With Christmas looming, Kane was sure he could afford the present Kirsty deserved.  He'd picked out a silver ring, with a small jewel, as a symbol of his love.  He knew he wanted to do the decent thing and propose, but he couldn't even think of how to say it.  This situation was completely alien to him; six months ago he never knew that he'd be proposing and contemplating fatherhood by Christmas.  Normally he'd spent his Christmases with his aunt, but before that he never knew what the commercial Christmas was.  Presents were rare, and with his father's disappearances it was hardly a family time.  This time would be different and next year would be even more exciting.  He kissed a sleeping Kirsty before he went to work, who began to stir.

"You just kissed me, " said a half-asleep Kirsty.

"That's right.  I've got to go now."

"Aw, can't you get a day off?"

"Sorry babe, I've only got Christmas day and a couple days after off."

"When's that again?"

"Next week."

"Ooops, " said Kirsty.  "I keep losing track of the days."  As Kane left, Kirsty wondered what she could get him, without breaking the bank.  She didn't know what to get a guy for Christmas, socks may have suited her dad, but somehow she didn't think they were Kane's thing.  Kirsty had a moment of realisation.  Would she have to cook something this Christmas?   She hardly knew how to cook a turkey or any of the other stuff that went along with Christmas.  She would have to see if Kane's aunt had any cookery books. Kirsty got out of bed, and felt her tummy.  She was showing her pregnancy now, and had to resort to low-slung jeans and her belly poking out through every top she wore.  She was proud to show off her pregnancy, despite all the funny looks she got.  At least she didn't know these people.  She enjoyed the anonymity of Yabbie Creek, since it was a bigger town.  Nobody knew everyone else's business, and nobody cared that they didn't.  It suited Kirsty fine.

***

Max checked to see no one was downstairs, darted up to his room and grabbed the present.  It was for Kirsty; he still missed her, though no one else seemed to.   He placed the carefully wrapped present under the tree.  He'd chosen it with care, a CD he knew she liked.  Hopefully she'd come and visit to collect it.  All of a sudden, Max jumped hearing someone come into the room.

"Aunty Shelley, you scared me!"

"Sorry, " she said.  "What are you doing by the tree?  Three days isn't long to wait to open them."

"I know I was just… checking something."

"Hmmm."  Shelley went over to the tree, and noticed the present marked 'Kirsty.'

"That's nice of you Max.  I've got a present for her too."

"I thought you'd forgotten her already."

"No.  Christmas time makes you remember things even more."  Shelley sighed.  "I want to invite her over, but she probably won't come.  I hope she's alright."

"Me too, " said Max.  He darted upstairs again.  He didn't like showing his emotions.

***

Christmas Eve approached quickly, and Kirsty couldn't wait to greet Kane when he got home from work.  She'd been watching some Christmas cookery programmes and had decided to make a simple turkey salad, as it would be a warm day.  She'd even got into the festive mood and bought some mistletoe from the garden centre.  As her pregnancy didn't allow her and Kane to get really intimate until 14 weeks, they'd felt slightly distanced.  Kirsty was counting down the days until they could be truly together again.  The key turned in the lock.

"Honey, I'm home!"  Kane opened the door, carrying in the biggest tree she'd ever seen.

Kirsty laughed.  "You sound like a cartoon character.  That tree is huge!"

"Well you can't have Christmas without one, can't you?  I got it cheap after work."  Kane rested the tree against the fireplace.

"Well at least I don't have to put your present in your stinking old socks!" 

"Excuse me, my socks don't smell!"  Kane hugged Kirsty, and began to kiss her neck. "So where's my present then?"

"You can't have it yet!"

"Oh.  Not even if I do this?"  Kane kissed Kirsty on the lips, making her feel airy and light-headed.

"Hmmm, well.  Only if I get mine."

As Kane hunted for his present, Kirsty got the watch she picked out from the kitchen drawer.

"Open mine first, " said Kane.

Kirsty took the small box and opened it, a simple silver ring.

"I love it, " said Kirsty putting it on.  "It's wonderful."

Kane froze.  Could he really ask her now? "It's to celebrate us being together six months."  Kane could have kicked himself.  He wanted to ask her, but the words wouldn't come out.

"Thank you.  Now for your present."  Kane would have opened it, if he hadn't heard a key turn in the lock and a familiar shuffle of feet on the mat.

"Kane?  Is that you?  I mad it back in time for…" Rose stood frozen in the doorway.  Who was this strange girl in her living room and why did her nephew look so suspicious?  Kane had a lot of explaining to do.