So far, Christmas at Laura's was proving very relaxing. With no place to be, and no one else to see, beyond telephone calls with each of their families, Laura and Robbie were very content to be holed up together. It had snowed overnight, most unusual in Oxford. Laura had known some cold Christmasses in her time but never actual snow on Christmas Day and she was quietly delighted. Oxford in the snow was beautiful. They'd had a very lazy morning, a bit of a lie in, several cups of tea and lazy conversation in bed, before they'd got up. They'd made breakfast together, admiring the snowy scene from Laura's kitchen before retiring to the sofa with more tea, and the radio burbling Christmas carols in the background. "So when are we going to do presents then?" Robbie mused, his arm wrapped around Laura's shoulders and she leant back against him as she considered this. "Not bothered. You?" She turned to look at him, and smiled at the hopeful look in his eyes. "When do you normally open presents?" she asked and Robbie grinned. "First thing. When do you?" he replied, suspecting he knew the answer. Laura was always the soul of restraint. Robbie didn't think she had an impulsive bone in her body. She was always thorough, calculated, considered. "We usually do stockings in the morning, then presents after lunch," Laura replied and Robbie grinned. "Of course you do…" he said, entertained. Laura dug her elbow into his side reproachfully. "What?" she said grumpily and he leant over and kissed her cheek. "You, ever patient. It was just a very you answer," he told her and she scowled. He leant his forehead against hers and pressed a kiss to the tip of her nose. "Don't scowl. I love you for your patience," Robbie reminded her and Laura laughed. "Would you like to open presents now?" she asked, and he drew her into his lap. "Yes," he told her and Laura smiled, cupping his jaw with her hand, before getting up and making her way over to the tree. She rooted about underneath before producing a handful of parcels and bringing them over to the coffee table. Robbie in turn retrieved a bag which he duly presented Laura with. She smiled at the sight and he gestured that she should sit down with him.
"Open yours first," she suggested, picking up her tea and he looked at her expectantly. She quirked an eyebrow at him. "The best bit of Christmas is watching everyone open their gifts," Laura explained and Robbie snorted softly. "You are funny," he observed and Laura sighed. "I'm going to go and open that bottle of champagne," she said petulantly and Robbie chuckled. "Stay here, pet," he said, laying his hand on her thigh in a placatory fashion and then considered his haul. "Why four?" he enquired, interested and Laura smiled broadly. "Something you want, and something you need, something to wear and something to read," she replied knowingly. "I quite like that," Robbie mused and then he looked at Laura. "When we have kids, is that the mantra you're going to stick to?" he enquired and Laura bit her lip. His eyes were twinkling and she let go of a breath that she hadn't quite realised she was holding in. "If we have kids, then yes," she replied "but in the meantime, I thought I'd start with you," she replied and Robbie squeezed her hand before beginning to unwrap his gifts.
Laura clearly knew him very well, Robbie concluded, grinning as he opened a vintage compendium of facts and figures about Newcastle United. "Where on earth did ye find this?" he asked, thoroughly entertained and Laura smirked. "I have my sources," she replied mysteriously, settling into her seat a little more. He then turned his attention to what turned out to be a very nice bottle of whiskey, and then further investigation revealed another hardback he'd been talking about wanting to read for ages. The final package proved more yielding and Robbie unpacked it carefully to reveal a chunky knitted half zip jumper and he smiled, before leaning over to kiss Laura. "They're not the most exciting presents in the world," Laura observed and Robbie snorted. "They're lovely, pet, and thank you," he told her and she smiled. "Come on then you," he said, gesturing to Laura's gifts and she smiled, before picking one up and examining it. "Come on Hobson, it's your day off. Let's not have a full post mortem, eh?" he suggested and Laura chuckled. "I'll save the carving up for later," she mused, turning the first present over and carefully unwrapping it, and Robbie grumbled over her horrible pun. "Oh, Robbie, these are beautiful," she said softly, looking at the earrings she'd unwrapped and he grinned. "Glad you like them pet," he replied and she leant over to kiss his cheek. She extracted them from the box and then carefully hooked them into her ears. "Beautiful," Robbie told her and Laura scoffed slightly. "You are, Laura," he told her, touching her cheek and she smiled bashfully at him. "Open the rest," he urged and Laura considered her haul before plumping for a large flat parcel. She unwrapped it curiously, and then chuckled as the contents were revealed. "You've been talking to my brother," she said suspiciously and Robbie laughed. "I have not," he rebuked "I am a police officer, trained in observational skills. We've been friends in excess of fifteen years and together for two. I do know what some of your favourites are. Besides, it is useful to know how to buy your favour sometimes." Laura chuckled, and set down the box of her favourite chocolates before turning to the final parcel.
