December dawned bright and clear in Oxford, and with the end of term approaching, Laura was making the most of a minor lull in proceedings. It was inevitable that there would be a surge in work in the New Year. There always was. Suicides were very frequent as the year ended and Laura loathed February for it usually led to a sequence of inquests, almost all of which she ended up attending. It could be deeply depressing and Laura was already minded to book some holiday, to have something nice to look forward to. She was due in court today, and the sun was shining brightly, so she'd opted to walk into work. Robbie had promised to take her out for dinner tonight and it would be nice to spend some time together. Laura pulled her coat tighter around her, and shoved her hands into her pockets. It was really very cold, several degrees below freezing and Laura was glad of her gloves. But walking in was a simple pleasure and it was nice to be able to indulge it. The station Christmas party was looming, and Christmas wasn't too far way, so neither was her birthday. Laura smiled to herself. Today also marked two years of being with Robbie. Two years. Goodness. And what a couple of years it had been. She was so very happy, and she was looking forward to celebrating with Robbie later that evening. It felt as though life was very different from that very dark and difficult period two years previously. Though in itself, it had marked a turning point and she was glad that she and Robbie had managed to work out their feelings for each other and build their very solid friendship into a romantic relationship. And it was a total joy. Laura considered herself very lucky. Robbie had proved himself a thoughtful and generous partner and she loved him very much.
As she turned onto the street where the court was located, she was pleasantly surprised to find the subject of her morning musings loitering opposite it, with two cups of coffee. "Good morning Inspector," Laura said warmly as she approached him and Robbie flashed her a smile. "Good morning Dr. Hobson," he replied and he passed her one of the cups. "Thought you might appreciate some pre-court caffeine," Robbie said and Laura smiled at him. "That's very kind of you," Laura said, picking up her cup and sipping from it as Robbie shrugged easily. "Well," he said, leaning towards her slightly, as though he were about to share a confidence "if I can't spoil my best girl now and again, it's a poor show, eh?" Laura smiled happily at him, her eyes crinkling up in a way that Robbie knew meant she was very content. Laura lifted her cup to his, in an informal toast. "Happy Anniversary sweetheart," she murmured and he smiled broadly at her. "Happy Anniversary, Laura, love," he replied softly and they smiled at each other. "Still fancy dinner later?" Robbie enquired as they leant against the wall opposite the courthouse and Laura glanced up at him. She nodded and he smiled broadly. "Looking forward to it," she replied and they smiled at each other again. "We going straight from work?" he enquired and Laura considered this, sipping her coffee thoughtfully. "Will I do?" she enquired and Robbie snorted in amusement. "Laura, you are perpetually lovely. You could come out for dinner in scrubs and I would still consider that you'd be the most beautiful woman for miles. So yes, my love, you'll do," he replied and Laura blushed prettily.
"You say the sweetest things," she murmured and Robbie grinned, sipping his coffee nonchalantly. "Every bit of it true," he replied easier and Laura leant into him slightly. "I hope you know how much I love you, Robbie Lewis" she murmured, glancing up at him and he grinned boyishly. "Oh, aye," he said softly "and I love you too, pet." The church clock further down the street struck 9 o'clock and Laura sighed. "I better get on," she said and Robbie ducked to press a kiss to her cheek. She glanced up at him, surprised and he shrugged his shoulders. "If I can't kiss you on the cheek, Laura, it's a bad affair," he said and Laura laughed. "On the contrary, sweetheart, it's a rather wonderful affair," she retorted and he shook his head. "I'll text you when I'm done," Laura said cheerfully, and began to make her way over to the court. Robbie watched her go, a smile curving across his lips. Laura always dressed up for court, and today was no exception. She looked very elegant, wrapped up in a chic grey dress, her black coat and knee high boots, and he would be very proud to take her out for dinner tonight. It would be her birthday in a couple of weeks and he knew from Laura's brother that he and his family were planning to surprise her. Laura would be delighted - she doted on her nieces and was very close to both her brother and his wife, and Robbie had got to know them quite well over the last couple of years. Robbie glanced at his watch, and then sighed as his phone began to trill. Hathaway. Of course. "Morning Hathaway," he said cheerfully "to what do I owe the pleasure?"
