Enjoy :)

Andy woke up to the sound of quiet whimpering coming from the baby monitor next to her. She looked at her bed side clock; 4:30AM… great.

Andy slowly got out of bed, feeling dead to the world. At eight months Emma had been sleeping through the night but these past few nights she's been waking up at the break of dawn… literally.

Andy looked over to Sam to see if he had stirred from the crying but he looked almost as tired as she was.

Andy walked into the nursery, as the crying grew louder, "hey baby shhh shhh, come here," Andy picked up the crying baby.

Emma settled as soon as she was in her mother's arm, "is that all you wanted? Hmmm, you just wanted to be held," Andy cooed at her daughter.

Andy took Emma downstairs and laid down on the couch. Boo had followed them from the nursery tiredly and took up his place in front of the couch.

"Ok we're going to go back to sleep for a little while, mama needs sleep," Andy said tiredly to her fussy daughter. Emma however had other plans. She continued to whimper and just wouldn't settle so Andy walked around the room bouncing Emma in her arms, which seemed to be the only thing that would calm her down.

At 6AM Andy was on the verge of tears when Sam came downstairs.

"Hey I wondered where you were," Sam asked as he came down the stairs.

Andy glanced at her husband as he came into the room.

"Hey what's wrong?" Sam asked worriedly as he saw Andy's face.

"She's been up since 4:30 Sam, and nothing is working…." Andy lost her composure and started to cry.

Sam gently took Emma from Andy, "it's okay Andy, and I know its rough. I'm sorry I didn't hear her crying I would have gotten her," Sam said tenderly. He knew Emma hadn't been sleeping great and it was taking a toll on Andy since she was home with her all day everyday. Especially now it was Christmas time, all the shopping and cooking; Andy was feeling a little overwhelmed.

Andy took a deep breath, "no it's fine I'm her mother I should be able to handle this. She's not a newborn anymore and I'm not new at this. I don't know why it's so hard right now."

Sam brought Andy over to the couch while holding Emma in one arm, "she's teething right now so of course she's being fussy. Also, with the holidays it can get a little busy and I know I've been working some long hours recently."
Andy just looked at Sam with tears in her eyes, "I just want this Christmas to be really special. It's our first Christmas with Emma and I want everything to go perfectly."

Sam smiled at his wife; of course she wanted the perfect Christmas for their daughter.

"It will be because we're going to be together," Sam said as he kissed Andy on the side of her head.

The following week Andy walked into their living room and placed Emma in her jolly jumper.

"Alright baby we have a busy day. We have to wrap all of daddy's presents before he comes home and we also have to wrap uncle Ollie's presents, Aunt Traci's presents and Mya's presents," Andy said slowly as if Emma knew what she was saying but she did respond with a happy squeal.

Andy laughed at her daughter as she sat down on the ground ready to get wrapping.

"So first we have a doll for Mya and it's going to be from you," Andy smiled as her daughter reached for the wrapping paper.

"No no, if you get your hands on the wrapping paper we're never going to get anything done," Andy said as she moved the paper away from her grabby daughter.

Emma squawked at Andy, not happy with this decision.

Andy continued wrapping, trying to ignore her daughter's protests. However, Emma eventually had enough and started whining and grabbing for the paper.

Andy let out a laugh, "really baby? You want the paper that badly. Ok here, just a little bit. I need the rest for wrapping," Andy explained as she gave her daughter a square of paper.

Emma was a baby who was easily entertained; she loved paper, boxes and anything that made noise in general.

Andy spent the rest of the afternoon wrapping presents and making goofy faces at her daughter once the wrapping paper was torn into too many pieces to play with anymore.

"What else should we get daddy?" Andy asked her daughter. "I'm thinking maybe some photos of you in a nice frame that he can put on his desk at work. Does that sound like a good idea?"

Emma squealed in reply, just the words "daddy" made her happy.

"Ok come here, we're going to change you into a pretty dress and do a little photo shoot," Andy gave her daughter a big smile as she lifted Emma out of her jolly jumper.

