Thank you readers and very kind

reviewers. Fluff warning on this one...

Cause...it's Christmas in London x

:)

Chapter 3

Do Angels Really Sing on Christmas Eve ?

Following the service and pageant the Simms returned home as Olivia had to assure all preparations were in order for the Christmas dinner tomorrow. Elvis and Georgie accompanied Debbie and Laura back to Debbie's flat for a light meal and to spend some special time with little Laura. Elvis and Georgie were sat side by side on the sofa. Elvis leaned over and kissed his wife. "Merry Christmas." He said softly, gazing at her lovingly.

"Merry Christmas Elvis." Georgie said as she returned the kiss.

They could hear Laura in the adjacent bedroom singing a carol from the pageant whilst Debbie helped her into her jammies. The young one was so very excited that Santa would be coming, and also to be spending more time with her daddy. Elvis smiled warmly and looked at Georgie, then leaned back against the cushions and sighed. Laura's tiny voice was lilting and he began to tap his hand on the arm rest. Georgie leaned back as well and Elvis took her hand in his, rubbing his thumb over her knuckles. He knew this was hard for her. She so wanted a baby to share with him. It would happen, they just needed to wait out.

" I know what you're thinkin." He said softly, rolling his head towards her.

"You reckon." She said wearily yet pleasantly, rolling her head towards him. He squeezed her hand.

"I know." He said with watchful eyes that travelled all over her face. He hoped he would say the right words. "Next year George. Next year you'll be holding our baby on Christmas Eve. That's the way I sorted it out."

She looked at him intently and gently folded her fingers between his. That is not exactly what she was thinking. She was focusing on the negatives, the unfortunate need to wait to conceive. She so wished it was her child that idolized Elvis, despite how very much she loved Laura… What he said was true. If everything went to plan, she would deliver sometime in December. Elvis watched her and his face played out his delight as a magnificent smile lit up his Georgie's face. He smiled then and leaned over to kiss her. "I love you." He said simply. They could hear Laura's singing turn into massive giggles and soon, the little one was skipping into the room wearing cream colored jammies and her white and gold angel wings. Elvis sat up and held his hands out to Laura as she bolted towards him.

"I'm flying daddy!"

"I can see that! Don't fly too high! Daddy won't be able to see ya then!"

"No! I won't!"

Elvis spread his knees apart and Laura wiggled in between trying to climb up on him. He laughed and picked her up. "Do ya want to really fly honey?" She nodded her head enthusiastically. Elvis stood up and held her horizontally, facing down, and spun around. Laura's giggles escalated. He ran across the room and spun her again. The child's laughter could not be contained. "Mummy! Georgie! I'm flying, I'm really flying!"

"You are!" the two women said enjoying Laura's fun.

"Don't get dizzy daddy!" Georgie quipped…. Debbie laughed. Both women were seated happily on the sofa and enjoying the child's entertainment.

"Again daddy! Please!" Elvis' grin was contagious. He spun her again and again and his little angel was ecstatic.

xxx

Georgie, Elvis, Debbie and Laura were stood around the small manger set in Debbie's flat. It was time to place baby Jesus in the crib. Elvis was touched that Debbie continued the tradition Elvis and his mum had taught Laura. Debbie handed her daughter the small figurine of the infant and Laura clung to it smiling. Georgie held Elvis' hand as Debbie stepped back and said, "Go ahead." Laura turned and looked at Elvis and her smile became tentative.

"Come with me daddy." She said softly. Her sweet request touched him so deeply he could barely move. Both women watched him. Debbie looked at Georgie and smiled. They both remembered how Laura presented the little statue to Elvis last year. This was such a special moment for all of them. Elvis crawled over to Laura and they both moved towards the manger. The little one held the figurine up so her daddy could help her place the baby in the crib. Elvis towered over Laura as they both knelt side by side. He leaned down and kissed the top of her head. Georgie could see his face and how he closed his eyes

"It's pretty huh daddy?" Laura said in her sweet voice and she reached for Elvis' hand.

"Yes. It is very pretty honey."

"Daddy?" She asked, holding onto Elvis' hand and looking up at him.

"Wha' honey?" Her hand was so tiny in his and he cradled it gently.

"Do angels really sing on Christmas Eve?" His child's eyes reflected his own, brown and warm and dazed by the wonder of the question. It took Elvis a moment to collect his thoughts, but more importantly, to ride the tide of raw emotion that he felt for his little girl. He slowly swallowed down the lump that formed in his throat and he knew Georgie and Debbie were taking it all in.

"Yes Laura. Angels really do sing on Christmas Eve." He finally said as he mustered a good measure of composure to get the words out.

"How do you know?" Her eyes were unwavering, searching his. Elvis smiled.

"Let me tell ya story, eh?" The little one nodded her head and Elvis picked her up, carried her to a cushioned chair and sat down. Laura wiggled into a comfortable position on his lap, leaning back against his warm chest as he wrapped his arms around her tenderly. Georgie and Debbie watched, completely enraptured by the moment. "There once was a soldier who had to work on Christmas Eve…." Laura looked up at him, then snuggled in closer. Elvis kissed her head and continued. "He was far, far away from home and his family, and those he loved most dear. There were no Christmas trees, or carols or mangers…" Laura's eyes grew large and she frowned.

"No 'spghetti?" She asked as she fondled his arm.

Elvis chuckled. "No sphgetti." He had to pause and rub his eyes. "He was alone for a few hours whilst he guarded his mates as they slept. There were stars in the sky and the wind was whistling through the trees, and he felt very sad."

"Why?" Laura asked, leaning her head back to look up at him.

"He was thinkin about the ones he loved and could not be with." He said as he smoothed the fine hairs on her head. He cleared his throat. "Then the soldier 'eard a wee voice deep in his 'eart saying, "I love you."

"Who was it daddy?"

He paused and cleared his throat again. "It was his little angel. He remembered her voice."

Laura smiled and curled her little hands around his arm.

"Her precious words made his 'eart sing. He knew then, he really was not alone on Christmas Eve. The angel's voice sang to him in his 'eart and told him he was loved…. and reminded him that the babe in the manger was born to love all of us." Laura was looking at her daddy with huge eyes and captured by his tale. "That's the gift that baby Jesus gives us on Christmas Eve. His love for us."

"What do we give Him daddy?" Laura asked innocently twirling a strand of hair between her fingers

"Our gift to Him is that we share that love with others. That's why angels sing on Christmas Eve Laura. They tell us about the love of a little Child. And…no matter how sad we may be…for whatever reason, that love is always there." As the words escaped his mouth, Elvis looked at Georgie. She knew exactly what his story meant, their time apart, and now, weathering the storm of waiting to become parents together.

She remembered Elvis telling her earlier that he loved her. He was her angel tonight. Much as Laura was his that lonely time away form home. She got up from the sofa and moved to Elvis and Laura to embrace them and at the same time she reached a hand out to Debbie. The small little family held onto each other and stood around the manger singing "Silent Night." There was happiness and joy, peace and love, and angels really singing on Christmas Eve.

Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year to all!