Chapter 10: All I want for Christmas
One evening, they sit on the couch, Julia lying on David, their legs entangled, her head on his chest and they cuddle and kiss softly. David finally brings the topic on the table.
"Julia, we need to talk"
Julia looks at him worryingly. "About what, David?"
"What do we do for Christmas?"
"Do you have the children?"
"Yes, I have the children the first week of the holidays, so that includes Christmas"
"Great!"
"Great?"
"Yes, I am happy, I love your children and I am very happy to spend our first Christmas together with them as well"
David is so happy, he takes Julia in his arms and holds her tight.
"I would love to go to Hyde Park Winter Wonderland with them"
"Sure, they will love that"
"I love to go there"
"You never stops to surprise me, you know that"
"And I would love to go to "The Making of Harry Potter - Studio Tour London" with them too. I have always wanted to go there, but never had the opportunity. Have you been there already with them?"
"No, despite them asking several times. I had little time off, the same for Vicky and we didn't make it a priority".
"I am glad. Do you want to invite your parents over for Christmas?"
"My parents, your mother, Ella & Charlie and us then?"
"Yes, you can also invite your sister, her husband & your niece, if you want to"
"Are you serious, Julia?"
"David, they are your family, this is completely normal to invite them for Christmas. My mum, Ella & Charlie can stay here and your parents, your sister & her family can stay at your flat, your rent is running until the end of December anyway. Vicky & Andrew could even join us on Christmas day afternoon for tea"
"Julia, I don't know what to say.. thank you so much"
"David, we are a couple now. This is what couples do, no? And I would be very pleased to meet your parents, your sister & her family".
"OK, then. I will call mum and Lauren tonight to invite them"
"Great, and I will call my mum"
"I love you"
"I love you too"
On Thursday, 20th December, they buy the Xmas tree together after David's work. Julia wanted to wait the last minute, to make sure the tree was still fresh on Christmas Day.
"What do you think about this one?"
"Definitely too small"
"This one?"
"Too thin"
"This one?"
"No"
"David, this is serious business you know. Choosing the RIGHT Christmas Tree is taking some time"
"Mmm what about, you choose it then?"
"No, we choose it together. That's the point, Darling"
"Darling?"
"You don't like it?"
"Mmmm I do actually. It's the first time you say that"
"What do you think about this one, David?"
"No, I don't like the bottom part, not enough branches"
"You are right"
"This one?"
"Yes, this is THE ONE"
"OK, I will pay and ask for them to deliver it tomorrow"
"Why don't we just take it now?"
"I don't think it will fit in the Black BMW Sedan, David. And I don't want to have needles everywhere in the car. I want to decorate it with the kids anyway. Not tonight"
"OK, you are right"
On Friday 21st December, David & Julia pick up the kids together after school and they go to Hyde Park Winter Wonderland. Matthew, Tom & Alice (who replaced Kim) are protecting them. Matthew & Tom concentrate on Julia and David & Alice more on Ella & Charlie. They start with the ice sculpting workshops, the magical Ice Kingdom & the Giant wheel. They love the massive Christmas tree and the UK's largest outdoor ice rink, surrounding the Victorian Bandstand. Julia can't be on the ice with them but she definitely enjoys watching them, filming & taking pictures as David, Ella & Charlie are enjoying themselves.
Charlie asks to meet Santa Claus and his elves, they take a carousel ride at the funfair and explore the traditional wooden chalets at the Christmas market, which are overflowing with festive food, unique and handcrafted gifts, jewelry and decorations.
The kids drink Hot Chocolate, David & Julia drink Mulled Wine and they all eat candyfloss & churros. They really have a good time and even if some people recognize Julia, they don't bother her and let her enjoy that festive evening.
