Please review xxxxxxx