Know it's a bit late but Merry Christmas everyone, hope you all had a lovely day!
It was about midnight on Christmas Eve and Rachel was waiting to put the girl's presents out.
She'd just checked that Amy and Poppy were both asleep, which they were so she was on her way into Lucy's bedroom to check that she'd gone to sleep now too.
Rachel had had a lot of trouble trying to get Lucy to go to sleep because she'd been so excited but she was really hoping that she was now because Rachel just wanted to get to sleep herself.
She walked over to Lucy's bedroom as quickly as she could not wanting to wake her up, however as she got closer she was sure she could hear crying coming from inside.
Rachel gently pushed open the door and when she did she found Lucy sat up in bed crying so quickly went over to the little girl.
"Oh dear, what's happened?" Rachel asked as she squeezed into bed next to the little girl
"Nothing"
"Well this doesn't look like nothing to me"
"I'm fine" Lucy said trying really hard to stop crying
"Your face is telling me otherwise somehow, come on tell me what's wrong love?"
"It's just…" Lucy started but she didn't finish, just buried her head in Rachel's chest and continued to cry
Rachel stroked Lucy's back wondering what had happened to make Lucy go from being so hyper and excited to so upset.
Rachel pulled a tissue out of the box that was on Lucy's bed side cabinet and cleaned up her face a little bit.
"Now take your time and tell me what's made you feel like this because no-one should feel sad on Christmas Eve" Rachel said tucking Lucy's hair behind her ear
"I just can't stop thinking about Mummy" Lucy cried
"Why because you miss her?"
"Well a little bit but not really"
"Well why can't you stop thinking about her then?"
"Because she's all on her own at Christmas and I don't want her to be all sad and lovely"
Rachel smiled Lucy really was such a thoughtful and caring girl even at such a young age.
"I know she's not here with us anymore but she's not on her own darling"
"Who's she with then?"
"She's up in heaven with all of the friends that she has up there, and I bet she's looking down at you now just wanting you to have the best Christmas ever"
"Will she gets lots of presents and have a Christmas dinner?"
"I don't know about that, but I promise you she's not sad"
Lucy seemed a lot happier now that Rachel had said that so leaned against Rachel's chest starting to feel really sleepy now.
"Do you think you'll be able to go to sleep now?" Rachel asked
"Yeah I'm really tired now"
Rachel climbed out of Lucy's bed so that she could get comfy and knelt down on the floor beside her bed.
"Night night then darling"
"Rachel do you think Father Christmas will be here soon?"
"Not if you don't hurry up and go to sleep he won't be no"
"Okay I'll go to sleep straight away then"
"Good girl"
"Night Rachel"
"Night"
Rachel stayed with her for another ten minutes and once she was sure she was asleep tiptoed out and went to get all of the presents out from where she'd been hiding them.
She put them all into the pillow cases that the girls had put at the end of their beds and then put their main presents under the Christmas tree in the lounge.
Rachel was relieved when it was all done because she just wanted to get into bed.
She was halfway up the stairs when she remembered that she hadn't eaten anything that the girls had put out for Father Christmas so she quickly went back down to do that.
Rachel had never felt as happy at Christmas as what she did now, having kids around just made it so much more special.
Rachel got ready for bed and then climbed in wondering how early she would be woken up in the morning, she got the feeling she definitely wouldn't be having a lie in.
Lucy woke up at about 7 o clock the next the morning.
A massive smile appeared on her face when she looked on the floor and saw that the pillow case she'd left out the night before was overflowing with presents.
She was so excited that she leapt out of bed and ran into Rachel's bedroom and jumped up on her bed.
"Rachel, Rachel wake up Father Christmas has been"
Rachel woke up and looked at the clock next to her, she'd actually been expecting them to wake up even earlier.
Amy had been awake for a little while but she didn't want to be the first one to get up so as soon as she heard Lucy running across the landing into Rachel's bedroom, she got out of bed and went in to.
