A/N: Christmas chapter!
Chapter 27
"Mama. Mama. Mama."
Jessica groaned as her daughter pushed on her arm repeatedly, "Charlie."
"It's morning!" Charlotte exclaimed, "Wake up! Presents!"
"What time is it?" Jessica grumbled, eyes closed.
"You always tell me to get up early, now you're the one sleeping!" Charlotte shook her mom again.
"What's the time, Charlie?" Jessica yawned, opening her eyes to see the clock, "Oh! It's barely 3.30! Charlie!"
Charlotte bit her lip, "What? I'm excited."
Jessica rolled her eyes, "Honey, come here," she pulled her daughter by the waist down onto the bed, "Try and get some more sleep, please."
"But it's Christmas!" Charlotte sat up again, "I'm going to wake up Ali!"
Jessica sat up and grabbed her daughter, "No, no, honey. Not yet, Charlie," she pulled the other woman beside her, "Just lay with me a while, okay?"
Charlotte sighed and nodded, "I'm excited, mama. I love Christmas."
"I know," Jessica chuckled, "But we have to wait until Mary gets here at 7 anyway, remember?"
Charlotte grumbled, "That's too far away. Maybe I can call her! See if she's awake and – "
Jessica placed a hand on Charlotte's face, "Sweetie, it's 3.30 in the morning, she's not going to be awake. Let's give everyone a couple of hours before you wake them, alright?"
Charlotte put her hand over her face dramatically, "A couple of hours! Argh!"
Jessica smiled, "Shh, Christmas isn't going anywhere, I promise," she kissed Charlotte's nose, "You know what I want for Christmas?"
Charlotte tilted her head, "I think so, I got you lots and – "
Jessica rubbed a thumb under Charlotte's eye, "Right now, what I want for Christmas is to lay with my beautiful girl in my arms."
Charlotte bit her lip again and snuggled into Jessica's chest, feeling her mom's arms encircle her, "Okay, for a little while," she closed her eyes, "But I don't think I can sleep. I'm too excited."
Jessica giggled, "That's okay, I'll stay awake with you, pretty girl."
"Ali! Alison. Ali. Ali."
Alison kept her eyes closed, mumbling, "Shush, Charlie. Too early."
"It's not – it's late. It's Christmas!" Charlotte exclaimed.
"Your voice is so loud," she groaned, "Isn't it meant to be the little sister waking the big sister up?"
"Well, I waited," Charlotte shrugged, "But you didn't come. So I came and woke you up instead!"
Alison finally opened her eyes and spotted the clock, "It's 5.30! Ughhh, I thought we said 7!"
"7! You may as well wait until tomorrow. Come on, Ali!"
Alison rolled her eyes, "I thought we were waiting for Mary anyway. What's the point?"
Charlotte looked aghast, "What's the point?" she echoed, "The point is it's Christmas! It's presents and Christmas carols and decorations and family and cuddles!"
Alison couldn't help laughing, "You're so cute, Charlie."
Charlotte smiled sheepishly, "I love Christmas. Sue me."
Alison emerged from her room rubbing her eyes. She walked into the kitchen to see her mum sipping on a coffee with one hand while making another one with the other.
"You couldn't have kept her occupied until 7?" she asked sleepily.
Jessica fixed her with a look, "You got it easy," she informed her youngest daughter, "She woke me up at 3.30."
Alison laughed, "Seriously? Okay, okay 5.30 is just fine. Merry Christmas, mom," she hugged her mom.
"Merry Christmas, darling," Jessica returned the embrace, "You know part of the reason she's so excited, don't you?"
"She's got her family this year," Alison said quietly, "I know."
"Where is she anyway?" Jessica asked, looking around.
"Bathroom, I think," Alison shrugged.
Jessica nodded, "Okay, I'm just going to check something."
"Hello?" Mary answered the phone sleepily.
"Merry Christmas, mom!"
Mary smiled lazily, "Merry Christmas, Charlie. Is it 7 already, am I late?"
"Yep, you should come now," Charlotte said enthusiastically.
"Oh, I'm – "
That was when Jessica snatched the phone from Charlotte's hand. Charlotte bit her lip guiltily.
