Christmas came and went in Oxford. Laura worked her way through a fairly busy on call roster, and to her great satisfaction, managed to clear her backlog of paperwork. After a final call out on the 28th, she realised that she was now off shift until the end of the roster, and then her days off kicked for a couple of nights. Laura drove home carefully, parking up outside her house and then locking the car up, before trudging up the garden path. She smiled when she realised that there was a sizeable bunch of flowers waiting inside the porch, and she picked them up, reading the note and smiling to herself. Robbie. Who else? His handwriting was unmistakeable, and she frowned for a moment. The note was clearly handwritten, but Robbie was supposed to be in Manchester until tomorrow. Laura opened the front door carefully and set her kit down, kicking off her shoes and hanging her coat up. She'd left the lamp on, and she pushed the door into the snug carefully. She leant against the door frame and eyed the visitor on her sofa wryly. "Hello you," she said softly and Robbie grinned at her. "Hi," he replied, getting up to greet her and Laura wound her arms around his neck to pull him down for a kiss. "You're early," she observed and Robbie shrugged, pulling her against him. "I missed you," he said softly and Laura smiled, her eyes full of emotion. "I missed you too," she replied, sliding her arms around his waist and nestling her cheek against his chest. Robbie pressed a kiss into her hair and enjoyed the feeling of her in his arms. "Good trip back?" Laura asked after a few minutes, and Robbie nodded. "Aye, not bad. Lynne sends her love, by the way," he replied and Laura smiled. "Did you have a nice Christmas with her?" Laura asked, resting her hands on his waist and Robbie grinned at her. 'Aye, it was good to catch up with her and Tim, spend some time with them," he replied.
Laura yawned, and touched the back of her hand to her mouth in an attempt to stifle it. "They worked you hard?" Robbie enquired and Laura shrugged her shoulders. "Oh, you know," she replied and then looked up at him. "I cleared my desk, nothing too complex over the holiday period, a few sudden deaths, no murders, which was fortunate because my favourite DI was out of town," Laura said, smiling up at him. Robbie grinned and drew her in for a kiss. "You been out all day?" he enquired and Laura shook her head. "I worked in the office from 8, then was called out at noon," she replied "and now I'm required to take a six hour break, and by the time that is done, I am off duty for a couple of days." Laura gestured at the flowers "And now I need to go and put these in water…" She looked up at him. "They're lovely, thank you," Robbie smiled, and kissed the tip of her nose affectionately. "Have you eaten?" Laura enquired as they made their way into her kitchen. She walked over to the sink and placed the flowers in, before filling a vase with water and beginning to arrange them. There was a pleasant aroma of dinner beginning to waft through the kitchen, and Robbie glanced around to see if he could work out the source. "Something smells good," he observed and Laura looked amused. "Coq au vin," she replied and he looked hopeful. "Have you eaten?" she repeated, and Robbie shrugged. "I ate at lunch, but I've not had dinner," he replied and Laura considered for a moment. "I can probably stretch this for both of us, if you like?" she offered and Robbie grinned at her. He leant agains the counter and considered her. "If it isn't too much bother?" he replied and Laura smiled. "No, it's fine," she said warmly "I'll make some mashed potato and I've got some veg too."
"Sounds great," Robbie replied and Laura leant in for a kiss. "How are your culinary skills?" she enquired hopefully and Robbie pretended to think about it. "Well," he mused and a smile crept across Laura's face. "I don't think I'll be getting a Michelin star anytime soon, but if what you're asking is, can I manage to boil some veg and mash some potatoes, then yeah, I'm fine," he replied and Laura grinned. "I'm going to go and jump in the shower," she said and Robbie quirked an eyebrow. Laura chuckled, and shook her head. "I did shower when I got back to the lab, but the lab showers aren't great," she explained. Robbie smiled at her "Well…" he began and Laura tilted her head slightly. "Well?" she replied, her tone teasing, and Robbie held out his hands to her, before drawing her into his arms and kissing her slowly. "Nothing," he replied "just weary from driving, and happy to be with you again." Laura's expression softened slightly and she tiptoed up to press a kiss to his cheek affectionately. "And there I was, thinking you were going to join me," she murmured against his ear and he grinned, clasping her against him. "Mmm, well, that's certainly a possibility," he replied and Laura's eyes twinkled. "I wouldn't say no," she continued, still pressed against him and he smirked. "Go and shower, Hobson," he told her affectionately, and kissed her cheek.