"Did Father Christmas come to you too Amy?" Rachel asked
"Yeah he has" Amy said smiling, it was her first Christmas not believing so it felt really different but it was still good to pretend for Lucy's sake
"Let's go and get Poppy up then shall we and then we can go and open them up and see what he's brought you"
Lucy went and woke Poppy up as quickly as she could.
It took some persuading but eventually Poppy did get out of bed.
As soon as she saw her pillow case with presents in though she couldn't wait to open them either.
Rachel helped Lucy to carry her pillow case downstairs into the lounge.
Lucy got even more excited when she walked into the lounge and saw even more presents under the tree. Especially when there she saw a label with her name on attached to a really big present.
"Can we open them now?" Lucy asked
"Of course you can, where are you going to start"
Lucy thought for a moment before deciding to do the ones in her pillow case first.
The girls got stuck in and started opening their presents. They all felt really lucky with everything they were opening, Rachel had gone to lots of effort as she wanted them all to be happy.
Once they'd opened all of the things from their pillow case they moved onto their big presents.
Lucy was over the moon with her Baby Anabel and the pram that Rachel had bought her for it. Amy got an ipad and Poppy got a new iphone so they were both extremely happy too.
Amy and Poppy both really wanted to thank Rachel there and then for everything she'd bought for them but obviously they couldn't with Lucy there.
Rachel could tell how appreciative they all were, and it had put a massive smile on her face seeing the girls so happy.
"How about we go upstairs and get ready and then come back downstairs for breakfast?" Rachel suggested after setting up Lucy's pushchair for her and getting Baby Anabel out of the box.
The four of them went upstairs to start getting ready
"Rachel please will you help me to get ready?" Lucy asked
"Of course I can just let me jump in the shower first though"
Lucy sat on Rachel's bed playing with her Baby Anabel toy while Rachel went in for her shower.
Poppy had brought a new sparkly dress for Christmas that she was planning on wearing today.
She decided to wear the new underwear that she'd got for Christmas so quickly went downstairs to get it out her pile.
However, when she got back up to her bedroom and put the bra on she thought it was a bit too tight. She decided to quickly go and ask Rachel what she thought as the two of them were really close now and Poppy was really open with Rachel.
She went out of her bedroom and into Rachel's.
"Oh hi Lucy I thought you were going to get ready"
"I'm waiting for Rachel to help me, but I need to go and feed Anabel because she's hungry"
"Where is Rachel?" Poppy asked just as the bathroom door opened and Rachel walked out
"I'm here" Rachel said causing Poppy to turn around
Lucy then went downstairs to find the bottle to give to Anabel.
"I was just coming to ask you if you thought this was a bit too small"
"It does look a bit tight, I had a look at a label on one of your other bras but maybe that ones too small as well"
"Most of them are getting a bit small now, I think I've grown a bit recently"
"Oh yeah that is what you were going around telling everyone at the Christmas ball" Rachel said making them both laugh
"I dread to think what else I was saying"
"You don't want to know, we'll go shopping soon and you can change it for a bigger size"
"Okay, thanks Rachel"
Poppy then went back to her bedroom to continue getting ready.
Rachel dried herself off and put on a nice black dress.
She then dried her hair off a bit before going to help Lucy to get ready.
She got Lucy changed into a pretty dress and did her hair for her before going back to do her own hair and makeup.
Once Rachel was ready she went downstairs and put an apron on before cooking some sausages because the girls had decided they wanted sausage sandwiches for breakfast.
"Do you want any help Rach?" Amy said coming into the kitchen
"You can lay the table for me if you like"
"Okay"
"You smell nice, are you wearing your new perfume"
"Yeah I really like it"
"Good"
Once the breakfast was ready they all sat around the table to eat it.
Rachel made bucks fizz for her, Poppy and Amy and gave Lucy some orange juice.
After breakfast Rachel started to prepare the dinner and got it into the oven as Mel and Philip were coming over for Christmas dinner.
Lucy was happily playing with her new toys and Poppy had agreed to do Amy's makeup using the new makeup they'd both got for Christmas.
Rachel couldn't believe how different Amy looked when she came down with her makeup done.
"You look beautiful darling" Rachel said
"Thank you" Amy replied blushing a tiny bit
Once Rachel had everything ready they all went into the lounge playing with their new stuff.
