I think this may have taken me less than a month to put out! New record for me! This is the second part of the Christmas fluffiness, then we get into the deep dark end of the story. Thanks as always to Hollie and Kat for their lovely reviews!
Christmas day dawned fresh and crisp. Jess slowly opened her eyes, turning to check the clock, turning back to look at Callum who was still sleeping. A small smile graced her lips as she quietly got out of bed, peering in the moses basket at her sleeping daughter. Tip toeing to the wardrobe and gently opening the door, she moved some of her clothes around until she found what she was looking for. Removing the dress, she grabbed her make up bag from her dressing table before hurrying to the bathroom. She figured she had anything from ten minutes to an hour until Lexi, and then Callum, woke up. She had a quick but blissfully hot shower, humming Christmas songs as she washed, thinking about what she had to do for the day. Once finished in the shower she took care to dress slowly and carefully, applying her make up and jewelry. She padded back to the bedroom, depositing her make up bag and pyjamas, glad that her family were still sleeping. She crept back out, heading downstairs to start breakfast.
Callum lumbered downstairs about half an hour later, tiredly rubbing his eyes. He sank into a dining chair, smiling gratefully as Jess placed a hot cup of freshly brewed coffee in front of him. Before she turned to get his breakfast he grabbed her wrist, pulling to him until she tumbled on his lap. She laughed, brushing a kiss against his lips.
"You didn't really think I would let you walk away from me when you look like that did you?" Callum murmured in Jess' ear, making her blush, "Merry Christmas beautiful." He kissed her, gently at first but increasing the depth. Jess gently pulled back, her face crimson.
"Callum, drink your coffee before it gets cold. And merry Christmas to you too." Jess planted another kiss on his lips before getting up and retrieving their breakfast consisting of French toast with salmon and a bowl of fruit salad, "Is Lexi still sleeping?"
"Yep, got the monitor though so we'll hear her as soon as she starts to stir. This breakfast looks wonderful, thank you darlin'." Callum said appreciatively, "And by the way, you look stunning. I think you've still kept your pregnancy glow."
Jess snuck him a look before laughing, "Are you trying to get me pregnant again Mr Stone?"
"I can't say that I am, but a little practice never hurt." He laughed, reaching over and pulling him to her again. Their heated moment was interrupted by the sounds of Lexi stirring over the monitor. Jess sighed, a smile on her face, resting her forehead against Callum's.
"Guess I'll go and get her a bottle and get her ready. I suppose you should get Katie and Nathan soon as well." Jess said, getting up and putting the plates in the dishwasher.
"I'll sort the bottle out, you go and get her dressed." Callum called after her as she began to head up the stairs.
As Callum was pouring the formula into the hot water the phone rang. Hurrying to answer it in case it was Katie he answered the phone, to silence on the other end.
"Hello?" he repeated again, "Anyone there?". After continuous silence he rolled his eyes, hanging up and going back to preparing Lexi's bottle. He heard movement from upstairs and the gentle sound of Jess coming down the stairs. As she got closer he could hear her singing Christmas carols to Lexi, brining a smile to his face.
"Merry Christmas daddy!" Jess said, holding Lexi so she was facing Callum. Callum laughed at her outfit, a red velvet dress with white tights and red booties.
"Merry Christmas little one. You look as beautiful as mummy does don't you. Are you ready for your bottle sweetheart?" Callum murmured to the baby, pressing a kiss to her soft hair as Jess handed her over. She looked up at him with big brown eyes as her mouth opened, searching for her milk.
"I think that's a firm yes! Who was on the phone? Was it Katie?" Jess asked, getting food for lunch out the fridge.
"No idea, no one spoke so wrong number at a guess." Callum replied, sitting down and feeding Lexi, "We'll have to get lots of pictures of her today to send to various relatives."
"Yeah I promised mum I would. She said she'll ring later, maybe that was her earlier but the phone wasn't working or something." Jess wondered, peeling and chopping potatoes over the sink.
"Once she's finished feeding I'll grab her bouncer and stick her in that. Then you can keep an eye on her while I'm out." Callum said, winding the baby.
"Ok, hopefully she'll keep herself entertained so I can cook. I think all that needs doing is reheating the food I did yesterday and setting the table." Jess said, ticking off things on her list.
"Don't worry, everything will run smoothly." Callum reassured her, setting Lexi in her bouncer and tickling her tummy. Once he was happy she was secure he walked over to Jess, wrapping his arms around her waist, kissing her neck, "I'm going to run and have a quick shower then I'll go get Katie and Nathan. You be ok for about twenty minutes?"
"Of course I will. Be safe when you go." Jess said worriedly, turning to kiss him properly.
Just as Jess had put the turkey in the oven the phone rang. She hastily wiped her hands on her apron before hurrying to get to the phone before it upset her sleeping baby.