"I'll see you tonight then boys?" Jean Innocent stuck her head around the door of Lewis and Hathaway's office and they looked up at her. "Oh, yes, of course Ma'am," Lewis said warily before recognition dawned. "I look forward to it Ma'am," Hathaway said smoothly and Jean glanced at him. "Sarcasm doesn't become you, Hathaway," she noted sternly and Robbie worked hard to refrain from smiling. "Anyway," Jean said brightly "I'll see you down there about seven? Don't be late, and Robbie, make sure you bring Laura." She strode off towards the rest of CID and James sat back in his chair, considering Lewis, clearly amused. "Yes, must make sure you bring Laura," he remarked and Robbie shook his head, returning his attention to his keyboard. He just knew that if he pulled out his phone to text Laura, Hathaway would notice and remark, so he opened up his email, and continued to type. As he tapped in a message to her, Robbie idly wondered whether they'd been rumbled by Jean. She was uncannily insightful and he wouldn't put it past her to have put the pieces together. If he was perfectly honest, he did sometimes wonder how long it would be before someone realised. "Does Laura much appreciate being brought?" James wondered aloud. "She's so feisty that I cannot imagine such a notion being remotely acceptable to her." Robbie snorted, amused. "I can't say, Hathaway, that I'm aware that I've ever 'brought' Laura anyway. It's the Christmas party, man. You know her team. They'll be harassing the DJ before you can say 'murder on the dance floor', and they'll be on their feet all night, if last year is anything to go by…" Robbie replied knowingly and James tossed his pen down onto the desk. "Fancy a drink before it all begins?" Hathaway enquired hopefully and Robbie considered the clock. He returned his attention to his email to Laura, finished it, hit send and then shut down his PC. "Aye, come on then," he said decisively.
When Robbie and James made their way back into the station party a little later that evening, Laura's team were clearly enjoying themselves up on the dance floor. Robbie smiled at the sight, and as he and Hathaway made their way to the bar, Laura caught his eye and she smiled at him momentarily. Laura had some serious moves when she chose to deploy them and the 80s vibe of the disco seemed to meet with her satisfaction. Robbie caught her eye again, and gestured that he'd buy her a drink. She flashed him another smile, and a minute or so later as the song faded out, Robbie felt a slim hand slip under his jacket, resting companionably in the small of his back for a moment or two. "That for me?" she enquired jovially and Robbie passed it to her with a smile. "Aye," he replied and Laura tiptoed up to kiss his cheek. "Thank you," she said warmly, before leaning over towards James, and pulling him down so that she could kiss his cheek in greeting too. "You alright James?" she enquired kindly and he gestured to the general mille around them. "Not exactly my scene," James replied wearily and Laura quirked an eyebrow at him, before taking a sip of her drink and returning her gaze to the dance floor. "I'm sure you can endure it for one evening a year, eh James?" Laura replied. "Yes, he's always awfully obliging like that," Jean Innocent observed and James fought the urge to jump. She really was awfully good at sneaking up on him, and he looked at her reproachfully. "There, there James, you'll live. Listen to our CP. She's a very wise woman," Jean suggested and Laura clinked her glass with Jean's and they exchanged a wry look. "I'll drink to that," Laura said cheerfully and Jean smiled broadly. "That your lot burning up the dance floor?" Jean enquired, leaning in to talk to Laura. Laura glanced over to see her team performing a move perfect sequence of the Macarena and she chuckled. "I'm not sure I have ever been prouder of them," she remarked, amused and Robbie snorted. Laura nudged him pointedly and he glanced down at her, to find her considering him reproachfully. "What?" he asked and Laura shook her head disparagingly.
