I know its been a while, hope y'all had a good christmas and new year, and what better way to start off the new year than a criminal trial? x

"Hi, Happy Christmas!" Catherine greeted, wrapping her sister in a hug. "And Happy Christmas to you little man," she managed to place a kiss on her nephew's cheek before he escaped her grip and ran off to investigate Henry. The women laughed and made their way to the kitchen, leaving the children to play.

Nancy watched her sister glide around the room making coffee and croissants with a lazy grin on her face. She knew that look.

"You've had sex." She announced, causing Catherine to whirl around and gape at her with wide eyes. Busted.

"How do you do that?" Cath asked, rolling her eyes and returning to the oven to get their breakfast out.

"It's a gift. So…how are things with Miss Sidle?" Nancy inquired, accepting her food and levelling her sibling with a satisfied smirk. Catherine's eyes glazed over and that grin returned.

"Amazing." She breathed dreamily. "She's just so…passionate, and beautiful, and sweet. Oh, and she has the cutest birthmark on her hip, its right…"

"Wow Cathy, easy on the details please." Nancy raised her hands, wishing she hadn't asked. "What have you done with her anyway? Is she a spent force under the duvet?" Catherine nearly choked on her coffee.

"I left her sleeping, it was an early morning yesterday."

"And a late night by the sounds of things." Catherine swatted at her arm with a tea towel for that. "Seriously Hun, I'm happy for you. Just, take things easy okay, I don't want you to fall for her and get hurt." Cath grinned sleepily at her sister.

"I think it's a little late for that Nance, I've already fallen and trust me I'm enjoying every minute of it."

Catherine begrudgingly returned to work the day after Boxing Day and Sara decided to make the most of her time alone with Lindsey. Every morning Cath would return home to find another papier-mâché model on the kitchen table or an interesting looking dessert in the fridge. Not the she was complaining, it was great that they got on so well, and she loved seeing her girls so happy. She was actually pleasantly surprised at Sara's connection with her daughter; apparently all those times Sara insisted that she was not good with kids were just blatant lies. She was great with Linds.

They soon fell into an easy routine: Catherine would come home from work and have breakfast with them, already prepared by Sara and her little helper, then she'd go have a shower and a nap while Sara entertained Lindsey. She would come downstairs for lunch, spend the afternoon with her girls, put Lindsey to bed and spend a couple of precious hours alone with Sara before returning to work.

However, both women knew that this fairytale was not going to carry on like this for long, since Lydia Hart's court case was approaching imminently.

Day 1

"Catherine do I really have to do this?" Sara whined as she tried futilely to zip up her black dress at the back before giving up and letting her hands drop to her sides.

"Yes, if you don't testify then the jury could side with Lydia." Cath insisted, zipping up Sara's dress for her. She turned her around and wrapped her arms around Sara's neck, holding her gaze. "Hey, you're not alone up there ok, we're all here for you. Just tell the truth and leave the rest up to the lawyers." She placed a kiss on Sara's lips. "Trust me baby everything will be fine." Sara smiled weakly and nodded. Catherine released her and turned to the little blonde lying on her stomach on the bed watching the interaction with curiosity. "Now little miss, you behave for Aunt Nancy okay, and don't forget to do your homework." She tapped Lindsey's nose as she walked past her.

"Why can't I come with you guys?" She sat up and swung her legs off the edge of the bed, a pout on her little mouth. Sara crouched down to her level and smiled.

"Tell you what, why don't I stay with Nancy and do your homework and you can take my place in court?"

"No trading!" Catherine ordered, rummaging in her jewellery box for a pair of earrings. "Linds, go get your bag." She girl crawled off the bed and ran out of the room. Sara sat down on the edge of the bed and ran a hand through her hair. Catherine abandoned her jewellery to study her carefully before sitting next to her and wrapping an arm around her lower back. "Hon I know that you're scared and I am too, but you are not on trial here ok, and the evidence is on our side. And we have the confession,"

"Which doesn't count because her lawyer wasn't present so that interrogation can't be used as evidence. She's pleading not guilty."

"It doesn't matter. We've got the truth, that's all that counts." Sara exhaled and nodded. Catherine stood up, pulled Sara into her arms and kissed her cheek tenderly. "Don't be scared Sara, I've got you now. You're safe now."

They stayed like that until the doorbell forced them apart and they gathered their things. Lindsey disappeared with Nancy and the women got into Cath's car, her new car. "You ready?" Sara took a deep breath and fixed her deep hazel eyes on Catherine.

"Ready."

I know its not my best work but let me know what you think anyways :)