"Hello?" she answered, glancing at Lexi who thankfully was still asleep. There was no answer, "Look, whoever this is us, stop bugging us and enjoy your Christmas." Jess hung up, returning to finishing the prep of her potatoes, covering them in butter to make them extra crispy. She heard the front door open, followed by the sounds of Katie and Callum chatting. Jess wiped her hands again and headed towards the noise. She smiled as she saw Katie. The young girl had changed dramatically since Jess had last seen her. The unhealthy pallor she had was gone, replaced by a healthy look. She had filled out more and looked well looked after. Jess was glad, she deserved it. The baby in Katie's arms had also changed dramatically. Nathan looked around wonderingly, smiling a gummy grin when his gaze reached Jess. Jess closed the gap between them, hugging Katie as tight as she could.
"Merry Christmas Katie! It's good to see you both again, you look so much healthier. How're you both doing?" Jess asked, leading Katie back to the kitchen while Callum put all the stuff in the living room.
"Thanks, merry Christmas to you all too." Katie said with a smile, placing Nathan in his seat and sitting at the table, "We're doing really well, the foster family are so nice and supportive. He started rolling last week; I went out the room to get something and when I came back he had disappeared. I started to panic then heard something under the coffee table. He had managed to roll himself under there but couldn't get back out. Nearly gave me a heart attack!" she laughed before continuing, "Congratulations on the wedding and the baby by the way. Callum was telling me all about Lexi's birth."
"Thanks Katie! Yeah, it was a tad dramatic, she was born in a car just like Nathan. Here she is." Jess gently lifted the still slumbering Lexi out of her bouncer, turning her so Katie could see better.
"Oh she's so cute, she looks a lot like Callum I think." Katie said, gently stroking Lexi's hand, "I remember when Nathan was that tiny. Comparing him to her he looks like a giant!"
Nathan held his hands out, gurgling at Jess and Lexi. Jess handed Lexi to Katie before getting down in front of Nathan, taking his hands and smiling at him, "Hey Nathan, I bet you don't remember me but I was the first one to see you! You're so big now, and very clever from what your mummy was saying."
"Jess does anything need doing?" Callum asked, entering the kitchen. He put the kettle on and leant against the counter.
"Uh, just make us some drinks please? Oh and just before you walked in the phone rang again, same as before." Jess said hesitantly, not sure if it meant anything.
Callum frowned, a look of concentration on his face as he made tea, "You don't think it could be…"
"No, surely not. He's still locked up. It couldn't be him." Jess said hoarsely, "Could it?"
"It just seems strange, is all. Whoever it was rang twice, didn't answer either time. But then if they rang and got you then if it was him I'm sure he would have gloated or done something." Callum mumbled, thinking aloud.
"Do you think we should do anything?" Jess wondered.
"Theres nothing we can do besides ringing up the prison and checking he's still an inmate. But we can leave that until Christmas is done yeah? Let's just be more cautious when we're out, especially if we're on our own." Callum said, a stern look given to Jess.
Jess forced a smile, nodding. Katie picked up on the suddenly tense vibe, cautiously asking "Is everything ok?"
"Yeah, everything's fine Katie." Jess glanced at Callum again as he set drinks in front of them.
Katie didn't look convinced but nodded anyway, "I'm just going to take Nathan in the living room and feed him if that's ok?"
"Course it is, go ahead. We'll be in in a minute." Jess said with a smile.
"I don't want this to ruin our Christmas but now I can't stop wondering if it is him. This is ridiculous." Jess sighed, running a hand through her hair.
"It'll be ok darlin', let's not let him ruin today. I promise you that tomorrow I will ring up the station and get someone to check, maybe see if they can find the number that rang and who it belongs to. Ok?" Callum said, stroking Jess' cheek.
"Ok." Jess said hesitantly.
"Right, now, let's get this table set and wait for everyone else to get here." Callum said, forcing a smile as he took Lexi into the living room, Jess following closely behind.
An hour later and most of the food was cooked and ready, just needing rewarming before serving. They Stones plus Katie and Nathan were sat in the living room drinking Bucks Fizz while awaiting the arrival of the other guests. The doorbell rang and Jess set her drink down, quickly getting to her feet. She opened the door, a smile on her face as Nate and Sally presented themselves, a big sack at their feet.
"Merry Christmas!" Sally said excitedly, pulling Jess in for a tight hug.
"Merry Christmas Sal, and Nate! Come in, it's freezing out there. We're in the living room." Jess said, moving aside for them to enter. Sal manoeuvered around Jess expertly with her crutches, going into the living room and sitting down after saying hello to everyone.
"Where do you want me to stick these Jess?" Nate asked, holding the sack up.