"Nice plans for Christmas, James?" Jean enquired, and James considered this as he drank some more of his pint. "Off abroad, with some mates, since I've got a few days off roster. Thanks for that Ma'am," he said and Jean lifted her glass in a conspiratorial toast. "What about the two of you?" Jean enquired of Laura and Robbie and they looked at each other, confused, before returning their gaze to Jean. "Well," Laura began "I'm not on roster either, but my brother, who I normally spend Christmas with, is taking the girls to New York, so I haven't quite decided…" She glanced at Robbie and he shrugged easily. "Me daughter Lynne's with her in-laws, and Pat's still over in Australia, so I'm at a bit of a loose end really," he replied easily"expect I'll find summat to amuse meself with." Robbie sipped his pint and Jean considered them both. Something about the way they reacted had caught her curiosity but she couldn't quite place it. A familiar tune began to seep through the air and Laura turned to Robbie. "Fancy a dance?" she enquired hopefully and Robbie set his pint down on the bar. "Go on, then. You've twisted me arm," he replied, a twinkle in his eye and Laura passed her drink to James. "I'll do the honours," he said, nodding toward the dance floor. As they reached the dance floor, and Robbie drew Laura into his arms, she sighed quietly for a moment. "Did we cover that convincingly, do you suppose?" Laura enquired, and Robbie allowed his hands to rest of her waist. "You know, I'm not sure how much I care, if I'm perfectly honest," Robbie mused and Laura allowed her wrists to entwine behind his neck, pressing herself against him slightly. He smiled down at her. "You look gorgeous, by the way," he told her and Laura smiled broadly. She really did. Her hair was styled more softly tonight, and she'd done her make up more prominently than usually. Eyeliner, or some such, Robbie thought. And she'd donned some kind of black dress. It draped beautifully across her figure, skimming her curves, and was just short enough to show off her legs. Robbie was quietly hoping he could coax Laura back to his tonight. Curling up with her tonight would be the perfect end to the day.
Back at the bar, Jean was watching the two of them carefully. "Those two seem closer this last year," she observed to James who glanced over at the two of them dancing. "I have no idea Ma'am," he replied, sipping his pint and a frown creased Jean's brow. She sensed someone appear at her shoulder, and judging by the expression of disdain which glanced across James' features, Jean had a fair idea who it was. She turned to look and found Alan Peterson loitering. "Oh, evening Alan," Jean said cheerfully. "Ma'am," he replied, raising his pint to her and then to James. James turned his attention back to the dance floor and hoped that the Chief Super might fill the obvious void in conversation. "It's a nice do, Ma'am," Peterson ventured and Jean smiled indulgently. "Thank you" she replied. "I had no idea that the Pathology team were such… were so fond of a disco," he observed and James snorted in laughter. "Oh yes," Jean replied "I believe Laura considers this an integral part of their team building." Alan's gaze returned to the dance floor. "Where is Laura? Oh," he said, as his eyes fell on Laura, dancing with Robbie, and clearly oblivious to the world around them. "She and Lewis seem close," he muted and both Jean and James looked at him, wondering where he was going with this. "They've been friends for a very long time," Jean remarked in what she hoped was a soothing tone "Laura was a tremendous support to Robbie after his wife died. They look out for each other, those two." James sipped his pint without remark, while Alan tried to come up with a response. "I thought they might be an item," he tried and Jean glanced back at the couple in question and shrugged. James studied his pint. "I've come to the conclusion it's really none of any of our business," he observed aloud "since they're consenting adults, who obviously care about each other." Innocent arched an eyebrow at Peterson, and returned her gaze to the dance floor for a moment.
The following morning, Laura woke to find an arm slung around her waist possessively, and a familiar forehead pressed against the nape of her neck. Robbie had coaxed her back to his flat, looping his arm around her shoulders as they'd walked back from the station party. She frowned for a moment, reaching for her phone and checking the time. 7.45am. Very acceptable for a Saturday morning. And with her on-call shift not due to start until 4pm, Laura was quite content to enjoy her morning off. She shifted slightly, and Robbie fingers curled over her hip, pulling her close. "I hope you're not considering going anywhere," he murmured, pressing a kiss to her shoulder. "Nope," she replied cheerfully and she felt him smile.
