Lunch had been relatively simple. Clara had ordered takeaway and after everyone finished their meals, her grandmother retreated to the guest bedroom to get proper rest so that she may cook dinner.

It was the simplest way to get to know her grandchild's boyfriend without scaring him. Well, not too much.

Clara and the Doctor were then left on their own, unsure of what to say. Nan hadn't asked a lot of questions regarding John, just trivial ones such as his hometown and childhood. Nothing too revealing.

However, the couple was still recovering from her sudden appearance. The woman had caught them red-handed, despite the couple wanting to keep their relationship low profile for the time being.

"So, how's Idris and the kittens?" Clara inquired, softly scratching Mr Darcy's head as he purred in approval.

The Doctor shrugged, murmuring quietly that they were fine.

"Are you alright?" she asked.

"Yep, just a bit surprised by your nan… that's all," he answered, flashing her a smile. "She's… really something, and I can where you got most of your sass from."

"It makes me wonder where you got your eyebrows from," she countered, sticking her tongue out.

"Have you run out of insults?"

"I don't know, have you?"

The two mathematicians stared at each other before breaking into a fit of giggles.

"I recall you mentioning something about you mentioning to your nan you hate me?"

She grimaced. "Yes, that was before you asked me out on a date."

"Well, she seems amused by it, so your choice of name for me must have been complimenting."

"Oh, please, as if you didn't hate me before," she countered, rolling her eyes, but smiling at the same time. She wasn't sure how the Doctor will react to the 'Scottish Bastard' nickname since she recently discovered that he is as sensitive as he is grumpy.

"Can't be as bad as the 'Impossible Girl'."

"Stronger language was used."

He titled his head, forming that owl expression she had so become familiar with. "Didn't take you one for swearing like that character from that TV show."

"I am not that foul-mouthed, thank you very much," Clara replied. "There was even a time I considered becoming a school teacher."

The Doctor grinned as she leaned into his shoulder. "Miss Oswald against a classroom full of rowdy, hormonal teenagers – I would pay to see that."

She looked up. "I think I can handle it well since I'm able to handle you."

"Are you suggesting that I'm a rowdy, hormonal teenager?"

"You act like one in the bedroom," she deadpanned, anticipating his reaction to being that of confusion and slight offence. "Just the hormonal teenager bit."

John frowned before Clara gave in and giggled.

"Alright," she began, staring at the television. "I called you the 'Scottish Bastard'."

She had expected him to grumble in disapproval or even ignore her confession, but to her surprise, he laughed. The Doctor took notice of her silence.

"In case you have forgotten, I'm Scottish and it's normal for people to call each other bastards."

"I'm just surprised you took it better than expected."

"What makes you say that?"

Clara bit her lower lip. "You're sensitive."

The Doctor furrowed his brows once more. "No, I'm not."

Her point had been proven, but she decided not to say anything and decided to change the subject. "Anyway, I finished my paper and submitted it yesterday," she said. "If all goes well, it should get published after Christmas and we will be on a tie."

"As your rival, I'm not fazed since there's still plenty of time," he answered. "But as your Scottish Bastard, that's great."

He then tilted his head and planted a kiss on her head.

"You're going down."

"Not if I publish another paper."

They resumed watching television together before a thought came to Clara.

"I just remembered something," she mentioned. "Will you be around during Christmas time or are you going home?"

"My home is next to yours, o doctor who submitted her paper yesterday."

"I meant Glasgow, o Fields Medal recipient."

The Doctor shook his head. "No, I usually spend Christmas alone or with Missy."

"Don't you feel lonely?"

"I've had Idris keeping me company for the past three years and now there are two more kittens to do that job."

Clara couldn't help but wonder if he felt lonely deep down.

"Why do you ask?'

She shrugged. "Just curious."

"Is your nan going to invite me to spend Christmas with your family?" he asked sarcastically.

"Are you going to your hometown for Christmas, John?" nan asked casually shortly after everyone began eating dinner.

The Doctor looked up from his plate, startled. "Sorry?"

"Christmas," Nan repeated. "Are you spending Christmas in Glasgow?"

The last time he had celebrated the holiday in Scotland was almost fifteen years ago when he worked at Edinburgh. He never really saw any reason to return to his hometown since he didn't even own a home there, to begin with. "No, I usually just celebrate it here or at my sister's if she's not on holiday."

Nan set down the fork she held. "I don't know about you, but I'm thinking of celebrating Christmas here with Clara."

Clara Oswald furrowed her brows. Her grandmother didn't mention any of that to her, not that she was complaining. For once, she didn't have to take the trouble to pack and travel all the way back to Blackpool only to be criticised by her step-mother for taking so long to get there. "That's great."

"Oh, I'm sure Dave and Linda will appreciate the change of scenery."

