Dennis tried all week to see Jenny, but it seemed like all the criminals of Yorkshire were against him and the more he tried to see her, the more work he seemed to get. Unwilling to let anything get in the way of what he hoped would be the first of many Christmases spent with Jenny, Dennis was staying late on Christmas Eve to finish his paperwork when the bell from the front office rang. He sighed and waited, but when it rung again he suddenly remembered he'd sent Bellamy home an hour ago. Jumping to his feet, he rushed towards the office, his footfalls slowing when he saw Jenny about to turn back towards the front door.

"You're out late for Christmas eve."

Jenny turned back to the desk and gave a smile. "I saw the light on, and I came to tell you that you're working too hard."

Dennis returned the smile and approached the front desk. "Some of us aren't lucky enough to get time off for Christmas."

"Perhaps some of us are just better planners and manage to finish our work on time."

Dennis' smile grew a little as he rested against the desk. "Have you come here to have a go at my paperwork skills, or was there something else you wanted?"

Jenny hesitated, then pulled something from her bag, resting it on the desk . "I wanted to give you your Christmas present. It only just arrived, and I don't think I could wait until tomorrow to see you open it."

"You didn't have to get me anything, Jenny."

"Yes, I did. Open it."

With a slight smile, Dennis began unwrapping the gift, but stopped when he saw what it was. "Jenny…"

"I know you've been looking for it for ages. I have an old school friend in America that I asked to keep an eye out."

Dennis pulled the record out to admire it, and a slow growing grin spread over his face. Just as he was about to thank her, the door blew open and a lady he didn't recognise burst in.

"There's someone in my house! I was just walking home from the shops, and the bedroom light is on!"

"You didn't leave it on when you went out?" Dennis asked, giving Jenny an apologetic smile.

"I think I would have remembered, sergeant! Are you going to come and find out who it is or do I have to get someone else to do it?"

Dennis stood to his full height with a sigh. Before he could speak, Jenny spoke up. "I'll see you tomorrow."

It wasn't until he'd returned to the station; having found the lady's husband had turned the light on, that Dennis realised he hadn't thanked Jenny for her gift. His hand was on the phone when he noticed the time and reluctantly put the handset back in its cradle.

…

Jenny admired herself in front of the mirror. For Christmas dinner, she'd chosen the dress she'd worn the first time she met Dennis and had seen him give her an admiring glance more than once.

The look on his face the night before had been just what she'd hoped, for her and Tricia had been plotting for months about what she should get him to show him her feelings. Now for him to show up so they could try the second half of their plan.

As if on cue, there was a knock on the front door.

…

Outside, Dennis shifted the bouquet from one arm to another nervously. He was still contemplating whether or not he should still give her the present he'd chosen weeks ago when the door was pulled open.

"Merry Christmas!" Jenny leant forward and dropped a kiss to his cheek.

"Merry Christmas." Dennis had known he'd probably struggle to keep the smile off his face today, and he knew already he'd given up trying as Jenny took his hand and led him inside.