December 23rd

"Just tell them to shut up if they piss you off."
Georgia laughed. "Justin. I have met your friends before. They're really sound."

"As long as they aren't as 'sound' as me." He joked playfully nudging her. She nudged him back. They eventually ran down the beach after each other, pushing each other over and messing about.

When they met up with Justin's friends eventually, they were out of breath.

"Hey guys." Matt said. "You ready for a surf?" Not only had they ran down the beach. They had run down the beach with surfboards.

There were 5 of Justin's friends with them. Georgia felt kind of dominated as there was only one other girl who looked kind of hard. The other four were guys who also looked rough. But she had met Matt, Johnny and Dieter. She hadn't met Kady or Adam before.

As they all dumped their backpacks something fell out of Kady's bag. A joint. They all saw Georgia saw it. Kady picked it up. "You want it?" She asked Georgia.

Georgia hesitated. "Oh no I…"

"Take it. For later." Georgia hesitated again but realised all Justin's friends were around her. She would feel like an idiot had she not taken it but she did and slid it in the front pocket of her bag.

---Later that day…---

"Honey I'm home!" Kirsten called out as she came home from work. She closed the door behind her. She walked forward but tripped over Georgia's bag clumsily. "Ow! Oh Georgia." She mumbled to herself. "Georgia! Don't leave your bag in the doorway!"

Kirsten bent down to pick up dome of the things she had accidentally kicked out. Amongst sunglasses and cream she found the joint. "Oh my god." She said under her breath.

"Hey mum." Seth said, as she walked into the kitchen. "Georgia's gone out for another surf." Sandy, Seth and Ryan were in the kitchen hanging around drinking fizzy juices.

Kirsten sighed. "Good. I need to talk." The boys were gonna leave but Kirsten said they could stay. Maybe experience.

"I found this in Georgia's bag." Kirsten said showing the boys and Sandy the joint.

"Oooooooo" Seth said.

"Things I wasn't prepared for include this." Kirsten said.

"She's a teenager Kirsten. What do you expect?" Ryan said and Kirsten glared at him.

Sandy took the joint from her. "When my friend and I got caught smoking joints my mum got my school principal to call the cops. We spent the night in jail."

Seth smirked. "Dad's a stoner."

"We are not calling the cops." Kirsten said.

"We can't let her off with this. Nip in the butt. She's grounded." Sandy insisted.

"What! Just give her a warning." Seth said freely.

Kirsten sighed. "O what sort of hypocrite am I? I experimented when I was, well a little older than Georgia and there was hell to pay from my dad."

"There's your answer Ryan. I am the way I am because both my parents were stoners." Seth said.

Kirsten glared. "I hated it. Don't do drugs. Don't talk about taking drugs. Don't even think about taking drugs. If anyone asks you to take drugs you say 'no' and you walk away. Got it?" Kirsten said strongly. Ryan and Seth seemed a little scared. They nodded shakily.

"Georgia's a smart kid." Ryan said. "Just talk to her."

Sandy nodded in agreement. "I'll go."

Sandy went down to the beach to meet Georgia after her surf. He sat on the beach patiently waiting for her to finish. Georgia smiled as she walked up to her dad with her surfboard tucked under her arm. "Hey dad. You should check out the surf. It's pretty immense."

"We need to talk." Sandy said. Georgia nodded. Sandy showed her the joint Kirsten had found. "What's going on?"

Georgia sighed. "I-it's not a big deal."

Sandy stood up. "Yes. Yes it is a big deal." Sandy said forcefully.

"Not it isn't! It's not mine." Georgia said.

"My 14 year old smoking pot is a big deal."

"I'm not smoking pot. It's not mine. One of Justin's friends gave it to me. I didn't even wanna take it I just…I didn't want them to think I wasn't cool."

"Since when do you care about being not cool Georgia?" Sandy said and Georgia rolled her eyes. "Back in Scotland you're the most popular kid in the city and you definitely weren't taking drugs then."

"Yeah but I have heard that you and mum did." She shot back.

"Well did you also hear what our parents did to us when they found out?" Georgia sighed again. "And what do you think Helen would have done if she found this in your bag?"

"I probably would be grounded for life. So if you wanna be like that, if you don't want to believe me then fine! But I would appreciate it if you trust me." Georgia barged past Sandy and stormed off.

"Hey." Georgia said to Justin as she walked around to him as he lay in the pool in his backyard on top of a lilo. She stood above him. "Hey!" He said.

"Look we need to talk." Justin sat up. "My dad found your joint."

Justin shook his head. "No. Not my joint Georgia."

"Well the one your friend gave me."

"Which would make it yours." Georgia didn't like how blunt Justin was being with her. He didn't usually act like that around her.