It wasn't long before Mel arrived with Phil.
The two of them came into the lounge and took their coats off.
As soon as Mel took hers off Rachel caught sight of her tummy and it looked as though she had a bit of a bump, but it was hard to tell if it was this or if Mel had just put on a bit of weight so Rachel decided not to say anything.
"Can I get you anything to drink? Glass of bucks fizz?"
"No I'm alright for the minute thanks Rach"
As soon as Mel refused the alcohol Rachel was certain she must be pregnant.
"What about you Philip?"
"Yeah go on then Rach"
"Poppy, Amy do you want another one?"
They both wanted another one too.
"You going to give me a hand Mel?" Rachel said wanting to have a quiet word with her sister
Mel followed her sister out to the kitchen and watched while Rachel made some more bucks fizz. She made sure she only gave Poppy and Amy a little bit of champagne and lots of orange juice as they'd only just had one.
Once she'd made them she turned around to face Mel.
"Mel are you pregnant?" Rachel said just coming right out with it
Mel looked away but gave a small nod.
"Who's the father? Do you even know who it is?" Rachel asked shocked that her sister had got herself into this situation once again
"I don't make a habit of sleeping with men I'm not in a relationship with you know Rach, see this is exactly why I didn't tell you in the first place, I knew you'd get all judgemental like this"
"I'm sorry Mel" Rachel said before going over and wrapping her arms around her little sister
A few tears escaped from Mel's eyes, so Rachel wiped them away for her.
"It will all be okay Mel I promise, have you told the Dad?"
"It urmm, it happened when we were on holiday in the summer he doesn't even speak English"
"Right, well I promise I'll be here for you Mel give you all the support I can"
"Thanks Rach"
"Does Phil know?"
"Yeah, he wasn't particularly pleased at first but he's coming round to the idea now"
"We should tell the girls, they'll all be really excited come on we'd better take these in"
When they went into the lounge they gave out some presents and were all really pleased with what they got.
As much as Rachel was enjoying being with the kids she knew she needed to get on the dinner really.
Rachel and Mel cooked the dinner while the kids all stayed in the lounge and before long the dinner was ready.
"It smells so good" Poppy said coming into the dining room. Luckily they'd laid the table yesterday so there was one less job to do.
They pulled their crackers before they started and then started eating.
Everyone ate loads so they were all stuffed by the time Rachel brought the chocolate pudding in. Normally Rachel and Mel had Christmas pudding on Christmas day but Rachel thought there was no point in having it when none of the girls liked it so she'd made a chocolate pudding instead.
"Do you want to tell them now Mel" Rachel said
"Tell them what?" Poppy asked
Mel looked at Rachel and smiled before saying "I'm going to be having a baby"
"Aw congratulations"
"Thank you" Mel said smiling
"So you have a baby growing inside of your tummy?" Lucy asked
"I do yes"
"Can I have a look?"
"You can have a look but you'll only be able to see my big tummy"
Lucy got off her chair and came around to Mel. Mel lifted her top up so that Lucy could see her bump
"That's so cool"
Once they'd finished their pudding everyone helped to clear up before going into the lounge and collapsing on the sofas because they'd all eaten way too much.
"I think we should all get out for a bit of fresh air" Rachel said
"Really Rach?"
"Yep, come on your as bad as the kids"
They all got dressed up nice and warm because it had gone quite cold outside before getting in the car and driving to the woods.
Although no-one had particularly wanted to go for the walk except for Rachel when they got there they had enjoyed it.
It was about five o clock when they got back and Amy decided she would go straight upstairs and change into the new pyjamas that Mel had bought her for Christmas.
She went to the loo first but when she walked in she realised someone had used up the last bit of toilet roll so she went into the cupboard to get a new one out.
When she was in the cupboard she noticed a pack of pads, she'd never actually seen one before and she was quite curious so she decided to get one out and see what they looked like.
She was just unwrapping it when Rachel walked it not realising Amy was in there because she hadn't shut the door yet.
"Oh sorry Amy I didn't realise you were in here, what you dong down there anyway?"