On Saturday 22nd December morning, they decorate the Christmas tree together with Ella & Charlie. David starts with the lights circuits, Julia put the garlands with Ella and then they all hang the Christmas decoration. Julia has to refrain from telling them where to place the decorations. David notices it but doesn't say anything but looks at her with a smirk and she smiles. David's parents arrive in the afternoon with his sister Lauren, her husband Alistair & their daughter Eilidh. They knock on the door and Julia is really nervous. She wants David's family to like her. David stand by her and smiles at her reassuringly. She takes a deep breath & opens the door.
"Hello Mrs & Mr Budd. Welcome"
"Hello Miss Montague, nice to meet you"
"Likewise, and please, do call me Julia". They shake hands warmly and then David's mum embraces her and hugs her. 'Please, call me Caroll". "And I am Richard".
David speaks "Hello mum & dad. How are you?". They hug tightly.
Ella & Charlie rush to them and hug them. "Seanmhair & Seanair, we are so happy you are here with us, dad & Julia"
Eilidh jumps straight in David's arms, ignoring Julia completely. Lauren enters next with Alistair. "Hello Miss Montague, nice to meet you".
"Likewise, and please, do call me Julia". They kiss on the cheek.
David hugs Eilidh tightly and tell her: "Hello Princess. You didn't say hello to Julia"
"Is she your girlfriend?"
"Yes, she is"
"She is beautiful. She looks like a Queen". David laughs but says "Yes, she does, I fully agree". They all laugh.
David's mum has prepared a lot of shortbread for everybody and they eat it with some tea. They chat happily and even if they purposely avoid the politics topic, they discuss all together about various topics and the afternoon passes quickly.
Caroll & Richard are very happy to see David so happy again, to see Ella & Charlie happy & so close to Julia. They play Trivial Pursuit all together and Julia wins (of course!), they bake & decorate gingerbread men.
In the evening, they watch a typical Christmas movie ("A Christmas Prince") with some Indian food Julia ordered from her favorite restaurant. They drink hot chocolate and eat marshmallows & some gingerbread men.
On the 23rd December, they all have a lazy morning. Ella & Charlie play together with Eilidh and Caroll & Richard.
Julia's mother arrives just in time for lunch.
She hugs Julia tightly and David as well. Caroll & Richard are very moved to see Julia's mother being so kind & loving with their son.
Julia introduces her mum to David's family and to Ella & Charlie.
Everything is going smoothly. Julia's mum has made lots of Christmas Pudding & Christmas cake. They all definitely are going to gain weight over these holidays.
In the afternoon, they all attend one of the Christmas Panto. They opted for Rumpelstiltskin – a Grimm brothers' story about this creepy impish gremlin- at Southbank Centre with cabaret legend Paul Capsis who steps into the winklepickers for this one. Julia has not attended a Panto for ages and she really enjoys herself. David's family are very impressed to see how simple, humble & funny Julia is.
Early evening, they all go to Kew Gardens for "Christmas at Kew". For the Christmas holidays, the botanical and royal gardens of Kew which are home to more than 30,000 species of plants from all over the world shine with its most beautiful Christmas lights. It's really magical. They start with "the lighting Kew after dark", a winter path on a large part of the Kew gardens entirely devoted to Christmas lights and decorations. Then they drink Mulled Wine & Hot Chocolate at the Christmas Market and they simply grab a bite as well. The kids are very happy to listen to "the tales of Santa Claus" and then they watch "the Sounds and Lights show" before heading home totally spent.
On the 24th December morning, David & Julia are picking up the stuffed turkey for Christmas Day. David's mum & Julia's mum are doing some last minute food shopping together as well.
"Julia, David, stop!"
"What is it Ella?
"You are under the mistletoe. This is the tradition, you have to kiss"
Julia and David laugh, then they lean slowly, watching each other intensely and they kiss romantically in front of everybody for the first time.
They all spend the day cooking and baking all together.
David suddenly hears Julia screaming excitingly: "Ella, Charlie, Eilidh, it's snowing!'
David smirks: "Yeah, it's normal, love. It's December"
"David, don't be grim! It's snowing, it's wonderful, we are going to have a white Christmas!"