The Doctor remained silent as his mind began racing. As far as he was aware, Missy isn't going to spend Christmas in some tropical country this year. She might be staying at his home for a few days.

"You can introduce this handsome boyfriend of yours to your father."

Clara forced a smile, unsure of whether if it was too early to introduce John to the rest of her family.

Her boyfriend was still quiet, wondering if the universe was playing a trick on him. Spending Christmas with Clara's family is one thing, but doing so while Missy is next door? How is he going to juggle that?

"So what do you say, John?"

"Pardon?" he replied, snapping out of his thoughts.

"How about spending Christmas with us this year?" Nan asked, smiling.

He cleared this throat, trying to gather his thoughts. "That sounds lovely, but it's something I have to think about."

"Well, you live next door, so don't think about it too long," the elderly woman advised, winking.

The Doctor could only smile in return. Christmas this year will definitely be interesting.

Later that night, as the couple was getting ready for bed, Clara stared at the man currently occupying her en-suite, brushing his teeth. She dated Danny for almost and never had the chance to introduce him to her family. It never bothered her that much, but this time, she couldn't help but entertain the idea with the Doctor.

"Why are you staring at me like that?" he questioned, stepping out of the bathroom and switching off the lights.

"Am I not allowed to do whatever I want in my own house now?"

"Yes," John answered, climbing into bed before his pillow was snatched away from him.

"You won't be sleeping with this tonight, because guess what, Doctor, I can do whatever I want in my house."

"Technically speaking, you're just renting this place, which just so happens to belong to my sister."

A pillow hit his arm, followed by laughter. "I'm paying to live here!"

Clara handed him the pillow back and rested her head on hers. A moment later, she felt the Doctor wrap his strong arms around her, scooting closer. "I think it would be nice to spend Christmas with you."

"I like the idea, Clara," he whispered, entwining their hands. "But, I'm not sure if Missy is coming or not… likely the former."

She remained silent for a while, pondering their options. They could come clean to his sister, obviously, and that would solve the problem. "We could tell her?"

He considered the option carefully. "I don't think I trust her to keep a secret for long."

"How on earth are you supposed to be celebrating Christmas with us when she's with you?"

"Well, Missy usually drops by at around midday and prefers to just stick around for two or three hours."

"That could work."

The Doctor inhaled the smell of her hair. "I just have to sneak in and out of the house… easy peasy."

Clara laughed. "And how exactly are you going to do that?"

"I have an idea but it's not coming to me yet."

She chuckled, earning grumble.

"Now hush and let me sleep."

Clara rolled over so she could face him. "Who's the bossy one now?"

"You."

"If we keep talking, nan might get the wrong idea."

John fought the urge to smile and shut his eyes. "Good night, Clara Oswald."

She pecked him on the lips before hiding her face in the crook of his neck.

The morning after went through like a breeze. Nan insisted on cooking breakfast, despite receiving protests from her beloved granddaughter, the couple sent her off at the train station just after noon and then returned home to finish their work and prepare for the week ahead. All in all, a surprising, yet humorous and pleasant weekend.

So, when Monday finally came, they were back to their routine.

"Anybody looking forward to the upcoming Christmas break?" Jack asked, entering the break room. "I only have one thing that I want for Christmas this year."

Bill and Dan, who were chatting about their respective dissertations, decided to entertain their lecturer. "What would that be?"

As if on cue, the Doctor and Clara entered the room, both glaring at each other in silence.

"I don't want a lot for Christmas, there is just one thing I need," Jack sang. "I don't care about the presents underneath the Christmas tree."

"Jack, Christmas is a month away," John stated in annoyance.

"I just want you for my own more than you could ever know to make my wish come true," he continued. "All I want for Christmas is for you to get together with you," Jack finished, pointing from the Doctor to Clara.

The couple stared at their colleague for a brief second before going about their business, pretending not to acknowledge one another and then returned to their respective offices.

Jack took the opportunity to follow his best friend. "So, got any plans for Christmas?"

"Do I look as if I'll be going anywhere?" John retorted.

"Who knows, for all I know, you could be planning a little getaway trip with Clara."

The Doctor froze before quick thinking took over. "Yes, I'll be spending Christmas in the Maldives with none other than Clara Oswald," he said sarcastically, hoping it would be enough to fool Jack.

"Really wish you would," he muttered before approaching the door. "But I am serious about what I want for Christmas this year."

It seems like his wish has already come true.

John opened his email and saw an important message from Ian. "Yes, yes."

"I don't want a lot for Christmas there is just one thing I need," Jack sang as he left, shutting the door.

The Doctor finally got the chance to read the email properly.

It was apparently a notice regarding the upcoming science festival after the first-semester exam. He would have to work with Clara again, which he didn't mind at all, but it surely meant that Jack would pester them further. The whole department is probably now working together to matchmake him and Clara.

First Christmas with Clara's family and now this. What a way to end and start the year.