"how's yours?" Mike asked taking a sip of his coffee.

"great. Perfect" Kate smiled "what about yours. Those fried potatoes look delicious" she grinned reaching over pinching one off his plate.

Running his tongue across his teeth he smiled "i know they are. Would you like to try them?"

"ooh yes please" she grinned reaching over pinching several more of the potato slices.

Shaking his head, he smiled. Placing his knife and fork neatly on to his plate he looked over at Kate. "Finished?" he asked his hand hovering over her plate

"yup" she said picking up the tea pot checking what was left. She still had another cup in there at least.

"how was that for you guys" the waitress reappeared.

"it was lovely thanks" Kate smiled leaning back in her seat so the waitress could collect the plates.

"great thanks" Mike smiled

"can I you anything else?" the waitress asked

"just the bill please" Mike smiled

"and a takeaway cup please" Kate asked.

"I'll just go and get that sorted for you" the waitress smiled heading back inside.

Heading across to the central shopping centre Kate smiled. Hopefully she would be able to put a large dent in to her Christmas shopping.

"so, where are we heading first?" Mike asked

"umm" Kate paused pulling out a little red and green striped notebook from her bag. "bookstore there are a few books I want for the kid's stockings" she smiled

"right then well off we go" he smiled his hand interlocking with hers.

The children's section of the book shop was on the third floor and was a magical place. There was a huge wooden tree in the middle of the room which looked realistic the branches stretched out and touched the tops of the walls. The centre had been hollowed out and made cosy with seats. The perfect place to curl up and escape with a book. Also, the tree had a platform slightly higher that could be sat on and escape between the leaves like Tarzan. There were several large leather armchairs around to sit and read. The pre-school section had lots of brightly coloured cushions and a life size kangaroo. the walls had been decorated with bubbles of images from different books from childhood with quotes. Books such as Winnie the Pooh, Dr Suiss, Alice in wonderland, the secret garden, Matilda and charlotte's web to name just a few.

Choosing the books for Chris and Grace was a easy affair. For Chris it would be some classic books that had been around for a while like Mog, The tiger who came to tea, the Large Family stories and The Gruffalo but there were also some newer ones she knew he would adore. Harry and the bucket full of dinosaurs' series and The day the crayons Quit. And for Grace it would be the Cosmo the cat books, Laura's star about a little girl who nurses a fallen star back to health before releasing it and as she was mad on fairies there was the Rainbow magic collection some of which she already had a few of from her birthday.

Nicole on the other hand was a different matter. She was very particular about what she read and rarely went for new authors. Looking at the pre-teen books Kate smiled finding the latest book by her favourite author so it would be one she didn't have. She also managed to fine a deal of 2 books in one by a new author one Nicole hadn't read before but she had enjoyed the TV series that had been based off of these books so it sounded promising.

"right where next" Mike asked as they walked out of the shop back in to the mall. It wasn't how he had imagined both of them spending the first day off they had had together in ages that also coincided with the kids being at school

"Target. I need to get some PJ's for the Christmas eve boxes and then something for Christmas day for them and then some other bits I might see" Kate smiled

"let's go then" he said taking the bags off of her making his way to the other end of the shopping centre.

"come on. After this I will get a coffee" she smiled

After a hour and a half in target Kate walked in to the little coffee shop in the square in the centre of the shopping mall.

"so are we done?" Mike asked

"almost. after we have had this drink, I just want to go to the toy shop." she smiled. Large flat white?" she smiled heading towards the till.

She returned a few moments later with the tray. She has got Mike a large coffee and herself another pot of earl grey tea.

"here we go" she smiled "and I got you this" she said placing a caramel slice in front of him.

"wow aren't I lucky" he grinned taking a bite of the cake she had brought

Sitting down on the seat next to him she moved a couple of the bags so he couldn't actually see the contains. He had mooched off to look at something but wouldn't tell her what so she managed to get the Christmas pjs without him. It was a family set which she knew he would say he would not wear and he was annoyed but he would do it for the kids to make them smile.

Lifting her plate off the tray she smiled, it was a new cake, after eight mint chocolate muffins. Cutting in to it she smiled over at Mike.

"so what is it you want from the toy shop?" Mike asked

"i just want to look see if it sparks some inspo for the kids."

"so you don't actually know?" he grinned

"well there Is a board game I want to get for Grace and Nicole to share. And then I will need to get Chris something." she smiled filling her cup with the tea.

"okay and then are we done" he asked

"maybe I don't know. Will have to check my list" she said pulling her notebook back out crossing things off. "i think it will do for today. But I will need to go to woollies to get some wrapping paper and the Christmas sacks." she said

"okay then" Mike smiled

Christmas was always a magical time of the year and she just hoped this year they could have a somewhat normal Christmas despite everything being far from that at the moment

so hope you enjoy this little bit. there will be a part three to the Christmas shopping but here we go for now. hope you like it and let me know what you think