Later in the afternoon, Julia, David, Ella, Charlie, Eilidh, Lauren & Alistair go to the park to build a snowman.
"Bching"
"David! You are going to regret that! Ella, Charlie, Eilidh, all together on David! Snowballs battle!"
Eilidh says: "that's not fair! I am on Uncle David's side! Mum, Dad, come with us as well"
"Thank you Princess"
After a long battle, a nice snowman, they all come back in and have hot chocolate in front of the fireplace to warm up.
They have a light dinner and they go all together to the Midnight Mass at Julia's local church. The press is there, waiting for them. David & Julia pose briefly for the photographers before entering the Church.
After the mass, they go to bed and they leave some beer and cookies on the table for Santa Claus and, of course, a carrot for his reindeer.
On Christmas day, around 7 a.m. they are brutally woken up by 2 over-excited children!
'Dad, Julia, wake up, wake up. It's Christmas Day!"
Julia and David wake up slowly, yawn and then laugh at the sight of Ella & Charlie jumping on the bed and crashing on David to tickle him!
Then they move onto tickling Julia and they all laugh so loudly that they wake up Julia's mother.
They have breakfast together before David's parents, Eilidh, Lauren & Alistair join them to open the presents!
Christmas stockings are filled with snow globes of Westminster (Julia's idea ), Candy, Granola bars, hair accessories, makeup, travel-sized toiletries, coloring books, stickers, travel games, playing cards, card games, pencils, pens, cute notebooks, Star Wars bandaids and travel lint roller.
Ella, Charlie & Eilidh are so excited, they rip off the wrap paper & discover their gifts (Legos, books, LOL dolls, Princess Costumes, 3 Darth Vader costumes (because they all love Darth Vader), Barbies, Playmobil & Lego Friends.
There is one last box for Ella & Charlie. They open it and find another box inside, then another box,… in the last rectangular box, they find an envelope with 4 planes tickets for early July to Los Angeles for them, Julia & David and 4 entrances to Disneyland California with a special mention of Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge which will open May 31st. This new "Star Wars"-inspired land is designed to resemble a remote settlement named Black Spire Outpost on the planet Batuu, one filled with the type of riffraff our intergalactic heroes would come upon — space outlaws, smugglers and rebels battling, or hiding from, the evil Empire. The Millennium Falcon ride puts parkgoers inside the spacecraft made famous by Han Solo working as a pilot, engineer or gunner. They are ecstatic and they run in David's & Julia's arms with tears of joy in their eyes.
David's gift to Julia is a very thin gold necklace with a heart shaped diamond yellow gold bezel set in the center with a plain white card with a handwritten note: "Diamonds are forever, like my love for you". Julia becomes very emotional and kisses him lovingly, caressing his left cheek with her left hand.
Julia's gift for David are customized white gold rectangular parallelepiped shaped cufflinks with "our" engraved on the left one and "choice" engraved on the right one. It's David's turn to become emotional. He kisses her lovingly and murmurs in her left hear: "Our choice. Always. Forever"
David's parents love their presents as well and then Lauren & Alistair give them a box saying it's a present from both of them to both of them. They are all intrigued and they open the box to reveal tiny baby shoes with #2 embroided on it. They scream & cry from joy. Eilidh is going to be a big sister in June!
David's mum discretely whispers to her: "Next year, it might be your turn, love" and she squeezes her hands kindly. Julia smiles and replies back: "maybe, never underestimate the power of love"
They have Christmas dinner, the table is nicely decorated with a gold & red theme and lots of Christmas Crackers and candles.
The menu begins with a carrot and coriander soup, smoked salmon as the main starter. The main course is a roasted stuffed turkey accompanied by potatoes, parsnips, bacon rolls and chipolatas, Brussels sprouts, Yorkshire puddings (Julia's favorites) & peas. All served with a cranberry jelly.