"Mary?"
"Oh, Jessica," Mary sounded surprised, "I'm so sorry, I swear I set my alarm and – "
Jessica rolled her eyes at her daughter, speaking into the phone, "Mary, look at the clock. It's not 7, she's just… excited."
Mary picked up her mobile phone and looked at it; 5.50, "Oh! It's not even 6!"
"I'm sorry, Mary. You don't – "
Mary chuckled, "It's fine, I'll just get dressed and come over."
"Okay, see you soon."
Charlotte smiled sheepishly as her mom hung up. Jessica shook her head, a smile on her face.
"You are very cheeky, Charlie," Jessica tried to scold her daughter but couldn't help smiling.
"I couldn't help it, I'm excited. Is she coming? Is she coming now?" Charlotte asked, eyes wide and shining.
"Yes, she is," Jessica poked her, "And you can tell her sorry for tricking her."
Charlotte grinned, "Okay! Yay. Christmas. Can I have a candy cane?"
Jessica rolled her eyes, "For breakfast, really?"
"Pleaseeeee," Charlotte pouted.
Jessica gave in, kissing her on the forehead, "Fine, because it's Christmas. But only one," she ordered, "you really don't need any more sugar!"
"Merry Christmas, Charlotte," Mary hugged her daughter.
"Merry Christmas!" Charlotte smiled, "Um, sorry I tried to trick you."
Mary chuckled, "You're forgiven," she squeezed her hand, "I'll tell you a secret?"
Charlotte nodded.
"I'm pretty excited too," Mary giggled, "I haven't had a real Christmas in… a very long time."
Jessica entered the room, "Well, now you have us. Family."
"Yes, family," Charlotte nodded, bouncing on her toes.
Jessica laughed at her daughters' impatience, "Okay, okay," she poked Charlotte in the side, "I know where your head is. Presents!"
"Presents!"
"Candy!" Charlotte tore the paper off a present from Alison, "Thanks, Ali! Mm, so much candy!"
Alison laughed, "Of course. Thought you'd like it."
Jessica sighed, "Did you have to buy her so much?" she snatched the massive bag from Charlotte, "No more just now! You have already had enough candy canes. Don't think I didn't see you sneak that third one."
Charlotte pretended to pout, "You're such a mom sometimes."
"Is that meant to be an insult?" Jessica shot back.
Charlotte shrugged, "Guess that means you don't want kisses later."
Jessica pulled her closer, tickling her gently, "I can be both," she whispered, kissing her cheek.
"Gross," Alison rolled her eyes, "Your turn, Mary!"
"Oh, I don't expect – "
Charlotte handed her a present, "Merry Christmas, mommy," she whispered, giving her a tight hug.
Mary smiled as she returned the hug, "Thank you," she unwrapped the present curiously to reveal a framed photo of her and Charlotte, "Oh! This is just… perfect," she hugged Charlotte again, "Thank you so much, Charlie. I'll put it on my bed side table."
Charlotte beamed and passed her another present.
"Another one?" Mary smiled, happily accepting her first Christmas gifts for many years, "Oh, I like this!" she opened a black, leather jacket, "Thank you."
"Black is your favourite colour, right?" Charlotte nibbled on her lip nervously.
"Oh, yes," Mary nodded, "It's perfect. Thank you so much."
She handed a present to Charlotte. Charlotte looked at the square package curiously. She traced a finger over the wrapping paper.
"Cute paper!" she giggled, "It has teddies on it!"
Then she opened the present to see a fancy milkshake maker before her, practically making her mouth water.
"Oh, this is awesome!" she exclaimed, "Yum, yum! Now I can make all sorts of yummy milkshakes here. Yes, yes, yes! Look, it's so fancy too, not like those cheapo ones you can get. Thanks, mom!" she wrapped her arms around her mom.
"You're very welcome," Mary said, "I'm sorry I couldn't get you more. I wanted to, it's just money is…"
"It's plenty! More than plenty!" Charlotte reassured her, "It's great that you're here. That would have been enough, really."
Mary's eyes shone as she smiled, "I wouldn't be anywhere else, honey."
