Anticipation

Genre: Family, Friendship

Pairings: All background

Main characters: Greer, Ciana

Mollstrade Tie-ins:Chapter 88 – Christmas Morning Yet to Come

Author's note:This chapter and the next one (Chapter 103) occur the same Christmas Eve as chapter 88. Chapter 104 will be a future fic that also directly ties in.

Ciana Jane Anderson had made it until, roughly, three pages into "Stave V: The Last of It", when she finally drifted off against Greg's chest, her small hands clutching at the soft fabric of his dressing gown.

Soothed by the vibrations of his chest from his rumbling baritone, and his subtle movements and voice inflections as he expressively and enthusiastically read his way through Ebenezer Scrooge's fledgling transformation, Ciana, exhausted from excitement and festive activity, drifted off easily and comfortably.

The young daughter of Phillip and Jackie Anderson knew little of what was to come at that point, but the fact that she would be waking up to Father Christmas, Uncle Greg and Auntie Molly, and Greer - her best friend in the WHOLE world, Mummy and Daddy, and everyone else she loved. Ciana had fallen fast asleep in utter contentment and comfort. Greg, holding the book with one hand and a hand gently resting on Ciana's back, noticed the moment she had finally drifted off.

Greer, sleepy but happy and still on Uncle Phillip's lap, kept an eye on her best friend with a tiny smile of happiness.

She had everything she needed for a perfect Christmas Eve.

She had Uncle Phillip, who would very soon be singing her favourite Christmas lullaby after her and daddy tucked her and Ciana in for the night. She had Ciana for a sleepover. She had a wonderful Christmas story being read to her and the others. She had the promise of Daddy making breakfast with all of her beloved uncles. She would have Father Christmas having come too as everyone slept.

When the story had come to conclusion, with Uncle John reading the final words spoken by Tiny Tim, she sighed in tired bliss and whispered up to Phillip, "Will you sing to me soon, Uncle?"

"Yes, Milady. Very soon. Just a few more minutes?"

With a single glance to Greg, Phillip then rose carefully, letting Greer slide off his lap only long enough for him to stand upright, before scooping her back up again with a small groan of protest on behalf of his stiff aching back. Greg managed to rise to his feet without disturbing the sleeping girl he himself held.

Carefully tucked in, with Molly and Jackie in the doorway watching in quiet anticipation, Greer received the promised song, and with closing notes softly sung, drifted off to sleep.

It wasn't long, however, before Ciana had awakened again. Greer yawned widely, with a big, tired sigh.

"Greer?" the small voice asked, worriedly.

"What is it?" she asked the smaller girl.

"Will Father Christmas know I'm not home?"

"Of course he will, Ciana," Greer whispered, bringing her fist up to rest under her chin. "Father Christmas knows where all the little girls and boys are on Christmas Eve. No worries," she said, with a quiet, tired smile.

"Are you SURE? Mummy and Daddy and I are SO far from home. You're SURE he'll know I'm here?"

"Absolutely sure," Greer said, confidently. "I've even had a Christmas in Canada, two years ago, and he found me THERE. He knew I was spending Christmas with Sam. Oh, Christmas morning in Saskatchewan was SO pretty too. The only thing missing was YOU."

"Really?" Ciana asked wondrously. Her blue eyes were wide, but rapidly losing focus again.

"Really. Honestly and truly." Greer reached her arm out, draping it over her best friend.

"Will Father Christmas know the biscuits Uncle John made are from everyone here? Us, and your brothers? And Rosie and Julian and…" Ciana cut herself off with a yawn. "… And Danny, and Gar…eth… and…"

Greer lay perfectly still for a few moments, waiting.

"And," Ciana stirred herself, still worried, "Mikey and Grace… oh it's such a BIG house, Greer…" she trailed off, her voice becoming softer and quieter with each exhausted syllable.

Greer held her breath, waiting motionless as Ciana seemed to drift off again. Finally, she seemed to have confirmation, with soft, regular breathing.

Out like a light.

Greer couldn't WAIT for Christmas morning.