"Um just pop them round the tree if that's ok, with all the ohers? We were waiting for you two so we could start opening them, thank God you're here now." Jess laughed, shutting the front door and following Nate in to the living room.
"Do you two want drinks?" Callum asked, standing up and handing Lexi to Sally. "I've got mulled wine, Bucks Fizz, red and white wine or soft drinks."
"Mulled wine for us please boss." Nate said with a grin, sitting next to Sally and playing with baby Nathan.
"That didn't take you long did it Sal." Jess grinned, indicating her daughter. It was then that Jess noted the white gold band with three small diamonds on Sally's ring finger, "Um Sally, what's that?"
Sally looked at her hand, a massive smile on her face. She glanced shyly at Nate then up at Jess, "It's my Christmas present."
Jess screamed, startling Lexi, before rushing to Sally and giving her a hug, inspecting the ring closer "I had a feeling you were going to pop the question!"
Nate smiled, caressing Sally's free hand, "Well yeah, I thought it was about time I made an honest woman out of her."
Callum walked into the living room bearing the drinks, "What is going on in here? All I heard was Jess squealing about something."
Sally held up her left hand to Callum, "Nate and I are getting married."
"It's about bloody time. Thank God you'll have him Sal cause no one else will." Callum said jokingly, nudging Nate's shoulder as he walked past.
"Can we please open the presents now I've been waiting for hours!" Jess whined, looking like a child. Callum laughed, shaking his head.
"How old are you?" Nate asked with a grin.
"But look at it! Doesn't that pile of presents call to you?" Jess said, indicating the tree and presents underneath. Callum had turned on the twinkling fairy lights, giving a perfect Christmassey glow over the people present.
"Jess is right, its cruel to make her wait any longer." Katie said with a smile at Jess, "And if we're not quick Nathan will open any present he can get his hands on, regardless if its for him or not!" Katie grabbed Nathan again who was making his determined way to the presents.
"Ok, calm down children. Is everyone settled?" Callum asked, putting a Santa hat on his head. He began sorting through presents, the first one for Lexi from Nate and Sally. Sally handed Lexi to Jess so she could open it with her.
"Look baby, look what auntie Sal and uncle Nate got you! Let's see what it is." Jess cooed at Lexi who waved her arms about. Jess ripped off the paper, revealing the softest teddy which had a police uniform on. Jess rolled her eyes, handing the teddy to Lexi who promptly threw it on the floor.
"What you rolling your eyes for?" Nate asked, handing the teddy back to Lexi.
"You guys too? Gina and Callum have both pinned hopes on her being a cop too." Jess grinned, "But thank you, its lovely."
"Come in, she will be a cop. The best of the best. And you're welcome, we saw it and couldn't resist." Sally said, tickling Lexi's tummy.
"Ok next is for Katie, from the Stone's." Callum red, passing the present to Katie who had a strange look on her face. Jess leaned forwards, touching her hand to Katie's shoulder.
"Hey, you ok?" she asked softly.
"Yeah, it's just I haven't been given a Christmas present in years. It's nice, really nice, thank you so much." Katie said gratefully.
"Don't thank us til you've opened it." Callum winked. Katie smiled at him before gently pulling the paper off. Inside was a big pile of clothes with some pyjamas and the fluffiest dressing gown.
"I think it's the right sizes. If not I still have the receipts so you can swap them." Jess said worriedly.
"Thank you so much! My clothes are too tight now, what with finally putting some weight on. Either that or they're hand me downs. Thanks you so much." Katie said appreciatively, placing the clothes in a pile and hugging Jess tight.
"Sal, this one is for you from the Stone's." Callum said, passing Sally a lumpy package. Sally thanked them before shaking the package.
"Oi Armstrong be careful it's breakable!" Jess chastised, bouncing Lexi on her lap.
"You could have told me that before I started shaking it." Sally rolled her eyes, a smile on her face as she pulled the wrapping paper off. Inside was a multi framed picture, filled with photos from Jess and Callum's wedding. There were photos of them getting ready at Sally's, then from the service and finally from the reception, "Oh I love it! Thank you so much you two."
"I know I always get you photos but they're memories, good memories, and there were so many from that day. There's something else in there too." Jess said, exchanging a smile with Callum. Sally frowned, pulling out a small piece of card. She turned it over, her frown smoothing as she laughed.
"Brilliant. This is a classic." Sally laughed, showing it to Nate.
"Oh God so true. Where did you get it?" Nate asked, handing it to Katie.
"It was in a card shop and we got it altered." Callum replied, handing it back to Sally. It was a learner sign, the type you get on learner cars, but this one had "Godmother" written at the top.
"That will go in my room tomorrow." Sally smiled, placing it with her photo frame.
"Nate, next one if for you." Callum said, gently tossing a soft package to Nate. He ripped the paper off, bursting into laughter as he saw what was in there.
