Walking across the landing Kate pulled back the covers on the bed, the day had been eventful and she still had 2 more school productions to sit through. Chris's would be okay as it was only 20 minuets and they were singing a few Christmas songs. And then it was Nicoles concert in the evening in the school's chapel which was beautiful at the best of times but at Christmas it looked even more magical, there was a huge 24-foot real Christmas tree in the corner which filed the whole space with a delicious pine sent and twinkly lights it was lit with candles hanging from the chandeliers which set off the dark oak interior walls. When anyone sang in there the sound was amazing bouncing off the high voluted celling

"you okay?" Mike asked walking over to the other side of the bed removing the cushions from his side

"yeah" she looked over "why?"

"because you have hardly said anything since, we got back from Graces Show. Is this because of what Sonia said because she was just pissed that Jasmine forgot her lines every time." Mike said as they both climbed under the covers

"i know but it still stung in the 72 months Gracie has been in our lives how many of them have I actually spent on land. I am out at sea almost half the year" she said resting against his shoulder

"true but they all understand what we do and at least they are not typical military brats and having to up sticks every 18 months to new bases and new schools. We have been lucky in providing a stable life here" Mike said kissing the top of her head.

"only because you are too stubborn and take promotion" she grinned looking up

"are you really telling me you want to up sticks and be stuck in Canberra because that's the next promotion."

"i didn't say that besides that would mean me giving up the sea and taking shore postings again and sitting behind a desk does my nut in"

"i guess then no shore posting" Mike smiled

"i did think about it but being out at sea..." she paused

"is the best feeling in the world" Mike finished

"yeah, as you well know" she smiled

The following morning Kate stood in the Kitchen prepping the breakfast for everyone. Pouring cereals in to bowls. She placed them on the tables. Mike entered with Chris. Pouring milk on to Chris's cereal she watched as Grace and Nicole pushed their way in.

"morning Girls" Kate smiled placing their bowls in front of them.

"you ready for tonight?" Kate asked as Nicole took her bowl

"i think so but my tummy feels weird all bubbly" Nicole replied

"that's just nerves sweet." Kate said placing a mug in front of her. "drink this and eat your breakfast.

Walking along the gravel drive in front of the nursery building Kate turned smiling at Mike at least they had arrived together so no chance of him turning up late. Pressing the buzzer on the door. Hearing the lock click open they walked through in to the room where Chris was based. There had been several chairs set up

"how low do they want the chairs" Mike whispered leaning in "if I get down then I won't get back up"

"well stand to the side with the other dads" Kate said softly sitting herself down on one of the chairs.

The children were all dressed as Nativity characters and Chris had been dressed as Joseph and was sat next to Mary. With the manger in front of them.

The first song they were singing was jingle bells which seemed to go off without a hitch, this was followed by when Santa got stuck up the chimney and we wish you a merry Christmas. They then got in to the traditional carols. It was then that they started to get a little board. Chris had his finger stuck up his nose before pulling it out and wiping what he had found on the shoulder of "Mary" shaking her head Kate sighed as the nursery nurse handed Chris a tissue and began wiping his nose whilst trying not to get noticed. Then the crowning glory of the show was one of the angles walking up to the manger and plucking the "baby Jesus" out of the crib by the leg and carrying him off to the tree house that was in the corner of the room as it was "her baby" and it "wasn't a boy" she even pulled the white dress up to prove it. when asked to put the baby Jesus back as "Mary" had now begun to wail that her baby had been stolen the little angel turned to the room leader and very precociously stated that it wasn't Jesus it was Beyonce

Covering her face tried not to laugh. She didn't envy the nursery nurses one bit. They were absolute saints for putting up with the kids being like this. Constantly telling tales. It was a losing battle and they always had a smile on their face.

Eventually they had replaced the baby Jesus with Winnie the Pooh which seemed to quieten Mary down although when anyone went up to the manger, she would violently pull the new "Jesus" from the crib and hold him close till she thought it was safe.

After the performance Chris was allowed to go home and it was his last day before Christmas. Strapping Chris in to the car Kate turned to Mike

"are you okay taking Chris for a few hours and picking Gracie up from school"

"sure, but what's up?" he asked

"nothing I am just going to take Nicole out before her show. She was really nervous this morning" Kate said pulling her belt round her clicking it in.

"okay. What time will you be back.?"

"well school finishes at 1 today so I'll go pick her up and drop you and Chris off at home" Kate smiled turning the engine on.

"okay sure. What time is Gracie's pick up again?" he asked

"2:45 and she should be in her classroom" she smiled over pulling up at the school where Grace was waiting.

"hey sweet" Kate smiled "how did it go today?" She asked

"it was okay" Nicole said sliding in pulling a funny face at Chris who giggled back

"well we are going to drop daddy and Chris off and then I thought we could go in to town, just you and me" Kate smiled looking in the mirror at her daughter.

"okay" Nicole half smiled looking out of her window.

so sorry its taken a while but i have been a bit all over the place the past few days. anyway hope you like this. all the things that happened in Chris's nativity sing-along i have either read about or witnessed happening my self. anyway hope you like it and next will be Nicole's concert. enjoy x x