A Very Roscoe Christmas
Merry Christmas everyone, I hope you all have a great day and get everything you want :)
As a special Christmas present from me, I'm uploading a Christmas oneshot, prompted by Little Miss Bovver and Mabel, with the joint prompts of It's family time one with the Roscoes, though as they're opening presents, a shock twist is revealed.
And as it's a Christmas special, know that there's a lot of fluff and cuteness below, even with the twist, to get you all feeling that Christmas cheer!
Every family that celebrates Christmas has a number of different traditions that must be upheld. These traditions are sacred to the people carrying them out and must be done in a certain manner to gain full effect. The Roscoe family were no different and as their first Christmas day in Hollyoaks Village came closer and closer, they all got to work on setting up what needed to be done.
The very first tradition came during the first weekend of December when Sandy baked up her annual Christmas pudding. It was the only thing she could cook well, and the recipe had been passed on through generation to generation of her family.
As she prepared the mix a good four or so weeks before the big day, Sandy made sure to gather all five of her sons, as well as Lindsey, to the kitchen, getting them to do a bit of the mixing themselves so they could make a Christmas wish.
Even though they were all grown up, it was a family tradition and Sandy would be damned if it wasn't carried out, though she doubted that would ever happen.
She had always worried that her family would soon have to be forced to make their annual wish once they had all grown up, but every single one of them made the effort to stay in the house whilst she was baking, so as not to miss anything. It warmed her heart through and Sandy knew she had done well by her family, by just looking at them all mucking about in the kitchen and enjoying each others company.
The mixing of the pudding was just one of many traditions that the Roscoe family shared and as they got ready for that Christmas they readily allowed Fraser and Grace to take part if they so wished. After all, the two Blacks were as good as family nowadays and if anyone cherished the meaning of family, it was the Roscoe's.
In the second week of December, the large clan always set up their decorations, making their house one of the most festive on the street, no matter where they were living. Joe, Freddie and Ziggy were the ones who were tasked with finding the perfect tree, as their late father had once been, whilst the others remained at home, unearthing the festive ornaments and putting up what they could.
When the three eldest brothers returned with a tree that they'd all deemed appropriate (the most trying of all the tasks, Joe, Freddie and Ziggy could have differing opinions at the best of times, though they always ended up bickering about what tree to bring home with them), the whole family began working on the tree, putting up their own special decorations that had been gathered throughout the years.
This year their tree was more crowded than most, with not only their decorations being put up, but also Fraser and Grace's, even if the latter was acting like she would rather be anywhere but there.
The small family of two didn't have a lot, having not properly celebrated Christmas in many years but this was their first without Claire and they had both banded together to get a small ornament that strongly reminded them of her. As one they put it up on the tree, right next to the one that Sandy had bought many years ago, in remembrance of Alan.
Because Christmas wasn't just a joyous occasion for the Roscoe's, it was a time to remember everything that had lost over the years and be grateful for what they still had.
Joe and Lindsey mourned for the baby they would never meet, both praying that they would be finally ready to start a family eventually, though eternally grateful that they still had each other.
Like every year, Freddie wished he could get over Lindsey, though he had little hope that it would actually happen. After all, he was still hopelessly in love with her after a good nine years, but he hoped that 2014 would be different, after all he now had an answer.
Lindsey had told him in no uncertain terms that they would never happen and any hope that he had held on to tightly had been brutally quashed. Maybe, he'd finally be able to move on from the young doctor and actually start his life.
Ziggy looked back on how quickly and dramatically his relationship with Ruby had soured. The younger girl was really something and Ziggy couldn't get her out of his head, though he had messed it up just like he ruined every good thing he had. If there was anything he wanted to change by this time next year, it was his ability to hold his tongue and keep control. And to win back Ruby, properly this time.
Jason didn't think of what he had lost over the past year, because overall it had been quite a good one, he just hoped that it would stay that way. Somehow he had ended the year with a beautiful girlfriend who genuinely seemed to like him, and a good, solid set of friends.
Jason didn't want to think too much into it, scared that if he questioned it then people would realise how wrong it was for him to have so much good stuff going on in his life, because he was scared. Scared that this happiness wouldn't last and he would be left on his own once more.
As he hung up the final decoration on the tree, Robbie couldn't hold back his sigh, the most recent of events swirling through his mind. The whole thing with McQueen seemed to be getting more and more out of hand with each passing day.