Andy placed Emma in her crib and started going through Emma's clothes looking for a festive but not over the top outfit. Andy rummaged through Emma's closet; how does someone who can't even walk have so many clothes Andy asked herself.

"Red dress with black bow or black dress with white dots," Andy asked as she held up the two dresses in front of the baby.

Emma cooed and reached for the red dress. "Ohh good choice baby, I think daddy picked out this dress for you."

Andy changed Emma into her dress and brought her back downstairs. She wasn't sure what kind of pictures to take but Emma already seemed to have an idea and stood up against the coffee table and waved at Andy.

"And this is perfect," Andy laughed as she snapped a few photos of her posing daughter. A few more photos and two outfit changes later, Andy had her complete photo set she was going to print for Sam.

By the end of day Andy had printed her favourite photo and bought a little frame that could be placed on Sam's desk. She finished just in time as Sam walked through the door as she placed the wrapped gift under the tree.

"Oh close call Detective, I just finished wrapping one of your presents," Andy said as she walked over to Sam.

"I thought we agreed on no big gifts?" Sam gave Andy a perceptive smile.

"I swear this is isn't big and you are going to love it," Andy said confidently as she gave him a big loud smooch on the mouth.

"Did little miss help out?" Sam asked as he walked over to Emma who was bouncing in her place, reaching for Sam.

"She played a very crucial part in this gift actually," Andy said coyly trying not give away too much.

"Crucial? Interesting," Sam said as he lifted Emma into his lap.

A few quiet moments passed until Sam finally told Andy what was on his mind. "I talked to Shaw today and I'm going to take two weeks off," Sam said abruptly.

"What why?" Andy asked genuinely confused.

"Well I know you've been a little overwhelmed with this one here and I need to help more," Sam said looking over to Andy who was standing on the other side of the coffee table.

Andy had not expected him to say that, "Sam I know the past week has been little rough with her teething, but you don't need to take time off. She's growing and so there are going to be new obstacles we have overcome. I don't want you to feel like you need to take time off every time I have a little meltdown," Andy said gently trying to lighten the mood.

"I know I know, but I have been working long hours lately and I want to spend more time with you and Emma. Time flies by so fast, we learned that with Mya," Sam said while looking at his baby girl who was growing too fast for his liking.

Andy walked over to the couch and sat down next to her husband, "ok two weeks sounds good. Spending the holidays together is the perfect way to use two weeks."

"I guess that means no more sneaky wrapping during the day."

"It's okay, all your presents are done anyways," Andy joked and gave Sam a soft kiss.

It was Christmas Eve and Emma had fallen asleep on the couch after an exciting and long day.

They had a huge Christmas dinner at Traci's house with all their friends and Tommy. Emma was the center of attention and had skipped her afternoon nap.

"Today was fun but I'm wiped," Andy said as she finished cleaning the kitchen.

"Yeah it was a good day. Emma had a blast," Sam laughed as he looked over to his kid who looked like she had passed out. She had one arm off the couch and both legs spread apart.

They had spent a wonderful two weeks together and Sam was going back to work in 2 days.

He took his phone and plugged it into the speakers and turned on 'Silent Night.' Andy looked up amused as she saw Sam hold out his hand.

"Dancing? You? I'm speechless," Andy said as she took his hand.

"Are you complaining Mrs. Swarek?" Sam asked as he held her close as they danced slowly.

"Absolutely not. I think the last time we danced was at our wedding," Andy said with a big smile.

"Important celebrations call for dancing."

"Is this an important celebration?" Andy asked quietly, loving this time with her husband.

"Well not important per se, but how often do we have quiet time to ourselves now that Em is mobile?" Said laughed quietly.

"Hmmm true. This is probably the best Christmas ever. Last Christmas I was pregnant and I so badly wanted to have her here for Christmas," Andy murmured as she remembered being four months pregnant last year.

Andy looked up at Sam and whispered, "Merry Christmas," giving her husband a tender kiss before Emma woke up wanting to join in on the fun.

Thanks for reading!