"Whatevs. He's flipping out."

Justin chuckled. "He thinks I'm a bad influence on you right?" Georgia didn't know. She guessed so. She shrugged. "So what are you breaking up with me?"

"I don't wanna be." Georgia said.

"Look Georgia, I am who I am. And so are my friends. It's up to you whether you wanna be apart of that."

-----In the poolhouse----

"Hey." Georgia said as she snuck in with Seth and Ryan. "Are mum and dad home? Is it safe?"

"I wouldn't worry sis. You're in the clear." Seth said.

"What?"

"You haven't talked to either of them then?" Ryan asked. "They're letting you off."

"What?"

"Sandy and Kirsten know you're a smart kid. You know right from wrong. They also know you're a teenager. Half way to being an adult. Probably should start acting like one." Ryan said.

Georgia smiled. "Thanks you guys."

"For what? We didn't do anything." Seth said.

"It was all Kirsten." Ryan added. "She just wants you to learn from your mistakes. "

"We were all for seeing you making more mistakes." Seth joked.

"Well it doesn't really matter anyway. I think Justin and I are taking a break." Ryan and Seth both stayed silent. "Probably best for now. And you know, I don't really see us going anywhere especially with my kind of situation. But you know we're still friends. Best friends."

"Oh oh!" Seth said raising his hands to his head. "Ryan-Marissa flashback."

-----------

Kirsten decided to Georgia on a walk down the pier the next morning. Just for a chat.

"Sorry about the whole drugs thing." Georgia apologised.

"Me too." Kirsten said, Georgia was obviously forgiven, "Sorry about Justin."

"Me too."

Kirsten rubbed her arms feeling the cold. "Your dad's sorry he missed you this morning. A new client to meet with."

"It's ok." Georgia said shrugging. "Getting to cold to surf anyways."

"Well I'm seeing him for lunch you want me to pass anything along?"

"My basketball game is at 5 tonight. I want you all to be there."

"You really think we would miss your first game?" Kirsten said smiling.

"Just remind him for me, will you please? He promised he'd be there."

"So what's so special about the pier at Christmas?" Georgia asked as they got to the end of the pier. She had to admit it did look very pretty and festive. Fairy lights everywhere, mistletoe, fake snow on the roof; it was all that.

"Well before Hailey was born my dad would take us down here on Christmas Eve and we'd have a picnic." Kristen paused reflecting back and growing a little smile. "Just a small tradition thing I know but-"

"No I love traditions." Georgia cut her off. "Helen and I always go to the pantomime on Christmas Eve."

"I'm sorry you can't see one here." Kirsten said on behalf of California.

"It's ok." Georgia said. "They're usually showing until February."

Kirsten leaned over the edge of the pier looking out at the choppy ocean and the pink sky. Georgia watched her mum as her loose strands of hair blew over her absorbed eyes.

"You really miss granddad don't you?" Georgia asked. She had heard how things between Kirsten and her father had ended. She thought it was sweet he wrote a letter though. "Yeah" Kirsten said then pausing

Georgia smiled softly. "He's probably up there somewhere tripping over himself for missing out on this." Georgia and Kirsten both looked out onto the beach. "On you."

Kirsten smiled gratefully. Georgia definatly got her 'way-with-words' attribute from Sandy. Always knowing how to make everything seem ok. "Come on lets get some hot cocoa. I'm freezing!"

------

Kirsten sat in the Newport Bay Yacht Club waiting for Sandy to arrive for lunch. She kept checking her watch frustratedly as she waited for her second drink to arrive. Gladly her phone rang. She was in a good mood though with Sandy. So she couldn't really be mad at him. She smiled when she saw the 'Sandy calling…' on her phone. "Hey honey." She answered sweetly. "Where are you? I thought we said meet at 12?"

"We did." He said.

"It's 1230."

"I know I'm sorry. I'm just going into Mr Travis' office now."#

"You aren't on your way yet?" Kirsten asked sadly.

"I know hunny but you don't have to worry cos I'll be in and outta here in two minutes. I promise I'll see ya in 15."

--------------35 minutes later----------------

'Sandy calling…'

"Sandy!" Kirsten whined. "I'm starving! Where are you?"

"Ur…well I'm…I'm…"

Kirsten slumped back in her chair. "You aren't coming are you?"

"I'm sorry but we really need to work on this case. Mr Travis is very tight for time. I promise I'll make it up to you tonight."

Kirsten grinned slyly. "Well I guess I can't say no to your 'apologies'." Sandy grinned. "Just remember you owe me big." Kirsten added.

"Oh baby I will. See you tonight."

"At 5."

"At 5? What? 5?"

