It was Christmas Eve and despite having to do the night shift Bernie was in good spirits, Christmas spirit in fact. Cam and Charlotte had both agreed to come for Christmas lunch. Marcus had elected to work on Christmas day and so the kids did not really feel bad about agreeing to see their mum.
Marcus knew they were spending the day with Bernie and Serena as well as her family; not that he had a problem with Serena per se. In fact when he had met her he respected her as a fellow medic and it seemed she knew how to stand up for herself; especially to Bernie. No, the fact was that it irked him that Bernie had not made much effort with her own family and had caused their 25 year marriage to end and was now part of a new family. A family she was making an effort with; a family she was drawing their kids into. Not that he had completely voiced his concerns, well annoyances, to the kids. He had just warned them not to get to close to Bernie until they knew it was not another flash in the pan thing again. He knew that she could be a good mother to them, when she applied herself to the task; but more often than not it was more of a hobby than a full time obligation.
The plan was that Ellie would come Christmas Eve and stop over; Bernie would go to work and return early hours Christmas morning. While she slept Serena and Jason would visit Alan, Celia and Jason's mum's grave.
Serena had her plan of action for the Christmas dinner, most of the prep she was doing now. Cameron and Charlotte were due over about 1pm to eat at three.
It was 7pm and Serena had made Bernie something to eat before she went to work. She was busy doing something obscene to a Turkey; or at least that's what it looked like to Bernie. Serena was wearing a Christmas apron and sparkly Christmas earrings. Bernie was just thinking how cute she looked when the phone rang. It was Ellie's ringtone.
"Can you get that darling, I'm elbow deep in a Turkey." She laughed.
Bernie got up and answered it. "Hiya Mum, it's me." She sounded a little tipsy.
"Hi Ellie, it's Bernie. Your mum is currently assaulting a Turkey."
"Oh, ah; is she going full tilt on dinner prep for tomorrow."
"Something like that yes."
Ellie laughed, "Can you hold up the phone for her, I need to speak to her."
Bernie put it on speaker phone, "Ellie, you are on speakerphone." Serena warned just in case Ellie said something inappropriate. Ellie did not know what being reserved was like, at all.
"Ha, OK cool. Better not ask about your sex life or anything eh Mum?" She was laughing, they could hear laughter in the background. It was obvious she was in a bar.
Bernie pulled a face and points at the phone as if to ask if Serena does discuss their sex life with her daughter. Serena shook her head firmly and mouthed, "NO WAY!"
"So mum, was wondering if you could come and pick me up from town later?"
"No darling I can't, I have too much to do, and besides you know that I will have had more than one Shiraz by now."
"Bollocks, a taxi is going to cost a fortune tonight."
"Should have thought about that before you went out." Serena pointed out.
"Yes, thanks mother."
Bernie looked at Serena, she was probably going to regret this but she opened her mouth, "Um, Ellie, I could come and pick you up, but it would have to be before ten as I am working tonight."
Serena rolled her eyes.
"Oh yeah, sure. We are all splitting after this drink, so yeah that would be mint."
"Ok well text me the time and where you want picking up and I will be there."
"Thanks Bernie." The phone went dead as Ellie now had what she wanted.
"You didn't have to do that." Serena said has she washed her hands.
"I know, but it's safer and cheaper than a taxi; plus you get a drinking buddy when I go to work. Call it my way of making up for working tonight." She puts her arms around Serena and pulls her in.
"I have you tomorrow that is more important to me." Serena kisses Bernie, her Bernie. Yes she was a bit miffed that Bernie had the night shift but given that Hanssen had allowed them both to have Christmas day off and their other shifts over Christmas coordinated pretty well Bernie had taken some of the graveyard shifts in return.
"I promise you won't even miss me. I will be back before you know it." Bernie's phone went off. It was Ellie requesting a lift in half an hour. "Right Campbell you better put me down. My taxi services are required. Plus I can't guarantee my mind will be on work if I spend any more time in your arms." She gave Serena another hug and kissed her gently.
As she put on her coat she turned back, "Serena?"
"Mmmm."
"You don't discuss, us; um well our, you know with Ellie, do you."
"Our sex life Bernie?" Serena confirmed. Bernie looked sheepish. "No darling, there are some subjects that are taboo between Ellie and I. This is one of them. Ellie said that on the phone because she is tipsy and she likes to say things to shock and provoke people. Why do you think she went into journalism?"
"Sorry, I had to, um, check."
"No, that's fair enough. Just remember when you pick Ellie up she might say things to test your mettle."
"Duly noted." She strode across the kitchen to snatch one more kiss before laughing and heading off before Serena could react.
Bernie was in the agreed place at the agreed time. She had plenty of time before her shift started. Ellie came over, she had a suitcase on wheels. Bernie got out so she could put it in the boot. "Boozing straight from the train eh?"
"Started well before the train. Then I had to check in with a few people, so I've had a bit of a sesh to be honest. Don't tell mum." She said drunkenly attempted to get into Bernie's low 2 seater.
"I think she may notice that you are a few drinks in Ellie." Bernie laughed and opened the window as they turned onto the main road.
"Hey Bernie, thanks for this."
"No problem. Just remember to give me a good rating on Uber." Bernie laughed.
"Will do. Oh can you stop at the shop too, want to pick up some booze; show mum I aren't a complete sponger."
"I'm sure she doesn't think that, but yeah; as long I have time before work."
"Isn't it a bit wank working the night shift on Christmas Eve?"
Bernie laughed, "Yeah, it can be if it is busy and it can be if it is too quiet. I console myself with the fact I get tomorrow with Serena. That makes it bearable."
Bernie pulled up outside the shop and Ellie nipped in. As she got back in the car Bernie held out a box, and offered it to Ellie. "What's that?" Ellie asked hoping it wasn't a bloody engagement ring.
"It's my present to Serena. And, um before you jump to conclusions; it isn't an engagement ring. It's just a ring." Ellie opened the box. It was a Pandora ring, it was one of the droplet style rings containing Serena's birthstone.
"Bernie that's really nice, I think mum will love it. How did you get her ring size?"
"I was in the army you know, I'm…. resourceful."
They laughed as Bernie pulled up outside the house. "Are you coming in?" Ellie asked as she handed the ring back.
"No, um work starts in half an hour and if I come in it will make it harder to leave."
Bernie got out of the car and got Ellie's case out of the boot. Ellie was trying to get out of Bernie's car. A bit of a feat when you have a bag full, and a body full, of alcohol. The security light came on as Serena opened the door. Bernie was just coming to the front of the car with Ellie's case. Serena went over to take Ellie's case; as to her it seemed that Ellie was quite incapable. As she grabbed the handle on the case she pushed Bernie against the front of her car and kissed her, not really caring that Ellie was there or whether the neighbours saw.
"Oh god, get a room will ya; or at least wait until I aren't stuck in Bernie's car."
Bernie smiled into the kiss, she turned to Ellie. "I'm on a time limit, get moving."
Ellie eventually got out of the car in rather an inelegant manner and tutted with a smile as she went to the warmth of the house.
"I wasn't joking when I said I was on a time limit Frauline." Bernie said as Serena held on to her.
"I know, I wish you didn't have to go though."
"I know but as of 6am tomorrow I am all yours OK." She kissed her forehead and leaned up from the car.
"You better go, before I stop you." Serena said with a smile. There was a knock on the window and Ellie held up two large glasses of wine. They let go of each other's hands until just finger tips touched. As Bernie got in the car she willed her 8 hour shift to go as quickly as possible.