"I don't know if it's my style." he said, pressing his lips together to stop laughing.
"Why on Earth have they given that to you…" Sally asked, tailing off as she looked at Jess' smirking face.
"Erm excuse me Jess, I am not wearing that for him!" Sally said, blushing.
"Aw come on Sal don't be a spoilsport. It's my present and you're gonna wear it." Nate insisted, holding the sexy cop outfit up against Sally who batted it away.
"Only if you behave." she conceded to a whoop from Nate.
"Now Katie, this one is for Nathan from us." Callum said, handing the present to Katie.
"Ah you didn't have to get either of us anything, you've done so much for us already." Katie said softly, accepting the gift none the less. She unwrapped the paper carefully, smiling at the contents of toys and teething rings. "Perfect, just what he needs."
"You're welcome." Callum said kindly, "Now my darling wife, your present." Callum got up and sat next to Jess, swapping the baby for a heavy rectangular present. He pressed a gentle kiss on her cheek.
Jess looked up at Callum curiously, giving the present a cautionary shake. She placed it on her lap, carefully peeling off the wrapping paper. A gorgeous embellished photo album was revealed. She looked at Callum with a soft smile on her face. He indicated to open it. She opened it slowly and gasped. The first picture was when they had been at her parent's house, the night they got engaged. She flipped through the pages, seeing more pictures of them as a couple, of Jess and Sally and their other friends, them with her parents, wedding pictures, honeymoon pictures, scan photos of Lexi, the first picture of Lexi when they were still in the car looking like hell and finally their first photo as a family. Jess was speechless. She could feel tears welling up, happy tears. She thought briefly to her first Christmas with Dan. He had bought her clothes which were the wrong size and she didn't like. This was personal. This was about Jess, and about Callum, and their lives together so far. It amazed her that Callum had done this for her, that he could have filled an album. She turned and looked at him, unsure how to show her gratitude. He gently wiped her tears away, leaning down as she moved in to press a gentle kiss on his lips.
"Callum, this is beautiful. Thank you so much. I don't think anyone has ever gotten me something as wonderful as this." Jess said sincerely.
"Well I wanted something personal, just about us. There's a few more presents for you, some from me and Lexi and some from your parents. But I wanted you to have that one first." Callum whispered, kissing her again. She placed the photo album on the coffee table, getting on the floor to rummage under the tree. She pulled back, a gift held triumphantly in her hand. She handed it carefully to Callum, resuming her seat next to him. She took a sleeping Lexi from him so he could open his gift. He ripped eagerly at the paper, causing the others to laugh at him
"Excited much boss." Nate laughed.
"I'm sorry to be excited Nathaniel, but it's my first Christmas I'm spending with the love of my life and our beautiful baby. And our wonderful friends obviously." he replied sarcastically. He pulled out a small blue box from the remnants of the wrapping paper, slowly opening it. Nestled in the black velvet was a silver watch.
"Turn it over." Jess said quietly. He glanced at her before turning it in his hands. He undid the strap so he could read the inscription.
I couldn't lead another day without you here in my arms.
The lyric was from one of Jess' favourite Snow Patrol songs; Callum recognized the lyrics straight away. He fastened the watch around his wrist, admiring it.
"It's perfect. Thank you." he said earnestly, "And it's all the more special seeing which song it's from."
Jess looked at him slowly and said, "I've never seen you wear a watch so wasn't sure if you'd like it. But I thought it looked really smart and you can wear it at work. And, well, when they said it could be engraved I knew I had to get it. Are you sure it's ok? It won't hurt my feelings if you hate it."
"It's more than ok. I promise." Callum leaned in for a kiss, pulling back with a disgruntled look on his face as he heard Nate pretending to be sick.
All the presents had been handed out and it was time for lunch.
"I hope everyone's hungry!" Jess said, leading everyone into the living room.
"No not really, we had a really big breakfast before we came." Nate said.
"What." Jess said, the look of death being directed straight at Nate.
He held his hands up, laughing, "I'm kidding you crazy woman, I've been starving myself so I can eat it all!"
"Jesus you were about to get carved up like the turkey." Jess said cheekily, hitting him with an oven mitt as she walked out to the kitchen.
"Jess this looks amazing!" Sally said, indicating the lavishly decorated table.
"Don't thank me, a lot of it was Katie." Jess said, dishing up the food.
"In that case, Katie you seem to have a flair for design!" Sally complimented. Jess walked in, arms laden with side dishes. Callum quickly rose, helping Jess set them all down.
"Right everyone, dig in and merry Christmas. After this we have Christmas cake and Yule log both home made." Jess said, flashing her best hostess smile.
Everyone smiled, wishing each other a merry Christmas before digging in, the sound of laughter and chat filling the house.