A.N. I'm sorry its been so long but here is the new chapter.


...Perfect Catch...

Chapter 29 – It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year

"Ronnie! Ronnie!", Roxy shouted jumping up and down on her sisters bed. Ronnie slowly opened her eyes being greeting with a very cheerful Roxy continuing her yelling, "It's been snowing outside"

Ronnie sat up composing her-self but before she could say a word Roxy had grabbed her by the hand, and began dragging her along the corridor into the living room until they reached the window.

"You dragged me out of bed just to see snow", Ronnie said angrily looking at the clock on the wall, "And it's only 5 o'clock!"

"But it's Christmas", Roxy said happily, "It's a day for everyone to forget what's happened and be too happy."

Ronnie smiled at her sisters' cheery mood. "Merry Christmas babe", she said holding her sister in a tight embrace before returning her eyes to the beautiful white scenery outside.

A few minutes later Peggy walked into the room, closely followed by Phil. "What's going on in here then", Phil asked.

"It's been snowing", Roxy replied while Peggy and Phil walked towards them. They all exchanged 'Merry Christmas' to one another along with a hug before vacating to the settee.

"So! Who wants their present first", Peggy asked as she made her way over to the glistening tree.

"Me. Me. Me.", Roxy shouted with excitement while Ronnie smiled. Peggy passed Roxy a small package, nicely wrapped with a pink ribbon on top. "Wonder what it could be", Roxy said shaking the small package by her ear before ripping the paper off and finding a sparkling silver hearted necklace, "It's gorgeous. Put it on me."

As Ronnie secured the necklace around her sisters neck Peggy and Phil exchanged gifts. "It's beautiful", Ronnie said holding the heart at the bottom of the necklace.

"This is for you", Peggy said handing Ronnie a similar size package. Ronnie slowly unwrapped her present as everyone looked on. A small tear crepe down the side of her check as she open the locket on the necklace. "It's off all of us.", Peggy said softly, "It was Roxy's idea."

Ronnie tightly hugged her sister allowing Peggy and Phil to leave the room in order for the girls to have some alone time. 2 minutes later Ronnie pulled back from the hug and whipped her eyes. "We're did you get the picture from?", Ronnie asked sharing the picture of her son with Roxy.

"I found it ... in dad's wallet", Roxy replied soothingly.

"I love you", said Ronnie.

"I love you too", replied Roxy embracing Ronnie.

"I know it's none of my business but have you decided on who you're gunna ask to run the club with you?", Roxy said quietly.

"No I haven't", Ronnie said standing up before looking out the window at the Branning's front door.

...

7 o'clock dawned on the square, and although the Mitchell's had already been up 2 hours the Branning's were just starting there day.

"Get the door will ya Jack", Reenie shouted as she heard him walk down the stairs, "Oh! Merry Christmas."

"Merry Christmas", Jack replied as he walked past his mum and dad towards the front door. Jack opened the door and was greeted by a very cheerful Max, holding baby Bradley, and Tanya just behind them. As they exchanged the festive 'Merry Christmas' to one another Jack took a glimpse at the Queen Victoria's upstairs window.

"Come on Jack", Tanya said pulling on his arm indicting for him to go back inside. Jack slowly followed the three of them inside and watched everyone's happy faces.

"Cheer up bruv", Max said as Jack slouched down on the settee.

"I think Bradley should get his present first", Reenie said is an excited tone.

Over the next 30 minutes everyone had opened their presents. Bradley got a car that made a 'vroom' noise, Max and Tanya got some things for the flat, Carol got a new coat, and Jack got some new clothes and DVD's.

"Pooo. I think Bradley needs changing", Jack said handing him back to Max.

"Thought you were a man's man Jack", Max said clearly winding Jack up. "Better get you changed little man", Max said lovingly taking Bradley upstairs closely followed by Tanya.

"Jim. Carol. Can you give me and Jack a minute", Reenie asked prompting Jim and Carol to vacate to the kitchen.

"What?!", Jack said as Reenie sat beside him.

"This is what.", Reenie replied handing Jack the bracelet. "I know you think it's a waste of money but just reconsider, please, for your mother."

Jack reluctantly took the bracelet before being interrupted by Jim, "Can I go to the pub yet", he said making Reenie shake her dad and Jack look down in embarrassment. "What did I say?", Jim added.

"Thanks mam", Jack said quietly after kissing his mother on the cheek. "I think I might keep a hold of this", he added. Reenie smiled pleasantly as her youngest son headed upstairs.

...

Back over at the Vic Ronnie emerged downstairs dressed in her brand new purple off the shoulder dress and her black tights.

"Nice of you to join us", Phil said looking at his watch, "I think you may have broke a world record for person to take longest to get ready."

"Haha. You're so funny", she replied, "Anyways its Christmas you have to make an effect."

