"Can you believe it's Christmas eve Gidge? Where have the past six weeks gone? Olivia is getting bigger and more alert by the day!" Franky says as we lay on the floor in front of the fire, with Olivia between us.
"I know, but look at her Franky – we made that, I still can't believe it sometimes – I'm so glad we told people to stay away until the 26th, it'll be nice having her first Christmas as just the three of us."
"Well I think we deserve a day of rest before everyone descends upon us! I still don't know what we were thinking when we asked people to come for a party – I mean, it'll be nice seeing everyone but god, it's a lot of people!"
"Hmm yes, and the kids as well – I'm sure we'll all have fun though, we're lucky that we have so many people who care about us and want to spend the holidays at our house."
"Good point, it will be nice to have the place filled with family and friends. Oh, speaking of, Erica and Maura are coming as a couple! That'll be almost a month they've been official!"
"I can't believe you gave dating advice and it actually worked, no offence darling – but that must be a first!" I laugh as Franky mocks a look of hurt.
"Ha, you may laugh but it worked and Erica actually listened to what I had to say – which is shocking in itself!"
"They look good together though, I'm happy for them."
"Same here. Ugh, one thing I'm not happy about is the fact that after new year I need to go back to work – it sucks! I don't want to leave my two girls."
"Well we don't want you to go either, but we knew it was only six weeks, at least it came at the holidays, gives you a few extra days since the office is closed."
"That's a good point, anyway let's not think about that right now, let's just focus on the festive season and enjoy it."
The next morning, I am awoken by Franky jumping up and down on her knees beside me on the bed.
"Gidge, get up it's Christmas morning! I'm so excited!" I look over at the clock – 6.30am, is she kidding me right now?
"Franky, it's 6.30am! You can't be serious right now? Let me sleep!" I roll over to my other side, trying to ignore her.
"No Gidget, you need to get up, look who I have here with me for morning cuddles with mummy." I can't help the smile that forms on my lips when I hear this, I roll over to face her again. This time she has Olivia in her arms, holding her out to me.
"Oh my god, Franky! When did you buy that? It's adorable!" I squeal as I see our daughter is dressed as an elf.
"I bought it last week and thought I would surprise you with the cuteness on Christmas morning." I reach out and take Olivia from Franky, there is no denying she looks super cute.
"Oh, this is for you to put on Gidge, so we can take really cheesy photos and embarrass the hell out of our daughter when she's older!" Franky hands me a Santa hat with beard attached.
"What haven't you thought of?" I say while taking the hat, laughing and trying to put it on with one hand while I hold Olivia.
"Well, I did say this would be our best Christmas yet, so I totally need to kick it off in style!" She winks at me, then moves back over towards me, taking Olivia from my arms.
Once in the Livingroom, Franky places Olivia in her little bouncer chair and we sit down on the floor next to her to exchange gifts.
"Right, me first. Here you go Gidge, I hope you like it." Franky hands me over my main present, I have already received clothes, a spa day and a new camera.
"Thanks love, I can't wait to see what it is!" I say excitedly as I hold the small, square box. I can't help the audible gasp that escapes my lips when I see its contents.
"Oh my god, Franky this is beautiful! I love it!"
"It's traditional to get you an eternity ring after the birth of our first child, and when I saw this I thought of you. It's a diamond in the middle there, and those are sapphires at each side." Franky says, pointing to the ring I now hold.
"Look at the inside of it babe." Franky requests, so I peer at the ring for a closer inspection.
'16-01-15 & 14-11-16'
"Our wedding date and Olivia's birthday! Aww Franky, you're going to make me cry!" I say, tears beginning to gather.
"Well, I know that those two dates are the most special to us, now you'll carry them with you forever." We lean in for a tender kiss as I continue to stare at the beautiful ring.
"Well thank you so much darling, I'll treasure this gift for the rest of my life." We sit in silence for a few moments.
"Right, your turn for your main present now." I hand Franky an envelope, I'm excited about this but also a little apprehensive as to what she'll think about what I have planned.
"Oh an envelope, I'm intrigued!" she starts opening it and pulls out the piece of paper.
"A long weekend to The Gold Coast! Oh wow! That sounds fantastic!"
"I thought you'd like that, it's from the 14th to the 17th January, so we're there for our anniversary." I smile at Franky, trying to make sure her reaction is genuine.
"This really is great, and it's only like a two-hour flight as well, who will we get to take Olivia while we're away then?"
