Alice was wandering through the busy city centre streets, delving in and out of shops. She already had an armful of bags and she was at present determined to fill the other arm. She was Christmas shopping (well, part of it was for Christmas) and she had a lot to buy. She sighed, this was times when Danny came in handy, usually she didn't carry one thing as he insisted! That reminded her she had to buy her beloved husband something. She'd bought him some odd bits and bats but she hadn't a clue what to buy him as a main present. She glanced around, Piccadilly only remained interesting for so long! She fished around quickly for her Oyster card, withdrawing it quickly as she made her way down to the Tube.

It wasn't long before she'd found her way onto a train. She'd always loved the Tube; when she and Danny had been on honeymoon she'd nagged him to go on it at every opportunity. She wished Leopards Den had one! Would make shopping a doddle! She smiled to herself, resting one hand on her bump as she imagined them getting a Tube to go see an animal. In her dreams!

Eventually, after a quick change at Oxford Circus, she exited Notting Hill Gate. She smiled, her favourite part of London! She'd dragged Danny up here too. God, he'd been good on honeymoon! He didn't complain once about her dragging him all over shopping and thinking back she had kept him waiting for quite a while sometimes! Not believing his opinion all that often either! She sighed, she missed him a lot. More so now it was the festive season. They did so much together around this time of year. Presents, Wrapping, Decorating, Celebrating. She sighed as she made her way to Portobello Road. Christmas decorations were everywhere, people were all festive and full of cheer. She wished she was. She was trying for everyone but everyone needed to be selfish sometimes right?

She sighed, shaking her head before delving into the heaving markets, hoping to find something unique.

(x)

Danny was sat with Liv and Thabo talking to them, well more ranting. Skype had failed and cut out on his and Alice's conversation and it had not turned back on. He'd done nothing but moan about it which in turn had made Liv moan all day too! Now they were locked in a conversation about what was going to happen.

"Well... if Alice is coming back to have the baby here... why doesn't she just come back like straight away?" Thabo asked, "This place is... liveable in."

"Liveable in isn't always good enough Thabo." Liv sighed, "But it would be awesome to have her home for Christmas. I miss her."

"Me too." Danny replied, "I wish I'd just bought a house sometimes. Somewhere nice."

"You know Alice doesn't blame you." Liv reassured him, touching his hand, "She wanted you to get this place back."

"Ed owns half of it." Danny grumbled.

"Not for long." Thabo reminded Danny. "You can't be that far off?"

"No... we're not." Danny smiled, "I was hoping to try and sell some jewellery. I have a lot of gold about me which I don't wear all that much."

"If Dup would grow up..." Liv muttered.

"Liv..." Danny warned.

"Anyway, any ideas what to get Alice for Christmas?" Danny asked, "I know I nag you each year Liv..."

"You mean each occasion!" Liv laughed, "Come on, get your gold. We'll go shopping." She smiled before standing up and rushing into the house.

"Girls and shopping..." Danny muttered.

"It gets worse at Christmas" Thabo agreed as the men walked in together grumbling about women and their tendencies.

(x)

Alice let out a sigh of relief as she dropped the bags in her room. She'd been subject to twenty questions with the ever suspicious Georgina who had thrown in a lecture on pregnancy for good measure. She quickly hid Charlotte's away in the lockable wardrobe – she knew her daughter – before making her way back down the stairs. She saw Georgina at the bottom, hands on hips; Alice gulped, she was in trouble!

"What would Danny say about all those bags?" Georgina asked, "I'm sure he wouldn't approve of you carrying all those!"

"Georgina... I still have to do normal things despite the fact I'm pregnant. I still have a family who need presents and I need to make the most of London whilst I can!" Alice protested, she walked through to the living room as Georgina followed her. Alice smiled as she took it all in. It was so regal, elegant, posh! All her decorations were traditional and very, very expensive. Charlotte was sat watching a Christmas movie on Georgina's personal cinema (well, very large TV), she smiled as she saw her Mum, moving over slightly and allowing her mother to sit next to her.

"Hey Mum." Charlotte smiled as Alice wrapped an arm around her daughter, Charlotte leaned into her slightly.

"Hey, what's this?" Alice asked her, twiddling some of Charlotte's hair between her fingers.

"Dunno, it's about a guy who's gotta look after the woman cos she's part of a massive court case. It only just started." Charlotte shrugged, "It looks good."

"It does." Alice agreed as both fell into a comfortable silence.

Meanwhile Georgina smiled and hurried off to her study. Those two had a very special bond and she couldn't help but admire it. She began to look around for her paperwork. It was then she noticed some foreign paperwork...definitely not her own! She picked it up... flights to South Africa from Heathrow? She turned to the door. Heathrow to Cape Town information. Georgina frowned, why Cape Town? Why not Jo'burg or Tambo International?

A/N- I know this isn't very xmas'y yet but it will get more Christmassy :)

Thanks to all who are reviewing :')