"We're back!" Shelagh called out as her and Patrick huddled into the house and out of the cold.
"That was quick, did you get everything you need?" Julienne asked as she poked her head around the kitchen door.
"Yes thank you! We're just going to pop upstairs and wrap them" Shelagh smiled as she tugged her coat off.
"I'll keep Tim distracted while you do so, but don't be long as dinner will be ready in 20 minutes! I thought we could have dinner, watch a Christmas film and have an early night so Tim is in bed for Santa" Julienne winked before slipping back into the kitchen to see to the boiling pans.
Picking up the shopping bags they made their way upstairs and into Shelagh's room.
Patrick shut the door behind them and walked over to Shelagh who had just placed the bags down.
As she turned around the face him Patrick lifted her chin up with his hand and placed another sweet kiss on her lips.
"I could do this forever" He whispered before kissing her softly again.
"I like the sound of that" Shelagh smiled into the kiss.
Patrick reluctantly pulled away and smiled at her, his eyes full of love.
"Come on we've got to wrap Tim's presents" Patrick hinted towards the pile of presents on her bed.
"I'll just go and get the wrapping paper" Shelagh hummed as she placed a kiss on his cheek and slipped out of her room and over to the office.
After picking up the supplies she walked back into her room and joined Patrick on the bed.
"Don't laugh at my wrapping skills" Patrick warned as Shelagh handed him a present.
"I can't make any promises" Shelagh retorted as she watched him flail around with the paper.
After having a dinner they had all gotten into their Christmas pajamas and decided to sit watch The Grinch - as it was Tim's favourite Christmas film.
Timothy had started off sat in-between Patrick and Shelagh but half way through the movie he decided to huddle up to Shelagh.
She was now absentmindedly soothing his hair with a smile plastered on her face. She loved this boy as if he was her own and she was so glad to be spending Christmas with him.
As the film came to an end Timothy was struggling to keep his eyes open.
"Tim why don't you go and brush your teeth whilst I get the sofa ready?" Shelagh offered as he sat up and let out a long yawn.
Nodding Tim slowly stood up and made his way upstairs.
"We'll go to bed now as well" Julienne yawned as she stood up.
"See you both in the morning, goodnight" Peter said as he and Julienne left the room.
"Goodnight" Patrick and Shelagh said simultaneously.
Shelagh stood up and walked over to the otterman to pull out the duvet and pillow for Timothy whilst Patrick went to get Tim a glass of water for bed.
As Shelagh finished setting up the make shift bed Timothy came back.
"Ready?" Shelagh asked as he trudged towards her.
Shelagh lifted up the duvet and placed it on top of Tim and tucked him in. Patrick entered the room and placed the drink on the coffee table opposite the sofa.
"We're going to bed now Tim, if you need anything come and wake us" Patrick said as he leant down and placed a kiss on his forehead.
"Goodnight Tim" Shelagh said as she soothed his hair down making his eyesdroop.
Turning off the lights they left and headed upstairs so that they could get to bed themselves.
"How long until he's fast asleep?" Shelagh asked as she crawled into her side of the bed.
"I'd give it half hour before we go and pretend to be Santa" Patrick joked as he joined her, smiling when Shelagh reached for his hand.
"Please say you brought a santa costume with you" Shelagh giggled as she could picture him all dressed up.
"That's for me to know and for you to find out" Patrick chuckled as he smirked playfully at her.
"I'll have a camera at the ready" She taunted before smiling contently at him. "Thank you for coming with me. Christmas is going to be perfect this year"
Patrick smiled as he wrapped his arm around her waist, Shelagh instantly buried her head into his chest as sighed contently.
"I wouldn't want to be anywhere else" He soothed as he held her close.
An hour had passed and Shelagh was fast asleep in Patrick's arms. He couldn't help but smile to himself as he saw how peaceful and content she looked.
He wanted to keep her in his arms but he knew he needed to get Timothy's presents downstairs and under the tree.
After he carefully snuck out their embrace he picked up the bags containing the presents and quietly walked downstairs so that he wouldn't wake Shelagh or Timothy.
Entering the living room Patrick smiled as he saw Timothy sprawled out fast asleep on the sofa. Tiptoeing over to the tree Patrick placed the presents beneath and took a small bite out of the cookie that had been left for Santa.
Smiling proudly at his work Patrick stood up and turned to leave the room but to his surprise he saw Shelagh leaning against the door frame with a loving smile on her face.
"He'll love it, although I am disappointed in the lack of costume!" Shelagh whispered as Patrick stepped closer to her.
"That costume is for my eyes only" He joked quietly as he slipped his hand into hers. "Now come Mannion, let's get to bed."
Closing the door behind them they made their way back upstairs and into bed where they instantly found themselves in eachothers arms.
"Goodnight Shelagh" Patrick lulled before capturing her soft lips into a sweet kiss.