"Well, my parents are good to have her Friday and Saturday night, but they have a wedding on the Sunday so can't watch her then, I mentioned it to Amelia but her and Greg aren't available either. Don't worry, we'll get someone, it's only the one night."
"Okay, sounds good then, I'm sure we'll find someone. It will be weird leaving her for a few days, but I think we could both use a bit of a break, plus we won't be far away."
"Well that's what I thought, oh and don't worry, I've spoken with Marcus and he says that's fine to take the Friday and Monday off."
"Thanks Gidge, I'm looking forward to it, all that relaxing for a few days' sounds amazing right now."
"Exactly baby, right let's get this wrapping paper tidied up then start making lunch, you need to do that turkey remember."
The next day comes around much too fast, everyone is gathered in the Livingroom, my parents, Amelia, Greg, Benjamin, Vera, Will, Maura and Erica. I'll admit, it is nice to have a house full of people, especially at the holidays. Franky is gently bouncing Olivia in her arms, trying to calm her down, she's been extra fussy today for some reason.
"Hey Franky, want me to take her, give your arms a rest for a little bit?" I smile sweetly as I observe Maura approach Franky and ask her.
"That would be great actually, I really need to pee!" I hear Franky say as she hands Olivia over to Maura – who seems comfortable around the baby now.
"Hi Maura, so glad you and Erica could make it – how was your day yesterday?" I ask as I approach Maura and my daughter, who seems to finally be settling.
"Hey Bridget, thanks for the invite – food has been great! And Erica and I spent the day together at my place, neither of us have family near so it made sense, it was really nice actually."
"That's nice to hear. Oh I'm glad Olivia seems to be settling now, poor Franky must have been going crazy." I stroke Olivia's cheek, then move my finger down to her tiny hand, she grabs a hold of it, surprisingly tightly.
"She's such a sweet girl Bridget, you both got very lucky – that's some grip she has on her!"
"She seems to be getting stronger by the day!" I say proudly, just then I feel two strong arms loop around my waist and feel my wife's front pushed against my back.
"Hi baby." Franky whispers in my ear.
"Hi yourself." I say, turning in the embrace so we are face-to-face.
"Olivia seems to have settled down anyway, she was being unusually fussy today." I nod along with Franky, before we turn our attention back to Maura, to find Erica has now joined her side.
"Hey guys, great little party you've got here – thanks again for having us." Erica says as she snakes an arm around Maura's waist.
"It's a pleasure having you both, want me to take her again Maura?" Franky asks, looking at the now sleeping baby.
"If you want, I don't mind holding her – she's just so cute!"
"That's fine, if you want you can put her in her crib if she gets too much." I say.
"You're just as good with her as Erica." Franky comments to Maura.
"Ah, but this is when babies are easiest, especially when they're asleep and you can give them back to the parents!" Maura replies.
"Good point, oh actually, this reminds me, Franky and I are headed to The Gold Coast for a long weekend, the 14th to 17th January, my parents can look after Olivia the Friday and Saturday night but they have a wedding on the Sunday. We were going to ask if you two wouldn't mind watching her the Sunday night and Monday? We'll be back early evening Monday, if you can't then we can ask Vera and Will." Erica is the first to speak up.
"We would love to watch her! I'm sure between the two of us we can manage." I smile at Maura and Erica.
"Thank you! That is a massive help!" Franky says.
"Anytime, you know we love spending time with her anyway." Maura adds happily.
"Thanks, well if you're both good with her right now, Bridget and I should probably go mingle with the others, before they think we're being rude!"
Franky and I walk around the Livingroom, chatting to my parents, who seem to be counting down the days to our vacation so they have Olivia all to themselves for a few days.
"When is it you go back to work Franky?" My dad asks.
"I go back on 3rd January, so at least I have new year off, then I suppose it's not long after that until my beautiful wife here whisks me away for a few days of relaxation." Franky gives me a huge smile and pulls me towards her in a one armed hug.
"It will be nice for you both to get a break." My mum comments.
"Yes it will, and now we have Olivia taken care of for each day we're gone – Maura and Erica have kindly agreed to take her on the Sunday and Monday, so that's a relief." I inform my parents.
"Good, she'll be well looked after then." I nod my head at my dad, we then excuse ourselves to go and get our daughter from Maura, all that talk about leaving her suddenly makes both Franky and I want to see her immediately.