I DON'T OWE EMMERDALE OR THE CHARACTERS BLAR BLAR BLAR...IT'S ALL THE PROPERTY OF ITV.

XXX

3 weeks later.

Donna Windsor dropped April off at Marlon and Laurels. They entered the living room and April ran up the stairs, Marlon didn't look happy as he watched his daughter disappear up there with her new singing Santa toy.

"Oh yeah...I see where you and Ross have taken her today...I thought me and Laurel was taking her to the Christmas fair?"

"Oh, come on Marlon I didn't know I had to ask your permission to take her...we were just driving by and she wanted to go...what did you want me to say, no?"

Marlon shook his head. She did right, it was just the thought of Ross with them having fun with his daughter.

"I'll pick her up tomorrow...BYE APRIL...and, we are gonna have to sort out Christmas day at some point, so get your thinking cap on"

Laurel came in from the kitchen, You are going to have to get used to them being together you know...anyway, as much as we can't stand Ross, at least because of HIM April stays in the village so it can't all be bad can it?"

Marlon shrugged, "I just don't trust him... he apparently promised her and Bob that he would look after her and the baby...but what good have been HIS promises been in the past?"

"Maybe he's changed...maybe now he knows he's going to be a new dad he's grown up...it happens...", suggested Laurel.

Marlon sat down and looked at her, "She said we need to think about Christmas day"

"She's right"

"Well, I'm telling you something for nothing...I'm NOT spending my Christmas staring at HIM across the turkey...just not gonna happen..."

XXX

Outside, Donna hurried into the village, it was so cold and frosty. Ross was waiting for her at the gate to Andy's place. He nodded into the direction of tall trees.

"I bet my biggest fan wasn't a happy bunny, was he?", he said.

"Just take no notice, you know it's going to take time for them to get used to us being together"

"I won't hold my breath"

They went inside, Donna turned and put her arms around his neck, he could feel their growing baby's bump on his stomach .

"Thanks for today, April really enjoyed herself...", smiled Donna.

"I can be good when I want to be", Ross replied with his teasing smile back.

"Just as long it's not ALL the time"

Donna liked to tease him back and he responded with a kiss. They stood staring at one another.

"Thanks for giving me a chance...I know you took a lot of risks when you outed us...you're the best thing to happen to me"

"Blimey, YOU HAVE gone all soft me...I'm not sure I like that", Donna chuckled.

"I won't make it a habit then"

"But you're right...I have risked a lot to be with you...just don't let me down...", she rubbed her growing bump over her hoodie top,"...don't let us both down"

He placed his hand over hers,"no chance"

He kissed her again then went to fetch a beer out of the fridge. Donna sighed and sat down to update her emails on her phone. It rang almost immediately.

She put the phone to her ear.

"Kelly? Hi...sorry about not meeting you in London, but so much has happened...you what? Oh no...where are you now? Look stop crying...course you can stay with me..you're my sister why would you be a problem? Get yourself a taxi and you and Elliot can stop over with me"

Ross came in and leaned on the door frame, he clutched his beer can and wiped his mouth with his hand.

"Who were that?", he pried.

"Kelly...my half sister...she's in some bother so I said she can come and stop over with me"

"Oh great..", Ross sounded like that was a bit of a problem.

Donna stood up and laid her hands onto his shoulders.

"She said it will just be for a couple of days...what harm can it do...", she reassured him.

"Well if she's as good-looking as you then what harm can it", relaxed Ross wanting to sound on the cheeky side as well.

Donna loved his cheekiness and laughed as she went upstairs, she wanted to soak in a hot bath. Ross went outside and chucked the bins out. Debbie was doing the same and their eyes met.

"Alright Debbie"

"So you really are doing this then...being all domestic and playing the family man"

Ross folded his arms, "Yeah, I can go straight if I want to you know...and you know all them dodgy motors I clocked for ya the other week...that's the last of them, I can't afford to do that anymore"

Debbie pulled a face, "You what? You're joking aren't ya... We were making a packet selling them on!"

Ross didn't care, "Well I've got other responsibilities now...so you are gonna have to find some other mug to do it., won't ya..errrr, good luck with that"

Debbie laughed at him, "Oh I've been thinking about that already Ross...Your replacement is all lined up"

Ross frowned at her, "What do you mean..."

"You sacked Ross...I've just taken on Aaron...I need somebody i can trust and seeing that your minds turning into mush, then it looks like you're out of a job, doesn't it"

Ross was angry, "You what! You can't sack me! I'm a bloody good Mechanic me!"

Debbie shrugged as she turned on her heel, "That's debatable..."

Ross shook his head, "I know WHY you are doing this...it's because I chose Donna over you..."

"Think what you like Ross...not my problemo...I think you better get yourself down the job centre don't you...you've got a new baby on the way and no job. and no money coming in, oh, and it's nearly Christmas as well...not a very good start, is it..."

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