With Laura ensconced in the shower, Robbie set to work peeling potatoes and prepping veg. He was no chef, but he was perfectly capable of doing a bit of veg. And if Laura was good enough to share her dinner with him, the least he figured he could do was make a contribution. He dutifully peeled a small pile of potatoes, and chopped them before adding them to a pan of cold water. When he'd done what he considered to be enough, he set the pan on the hob, and lit the gas. He looked in the fridge and then retrieved some green veg, before trimming it down, and adding it to an empty saucepan, ready for some hot water once Laura came down. Then he made himself a cup of tea, and left the pot on the side for Laura once she reappeared. He took his tea and sat down on the sofa, picking up the newspaper he'd spied on Laura's coffee table and leafing through it. He noted with amusement that she'd already completed all the sudoku and the crossword. Typical Laura. Always overachieving.
When Laura came back down from her shower, she found Robbie tucked up in the snug, tea in hand, and still reading the newspaper. "Making yourself at home?" she asked warmly, leaning against the doorframe again and he grinned at her. "Spuds are done, just the veg to go on," Robbie replied and Laura returned his smile. "Thanks," she said gratefully and he shrugged easily. "Least I can do, love," he replied "oh, and there's tea in the pot. Thought you might fancy a cup?" Laura grinned, and turned back towards the kitchen. As she poured herself a cup of tea, she surveyed the scene in front of her, and smiled at the sheer domesticity of it. It was already getting dark and she was rather looking forward to a quiet evening off, curled up with Robbie. It had only been a few weeks since they'd begun this, whatever this was, and she'd been surprised by how much she'd missed him when he'd been away. She took the lid off the slow cooker, and checked on the dinner, which really did smell delicious, before replacing it and then retrieving two plates and putting them in the oven to warm. She stifled another yawn. Happily her stint of on call hadn't been too onerous but she hadn't slept particularly well over the last few nights. Christmas Eve with her nieces had been fun though, and she smiled at the memory.
Naomi and Clara had all but leapt on her as she'd come in through the door. Her older niece had held back, no doubt in the name of grown-up-ness. Theodora, or Teddy as she was generally known, was nearly 18 and clearly on the verge of being far too adult for the Christmas related silliness for which her aunt was renowned. "Goodness girls, let Auntie Laura through the door before you mug her," Miriam, Laura's sister-in-law had intervened, welcoming Laura into the house properly. "Sorry Laura, my children seem to have abandoned any element they had once had of manners. Lovely to see you darling. Was your drive down alright?" Miriam continued, taking Laura's coat and hanging it up. "Teddy, take Auntie Laura's bag and put it in the spare room please. Laura, can I get you a drink? G&T before dinner?" Laura grinned at her nieces, and handed her bag to her oldest niece who grinned at her conspiratorially before heading up the stairs with Laura's bag as per her mother's request. As they headed into the living room, Naomi snuck up to Laura and slid her arm around her waist. Laura looked down at her youngest niece, and smiled at her. "Hello poppet, you alright?" she enquired and Naomi nodded. "Auntie Laura, where's The Box?" she asked anxiously and Laura pretended to think very hard about this. "The Box?" she asked and Naomi looked worried. "You always bring The Box," she replied, concern etched in her features as Laura sat down in her preferred armchair. Clara perched on the arm of the chair, and considered her little sister. "Auntie Laura won't have forgotten," she said reassuringly to her little sister, and then gestured at the fireplace. "Look, our mugs are already waiting, along with our stockings," Clara pointed out as her father came in to greet Laura. "Happy Christmas Lou," he said, stooping to kiss her on the cheek. "Decent drive up?" he asked and Laura grinned. "My drive down was fine thanks Sam," she replied jovially and he returned her smile.
