'Merry Christmas Mrs Maconie' Jonny whispered into his sleepy wife's ear. Jac lay there for several seconds unresponsive as a sharp smile spread across her face. Last Christmas she had offered to work overtime busily distracting herself from the festivities, a year later and she had woken up in bed with her husband and her womb currently occupied by their unborn daughter.

'How can you be so cheery at' she paused whilst checking the clock '7 am?'

'IT'S CHRISTMAAAAAS!' shouted Jonny, grinning.

'How could I possibly forget? You've been counting down for the past month and our house looks like Santa's grotto' for the first time in her life, the Consultant had decorated her very own Christmas tree. Jonny of course had gone to the extent of hanging lights outside; Jac had drawn the line at a blow up Father Christmas on the roof. Admittedly the warm homely feeling was something she had never experienced before, and surprisingly she loved every second of it.

'Hey, come on! It's the best day of the year' started Jonny before reaching over to his cabinet drawer and pulling out a small box 'Look, I got you this' he handed the box over to his wife and ushered her to open it.

'I thought we weren't doing big presents Jonny' she complained, a glint in her eye

'I know, I know. But it's our first Christmas together and our last before the baby arrives. If I can't spoil my wife, then what's the point in life!? Go on open it'

Jac flipped the small lid open on its hinges. Inside sat a beautiful but simple gold ring. She lifted it out delicately and inspected it, taken about by the thought that had been put into creating it. Just like the carriage clock he had given to her on the eve of their wedding Jonny had had the inside engraved with 'Jac. All my love, Jonny.' The carriage clock on the other hand said 'To My Darling Wife. All my love on Our Wedding Day. Jonny'

'It's-It's beautiful. It's absolutely gorgeous'

'I'm glad you like it' he chuckled, taking the ring off her and sliding it onto her finger along with her engagement and wedding ring. 'I thought it important to mark our first Christmas with something special' He leant forward and planted a kiss on his wife's lips, smoothing down her hair with him hand and looking her in the eyes.

'Merry Christmas Jonny' she whispered smiling 'So I suppose I better put you out of your misery and tell you what I've bought you'

'Ah no Jac, I don't need any presents. Having you all I need-all I want!'

'Don't be daft! Now, you can only have a part of it today and then you can collect the other part tomorrow' she explained. Jonny looked at her confused, trying to work out what it was. The woman placed a set of keys in his hand and he stared at them.

'What's this for?' the key, clearly marked with the BMW logo, made no sense. Attached to it was a silver key ring with 'Jonathon Maconie' engraved on it.

'Well, I thought it was time you got rid of that heap of junk out there so I've bought you a new car.' Jac handed him the neat brochure with the specification outlined in the front cover. Jonny flicked through it, trying to take it all in.

Valencia Orange BMW 125d M Sport E-door Sports Hatch
18" M Star-spoke style 386M alloy wheels
Coral Red Dakota leather upholstery with Black highlight
Matt oxide silver interior
Fine line Read interior trim finisher
M Sport Package
M Sport suspension
M Steering wheel
Sport seats, front
Armrest, front with sliding adjustment
Driver comfort package
Servotronic Steering
Park Distance Control, front and rear
Cruise control with brake function
Seat heating, front
Sport automatic transmission

'You bought this, for me?' he questioned, stunned

'You deserve it. Let's face it; you've put up with me for long enough. And I refuse to let you drive our daughter around in that death trap of a car, or me for that matter'

'I don't know what to say... Thank you so much' for the first time in years he was speechless. Completely shocked by his Wife's generosity and the effort she had gone to.

For anybody else, one partner would have had to consult the other before buying such an expensive piece of equipment. Some a loan would have been needed but for Jac it was just a dip in the ocean; a small reflection of their joint wealth. There was no denying that for a very long time it had just been Jac. She'd lived in a minimalistic flat without a mortgage and barely spent any unnecessary money. Now she was glad of a family to share it with; to enjoy it with. To see her husband's face light up was enough to tell her it was worth it. They had steady and, in Jac's case, substantial wages coming in. How the other half live, eh?

Jac lay on the sofa, gently stroking her bump and smiling. Jonny was the other side of the wall chopping vegetables and momentarily checking on the turkey cooking in the oven.

'Well I wish it could be Christmas everyday!' he sang, along with the radio 'When the kids start singing and band begins to play, Oh I wish it could be Christmas every day, so let the bells ring out for Christmas'

His reindeer socks were appropriate for the occasion, as well as his red Christmas jumper which he had teamed with a checker shirt and jeans. He slid across their tiled kitchen floor from one unit to another, busying himself with food preparation. His wife on the other hand had refused to wear such a bright jumper and had instead stuck with his usual casual attire; jeans with an elasticised waist to accommodate her bump, a maternity t-shirt and long blue cardigan. She had though, worn the snowmen socks bought especially for her by Maconie.