She turned it over in her hands, wondering what it might be. It was another small box, but couldn't be jewellery, surely. She unwrapped it carefully, revealing the anticipated box, and she opened it curiously. Inside was a gift card and a note. Valid for twelve bouquets, it read and Laura frowned. "I don't understand," she said as Robbie pulled her back against him and explained. "I know that you love flowers, and I know that I am rubbish at buying them for you. So, this card promises a bouquet from that florist I know you like on the High Street, every month for the next year," he told her and Laura smiled. It was rather unexpected, but incredibly thoughtful of him. "Thank you," she said softly, and he ducked his head to kiss her. "There's one final thing," Robbie said and Laura quirked an eyebrow at him. He passed her an envelope. "I can't decide whether you'll actually like this, but here goes," Robbie said slightly warily. Laura frowned and opened the envelope. She extracted the printout and read it through, a smile growing across her features as she read. Tickets for a forthcoming lecture at the Wellcome Institute as part of an exhibition on forensics, from an academic he knew she was interested in the work of. "I don't usually consider lectures to be dates, you know…" Laura said, giving Robbie a knowing look and he laughed loudly. "I just thought you'd like it, love," he said easily and Laura smiled. "I'll look forward to it," she said warmly, kissing his cheek. "What about your other presents?" Laura asked, considering what was left under the tree. Robbie glanced towards the tree and squeezed Laura against him. "I'll open Lynne's when she phones me. It's sort of a tradition, but that probably won't be until this evening. She's promised she'll send you photos when she opens Jack's presents," Robbie said "have you not got presents from Sam and the girls?" Laura shook her head. "We agreed that since they'd spoilt me rotten for my birthday, we'd do presents at New Year when I see them, and Ellen sent me a very large bottle of gin, so I have done very nicely indeed." Robbie kissed the top of her head affectionately and Laura smiled.
"What time shall we start cooking?" Laura wondered aloud and Robbie glanced at his watch. "Shall I help you prep the veg?" he enquired and Laura nodded. "That'd be great," she replied, mentally calculating what needed to be done "would you peel the potatoes and the parsnips?" Robbie squeezed her shoulders and Laura got up from the sofa, collecting the wrapping paper as she did so and then making her way into the kitchen, Robbie following close behind. She discarded the paper into the recycling, and then opened the fridge to retrieve a bottle of champagne. Robbie grinned when he saw what was in her hand and she returned his smile. "Fancy a glass?" Laura enquired and he nodded. "Aye, go on," he said and Laura began to twist off the metal top before gradually easing the cork out of the neck of the bottle. It expelled itself with a satisfying pop and Laura set the bottle down on the counter. She tiptoed up to the cupboard, retrieving two champagne flutes and Robbie slid his hands around her waist as she stretched. Laura arched her neck as he nuzzled against her skin and she turned in his arms, regarding him affectionately, a glass in each hand. "Thank you," he said seriously and Laura frowned. "What for?" she asked, setting the glasses down and looping her wrists around his waist. "For everything, Laura," Robbie said seriously and Laura's frown softened slightly. "For taking care of me, for loving me, for tolerating me foibles," Robbie said and Laura smiled. She rested her hands on his waist and tiptoed up to kiss him. "Happy Christmas sweetheart," she said softly and Robbie ducked to kiss her lovingly. "Happy Christmas my love," he replied.
Later that evening, Robbie traced his fingertips over Laura's hip, enjoying the softness of her skin and she shifted onto her back so that she could look at him. "Hello," she murmured and he smiled at her. Laura shifted the covers so that she was more secure in the blankets and Robbie gazed at her happily. "Laura," he murmured and she returned his smile happily. "I just want to marry you, call you mine, properly, like" he blurted out and Laura stared at him before a giggle bubbled up in her chest. She cupped his jaw in her hand and caressed his cheekbone with her thumb, watching him carefully. "Are you asking or saying?" she enquired, as he drew her closer to him and he snorted, amused. "Saying, our Laura," Robbie replied and Laura smiled. She pressed herself against him in pursuit of a kiss and they kissed slowly and languorously, until they parted, slightly breathlessly. "Well then," Laura said and they smiled at each other happily. "Was that a yes?" Robbie enquired and Laura laughed. "Was that a question?" she replied and then shrieked as Robbie shifted her onto her back, and she inhaled softly as she realised the intensity of his gaze. "Do you want it to be a question?" Robbie asked and Laura shook her head slowly. "You want us to make a decision together," Robbie concluded and Laura nodded. "About everything," she replied firmly and Robbie smiled. "When?" she asked and Robbie frowned for a moment. "When?" he repeated and Laura laughed. "When shall we get married?" she asked and Robbie grinned happily. "Whenever you like," he replied and Laura considered this, entwining her wrists behind his neck. "Alright then," she said and they smiled at each other, elated and content. Laura sighed happily and Robbie shifted himself so that his head was next to hers on the pillow, his body curled into hers and Laura laid her hand on his hip, almost possessively. "So," Laura mused and Robbie watched her. "If we're going to get married," Laura allowed the words to rest between them and Robbie watched her, encouraging her silently. "How do you feel about trying to conceive?" Laura asked, the faintest hint of anxiety present in her face and Robbie drew her closer, nuzzling into her neck and kissing under her ear so that she giggled in his embrace. "How soon can we start?" he wondered aloud and Laura smiled broadly.