"I really thought Jean had rumbled us," Laura observed over breakfast, sat in Robbie's bay window with a large cup of tea, wrapped in a throw and dressed in Robbie's shirt and a pilfered pair of hiking socks. Robbie considered the petite blonde affectionately, and he smiled at her as she took another sip of her tea, looking over at him with big blue eyes. "I'm beginning to think I'd not care very much if she did," he owned easily, leaning back in his chair, considering his partner. Laura tilted her head at him and regarded him thoughtfully. "No?" she enquired and Robbie shrugged. "No," he replied warmly and she smiled at him. "It was a fair question though. It's a fortnight until Christmas, and we're both at a loose end. Shall we spend it together?" Robbie asked and Laura sipped some more of her tea. "Would you like to?" she enquired and Robbie nodded. "There's no one I'd rather spend the time with," he replied and Laura smiled, suddenly feeling a bit emotional. "Laur," he said frankly "we've been talking about having a bairn of our own. Did ye not think I'd want to spend time with you at Christmas?" Laura laughed, before stretching out her legs, setting her tea down and coming over to him. Robbie drew her down into his lap and Laura cupped his cheek gently, pressing a soft kiss to his lips. He smiled at her as she brushed his hair off his forehead before resting her forehead against his, and he pressed an affectionate kiss to the tip of her nose.
"Come to me if you like?" Laura proposed "some time on Christmas Eve?" Robbie nodded, and he kissed her cheek. "I'd like that," he replied honestly and Laura smiled. "I think we should make a list," she said thoughtfully and Robbie eyed her warily. "A list?" he enquired dubiously and Laura smiled in that way she did when she was truly content. All big blue eyes, twinkling. "Yes," Laura said definitely "because it occurs to me that I haven't not been on call over Christmas for the best part of a decade, and I actually have no idea what Christmas traditions you might have. So. Write me a quick list. Something you like to do on Christmas Eve, Three things that make Christmas Day for you. Something you like to do on Boxing Day. And I'll do the same. And then we'll compare notes. See what we can come up with as a way to pass the time?" Robbie snorted amused, and drew her close to kiss her sweetly. "I do love you, Laura Hobson," he told her when they drew apart and she smiled. Laura extricated himself from his lap, retrieved her tea and then went in search of her briefcase. She returned a few moments later with two pieces of paper and two pens. Robbie eyed her with amusement as she presented him with one of each and then quirked an eyebrow at him. "No time like the present sweetheart," she remarked, settling herself down in the window seat again and borrowing one of Robbie's hardbacks to lean on.
Laura uncapped her fountain pen, and considered the page. She wrote out the three days, and then tapped the lid against her lips thoughtfully. Her fountain pen was a rare treat. In the lab she always wrote in pencil. Ink didn't do too well in a laboratory environment. But at home, she quite enjoyed writing in a proper notebook with a proper pen and she kept one of each in her briefcase. Christmas Eve was easy. Carols from Kings. Non negotiable. Christmas Day required a little more thought. Roast. Proper fire. A decent glass of bubbly. Boxing Day. Hmmm. Laura considered the final option carefully. Ah, sod it. Walk, box of chocolates. Laura capped her pen, and reached for her tea, setting her note on the windowsill. She sat back and watched Robbie, drinking her tea slowly and enjoying the luxury of being able to observe him. He looked agreeably attractive this morning. Hair slightly tousled. A hint of stubble. And he looked far younger when he wasn't in a suit. This morning, in a navy robe, and checked pyjamas, he proved very easy on the eye and Laura smiled to herself. Robbie was carefully making notes at the dining table and his diligence warmed Laura's heart. At length, he looked up and smiled at her. "Want to compare notes?" he enquired jovially and she nodded, getting up and coming over to him. She set her now empty mug down next to the kettle and set it to boil. She set her paper on the tablet next to his, and looped her arms around his shoulders so that her cheek was next to his.