'It was Christmas Eve babe, In the drunk Tank, An old man said to me, we won't see another one, And then he sang a son, A rare old mountain dew...' sang the male in his Scottish accent, getting the song down to a tee. Jac lay on the sofa smiling to herself. So this is what a proper Christmas was? A Christmas tree, presents and the people you love...

As the doorbell rang Jac jolted out of her daydreaming.

'Jac, can you get the door sweetheart!' shouted Jonny

'Yeah-yeah' she eased herself off the sofa and walked to the front door, her cardigan hanging around her prominent baby bulge. As she pulled down the handle and opened the door an overly jolly Sasha shouted 'MERRY CHRISTMAS!' with an excited Daniel joining in with his father.

'Ah, it's you. Come in-come in' she greeted, moving out of the way to let the pair and Chrissie in. 'Jonny's just in the kitchen cooking the food.' As both adult's entered they kissed the female on the cheeks. Chrissie and Jac had agreed months beforehand to get along for the sake of their partners. Daniel ran past them all and into the living room, clutching what appeared to be a bag of toys. He was well accustomed to the layout of the house after several sleepovers in the Maconie household.

'Merry Christmas you three!' greeted Jonny as he joined them in the hall way, a towel slung over his shoulder

'Merry Christmas mate!' replied Sasha who shook his hand whilst Chrissie planted a kiss on his cheek. It was clear that the male's were the most excited about the Christmas festivities.

'You go on through to the living room with Jac and I'll bring the drinks through in a sec. Mulled wine okay?' the Scot asked

'Sure' replied the older woman

'Sounds good to me buddy' grinned the oversized Doctor as he followed Jac into the sitting room. He then went and plonked himself on the spare sofa, pulling his wife down next to him. The red haired female went and took up her position on the corner sofa, leaving space for Jonny to join them.

'So what we all had for Christmas then?' questioned Jonny, aiming it mainly at little Daniel 'What did Father Christmas bring you Daniel?'

'I got...I got a new bear that talks!'

'What'cha gonna call him?'

'Daddy said Rufus...does he look like a Rufus to you?'

'Yeah-yeah, I think he does!'

'I think Rufus suits him'added Jac smiling, holding her glass of diet coke

'See, didn't I tell you!...Chrissie insisted on Monty, or rather Montgomery'

'No-no, I just thought it was more suitable'

'He's called Rufus!' screeched young Daniel

'Well that's that then' joked Sacha tickling his Wife playfully

'So what did Sacha buy you then Chrissie?' inquired the nurse sipping his mulled wine

'Oh nothing big. We're off on holiday in January for ten days'

'Hmm, if only somebody had thought of that for us' remarked the consultant sarcastically, nudging Jonny in the ribs. For a split second her husband thought of a valid point, but decided against it. Pointing out she was heavily pregnant wouldn't go down well.

'Instead he bought me a very nice ring, for a male's taste anyhow!'

'And she bought me a new car which I pick up tomorrow'

'Anything nice?' nudged Sacha desperate to know more

'You bet!...Come in the kitchen and I'll show you the brochure' he signalled as he exited the room to check on the food

As the darkness swamped the outdoors Jac and Jonny stood beside each other in the kitchen; one washing and the other drying. The radio had been switched the docking station for a steady stream of Christmas songs.

'So what did you think of your first proper Christmas?'

'I'll admit it was a lot more enjoyable than I ever thought it would be!'

'Is my Wife starting to fall in love with Christmas?' the male joked as he bumped hips with Jac 'And whilst you're in a good mood- I agreed we'd look after Daniel for Sacha and Chrissie next weekend'

'You did what?'

'Sacha's booked a weekend away for the two of them. I could hardly say no, could I?'

'Jonny! It's Christmas, he's a hyperactive little kid and I'm heavily pregnant!' the Consultant pointed out, looking her husband directly in the eyes

'Yes-yes I know. Come on, he'll be no trouble' he argued, a smile sweeping his face and the usual glint in his eye. The curly haired male grabbed Jac gently and pulled her into the middle of the floor.

'I don't want a lot for Christmas, There is just one thing I need, I don't care about the presents, Underneath the Christmas tree...' sang Mariah Carey through the speakers. Jac faces broke out into a huge beam, her cheeks flushing slightly as she gripped Jonny's waist and he held her close. They stood in the moment dancing lightly together.

'I just want you for my own, More than you could ever know, Make my wish come true, All I want for Christmas is you' sang Jonny before passionately kissing the pregnant woman as the music continued blaring out.