Chapter 20

On Christmas day morning, Anna woke up in a position she had grown quite comfortable with in the past few days.

She lay on her side, curled into Tom, one of her hands resting on his bare chest, whilst one of his arms wrapped around her.

She lifted her head from the pillow, and propped herself up on one elbow, gazing at Tom's face.

She lifted her index finger and traced her boyfriend's features .. his cheeks, down his nose, across his lips, across his jaw.

He smiled in his sleep, and then spoke, eyes still closed.

' That tickles,' he said.

' Merry Christmas, honey,' Anna said.

At her words, Tom sat up slowly, ' Merry Christmas,' he said, kissing her slowly and passionately.

When they broke apart, her hands were still upon his cheeks,' What that my present? ' she beamed.

' Maybe,' he replied with a shrug.

A moment later, their bedroom door flew open, and both Mika and Chlo, who had bedroom next to each other, entered, chorusing 'Merry Christmas. '

Both girls hugged and kissed their stepdad, but with Anna they were a little unsure of how to act .. sure, they really liked her, but what was appropriate? Anna took matters into her own hands, hugging both of the girls tightly.

' Can we go downstairs and open our presents? ' Chlo asked eagerly.

Tom shook his head,' Brett's not up yet. And you can't open the ones from he, Mika, me and Anna, Donte and his dad until Donte and his dad get here ... that was the arrangement, wasn't it? All opening our presents from each other together. '

' What makes you so sure you've been bought anything anyway? ' Anna teased,' Santa Claus might think you don't deserve it. You'll just have a sack of coal. '

At 11AM, the doorbell rang, and Tom welcomes his step-son-in-law into the house, along with Donte's father, Clarence Charles.

In a short space of time, everyone was sat in the Clarkson's living room - well, Clarkson, Grangers and Aspinalls living room, at least.

Donte and his dad sat on one of the sofa's, with Chlo on the arm. Brett and Mika sat on the floor, whilst Tom sat on another sofa. Anna sat on the floor in front of Tom, her back to him, leaning against his legs. His hands rested on her shoulder, rubbing them slowly.

' Right then,' Charles said, ' I'll go first, shall I? ' He took a square package from the carrier bag he had brought with him, and held it out. ' This one, for the beautiful young lady over here. '

He handed it to Anna, who giggled at being called young and beautiful. Tom's hands tightened on his girlfriend - he was very protective, and a bit possessive.

Anna tore away the wrapping paper to reveal a box which contained a large bottle of wine.

She laughed and waved it in front of Tom, ' That's us set for a while. '

More presents were opened, and more smiles and thanks were exchanged. Charles, Tom and Anna recieved various random gifts from the teenagers, as well as ifts from each other. Chlo recieved a laptop, and Mika a designer handbag.

Anna looked over at her son, ' Right, time for yours,' she said ... she pointed over to a rather small box that sat under the christmas tree.

Brett took the box and opened it carefully - what he pulled out was something he really wasn't expecting. and was really rather bemused at.

' A key,' he said blankly,' I - well - thanks a lot, mum.'

Anna laughed,' It's not just a random key, you moron,' she told him with a roll of her eyes,' it's the key to your actual present. '

When Brett raised his eyebrows in question, Tom stood up, hauling Anna to her feet too.

' Come on,' he said,' in the garage. '

The three of them made ther way out of the house to have a look at whatever was in the garage - though of course Anna and Tom knew. Charles, Donte and the girls followed curiously - all had ideas about what this would be, but it was the pure excitement that made it worth coming out into the cold for.

Out on the street, sat Tom's dark blue sleek car, with a noticable absence from Anna's silver flash car. Tom unlocked the garage and pulled up the roof, revealing the fact that the garage was occupied by a brand new black car.

' Ta-dah! ' Anna announced gleefully.

Brett's eyes widened as he looked at his mother,' No way! You bought me a car? '

She nodded.