"Georgia's first game, Sandy?" Kirsten paused. "You have to be there Sandy. She needs you there."

Sandy stuttered. "No no it's fine. I'll be there. 5 o'clock."

"5 o'clock." Kirsten repeated. "Love you."

"Love you too." Sandy said and hung up.

-----------------------------At the basketball game------

"Come on Georgia!" Kirsten cheered clapping.

"Come on Georgia! Come on!" Seth cheered.

"Go on Georgia!" Ryan shouted.

Georgia felt ultimate pressure. The opposition was coming to her. She was going to be the one to block. The other shooter and her jumped up together. She swung her arm down, trying to knock the ball out her hands but her timing was off. The shooter dropped the ball through the basket successfully. She felt her feet hit the ground and the buzzer went. The other team cheered in their success. Success by one. Georgia felt awful. She had let her team down bad.

As the Cohens left the gym, Ryan and Seth reassuringly put their arms on Georgia's shoulders. Sandy came running up to them in the car park. He was almost yelling. "I am so sorry! My client's solicitor got held up I was…" He faded off as Georgia and the boys walked straight passed him

Kirsten glared at her husband. Disappointment in her eyes. "I know that look." Sandy said. "You told her you would be here."

"You don't understand we are this close to clearing up the case. This is huge hunny! Could be a real break through for me." Kirsten gave him the evil stare and silenced herself. "It's just one game right? I mean there's gonna be other games. This is a huge opportunity!" Sandy said.

"Well that's great Sandy." Kirsten nodded and smiled negatively. "And I wish you all the best." She said falsely before walking away from him. Sandy hung his head as he watched his family turn his back on him

---------------------

December 24th

"Kirsten it's so nice to see you again. You look as though you're doing well."

"Thank you Dr Woodruff. I am." Kirsten said smiling.

Suriak looked gorgeous all done up for Christmastime. A six month check-up was in order for Kirsten and some of her other rehab 'buddies'.

Another lady Kirsten had become relatively friendly with in rehab came up to her. "Hey Kirsten." Olivia said. "You look great!"

"Oh thanks Olive you too."

She smiled. "Thanks. This is my husband, Kieran."

"Hi Kieran." Kirsten said as she shook his hand.

"No Sandy then?" Olivia asked. "I've been dying to met him. What with all those great stories you've told us."

Kirsten sighed embarrassed. "No…he's uh, he's working at the moment. Unfortunately."

"Where the hell where you today?" Kirsten asked Sandy angrily as he came in at 8pm.

He came up to her offering out his arms. "I am so sorry hunny."

She stepped back from him. "You promised you would be there! I needed you there Sandy. You said we would do this together." She paused and Sandy cringed, knowing she was completely right. "I was counting on you. So was everyone else. I told them all what a great husband I had but it seems he can't even show up for a one hour meeting!"

Sandy shook his head. "I know Kirsten I'm sorry." He stopped; nothing else to say.

Kirsten frowned. "Don't you get it? I felt like an idiot! I was humiliated. Everyone had a partner there but me. Even that bitch Eva martin who was clearly just putting on an act so she could get her way in the divorce settlement."

"What do you want me to do Kirsten? I'm sorry I missed your meeting but it's all over now because we finished the case. It's all closed."

"Well congratulations Sandy." Kirsten said bitterly. "But this isn't just about me; our lunch, my meeting. You missed Georgia's first basketball game as well!"

Sandy stepped forward. "I know and I promise I'll make it up to everyone."

Kirsten calmed down and spoke softly. "Sandy will you do me a favour?"

Sandy smiled. "Yes anything."

"Stop making promises." With that Kirsten grabbed her jacket off the kitchen island, snatched her car keys and walked out the house."

Sandy closed his eyes tightly and sighed as he heard the door slammed. He jerked. Georgia walked in.

"Princess I am so sorry." He said walking over to her.

Georgia shrugged a little. "It's ok. Mum's madder than I am."

"I've screwed up bad haven't I?" Georgia raised her eyebrows and nodded at her dad.

Sandy was kicking himself almost. "Ugh! How could I have done this?" He was never the guy to put work before his family. Never. "I love her so much and I let her down. I doubt she loves me as much."

Georgia smirked inside. Her dad was overreacting so much. "Of course she loves you dad." She said going over to him and rubbing arm. "I could see that miles away. I have never seen two people more perfect for each other. Sure it takes work but everyone looks at you two and…we just know its going to last forever."

Sandy smiled at his daughter and patted her head. "What do I do?"

"make it up to her."

Sandy ran his hands through his hair. "But how? Ugh! I've been so stupid."

