Chapter 25

Less than an hour later and they were cuddled up on the sofa with the TV on and wine on the table.

"Mmm this is nice. We should do this more often." Danny spoke up from the silence.

"We do this nearly every week..." Clara was playing with his fingers as had become habit, not paying much attention to the TV.

"Yeah, and now we have 2 weeks with no work and Christmas in 6 days... So what are we gonna do then?" Clara looked round to see his face, she hadn't thought about that.

"I don't know... I've not really thought a lot about Christmas until now." Danny gave a knowing nod.

"Figures. Okay, leave it to me yeah? I'll sort everything. Although I think we should go decoration shopping tomorrow and make things look christmassy together."

"You know this is like my dream Christmas right? It's barely even started yet and it's the best one since... Well, you know. Thank you, for being so amazing." She pushed herself up and kissed him lovingly, prolonging it as long as possible before they both had to breathe.

"Yeah I can believe that. Wow..." Clara chuckled softly, he looked at her confused.

"Wow? Really?"

"I just can't believe how lucky I am. I ran out of words." Clara gave a look and nod of agreement.

"Yeah, you're pretty lucky." Danny rolled his eyes and laughed. "But I'm really tired... early night?"

Saturday morning arrived ridiculously quickly, that was a great sleep. When Clara woke Danny had disappeared, again. And there was a note. She'd got used to this routine from time to time.

Gone out. Pick you up at 11.

More conspicuous than normal, but never mind. Looking at the clock she saw there was still an hour so she had time to get herself sorted. Once she was up and dressed, Clara found herself wandering around not really knowing what to do, she still had half an hour to go and time wasn't something she was entirely used to.

"Is it safe?" She stopped, turning round to see the Doctor's head pop out from the toilet door.

"You testing your parking? The loo? Really? Anyway the answer's no before you try and tempt me with anything, you know the rules."

"Oh Clara you're always so quick to assume… I was just checking in. You left your jacket?" Clara crossed her arms, raising her eyebrows at him.

"You're not very convincing are you?" At that point the door went, Danny was back early. "Go, please, quickly." One thing that hadn't changed was their feelings towards each other; it was much easier to lead two separate lives where they were concerned. The Doctor went back inside, not looking very happy about it but then he wasn't happy about many things recently. Clara took a deep breath, pulling the bathroom door closed and turned around in to the hallway.

"Morning beautiful," Danny walked in looking happier than Clara decided she'd ever seen him.

"You have a huge grin on your face, should I be concerned?" She asked, kissing him quickly before going through to the lounge. "Where did you go this morning?"

"I'm just very happy to see you and very much looking forward to today. Where I went is none of your business, you'll have to wait." Clara attempted the sad face to try and guilt trip him. "No way, you're not getting me this time! Come on, we're going Christmas shopping!" She went off in a sarcastic huff to get her bag, but couldn't help but smile with excitement once she'd turned away.

5 hours and a lot of shops later and they arrived back home. Clara collapsed down on the sofa, putting the bags on the floor and Danny appeared about a minute later with the tree looking incredibly puffed out. Clara chuckled as he put the box down, almost falling over.

"Hey, I'd have been fine if you hadn't had me running up the stairs." Clara shrugged, pulling at his arm so he sat down beside her.

"You're losing your touch soldier boy!" Before she had a chance to realise what was going on, Danny had her up in the air, spinning her round. Clara squealed, "nooo no no okay I give in I give in!" They fell back down on to the sofa, both laughing. Once they'd calmed down a little, Clara spoke up again. "We gonna put this lot up then? Before I fall asleep here?"

Danny stood up and started to unpack the tree, putting it together. They'd gone for fake over real in the end after a very long conversation outside the garden centre and Clara wasn't disappointed at all, it looked beautiful. Once it was together, Clara started to unpack the decorations and hang them, making sure everything was evenly spaced. She was nearly done when she turned to Danny who had been placing tinsel round the doorframe.

"Danny… I could do with a hand here? I can't quite reach the top." Danny looked over at her and chuckled. "Hey don't laugh!"

"Aww I'm sorry, come on let's put it on together." He put down the box of drawing pins he had in his hand and walked over, putting one arm round her waist and lifting her, using the other arm to help her reach. Once the star was on top he placed Clara back down on the floor and she spun round to face him, his arm still round her back. She wrapped her arms round his waist and smiled, kissing him softly. "I'm the luckiest guy in the world right now." He whispered as they broke away.

"Just right now?" Clara smiled, kissing him again with a little more passion.

"And forever."

"That's more like it…" she answered, taking his hand. "The rest can wait."

They both knew what was about to happen, and neither of them had any intention of stopping it as Clara led him through to the bedroom. It really was the perfect day.