Amy was feeling really embarrassed now but it wasn't really like she couldn't really hide what she was looking at now.
Rachel then noticed what Amy had in her hand so went to shut the bathroom door presuming that Amy must have started her periods.
"That's a bit rubbish isn't it, starting your periods on Christmas day?"
"No I haven't actually started, I was just looking" Amy said her cheeks bright red
"You can tell me if you have, I can help you out"
"No honestly I haven't I was just looking"
"Promise?"
"I promise"
"Rachel is having your period really scary?"
"No not really, I mean at the start it will probably seem a bit scary but it's fine once you get used to it"
"I really don't want to start mine yet" Amy said her eyes filling with tears
"Well there's no controlling that I'm afraid, but there's no point in worrying about it until it does happen"
Tears started to roll down Amy's cheeks, she didn't know why but talking about it was making fer feel all scared and emotional.
Rachel saw this so wrapped her arms around Amy. She could tell by talking to Amy that she was really apprehensive about it all and not that prepared so she knew she needed to have some chats with her about it but decided it could wait until another day.
"It will all be okay my love, and I'll be here to help you through it all I promise"
"I wish I was still Lucy's age then I wouldn't have to be worrying about it"
"You would at some point though, besides think of all the stuff you're getting to do now that you wouldn't if you were her ages you've got loads more freedom haven't you?"
"Yeah I suppose so"
"Anyway what were you in here for?"
"I need the loo, but you can go first if you want"
"No it's alright I'll go in my en suite, and Amy please don't worry about it all, we'll have a chat about it all at some point okay?"
"Okay thanks Rachel"
"That's okay darling"
Rachel left her to it and quickly went into her en suite to go to the loo before going back downstairs with everyone else.
"You took your time Rach, eat too many Brussel sprouts or something?" Mel asked laughing
"No I was just having a little chat with Amy that's all"
Amy came down a little while later in her new pyjamas.
"In your pyjamas already?" Rachel said
"They're really cosy"
"I want to put my new pyjamas on too" Lucy said
"Come on then let's go and get you changed then2
Rachel took her up and helped her to change into her new pyjamas.
"Have you had a good day sweetheart?"
"It's been the best day ever"
"I'm so glad"
"But it's not over yet"
"No we'll put a film on or something in a minute, but I bet you'll be shattered after your late night and early start"
"What are we doing tomorrow Rachel?"
"Do you remember Steph who you met at my school?"
"Yeah"
"Well we're going round to hers in the afternoon because she's having some people around and doing a buffet but we'll just have a lazy morning"
"Yay, then I can play with all of my new toys"
"You most certainly can my love"
Once Lucy was all changed the two of them both went back downstairs and Rachel put a nice Christmas film on for them all to watch.
"Rachel I'm a bit hungry" Amy said partway into the film
"How can you possibly be hungry with the amount you ate? I don't think I'll need to eat for another week at least"
"But we ate ages ago"
"What do you fancy?"
"Can I have some toast"
"If that's what you want, anyone else want something?"
Philip, Poppy, Amy and Lucy all ended up having something to eat but Mel and Rachel didn't want anything.
They ate their toast while they continued to watch the film.
By the time the film had finished Lucy was fast asleep on Rachel's lap, but there was no wonder really after the amount of sleep she'd had.
Rachel carried her upstairs and put her on the toilet so that she could go for a wee before carrying her into bed.
She woke up a little bit on the way up but soon fell back to sleep once she was in bed again. Rachel gave her a kiss before going back downstairs.
Amy had got a game to play for Christmas, but it was a bit young for Lucy so they decided to play it now that she was in bed.
They all had great fun playing it but by the time they'd finished everyone was really tired so Mel and Phil decided to get going.
"Bye Rach, thanks for a lovely day"
"Thank you for coming, and let me know when you book your scan so that I can come with you yeah?"
"Yeah I will do"
"Okay night then Mel" Rachel said giving her sister a kiss
Mel and Phil said goodbye to everyone before leaving.
It had been a lovely day for everyone but they were all definitely ready to get into bed now.
Please review xxxxx