Georgia thought for a moment. "I have an idea…"

--------------------

"I had a suspicion you would be here." Georgia leaned over the pier's edge like Kirsten. The fairy lights glimmering in her eyes.

"You think I was too hard on him?" Kirsten asked innocently.

Georgia raised her eyebrows while shrugging a little. "I think…" She lost her trail of thought. "He should get his priorities in order but it's something he really wants to do. It's important to him. And it should be important to you that he enjoys his work. Isn't that what you guys are about?" Kirsten turned her head to Georgia. "Wanting each other to be happy? Even if you can't be apart of it?"

Kirsten smiled. "You're right. I know you are its just-"

"-Look, its Christmas Eve. Dad knows he hurt you and he knows he did wrong. He feels awful. But can't we just skip all that? I don't wanna have to open presents on two sides of the room tomorrow."

Kirsten laughed. "You're right. I can't be mad at him on Christmas!"

Georgia coughed. "Scrooge." Cough.

Kirsten raised her finger and opened her mouth grinning. "Watch your mouth missy Or Santa won't come!"

Georgia giggled. "Let's go home."

------------------------

"You know I think everyone might be in the poolhouse. Ryan was putting up some decorations. Or, Seth was." Georgia said. Kirsten smiled and followed Georgia out onto the patio round the back. Georgia stepped to the side and Kirsten looked up. She gasped. She smiled.

In front of her was Sandy lighting a final candle. Candles were scattered all around their back yard. Centred was a rug and picnic looking out onto the ocean from the heights. She stepped up into her surprise. "Did you do all this?"

Sandy smiled as he turned around to Kirsten. "One of Santa's little helpers gave me a hand." Sandy grinned. Georgia bit her lip and backed away smiling. "Night guys." She said, shutting the doors. Sandy and Kirsten both turned to Georgia before closing the space between them.

They sat down on the blanket together closely. "I am so sorry." Sandy started to apologise. "I didn't mean-" But Kirsten cut him off by placing her right hand to his lips. "Don't." She said softly. She pulled her fingers away. "I know." She said sensitively and nodding her head. She looked at him truthfully; "So am I."

Kirsten thought for a moment. She then smiled. "Hug?" Kirsten asked, which she normally wouldn't have to do. Felt almost childish. But what better holiday to feel childish on than Christmas? Sandy's smile grew to a large grin. They did hug. Kirsten held him tightly. She needed this. Him. She was back in the place she loved.

Sandy felt Kirsten's firm grip around him and was more than thankful that this was over. And it was; he wasn't going to take on as heavy a case again.

After a long moment of clinging to each other they broke apart. Sandy smiled. "Well what do we do now?" He asked enthusiastically. "We've got all this food." He opened the basket, took out what as inside; a bowl of strawberries and another bowl of hot chocolate dip. Not your traditional Christmas dinner. But Kirsten was more than pleased.

"Mmm." She purred raising her eyebrows. "Strawberries and dip?"

"Well I still owe you an apology." He grinned edging closer.

"You owe me two remember?"

"Two apologies?" He asked leaning in. Kirsten nodded as she leant in. "Mm-mm."

Sandy kissed her once briefly then pulled back. "Ok." He leant in and kissed her again, more passionately. Kirsten sat on Sandy's lap and wrapped his arms around his neck, getting closer. "I love you." Sandy said, the words escaping from his mouth.

"I..love..you..too…"Kirsten said between kisses. And with that Sandy apologised to Kirsten. Over and over and over…

-------

Georgia walked into the hallway. Seth and Ryan came down from Seth's room. "It is done." She met Seth and Ryan at the bottom of the stairs. "Now I want my stocking please?" Georgia grinned.

"And ye shall have your stocking." Seth said.

"C'mon." Ryan said, and Georgia hopped on Ryan's back. He gave her a piggy-back-ride as they followed Seth around the living area to the fireplace and Seth passed her the stocking. A fifth hook had been placed there. It had a reindeer on the top. What would its name be?

Ryan leant down and Georgia carefully hung it up. Seth cheered.

"You know I think it looks better with five. Even numbers are just way too normal." Seth said. "5 5s are 25 and that's my birth date uh five gold rings uh 5 members of Death Cab…"

"Walk Ryan walk." Georgia said laughing.

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Thanks for the reviews for the last chapter from Lu78, Hareclip, hug-me, kursk, Jemma-Grace, dogsbody, MissIda and Sharkie2008. I am doing one more probably short chapter before the BIIIIIIIIG turning point.

This took a while cos the last 2 days at school have been SO entertaining:D School with chavs is so amusing. Thursday has 2 words; sexual indecency. One girl. A girls school. Doesn't sound good (or look btw which OMG scared.) and Friday has two words too: cat fight. Figure it out! xoxoxoxo