'She Was There in Spirit'
For: Maggie (cherrybomb13)
Pairing: Alex Shelley/Mollie Jarrett (OC)
Year: 2010

It was Christmas Eve in America, Patrick Martin's household to be exact. It wasn't what Patrick Martin would have expected it to be at Christmas time last year. Unfortunately, things don't always go to plan.

It was the last thing Pat Martin – Alex Shelley of TNA fame – ever wanted to remember, but it was the only thing he could. Especially at this time of year. Aiden Carlton had always gone all out for Christmas. Everything was over decorated and the house looked like Santa had exploded.

It was different this year. Sure, there was a Christmas Tree and a wreath on the front door. Alex had taken it upon himself to hang lights up outside. That's all there was, though. His current girlfriend, Mollie Jarrett, was far from a scrooge, she just didn't understand the need for excess amounts of decorations. That and she was claustrophobic and something about too many Christmas decorations made her uncomfortable.

His daughter, Lexi, would be celebrating her very first Christmas – he had even bought a special tree decoration for the occasion – without her mother. Mollie tried her hardest to be a good mother figure to the small girl, but she knew she would never compare what Aiden could have been for her child. She wasn't a bad mum; she just wasn't trying too hard in raising a child that wasn't hers.

Maybe it was because she despised Aiden with her entire being when she was alive, or it could be contributed to her own pregnancy.

Alex watched as Lexie crawled along the living room floor, gripping at the coffee table and couches in an attempt to stand up.

"She's going to hurt herself." Mollie said as she slowly lowered herself onto the couch. Alex smiled and shook his head.

"She's alright." Lexie wobbled past Alex and pulled on Mollie's skirt. "She likes you."

"She definitely didn't get that from her mother." Mollie laughed as she let Lexie take hold of her finger. "She looks like her though. All cute and innocent." Mollie hadn't failed to notice Alex's sudden silence at the mention of his deceased wife. "She'd be really proud of you. Even if you are now with me."

"I'm going to put Lexie down for her nap." Mollie let go of the small girl's hand and pushed herself out of the arm chair, ignoring Alex's attempt at helping her.

"She's gorgeous." Mollie said as Alex picked up his daughter. Mollie always told Alex that Lexie was beautiful, she was in awe that someone so young could have so much beauty. Alex usually responded with an 'I know' or 'yeah, she is', but things were different this close to Christmas.

"I just wish she didn't have her eyes." As if on cue, Lexie looked over Alex's shoulder and smiled at Mollie, her eyes on show for the whole world to see.

"You don't mean that Lex." Mollie fell into step with her boyfriend, walking with him to the girl's room.

"It makes things so much harder." Mollie knew that Alex was and always would be in love with Aiden. It hurt her to know that he'd never be able to love her with his whole heart, but she loved him enough to look past that.

"But she'll always be here," Mollie said kindly watching as Lexie squirmed in Alex's arms. "Do you think she knows we're talking about mummy?"

"I don't know." Alex went quiet once more. He didn't want to have to have that conversation with his daughter.

Lexie had been put down for her nap, leaving Alex and Mollie in silence. "You really think she'd be proud of me?" he asked, breaking the silence that had been lingering for a good ten minutes.

"Of course she would, you've raised the most well behaved eleven-month-old I've heard met. You've gotten on with your life, but you haven't forgotten her. Why wouldn't she be proud?"

"I haven't raised her on my own..." Alex said quietly, "Chris and Ajay have helped me loads... And you, you've been as big a help as anybody..."

"No," Mollie shook her head, "You're much better at parenting than I am. If you'd been paying attention, all I'm doing is copying you." The blonde revealed. "You really need to give yourself more credit." She said with a slight laugh in her voice.

Alex looked up at her with a shy smile, he didn't believe her. He looked up at Mollie and a thought struck him, "I have to be the worst boyfriend in the world." He said sadly.

"Why would that thought even cross your mind?" she questioned, "You're far from being the worst."

"I talk about her. To you. And you're my girlfriend and she's... Aiden's my..."

"She's your wife." Mollie finished for him. She smirked knowingly, "I don't hate you. Don't get me wrong, Aiden never was my favourite person in the world. She was yours though, and you married her. I have to get used to that." Mollie said with a smile.

"I don't mean to sound rude or anything... But you've matured so much in the past twelve months." He meant it as a compliment, even if it was a bit backhanded.

"That's what happens when you suddenly have to look after a very young child and also get knocked up. Really, don't feel bad about anything." She said to him rather forcefully.

She turned her head to look at the Christmas clock on the wall; it was set to sing a different Christmas song every hour.

"Apparently, it's Christmas." Alex stated with a smile. "It came fast this year."

"Despite everything that has happened. Yeah, it came really fast."

"Next year we'll have another one." He said as he looked at Mollie's swollen stomach. He kissed her forehead and pulled her close for a hug. "I do love you, Mollie."

"I know." She said as she smiled, "I love you, too." She took his hand lightly and pulled him to their bedroom, ready to go to sleep. Alex stopped outside the door and closed his eyes.

"Merry Christmas, Aiden." Mollie closed her eyes too and repeated the words.

She was there in spirit.