"Daddy, I don't think Auntie Laura has brought The Box," Naomi said plaintively. Sam and Laura exchanged a glance and Sam sat down on the sofa, pulling his youngest daughter onto his lap. "Nonnie, do you really think Auntie Laura would forget something as important, on Christmas Eve of all days?" he asked Naomi and she shrugged, snuggling into him. Laura smiled indulgently at them and Clara rolled her eyes in a typically teenage fashion. "How about you let Auntie Laura have something to drink, and get settled?" Miriam suggested, coming into the room and handing Laura her G&T "then I'm sure we can begin festivities…" Naomi considered her father and then her aunt and sighed. "It's very hard waiting," she said sadly and Laura stifled a giggle. "Hang on in there Nonnie," she said affectionately, before turning her attention to Clara. "How were the mocks?" she asked, and Clara grimaced slightly anxiously. "Not sure," she replied "think I did alright." Clara exchanged a knowing look with her father. "I did revise really hard for them," she continued earnestly, and Laura reached out to ruffle Clara's hair. "I'm sure you did fine," she said reassuringly. "They're only mocks, Clara," Teddy reminded her sister and Laura flashed a smile at her oldest niece. "And when do your exams start, madam?" she enquired and Teddy grimaced, before looking to her mother for reassurance. "Middle of January," she replied, slightly uncertainly. Miriam nodded, perching on the arm of the sofa, and raising her glass to her sister-in-law in a silent toast.
Laura was tremendously fond of her brother and his family, and she enjoyed spending time with them like this. Miriam and Sam were approaching their silver wedding anniversary, and Miriam and Laura were close. Miriam and Sam had met in their first year of university, and Laura had known Miriam since she was ten or eleven. She barely remembered a time when Miriam hadn't been in her life, and she very much considered her as her sister, rather than her brother's wife. And Laura doted on her nieces. Teddy was eighteen now, Clara fifteen and Naomi ten. With their parents dead for a long time now, Sam and Miriam had supported Laura through her studies before the girls had been born, always made it clear that she should consider their home to be hers too. And she loved spending time with them. It was a warm, loving home and Laura cherished the time they'd all spent together here. "Auntie Laura?" Naomi had slunk over to Laura, and folded her arm across Laura's knees. "Yes, Nonnie?" she enquired, musing on how grown up her baby niece was getting. "What film did you bring?" she asked hopefully and Laura pretended to consider this very seriously, sipping her drink as she did so. "Well," Laura replied, tucking Naomi's hair behind her ear "I may have brought some options with me." Naomi looked hopeful. "Have you brought The Muppets?" she asked and Laura smiled warmly at her niece. "Shall we go and see what I've got in the car?" she replied kindly and Naomi beamed.
A couple of hours later, Laura was cuddled up in the armchair with a slightly snoozy Naomi on her lap, and Clara by her feet. Teddy was sharing a blanket with her sister, while her parents had commandeered the sofa. They'd eaten their traditional Christmas Eve dinner of fish pie, and were now drinking hot chocolate and watching Christmas movies together. A box of chocolates was being passed between them all, and Miriam had added a seasonal splash of Baileys to hers and Laura's hot chocolates, with a conspiratorial toast shared between them. "Are you trying to get me drunk?" Laura asked, once a sleeping Naomi had been carried up to bed, and Teddy and Clara sent up as well. Miriam chuckled as Laura sat down on the sofa next to her, curling her legs underneath her. "Me? Would I?" Miriam asked and Laura leant into the cushions, settling down. The telly was off now, and Sam was up doing something in his study, leaving his wife and sister to chatter in peace. Laura sipped her chocolate and nestled a little more under the blanket.
