Thought i'd just have a little fun in the lead up to Xmas because i'm feeling festive. Look out for the Julie film references.... :-)

Five Days Til Christmas

Day One - Monday 20th December

I was up early this morning, agitated I suppose and more than a little worried about Mia's flight. I crept out of bed determined not to wake Joseph who has only just fallen into sync with my own sleep patterns and now actually sleeps past five in the morning instead of waking to carry out his duties.

In my dressing gown and slippers I sat with Maurice in the parlour and had tea. Finally Charlotte came to inform me they had just landed and all was fine, you can't imagine my relief. It's much safer to have your nearest and dearest safely on the ground. I planned to give Mia time to settle and rest after such a long flight, to have time with her mother and new baby brother, to see Lily and Michael and introduce Nicholas to San Francisco before I called. Part of me hoped she would be the one to call first.

We've grown so close over the past few months, if I'm honest I can tell you I was slightly worried about giving up the throne to so young a new host. But she has proven me wrong time and time again, this has been no different. Besides that she has shown me she does still need my guidance, I am still useful to the monarchy!

After the welcomed news I prepared myself for the day ahead, looked over the schedule with Charlotte then went back to my suite and took a shower. Joseph chatted to me as I washed, he's taken to doing that now, at first it unnerved me, somebody sitting in the bathroom and listening to me, I'm so used to the privacy. But now I look forward to our little routine, he tells me his plans, I tell him mine, he makes me laugh in the morning and occasionally he'll even wash my back – ha!

This particular morning we spoke about Mia and how quiet it would be without her causing havoc in the palace. Then the Christmas Eve ball to finish the preparations for and Joseph was still in the process of helping Shades re-organise the security system before he completely, and totally, retired. It may be almost Christmas but unfortunately my days still tick on as hectic as ever. Even Parliament has finished for the holiday season, why do I still work?

By lunchtime I was beginning to tire, it was too cold to be going around the garden discussing possible new landscaping plans and where would be the perfect spot for the statue Mia insisted on having made of me. A statue of me for goodness sake, who will want to stare at that in years to come? It's not as if I'm Queen Victoria marking the entrance to Buckingham Palace, royalty to be proud of, part of history, part of culture, my achievements pale in significance. Yet the girl insists, so I oblige and pose as the artist requests, let's hope he slims my waist a little in the finished product…

After finally escaping the clutches of the gardener and 'artist' arguing over which spot would catch the sunlight, and the positives and negatives of said sunlight, I went to the library to find Joseph. The fire burned all day in there and the room maintained this gloriously homely feel despite its sheer size. My husband has become quite obsessed with re-arranging the library and is currently working on a way to categorise the hundreds and hundreds of books displayed there. Apparently, he revealed to me a couple of months ago, the library and its organization have always bothered him and now he has the chance to "get his hands on the those dusty old books" as he so eloquently put it, he's wasting no time. Who am I to deny a man his pleasures?

I slipped in unnoticed and wandered to the back of the room, usually I would see him dangling from a ladder, stretching across some shelf and scaring me half to death. But today he was sitting in the armchair by the fire reading, gently and silently enjoying his afternoon. A glass of mulled wine sat on the table next to him and it smelled divine.

"How indulgent you look." I said walking across the room and removing my coat.

He looked up and gave me a half smile. "I'm embracing my new lifestyle."

"Enjoying retirement." I bent to the fire to warm my hands.

"Semi-retirement." He added beckoning me over.

As I got closer his free hand slipped around my waist drawing me to him and I slid down onto his knee.

"Your cold." He said kissing my cheek.

"Damned statue." I rubbed my hands together in an attempt to get the circulation going again. Joseph only laughed.

"It will look fabulous, you know that, and don't tell me part of you isn't quietly pleased about it…"

I was tempted to deny that to the death but he knows me too well now so instead I laughed along with him.

"Possibly… What are you reading anyway?"

He put his book to one side. "Nothing important." He lifted my legs from the floor and drew them over the side of the chair, I settled against his chest, warm and content by the fire.

"If anybody walks in on this they'll think we've finally gone mad." I murmured.

"Or that we look terribly old and sweet together."

"You're the old, I'm the sweet."

"I know that too well." He kissed the top of my head with such tenderness I had to lift my face to his and return the kiss.

I'd never been one for kissing, for open affection; I find it difficult to hug. But with Joseph I could spend long leisurely days enjoying the pleasure of his kisses. He was tender and caring and took his time with me; in the beginning I was so very nervous, yet he waited so patiently, he'd always waited so patiently as you very well know. And now it's me who often initiates the cuddles, or the kissing or nights of making love. You wouldn't believe the change in my demeanour. Totally, completely, head-over-heels in love, I wouldn't alter it for anything, I've never been happier.

"Are you looking forward to tomorrow's carol service?" I asked lying my head back down against his chest.

"Of course, will be good to experience the service from the front of the church rather than the back or the side.

"Oh goodness I hadn't thought of that, I'm sorry."

"There's hardly need for apologies. I will get to hold your hand in the house of god and listen to those glorious heavenly voices. Then it will feel like Christmas." He kissed my hand.

"Yes it will, as much as I understand Mia's need to be home with her mother and brother I'm a little… crestfallen that she will miss these traditions."

"Plenty of years for her yet…"

"Of course." I placed my hand on his cheek. "I have to go."

"Well madam, thank you for your visit."

"Your most welcome. A little break in the day, seeing you, eases the strain." I struggled up from the chair and readjusted my skirt.

"Am I presentable?"

"Perfectly neat and tidy."

"Perfectly?" I raised an eyebrow.

"Practically perfect in every way." He rose and kissed my forehead. "Dinner, later?"

"As always."

"Good, I have something I wish to discuss with you."

"Does it involve knocking walls down and expanding the library."

"No it doesn't but that's a good idea, I may consider it."

I placed a finger on his lips. "Don't, I have enough with the garden."

"Alright, then I'll work with what I've got."

"We all have to make sacrifices."

"Hmm I know, but every now and then life hands us a glass of the finest champagne."

"What a wonderful way to look at things, I'll remember that later when I'm discussing possible table displays for the ball." I squeezed his hand and prepared to leave. "Don't forget tomorrow I require your support for the visits."

"I know, I'll be there, Santa suit and all."

I turned at the door. "Really? I wasn't prepared for that but how marvellous. Enjoy your afternoon dear, don't work too hard."

I could almost visualise the shaking of his head and laughter as I made my way down the hall away from him.

!!!Joy to the world!!!