"Yeah well you still ain't getting out of helping me open this place in half an hour", Phil added handing Ronnie the polishing cloth.

"Sorry my hands are full", Ronnie said happily wafting two pieces of paper in front of him.

"What are they anyway?", asked Phil.

"It's a secret", Ronnie replied as she looked at the top of the piece of paper which read, 'Contract For R&R'.

"I'll find out sooner or later", Phil said.

"Well it will be later", Ronnie replied walking into the back of the Vic.

"By the way your necklace looks nice", Phil shouted making Ronnie smile and clutch the locket.

At that moment in time Ronnie turned round and placed the R&R contract underneath the bar. "Where do you need me?", Ronnie asked Phil.

Phil smiled softly to him-self, "Just make the place look clean."

10 minutes later Roxy strolled into the bar catching the eye of her sister, who slowly walked towards her sister behind the bar.

"You took your tablets this morning", Ronnie asked.

"Yes", Roxy said fed up with answering the same question every day. "Aunty Peggy is doing my head in with all this Christmas dinner stuff."

"So that's why you came down", Ronnie said with a slight laugh.

"Wonder if Jack will pop in today", Roxy said casually.

"It's a free country he can do what he likes", replied Ronnie before leaving her sister.

"Yeah", Roxy said under her breath.

"She alright", Phil asked Roxy as he came to the bar.

"Yeah! She's just too stubborn", Roxy replied in a louder voice than normal.

"Tell me about it", said Phil.

"I heard that", Ronnie said as she pushed past her sister behind the bar.

"You were supposed to", Roxy said with a smile.

"Girls", Phil said under his breath.

...

Just as the clock struck 12 Jim was gathering his boys so they could get the pub fast.

"Finally", Jim said as Jack walked down the stairs in his new jeans and blue shirt.

"Someone smells nice", Reenie said happily.

"Better not be that girl", Jim added making Jack huff.

"Come on let's get this over with", Max said leading the way.

Jim hurried behind him as Jack lagged behind.

"Pst!", Reenie said pulling Jack aside, "You got it."

Jack put his hand down his jeans pocket and pulled out the white-gold bracelet. "I hope she likes it."

"She'll love it", Reenie said patting Jack's cheek.

"Come on Jack", came Jim's voice from a distance.

"You better go", Reenie said prompting Jack to walk towards the door. "Good luck", she added with an innocent smile.

...

Bang! Bang! Bang!

"Looks like our first customers. Open up Ronnie and don't forget to smile", Phil said as he positioned himself behind the bar.

Ronnie stretched up, undone the latch on the door and pulled it open.

"Merry Christmas", Max said kissing Ronnie on the cheek, making Jack look at the ground.

"Come on son. Some of us want a drink", Jim said pushing through the door.

"Merry Christmas to you to Jim", Ronnie said as she watched him push through.

"You look nice", Jack said reverting Ronnie's eyes back to the open door.

"Thanks", replied Ronnie looking Jack up and down, "You don't look to bad your-self."

"Merry Christmas", Jack added.

"You too", Ronnie said watching every move Jack made up to the bar.

10 minutes later and the Queen Vic filled. Familiar faces were drinking themselves silly and passing the mistletoe round. All Ronnie and Roxy could do was stand behind the bar and laugh at everyone's actions.

"He can't take his eyes off of you", Roxy sung making Ronnie look at Jack. Jack smiled and raised his glass as he noticed Ronnie looking. Ronnie gave him a smile back.

"I need some air", Ronnie said confusing her sister. "I'll be 5 minutes", she added before heading into the back.

Roxy turned back round smiling to her-self as she caught Jack stand up and slip into the back.

...

Ronnie sat on the stairs, her head in her hands, looking down until she heard a very familiar voice.

"To rowdy for you out there", Jack said putting his hand on the banister.

"You shouldn't sneak up on people", Ronnie said angrily.

Ronnie stood up putting her hand on top of Jack's by mistake. "Sorry", Ronnie said removing her hand from Jack's.

"Don't be", he replied taking Ronnie's hand in his and moving his body toward his, so they were inches away.

"Jack. Don't.", Ronnie said weakly trying to avoid eye contact.

"I know you feel it", Jack said softly.

"No!", Ronnie said pushing Jack back slightly, "We've been through all this at the hospital the other day. We're just friends and that's all we'll ever be."

"You shouldn't lie Ron", Jack replied touching Ronnie's cheek soothingly, which sent tingles up her spin. "I got you something", Jack added reaching into his pocket.

"Ronnie!", Peggy shouted from upstairs, "I can hear you. Can you please come up and help me love!"

"I better ... you know", Ronnie said pointing upstairs much to Jack's disappointment.

Jack removed his hand from his pocket looking at the bracelet as Ronnie headed upstairs.