NOVEMBER WARNING: contains Christmas spirit or something frightfully similar.

(also, season four spoilers... hehe)

Mark came back from his mother's funeral, his father and daughter in tow. His original plan had been to spend Christmas with Susan and James, Chloe, Joe and Suzie... Mark didn't really want to think about plans now though – it seemed offensive that the world in general didn't stop for a moment though his mother had died and the festive goop that pervaded every radio station and store only made it worse.

Rachel put up the sparse decorations she could find in his semi-unpacked apartment while her grandfather worked his way through his wife's record collection and a bottle of scotch.

"You need a Christmas tree." Rachel suggested over a grilled cheese sandwich lunch.

"We could get a cactus." Her grandfather teased.

"Come on Dad, we've got to have a tree. That tinsel looks stupid on the windows."

"Then take it down."

"But it's Christmas, we've got to do something."

"Look," Mark sighed, "I'm not much with a turkey and I haven't really had a chance to think about Christmas."

He was glad when the phone rang.

"Hi, Mark here." He answered, ignoring Rachel's glare.

"Hey." Susan's familiar voice was a momentary relief. "How are you?"

"Okay. We just got back yesterday."

"We?"

"Rachel and Dad came back for Christmas."

"Oh, nice." Susan sounded genuinely pleased. "So how are you doing?"

"I'm okay." He was far from convincing.

"Okay. Well if you want to come see James sometime..."

"I'd love to."

"Okay, well just let us know – and bring your Dad and Rachel for Christmas day at Chloe's."

"You sure that'd be okay?"

"Absolutely. Yeah, the more the merrier – you should see the size of the turkey we picked out – we'll be lucky to finish it before new years."

Mark laughed then realised he had a captive audience who hadn't seen him laugh in days. He made a time for late that afternoon to visit James then said goodbye.

"How's Susan?" his Dad asked suspiciously.

"She's fine dad. We can go see James this afternoon if you like."

Rachel was keen. Her grandfather just smiled with expectations in his eyes.

Mark tried to ignore every suggestion and finish his lunch.

Susan put James in Rachel's willing arms. Mark had used too many familiar excuses to get out of Christmas shopping so his daughter and father conspired against him, with a little help from Susan.

"You kids have fun." Mark's dad waved from the door as Susan got into Mark's car. He and Rachel were babysitting, both Susan and Mark had the evening off, so no more excuses.

The mall wasn't too busy for Christmas, but far from quiet. Mark hadn't even thought about what he could get everyone but by some miracle, an hour later he had four bags and gifts for six people – Dad, Rachel, James, Chloe and Joe. Only Suzie and Susan to go.

"Really, you don't have to get me anything." Susan insisted. "I mean it. I'm not just being polite. You hate Christmas shopping and I'm only helping in your daughter's evil plan so that you don't ostracize everyone who loves you." She laughed a little, "Really. I don't need anything."

"That's not the point Susan."

"Come on, you're bound to find something for Suzie in here."

He followed her into a brilliantly colourful and noisy toy shop. Susan had found a mobile of a hand crafted angel with bells and glitter. Mark chose a toy reindeer that pooped brown jelly beans when the head was pushed down. He was actually giggling. Susan only wanted to know if he thought chocolate coated coffee beans would fit and with his assurance that they would – considering the simple mechanics of it – she got one for herself as well.

"Okay. We're all done." She grinned and headed for the carpark.

"No we're not."

She looked confused though she knew exactly what he still wanted to get.

"We need..." mark thought desperately – a delay... "egg nog."

"that's gross."

"Okay, then get a milkshake or an icecream or a cup of coffee, a hot chocolate."

"Okay then." They turned and went in the other direction, toward the closest café.

"Can you order me a hot chocolate?" Mark asked as she sat down in a booth.

"Where are you going?" she looked up at him, menu in hand.

"Um, I forgot something." He took off before she could ask more.

She rolled her eyes and perused the menu.

He had it wrapped and put in an unmarked bag – so no clues. She didn't ask, just smiled over her hot chocolate and looked forward to her surprise.

"So that wasn't too painful was it?" she asked as she finished her cup.

He still had a bit to go, "No. But you do improve it. Shopping isn't exactly my forte."

"Well no more for another year."

"Oh I think I can handle a birthday here and there."

Susan smiled. She'd done a lot of that tonight. So had Mark. He seemed happier. She knew his mum's death had thrown him but he was back on his feet from what she could tell.

"Not bad." He finished his hot chocolate. "So, what are you working next week?"

"Days from Tuesday onward. You?"

"Same. Not again."

"We'll have to talk to Cherie again."

Mark nodded. Cherie wasn't so bad but you'd think 'opposite shifts' wasn't too complicated an agreement. But even when the timetables were right it was pretty full on. Either working – in an ER, nonetheless – or solo-parenting. They had very little off-time. Mark had been chewing over another possibility but nothing had come to mind.

"It's not easy, even when they do get our shifts right." Susan seemed to read his mind.

He smiled, "No, it's not." He held her eyes for a moment, "Maybe..."

"Yeah?"

"Well, maybe we could both cut back a bit."

"They won't like that."

"No." he agreed.

"But you might be right. I mean," she took a deep breath, "It was easier when you were living with us – not that getting your own place was a bad idea it just..."

"Made this a little more difficult."

"And this situation was never going to be easy."

They sat in silence for a moment.

Mark spoke first. "It think we'll be okay. I mean, you're amazing with him and finding some balance might take a while but we can just play it by air – if you want to cut back, or if you want me to help out more..."

"Mark, it's okay." She smiled, "You do heaps. It's just that James is either with you or me – it's never all three of us and maybe it's just some silly old fashioned notion but..."

"Not it's not." He agreed. "Mum, Dad and kids is what I always wanted."

"Me too." She almost whispered.

The air between them was so intense it was hard to breath.

She cleared it with a smile. "We should get back."

Mark nodded and stood, "Yeah. Thanks for helping with the shopping."