"How are you doing?" Miriam asked softly, leaning over and squeezing her sister in law's knee. Laura sighed, and interlaced her fingers with Miriam's for a moment before returning her hand to her mug. "I'm alright," she replied and Miriam considered the petite blonde knowingly. "You sleeping any better?" she asked kindly and Laura wrinkled her nose. "Much better than when I was staying with you," Laura said honestly "but still the odd nightmare." Miriam looked sympathetic, but didn't speak, knowing that Laura was far more likely to share confidences if a silence sat between them for a while. "I've been back at work for just over a week," Laura said, resting her chin on her hand "and I'm on call from tomorrow lunchtime until the end of the week." Miriam smiled warmly. "So we've got you until mid-morning? The girls will be pleased," she replied. Laura nodded. "And how was your birthday?" Miriam enquired and Laura looked at her slightly reproachfully. "Sam's been stirring, hasn't he?" she replied and Miriam smiled broadly without passing comment. "Quiet, is the short answer. It was fine. I had a quiet night in with Robbie," Laura replied, resting her head on the sofa cushion and Miriam smiled again. "You like him a lot, don't you?" she observed and Laura considered her mug wistfully before she answered. She caught Miriam's eye and they both smiled.
"How was Dorset?" Miriam asked and a smile crept across Laura's face. "It was lovely," she said softly and Miriam beamed. "Oh, honestly, Mim, it's not as if I've been single all my life," Laura said reproachfully and Miriam chuckled. "Of course not, but you know, we just want you to be happy," she replied. Laura sighed, catching Miriam's eye. "So are the two of you dating now?" Miriam pressed and Laura considered this. "Something like that, I suppose," she replied slowly "just spending time together, getting to know each other." Miriam smiled at the expression on Laura's face. "Tell me about him," she prompted and Laura smiled, running her fingers through her hair. "Sam will have told you we met at work. He's older, widowed, a Geordie," Laura began "he's kind, clever, makes me laugh." Miriam smiled encouragingly. "And Dorset was lovely. Long walks, easy conversation…" Laura was aware she'd gone a little bit pink and Miriam chuckled. "It wasn't supposed to be a weekend of seduction," Laura protested and Miriam laughed aloud. "Oh well, these things happen," Miriam retorted and Laura blushed. "He and I have been on the cusp of something more than friendship for so long," Laura confided and Miriam smiled. "I really hope it works out, Lou," she said softly. "Me too," replied Laura "me too." Miriam sipped her hot chocolate thoughtfully. "You should meet us for dinner," she mused and Laura cast a glance at her. "I'm afraid Sam will go all fatherly on me, and insist on knowing his intentions like some Victorian nightmare," Laura replied and Miriam laughed aloud. "Don't you remember what happened when Teddy announced she had a boyfriend?" Laura continued and the two women exchanged a look before collapsing into giggles. "And we both know that Sam won't miss out on an opportunity to play the possessive older brother," Laura said and Miriam giggled again.
"Sam liked him," Miriam said and Laura smiled wryly. "Sam is predisposed to like him because Robbie was the one who figured everything out and got there in time to stop me being buried alive," Laura replied, her voice cracking slightly and Miriam reached for her hand again, squeezing it sympathetically. "Sorry, darling," Miriam said kindly and Laura dashed away a tear. "Don't," Laura said threateningly and Miriam smiled at her. "You've been so brave," she said softly and Laura shook her head, tears threatening to spill and Miriam held out an arm, offering a hug silently. Laura let her, resting her forehead against Miriam's shoulder as a tear ran down her cheek and then another. Miriam leant her cheek against the top of her sister-in-law's head and squeezed her closer. "S'alright Lou" Miriam said kindly when Laura had cried herself out, and Laura smiled weakly. "Do you think Miracle on 34th Street would help?" Miriam asked after a while and Laura chuckled. "The one where it's perfectly fucking obvious that they love each other and neither realise it until right at the end?" Laura enquired and Miriam laughed loudly. "Sorry, that really wasn't intended to be a pointed reference," she replied and Laura shook her head. "If you will insist on drossy Christmas films, I'd much rather have Love Actually," Laura replied and Miriam grinned. "Deal," she replied confidently.