Laura glanced over Robbie's list and she smiled. Robbie's list ran to simple pleasures. Christmas Eve. Fish for tea. Christmas Day. Roast. Film. Cheese. Boxing Day. Football. She should have guessed the latter. It made her smile. She pressed a kiss against his cheek, and he smiled. "These seem like fairly complimentary wishes," Laura mused and Robbie leant into her touch. "Looks that way," he replied "are you a purist for Christmas lunch?" Laura shrugged. "Not especially. I'd rather have chicken than turkey though," she replied "but I'm afraid if you suggest Yorkshire puddings with poultry, I'm afraid I will have to seriously reconsider our future prospects." Robbie chuckled. "You're fine, love," he said cheerfully and Laura smiled broadly. "What time is the football on, on Boxing Day?" Laura enquired and Robbie frowned. "Afternoon, I'd expect. Fancy that walk in the morning? Some fresh air?" he suggested "That'd work," Laura replied "and I can probably rustle up some fish for dinner on Christmas Eve if you like?" She squeezed his shoulder affectionately and he laid his hand over hers. "Sounds great," he replied easily. It continued to surprise Laura that things could be so easy between them, and yet the simplicity of so many things made their relationship such a joy. "You haven't told me what you want for Christmas though," he reminded her "or for your birthday." Laura rolled her eyes and Robbie sighed. "Love, we've been together for two years and you are consistently terrible about letting me buy you a birthday present, much less Christmas," Robbie rebuked and Laura sighed. "Take me out for dinner for my birthday," she suggested and he huffed indignantly. "Dinner is not a present," he chastised and Laura smiled.
Robbie knew it had been worth every moment of trawling through the jewellery shops of Oxford to find exactly the piece he was looking for, when Laura's eyes filled with tears at the sight of her birthday present. "Oh Robbie," she said, staring at the necklace and a smile formed across Robbie's face. She looked up at him, and he leant in for a kiss. "May I?" he asked, and she nodded, turning so that he could do the clasp of the necklace up. It sat prettily between her collarbones and he nodded approvingly. "I know turquoise is technically your birthstone, but I thought this was close enough in colour, and the pearl is for your half birthday, which I always think you enjoy celebrating as much as your actual birthday," he explained as Laura wrapped her arms around his waist and nestled her forehead into the crook of his neck. He cradled her closely, pressing a kiss into her hair and smiling to himself. "It's beautiful," Laura murmured against his collarbone, tucked securely in his embrace. After a couple of minutes, Laura sighed and disentangled herself from his arms and looked up at him. "Thank you," she said softly, toying with the pendant and Robbie kissed her cheek. "Pleasure," he replied "now, do you need more coffee before you go in?" Laura shook her head and he flashed her a smile. "This morning's PM requires a steady hand, and if I've had three coffees and no breakfast before I begin, my hands will shake."
"Lovely necklace, Doc," Anne Marie observed as they were loitering in the mortuary staffroom, waiting for the kettle to boil now that they had finished the post mortem and associated paperwork for the morning. Laura had showered and changed out of her scrubs, and she toyed with the pendant self consciously. "Birthday present," she replied, slightly self conscious and Anne Marie grinned. "Lucky lady!" she exclaimed and Laura smiled. "Happy Birthday, by the way," Anne Marie continued staunchly "I promise we hadn't forgotten. Hugh's bringing cake for this afternoon." Laura's smile broadened and she turned to the kettle as it clicked off, bubbling merrily. "You celebrating? Got nice plans tonight?" Anne Marie enquired and Laura considered her answer before she gave it. "Dinner out, I think," Laura replied "but if we do both have bad days it'll probably be takeaway and a bottle of wine on the sofa, which I can live with." She quirked an eyebrow at Anne Marie who smiled broadly at her boss, flattered by Laura's confidence. They'd worked together for several years now, and over that time Anne Marie had got to know her boss reasonably well. Laura didn't go in for sweeping announcements about her private life, but Anne Marie had begun to suspect that there was someone making a permanent fixture in the life of her boss for a while now. And Laura's revelation about her birthday plans certainly indicated a steady presence in her life. Anne Marie wondered if her hunch would prove correct, for she was reasonably sure she knew who was putting a smile on her boss's face today.
