I have finished this fic now, it is just a matter of posting the parts here :D. Be patient my pretties!

History Repeated - Part 19: That Christmas Cheer.

"Where did you get to?" Alex asked Tess as she came into the house flustered. They stood in the kitchen alone.

"Oh..." She trailed off as she tried to think of an excuse, "I was just checking on the horses, they were kicking up a bit of a stink. Maybe it's all the commotion, I dunno"

But Alex knew better, "Oh right, and you needed Nick's help with that did you?" he said, knowing Tess wasn't being entirely truthful with him.

"Alex, don't start on me, alright. I'm not in the mood," Tess warned as she took the turkey out of the oven. She'd had enough of christmas already.

"Help me serve up, will you?" It was more an instruction than a question from Tess.

Alex just nodded and did as he was told. He wasn't going to push things with Tess today.

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Everyone sat in silence as they ate. The atmosphere wasn't very pleasant. Every so often Alex caught a glimpse of Sally glaring at Tess and vice versa.

Alex cleared his throat and directed a question at Tess in an effort to get some kind of conversation started within the group, "So how is the café going these days Tess?"

Tess looked up at him, "Fine. Business is booming. I guess people still love the place"

"It must be booming if you can afford to buy a drill for someone you have had nothing to do with for years," Sally spoke up bitterly.

Tess threw her fork down onto her empty plate. Her temper was beginning to flare, and her blood pressure beginning to rise. She needed to get out of there before she said something that she would regret. She needed to get out of there before she got even more agitated - it wasn't good for her or the baby.

"Who's for seconds?" She asked, picking up her plate, ignoring Sally's comment.

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In the kitchen Tess piled more food onto everyone's plates. She wanted the time alone to calm down, but it just wasn't working. She couldn't get Sally out of her mind, when had that woman turned into such a bitch?

And then there was Nick. Everything he had done that day was getting to Tess. He was under her skin now and she didn't have a clue what to do. Things were so messy.

Tess just wanted to crawl under a rock and hide there for the rest of eternity.

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Tess came back into the room looking a little more relaxed. She'd managed to calm down somewhat before returning to the dining room.

She plonked Sally's plate down in front of her, refraining herself from spilling it on the woman's lap.

"I'll get the rest of the plates," Alex declared, standing up and moving into the kitchen.

Tess soon followed after him.

"Don't let her get to you," Alex could see how fired up Sally got Tess - and Sally knew it too!

"I want her out of here, Alex," Tess demanded, "I want them all out of here."

Tess zoomed back into the dining room ahead of Alex, placing various plates in front of various people at the table.

Silence was again upon them as they ate their second serving of Christmas lunch, and it stayed silent till well after desert was done with.

Tess was on her way back into the kitchen, when Alex called out to her, causing her to pause in the dining room doorway.

"Grab the rum balls while you're there, would ya?"

Tess frowned at him, "Aren't you full yet, Alex?"

"Bottomless pit, Tess," Was his reply.

Laughter could be heard coming from Harrison and Libby. It was just the thing to lighten the atmosphere - children's laughter always was.

The entire group of adults turned, and looked at the two children.

"What's so funny?" Alex asked.

Libby could barely get the words out without laughing, "Tess is under the mistletoe. You have to give her a kiss now, Uncle Alex!"

He rolled his eyes, "Oh alright."

Getting up, Alex strode over to Tess and planted a kiss on Tess' cheek. A giggle escaped her mouth as he did so.

"A real kiss," Libby demanded, "Like mummy and daddy's kisses."

Alex and Tess looked at each other with goofy grins. Libby was a real character!

"Alright," In one swift motion, Alex took hold of Tess. Dipping her in his arms, he kissed her passionately.

Pulling away, Tess couldn't stop laughing.

Alex pulled Tess upright again, bent down and placed a soft kiss on her forehead, with a chuckle.

"I reckon that would have woken sleeping beauty up!" Tess laughed.