Max gently plodded through the halls of Leopards Den slowly. He'd been down to the township and on his trips he'd spotted a new stall and naturally nosey, gone to investigate. He'd found it to be an arty kinda shop, where they personalised things. He had bought Rosie something and could not wait to give it to her. She wasn't down in the animal hospital, it had been the first place he'd tried but had only found a loved up Danny and Alice teasing one another. He smiled; those two were adorable!
He found Rosie lounging in the living room, watching a Christmas movie as she nibbled on a fruit salad. He grinned and snuck up behind her, quickly wrapping his arms around her. She jumped and squealed slightly.
"MAX!" Rosie exclaimed as she sat up, allowing him to sit down, before leaning back onto him.
"Rosie." Max beamed, kissing her gently. His South African accent caught on the R causing Rosie to melt into him. "I went to the township you know..."
"I know." Rosie murmured, closing her eyes...
"And..." He beamed, waiting for her eyes to re-open, "I bought you a little present..." He smiled huskily, pulling it from behind him and giving her a little white bag. He laughed as he saw Rosie's excited face.
She quickly took it out of the paper bag and gasped as she saw the contents. It was a red bauble for the tree, but a special bauble. It was personalised with their names on and said "5TH CHRISTMAS TOGETHER". Rosie was totally in love and quickly jumped up, grabbing his hand and pulling him up also.
"I love you so much!" Rosie beamed, kissing him deeply, "Come on let's put it on the tree!" She giggled excitedly pulling him to the tree. Max laughed and followed her, "Where shall we put it?"
"You choose." Max whispered in her ear as he wrapped his arms around her waist, his chest to her back. She grinned and gently placed it on a bare patch on the tree. It was very obvious amongst the other baubles that surrounded it. It twinkled as the sun caught it ever so slightly.
"Merry Christmas Max." Rosie murmured turning in his arms to face him.
"Merry Christmas." He replied before kissing her... life was good.
(x)
Alice smirked with a twinkle in her eye, as she walked away from Danny, she gave him her typical naughty smile before winking and walking out, leaving a very flushed Danny behind. She knew she shouldn't tease him, it wasn't fair, but hey, life wasn't fair and it was fun! She shook her head; she was merciless!
Alice was wandering up to the house when Liv called her, Alice turned and smiled at her step-daughter.
"Hey Liv." Alice smiled, continuing walking,
"Hey..." Liv replied, "Alice... can I talk to you?"
"Sure, what about?" Alice asked, one hand rubbing her bump.
"The future... I just..." Liv sighed, "I don't know what to do, I was wondering if we could talk about it?"
"Sure... well Liv, what do you truly want from life?" Alice asked, "Some people want money, some want to do something they love, some want to make a difference, others seek love, a family, security."
"Security, love, a family..." Liv admitted, "As for a job... I don't know anymore. I want to stay around here, work here... but it's just... I want to do something useful, skilled."
"Ok... well, think, what can you do for this place?" Alice asked her, "What skills do you have which you could transform into something useful yet transferrable?"
Liv thought for a moment, she was good at business but wouldn't do that as a career... she liked doing people's hair and make-up... she could do that... she liked doing stuff like that but... what if she could extend it? Make this place a relaxation clinic too! She knew about the animals too and could use her business skills too! She grinned.
"I've got it." Liv beamed, "Relaxation through beauty therapies, hair and make-up too!"
Alice nodded with a smile, "Off you go, get researching and draw up a plan... Then come back, we'll discuss matters of the heart later." Alice smiled.
Liv grinned and gave Alice a quick hug before rushing off, Rosie had been right! Alice was so good at all this!
(x)
Night soon came and Danny and Alice, Rosie and Max and Liv and Thabo were all sat in the front room. All three couples were huddled together in one way or another. Danny had Alice wrapped up in his arms, her head on his chest. Rosie was led across the sofa (and Max who was sat up!), and Liv was on the floor in front of Thabo who was sat on the chair, leaning into his legs.
They were all sat watching Michael Buble on the TV, his Home for Christmas special. All the girls had insisted and even Caroline had come to join them, handing out drinks before sitting down with Dup and Charlotte who were in tow. Alice, Liv and Rosie were all drooling just listening to him talk.
"I would." Liv sighed dreamily,
"So would I..." Rosie replied...
"And me too..." Alice breathed, "He's soooooooo hot."
"HEY!" All the men chorused together in annoyance as the girls giggled, Caroline for once kept quiet simply staring at the TV as Dup grunted and Charlotte glanced around innocently.
"Dawn French!" Liv clapped her hands together, "Used to love Vicar of Dibley!"
"Monarch of the Glen is where it is at!" Alice argued.
"That's only cos it's Scottish and you look like Sexy Lexie!" Rosie said with a tilted head,
"Well, I am sexy Alice!" Alice beamed,
"Damn right you are..." Danny whispered in her ear causing her to blush.
"He's going to sing for her!" Liv breathed, "Oh my god... I'm well jealous!"
At the display Dawn put on everyone began to laugh, Alice was in hysterics with Danny and Liv and Rosie were also giggling away.
"Understandable." Alice announced...
"Let's join her..." Rosie suggested as all three women untangled themselves from their better halfs and led back where they were, eyes closed. "Ohh..."
"Aaaah." Liv joked...
"Yes, yes..." Alice mocked.
Caroline glanced at them uncomfortably as all three men gulped, keeping their eyes fixed on the screen... Caroline however could not take anymore of it.
"Right enough! Please stop!" She exclaimed elegantly as Rosie, Alice and Liv took it too far for her liking, "Let's not be rude."
All three sat up moodily, exchanging grumpy glances. Caroline was such a spoilt sport! Danny shook his head at Alice, kissing the side of her head gently. For a while they were all busy staring at the screen admiring Michael until Gary Barlow came on...
"Too much... too much..." Alice exclaimed, "Hot flushes..."
"Hot flushes is that it?" Rosie sighed, "It's so much male love..."
"And there's still Gino to come..." Liv reminded them... all three set off into their dream worlds again... something the men had gotten used to. They played second kilt to these guys! Only, Dup, the most unlikely to remain above the likes of the international superstars seemed to do so!
The night wore on and as it did, a Christmas feeling consumed the house... happiness, joy and togetherness – bliss.