He raised his eyebrows,' How did you pay for a car? And how did you get it here without me noticing it? '

His mother informed him, ' Tom and I went the other day to buy it, when you and Donte went out doing your christmas shopping for the girls. And I sold my car. It seemed a bit stupid to have a car and drive it to work everyday, when Tom's got a perfectly good car, and we're both going to the same place. It was like having two houses when we'd all fit into one. And you didn't notice because you assumed mine was in the garage. '

Anna smiled as he hugged her.

When he released her, she told him, ' You've Tom to thank for this, you know. I wanted to buy you something special and he suggested a car. Then he picked one out - they're all the same to me. And he helped me pay for it too. '

Brett turned to his mum's boyfriend - the two got on well enough, but there was no ground between them which made it easy to bond - wheras Anna could get along with Mika and Chlo since they could have a laugh and go out shopping.

However, this could be the start of their bond.

' Thanks a lot,' Brett said, nodding at Tom.

Tom shrugged, ' It was about time you got a car of your own. I konw Roger gave you driving lessons, and you'll be able to take a few more and get your license. Then you and the girls can go in your own car. You'll be able to stop for Donte too - there's no room in my car, and Chlo's always complaining. Besides, you lot are cramping mine and Anna's style. '

Brett scoffed.

Tom grinned cheekily, and Brett went to shake his hand, before deciding against it, and giving the elder man a 'manly' sort of hug.

' Right then,' Charles said,' let's get back inside and stick the t.v on, and crack open a box of Quality Street. '

Donte frowned, ' Isn't there a present missing here? One to Miss Aspinall -'

' Anna,' Anna corrected.

' Right, yeah. To Anna from Tom? '

Tom grinned and shook his head,' Nah, I couldn't forget about my sweetheart. Just saving the best until last. ' And he rooted around on a shelf in the garage, and then grabbed hold of something.

' What the hell? ' asked Anna, in suprise,' you kept my present in the garage. '

Tom shrugged,' What can I say? I knew you'd go sneaking around looking for it, so I hid it where I know you won't go. '

Anna glared,' I would not to sneaking around! '

Her boyfriend smirked,' Don't make me laugh. '

He placed a hand in the small of her back, and pushed her out of the way of the garage, so he could pull the door shut. He then turned to her, as Charles and the four teenagers looked on.

' Can we get on with this? ' Charles asked,' I'm freezing my knackers off over here.'

Chlo laughed,' No chance. They'll just do as they please - they always do. '

Tom had the look of an excited child as he handed his beloved a present wrapped in red paper - badly wrapped too, which meant he had wrapped it himself. She smiled - now that was real commitment.

She slowly opened it, her breath catching in her throat, as she held a long thin box in her hands.

Looking into Tom's deep brown eyes, so deep you could drown in the, and so soulful they reflected his very heart, Anna smiled at the hope in his eyes.

She opened the box to see a most spectacular piece of jewellery.

She observed it with the greatest interest, taking in every little detail. Her present from him was a sparkling gold chain, on the end of which hung a small heart shaped locket. The heart had an amazing diamond in the centre.

Anna gasped, and looked up at Tom in great suprise, ' Oh honey - this is absolutely gorgeous. I - I - '

She broke off, struggling to find the words to convey her feeling.

Tom smiled softly, ' May I? ' he asked gesturing towards the necklace.

He then took it from her, opened the locket up, and showed her a tiny photograph of the two of them - it had been taken on the night of the christmas ball, and both looked exceedingly happy. He then closed it and turned it over. There, engraved on the back in fancy italic writing, were the letters A & T .

Anna smiled serenly, as Tom fastened the clasp of the locket around her neck.

When he was dine, she turned around to face him, and he brushed her hair away from her neck.

' There,' he said,' perfect. '

' Oh Tom,' she breathed, ' I love it. I love you. '

' I should bloody well hope so,' Tom smirked, before captured her lips and claiming them as his own.

As the couple kissed, it became clear to the others that they were not going to stop so soon.

Charles sighed,' Oh damn it, I'm off inside, it's cold. '

Brett shrugged,' Let's leave 'em to it. '

The others went inside, at which point Tom seperated his lips from hers, his fingers travelling up and down her arms.

' Got rid of them,' he said slyly.

Anna wasted no time in engaging him in a second kiss.