Laura took the mug of tea proffered by Anne Marie and sat down on the staff room sofa, stretching out her legs in front of her and crossing her ankles leisurely. "That's better," she said, sipping her tea and Anne Marie grinned. "Did you get anything else nice for your birthday?" she asked, settling herself down opposite her boss. Laura sipped some more of her tea before she replied. "Oh, you know how it is. Spa vouchers from my brother and his family. My best friend sent me a beautiful bouquet yesterday. So overall, I have been perfectly spoilt," Laura said cheerfully, hands still wrapped around her mug. "What are your plans for Christmas?" she asked Anne Marie who grinned. "Off to my brother's in Luton. Catch up with the family, see me Mum and Nan, and all them," Anne Marie replied happily "I'll go straight from work on Christmas Eve and come back on the 27th." It pleased Laura to see her colleague so chipper at the prospect. "Who got the on call?" Anne Marie asked, and Laura reached for her phone. "Not me," she said decisively "oh, heavens, Dr. Cook. But you'll be glad to see that it's Dr. Stephens in between Cook and us, so all should be in order when we return." Anne Marie chuckled and Laura settled back on the sofa a bit more. It had been a long post mortem and she was enjoying the break before she began to finalise the associated paperwork. Anne Marie was meticulous in her records of Laura's findings and they were a good Laura needed to conclude and sign off the report. This case all hinged on the blood tox, and Laura was intrigued by the contraindications that had presented. The prospect of some old fashioned calculations and drawing a conclusion from her work appealed greatly. There was a knock on the staffroom door, and then one of Laura's students popped her head around the door. "Dr. Hobson, DI Lewis was looking for you? Could you give him a call?" she reported and Laura nodded. "Thanks Sarah," she replied and she glanced at Anne Marie. "What?" she asked, bemused by the entertainment clear in Anne Marie's expression. "Nothing, Dr. Hobson," Anne Marie replied innocently, and Laura rolled her eyes. "Enough of your cheek," she said, before heading back along to her office.
As Robbie sat at his desk, his phone buzzed and he answered it without looking. "Lewis," he said sharply and Laura smiled to herself. "DI Lewis," she said crisply "I had a message to call you." Robbie ruffled his hand through his hair and leant back in his chair. "Ah, Dr. Hobson, always a pleasure," he remarked and Hathaway bared concealed a snort of amusement. "How can I help Inspector?" Laura enquired, wedging the phone against her ear and firing up her laptop, so that it could sync with the lab server and download her results. "Well," Robbie began "Innocent's given Hathaway and I an early Christmas present, and we're in the process of reviewing some cold cases." Laura's heart sank. "Oh yes?" she said airily, tapping in her passcode with one finger and then picking up her mug of tea as the laptop began to upload all the data from that morning's post mortem. "I just wanted to give you a heads up that I'll be sending Hathaway down to the archive at some stage this morning. Depending on the case, could you earmark some time to go through the forensics with us this afternoon? There's only three cases Innocent has her eye on," Robbie told her and Laura opened her calendar. "Mmm, yes alright. I'll get one of my students to go and retrieve them," Laura said, blocking out the latter half of her afternoon. "Can you ask Hathaway to email the references to the generic pathology account please?" she asked and Robbie frowned. He looked over at James. "Laura says can you email the references to the generic pathol…" he began and James nodded. "On it," he said determinedly. "Thanks Laura," Robbie said cheerfully. "Okay," Laura replied, putting the phone down and returning her attention to her laptop.