They watch the annual Queen Christmas Broadcast all together at 3pm.
Then they have the desserts: the traditional Bannock (oatmeal cake), Christmas cake with candied fruit & frosting and Christmas Pudding with brandy butter.
They open the Christmas Crackers and they all laugh when they put the hats on.
Vicky & Andrew comes by for a late afternoon tea and cakes. They love their presents as well and the kids got even more Legos, Playmobils & books.
Vicky is particularly touched by the gift she receives from Julia: a voucher for the Sanctuary SPA for a whole afternoon of pampering.
That's the moment Ella & Charlie offer Julia, David, Vicky & Andrew their present: DIY decorated "souvenir boxes" to put souvenirs from their time spent together.. they open the box and find pictures taken with Ella, Charlie and each of their parents & stepparents. Julia is amazed to see a picture of the 3 of them taken at Winter Wonderland. She realizes Ella & Charlie had Julia's PPO's in the confidence.
On Boxing Day, they all have a very lazy morning, they share a last lunch all together and then everybody leaves except Ella & Charlie.
Julia is picking her dress for the New Year's eve gala with Ella. They go to Selfridges in the special shopping area with personal shoppers. She is trying on an off-shoulder night blue velvet gown floor length with a slit mid-thigh on her left leg & totally hiding her right leg with silver flats (it was too early to be able to wear Louboutins with her prosthesis) & a silver clutch bag.
Ella is very impressed. "Waouw Julia, you look amazing. Dad is going to love it!".
"Thank you Ella"
"I hope so" she adds with a grin
Julia also buys Ella's very first sequins dress ever for her New Year's Eve with Vicky's family in Edinburgh.
David on his side is going to Mos Bros and choses a black tuxedo, a crisp white shirt & black bow tie. He is also renting a mini tuxedo for Charlie, matching his own, for New Year's Eve in Edinburgh as well.
In the evening, they watch a "The Jungle Book" with popcorns, all cuddled up in the sofa with fluffy warm plaids on top of them.
On Thursday 27th December, they surprise Ella & Charlie by going to The Making of Harry Potter - Studio Tour London.
It's a total surprise and they all love their day there, between the Great Hall and Diagon Alley, Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes, the memory cabinet, all the costumes, the chamber of secrets door, the green screen experience where they fly a broomstick over London just like the cast did during filming, the creature effects and "The Backlot Café" where they all have the opportunity to enjoy a frothy are all also very impressed by the Hogwarts Castle Model.
They come back late afternoon and David helps them pack their luggage as Vicky is picking them up the next day.
They spend their last evening together eating Mac Donalds in the den, watching "The Incredibles".
On Friday 28th December, after Vicky has picked up the kids, Julia is cuddled in David's arms.
"David, this was my best Christmas ever. I have got a belate Christmas gift for you that I couldn't give you in front of your family".
David opens the simple plain squared box and he is totally gobsmacked.
This is a box of condoms.
He looks at her worryingly. "What is that for? Julia, don't you trust me? I swear on my kids life that I have never been unfaithful to you. I love you and I am loyal to you, always"
Julia smiles kindly. "I trust you David, completely. This is not about that. I".. she pauses, struggling to find the words suddenly and he can see she is very emotional.
"I would like to stop to take my contraception pill to allow my body to recover his natural rhythm and hormons levels & cycles for several months, in order to prepare my body to hopefully get pregnant in a few months – after the election"
David is literally speechless and looks at her so intensely that she starts to blush under his gaze.
"David, what do you think? Do you think it's too early? I thought you wanted it, you mentioned it several times and even if I am not 100% ready yet, I start to see myself as a mother, because you and your kids are bringing out the more maternal side of me"
"Julia, I am totally over the moon and I think this makes sense completely to first allow your body to recover from years of birth control. I am so happy"
"We better start practicing straight away then". And they make love very slowly that night, spending a lot of time caressing and cherishing their other half's body.