Jessica handed Mary a small present.
Mary took it hesitantly, "Thanks, Jess," she said quietly, opening it slowly. It was an old necklace, a silver chain with a ballerina figure hanging from it, "Oh! You still have it. I can't… it's yours… "
"Yeah but you always wanted it," Jessica smiled, "I know you did. Mom and dad gave it to the wrong sister. I want you to have it. Really."
Mary bit her lip and nodded, "Thank you."
"And this is from me and mom," Alison said, handing over a larger present.
"Oh! I feel very spoilt," Mary said, unwrapping the present to see a collage of baby photos, "Oh, my baby," she traced her fingers over the collage.
"That's me!" Charlotte quipped, "Look, I was so cute!"
"You still are," Jessica complimented.
Mary gave Alison a hug, thanking her again.
"I know it's not much, but I did get you something," Mary handed Alison a box of chocolates, "And I don't know if they're still your favourite, Jess but…" she handed her a box of hazelnut squares.
"Oh, they are!" Jessica smiled, "Thank you!"
Charlotte groaned.
Alison snorted, "Mom was right. You ate too much candy."
Charlotte threw a cushion at her, "Shut up."
"Uh-oh, candy hangover," Alison teased.
Charlotte smiled, "Maybe I just need some more!"
Alison rolled her eyes, "You really don't. Drink some water."
Charlotte accepted the bottle and took a long scull of water, "Mm, that's good."
"I'm so glad you don't drink," Alison laughed, "You would be a nightmare."
Charlotte shrugged, "Alcohol doesn't do much for a brain like mine. Whiskey tastes nice but it doesn't make me happy like candy."
"Candy is good, I guess."
"You guess!?" Charlotte's face fell into her palm, "Are you sure we're related?"
"Okay, okay," Alison laughed, "Candy is good, okay?"
"Nope," Charlotte shook her head, leaning closer to her sister, "Candy is everything."
"You can go sit with the girls, I've got these," Jessica said as she washed the dishes.
Mary shook her head, "No, please, let me help. It's the least I can do, really."
Jessica smiled and handed her a tea towel, "Have you had a nice day? Really?"
"Oh, the best," Mary smiled, "I thought perhaps I had missed out on having a fun Christmas… with a child who wants to wake you up early and make a big breakfast and be enthusiastic... I thought, now that Charlotte's an adult, it wouldn't be the same but she's…"
Jessica chuckled, "She's Charlotte. There's a part of her that's never grown up, I don't know if she ever will. But I think it's nice."
"You really seem to have this swinging between mom and girlfriend thing down," Mary noted.
Jessica bit her tongue a moment, "It's not so hard. When she's like this… I don't look at her like that at all, she's just a child. But, well, she's not like this. She can be quite adult, you know."
"Okay, okay, I'm alright with you guys but I certainly don't need the details," Mary laughed.
Jessica smiled.
"Merry Christmas, Charlie," Jessica murmured into her daughters ear.
Charlotte bit her lip, "Is it over now?"
"Hm, it doesn't have to be," Jessica moved a hand under Charlotte's singlet.
Charlotte giggled, "You do have one present left to unwrap."
Jessica's lips turned upwards, "Is that right?"
Charlotte nodded, "Definitely."
"And what might that be?" Jessica pretended to wonder.
Charlotte grinned, "Me!"
"Mm," Jessica hummed, "My favourite little present of all."
"Not so much with the little," Charlotte rolled her eyes.
Jessica tickled the younger woman's stomach gently with her fingers, "You'll always be my little angel."
Charlotte nodded, "Always," she agreed quietly.
Jessica ran a hand through Charlotte's blonde hair, "Beautiful girl. I'm so glad you had a nice day. I love seeing you so happy, honey."
Charlotte beamed, reaching up to touch her mom's cheek, "Are you happy?"
"Of course I am," Jessica said, nuzzling into the hand on her cheek, "In fact, I think it's the best Christmas I've ever had."
Charlotte grinned, "Me too! Can Christmas be like this every year, mommy?"
Jessica chuckled, "I think it can," she kissed the palm of the hand that still rest on her cheek, "Now, didn't you say I have one last present to open?"