A few weeks had passed and Christmas was nearing. Everyone at Horizon noticed that the kids often acted out during this time, likely due to anxiety over the coming time – especially for those going home whom were likely worried about the uncertainty. Charlie and Sophie were getting ready for the Cliffhangars last group before Christmas, both on the sofa in Sophies office chatting and planning for the afternoon.

"Shall we talk about dealing with uncertainty?" Charlie asked, knowing a lot of their kids were going home for Christmas this year and there was a nervous energy in the group.

"Sure Charl." Sophie answered, feeling simultaneously happy that many of their kids were going home for Christmas but also sad. "They are all seeming quite anxious right now." She finished.

"I know, I get it though. They may all want to go home but those new challenges can be quite nervewracking." Charlie responded and the two of them continued discussing how they would run the group before walking over to get ready.

Whilst they were setting up they continued chatting, both knowing the group may be a difficult one to get through due to the time of year. "Do you guys want to come to Rusty's with me tonight?" Charlie asked Sophie, knowing Matthew was able to look after Amari.

"Sure Charl." Sophie answered, knowing Peter was at home and able to look after James and wanting an evening to spend with Charlie without having to worry about work or their children.

"Fab" Charlie replied happily and finished setting up before the kids came.

Fortunately, group went a lot smoother than both Charlie and Sophie expected, and they both believed that all the kids were ready for whatever challenges Christmas would throw at them. After group Charlie went to help Matthew with teaching another group climbing, happy to get there a bit early as it gave her time to show her affection.

"How are you feeling girly" Matthew asked her, after an affectionate greeting. Knowing she had been struggling a little with pain.

"I'm good right now Matthew." She replied, also making sure he was okay. "Do you have time for a climb after this?" She asked, being caught up on her office work enough to finish early.

"I always have time for a climb girl!" He exclaimed, happy that she was feeling up to doing some proper climbing herself.

"Great!" Charlie responded and helped him ensure he was ready.

After the class Charlie and Matthew tidied up a little before having their own session. "I think you've got that 5.11c over there." He told her – pointing to a climb with orange holds.

Charlie looked at it and smiled, it looked like something that might suit her. "Okay, let me warm up first."

"Sure babes." Matthew said, belaying her whilst she warmed up. "You're looking strong." Matthew complemented as she untied so he could warm up.

"Thankyou Matthew" she answered, wincing a little.

"You alright?" He asked her, noticing that she was in pain.

"I'm fine Matthew." She answered, smiling weakly.

"Good girly. Tell me if you're not." He told her, tying himself in.

"I will babes." She responded, making sure she was properly clipped to belay.

"Ready?" He asked her.

"Yeah, go for it." She responded, watching him climb, whilst belaying him. "You're also looking very strong today." She complemented him once he'd come down.

"I'm always strong Charl." He answered, smirking. "Let's get you on that orange route." He said, wanting to see her push herself.

"Okay Matthew" She responded as they both went over to the route.

"Well done!" Matthew exclaimed once she'd done the route, giving her a passionate embrace. "You'll get something special for that tonight." He continued.

"Oh will I" She responded, embracing him deeply.

Once finishing their warm embrace Charlie belayed Matthew whilst he had a climb. She loved getting a chance to watch him climb and admired his strength and technique. Once Matthew had finished climbing Charlie embraced him. "You are also getting something special tonight." She said.

"I'll look forward to that girly. Don't be too late." He said, knowing she was going out with Sophie and he worried about her if she was out late alone.

"I won't sweetheart." She answered, helping him tidy everything up. "I love you." She said."

"You too Charl." Matthew replied. "Do you not have any work to be doing?"

"Not really, I'm mostly caught up for the term." She told him. "Thought I'd help you to pass the time and to get more time with you."

"I really appreciate it Charl. The help and the time." He replied, giving her one last hug before Charlie went back to her office and Matthew went to pick up Amari from day-care before heading home.

Once Charlie got back to her office she showered and got changed before knocking on Sophies office door. "Are you ready" She asked once Sophie welcomed her in.

"Yes. Lets go." Sophie responded, happy to be getting away from the paperwork she was doing.

The two both ordered burgers and milkshakes and chatted for a couple of hours, relaxing as they knew the next few days at work would be hard. With the majority of the cliffhangers going home for Christmas the next day and Christmas day itself coming soon. Once finishing they're meals they headed off home. Sophie telling Charlie to send her a message once she got home.

"Did you have a good evening?" Matthew asked her, giving her a kiss once she came into the living room and sat next to him.

"Yes" she answered. "You still up for something special?" She asked.

"Always Charlie." He answered, getting up to put a condom on before coming back to the Sofa as they didn't want to wake Amari up.

"You okay?" Matthew asked her after Charlie had asked him to stop, feeling pain in her lower abdomen.

"No. It's hurting." She answered. "Sorry."

"Don't be sorry girly." He replied, and gave her a gentle hug instead, fondling her breasts. "This okay?"

"Yeah." She answered "thankyou."

"That's okay." He replied, being able to tell that she was in pain. "I love you."

"I love you too Matt." She told him softly.

The next morning, Charlie woke up to get Amari ready for day-care and herself ready for work. Trying to avoid waking up Matthew as she knew he didn't need to be in work until later.

Whilst she was eating her breakfast Matthew came down, in a te-shirt and boxers. "Feeling better now?" Matthew asked.

"Yeah." She replied, smiling as he came and sat next to her with his coffee. "I didn't wake you did I?"

"No, you didn't." He answered, running his fingers through her hair. "You are so beautiful." He told her. "Want me to drive you to work before I drop Amari off at day-care?"

"If you don't mind Matthew." She replied.

"Of course not." He replied.

Once Charlie had finished her breakfast, she finished getting ready before they left for work.

"Morning Charl." Sophie greeted, as they both coincidently arrived at the same time.

"Morning Soph." She greeted happily as they walked to the main building. "You ready?" She asked knowing it would be a difficult day.

"I think so." She answered and sighed. "It'll be quiet with only three of our kids."

"It will." Charlie replied.

Once getting into the main building they went their separate ways, Charlie finding Elsa outside her office.

"Are you okay sweetheart?" Charlie asked, inviting Elsa into her office and getting her to sit down on the couch.

"No. I'm feeling really anxious?"

"About going home?" Charlie asked and put the kettle on.

"Yes" She answered.

"Do you want a cup of tea?" Charlie asked.

"Please" Elsa answered, curling herself up with one of Charlies blankets.

"What's up?" Charlie asked, sitting beside Elsa and handing her cup of tea.

"I don't want to go home. I'm worried about food and mums got a new boyfriend." She said.

"That's okay hon. It's okay to be worried. Is there anything specifically worrying to you?"

"It's just going to be different." She answered. "What if he doesn't like me?"

"Darling…." Charlie answered, not sure what to say. "I'm sure he will." She responded. "If he doesn't it won't be long until your back here and you know me and Sophie are only a call away."

"I know. Thankyou." She answered. "Christmas makes me so anxious."

"I know it does Darling." Charlie replied. "But you'll be okay. Think of all the Christmases you've got through. You can get through this one." She told her gently.

"Thankyou Charlie." She responded, drinking her tea. "You always know how to help me."

"That's okay darling. Are you ready to go to class in a minute?"

"Yeah." Elsa replied, sitting and finishing her tea for a few minutes, continuing to converse with Charlie on more light-hearted topics.