So a little later than anticipated, silly real life, however still vaguely seasonally appropriate.

As ever reviews are lovely to read thank you, Callie and Megan.

And I hope you enjoy a sort of Christmassy update.

"And you're sure the lights on the tree are safe?" Sam asked for the fourth time that morning, it was Christmas Eve, Laura's first Christmas. The day itself fell exactly eleven weeks from their daughter's birth. Tom sighed dramatically, on his way back from the kitchen, before falling down onto the sofa which currently occupied Sam and Laura.

Tom took Laura from Sam's arms, and allowed the baby to rest on her stomach against his chest – enjoying the rare morning where he'd been able to witness more than his tiny daughter's breakfast. "Yes," he replied calmly, "I mean it can't be any worse than when you had the cat." Sam glared in a more playful way than anything else however Tom took no notice and continued, "I mean it's not like she's crawling or anything."

"Right." Sam stated, in either agreement or as an indicator that she'd been reassured, and Tom struggled not to laugh. Sam seemed to think for a moment, and watched as Tom lifted himself slightly in order to kiss the top of Laura's head. "Will you both be ok for a bit?"

Tom looked at Sam in confusion before nodding his head, unsure why she'd think otherwise, however he did not allow himself to dwell on it. Tom simply manoeuvred himself and Laura into lying position across the sofa when Sam stood up and headed towards the kitchen. Sam returned only seconds later armed with scissors and sellotape and it became perfectly clearly what she was heading to do.

An odd noise woke Tom from his slumber some half hour later, and he glanced around quickly noting that Sam was still not present in the room. A quick tilt of his head downwards ensured Tom that Laura was asleep, still rested across his front. Carefully he placed a gentle grip on Laura's back and raised himself into seated position on the sofa, eventually locating the source of the noise as Sam's phone which had almost slipped completely down the side of the sofa. Lifting the device up the name written across the screen caught Tom's eye – Jessica, Sam's sister – without really thinking Tom opened the message to read the contents before frowning slightly.

Tom placed Sam's mobile down on the arm of the sofa, and repositioned Laura so that it was easier to stand without wakening her. He was at the door of the living room when Sam appeared in front of him. "I know you said," she began in tone which made Tom fearful for his bank balance. He looked at Sam expectantly, encouraging her to continue. "That she's too small to understand and that she'll prefer the wrapping paper but are you sure that it's okay that all she has wrapped up are cuddly toys and her bath seat?" Sam chewed down on her lower lip nervously, as though she felt she'd done something wrong."

"Sam!" Tom spoke in warning and Sam automatically glanced up and nodded her softly slightly.

"Ok, ok," the words were almost muttered under Sam's breath and she reached up to take Laura from Tom's arms, the baby stirred when she rested against Sam's chest instead of her daddy's and opened her eyes.

"Just us in the morning?" Tom asked out of the blue as he began walking back towards the sofa; Sam looked up at him in confusion and very quickly sunk down onto the sofa and he followed suit, lifting her mobile yet again and toyed with it, trying to work out whether to give it to her.

"Yes, just us." Sam confirmed quickly.

Tom handed the phone over and very quickly explained his question. "So why did Jess text saying she'd only be ten minutes?" Sam glanced between Tom and her phone, which she now held in her hand, before dropping it and raising her hand to touch Tom's cheek softly in some attempt at reassuring him.

"She's just popping in," Sam replied gently, watching as Tom raised his eyebrows, before shaking her head and continuing. "On her way to mum and dad's, I promise." She concluded, stretching a little in order to brush her lips against Tom's gently and trailing her fingers through his hair causing it to stand on end.

"Right." Tom stated, seemingly satisfied with the answer. "And we're still planning on showing her off, in her new dress, to both sets of grandparents then coming home for dinner tomorrow?" Sam rolled her eyes before nodding her head, feeling that she'd confirmed their Christmas Day plans more times than she could count on both hands in the past day.

Tom seemed like he was about to saying something however the doorbell rung and Sam took the opportunity to escape whatever carefully laid plans Tom was intending on enforcing. "That'll be Jessica." Sam stated unnecessarily as she headed to the door, taking Laura with her.

Tom remained on the sofa, almost having to look twice when Jessica – whom he had only seen in pictures – appeared in the room, cradling Laura in her arms, she was almost the image of her sister with the exception of her hair being slightly darker and her skin more tanned. He watched as she declined a cup of coffee saying that she wouldn't be staying long enough for it cool down.

Sam hadn't been wrong, not that he had doubted her; but when Laura who been snuggled up began shaking her head from side and side, and trying to cuddle closer to Jessica's chest obviously hungry she was handed back to her mother. Sam had stood when Jessica indicated that she was leaving to see her out, and Tom heard Laura wail miserably upon realise that she was not going to fed at once.

Sam returned, and also previous self-consciousness and discomfort she'd felt about Tom's presence when feeding Laura had long since vanished and she curled herself under his arm allowing him room to press gentle kisses to forehead, smiling contently.

As ever thank you for reading -

Ax