He didn't know how to stop it though, everytime he saw his teacher he felt a sadistic shot of pleasure hit him, knowing he had such a hold over John-Paul's life and it was practically impossible for him to be the one to take a step back and take the moral high ground. It wasn't just that though, because he had been horrible to many people over the years, no the whole situation left him uneasy due to the scale of it all.
Every day there seemed to be something else going on and although he was the one to start something, he was always left shocked by how far his partner in crime, Finn, would go. He barely recognised the school boy from how he used to be just a few short months ago and the twisted, almost feral look in his eyes left Robbie chilled to the bone, as he wondered just how far his friend would go it pushed hard enough.
The family all took a step back as Sandy placed the star on the top of the tree, just like she did every year, though there was only one thought at the forefront of her mind. The only thing Sandy wanted during 2014 was to rebuild her broken relationship with Darren.
Her very oldest child had made little contact with Sandy, though there had been a few occasions where they had truly bonded and Sandy hoped that those moments grew in number over the new year, till she had all of her children with her this time next Christmas.
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Christmas eve arrived in what seemed like no time at all and was the time when another tradition was carried out. It was just the Roscoe family that evening, as Fraser and Grace were out, spending a night together as father and daughter, and although the others did enjoy the pair's company, the family were grateful for some time to spend together without anyone else.
The last tradition before Christmas day wasn't really one that just the Roscoe family celebrated, and was actually fairly common over the whole world, especially if they were families with a lot of hyper and eager children, all counting down the minutes to Christmas day.
Every member of the family were allowed to open just one present before the big day, and although this had been a particularly effective when they were all children, Sandy didn't have the heart to end the tradition, though she also enjoyed it a lot herself.
So just after nine on their first Christmas Eve in Hollyoaks Village, the Roscoe family found themselves gathered around the beautifully decorated tree, mentally picking out the present they wished to unwrap.
As the joint youngest of the family, both Jason and Robbie plucked out their presents from under the tree first, thanking Freddie for the Hobbit DVD he had gotten for Jason and Lindsey for the new headphones she had bought Robbie.
Joe, Lindsey, Freddie and Ziggy were equally as happy with their gifts, leaving only Sandy to open hers, before the seven of them settled down to watch a cheesy Christmas movie, whilst stuffing themselves with as many mince pies as possible.
The eldest Roscoe picked a small box which was almost hidden completely from view by the piles of larger presents, frowning in slight confusion as she realised she didn't recognise the handwriting.
"It could be from Grace? I mean, she may have actually have a soul and done what none of us were expecting, by actually buying someone a present," Freddie suggested when Sandy voiced her thoughts, ignoring the disapproving frowns that were sent his way.
"Yeah, that'd make sense," Sandy nodded, peeling the wrapping paper away delicately and opening up the box the moment she could. What was in the box shocked her to the core, and she read through the papers that were held within in a state of shock.
Ignoring the curious looks she was receiving from her family, Sandy stood and began dialling a very familiar number. "Sandy love, everything okay?" Fraser's warm tones greeted her, leaving Sandy in a greater confusion.
"Is there any reason as to why you apparently bribed Tegan Lomax with £10,000, so she'd keep her silence about you being the one who fathered her child?" Sandy was only met with silence, though the shocked gasps from her family broke the air. When there was still no reply from Fraser a few moments later, the blonde found herself hissing into the phone. "You better get here and soon Fraser, because you have a lot of explaining to do."
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Fraser was greeted with glares from every member of the Roscoe family and he found himself stopping short at the ferocity of it. Sandy stood and walked over to him without a word, her lips downturned and eyes closed off, though Fraser could tell just how hard she was trying not to cry, and it broke his heart seeing the woman he loved in such a state because of him.
Still remaining silent, Sandy placed the present that she had unwrapped not even twenty minutes ago in Fraser's hands. When he looked down, he saw the papers that were in them and read through the first few, suddenly knowing how Sandy had learnt of one of his secrets.
Tegan had apparently had had enough of being treated like absolute dirt and had written a letter explaining everything about Rose's true parentage, with a few photos to boot, though Fraser had no idea how she'd gotten hold of those.
Pure rage ran through Fraser as he saw the cheque that he had written for Tegan also sitting in the box, though it wasn't just directed at the young Lomax and her betrayal. No, he was angry at himself too, angry that he had underestimated Tegan like he had done, though he couldn't help but relate her interfering ways to the ways of her mother.
"I'd start talking if I were you," Sandy said, her tone absolutely furious.
"Look it's not what it looks like love. Yes, Rose is my daughter, but everything else has been completely blown out of proportion. When I found out about her, I tried to do right by Rose, but Tegan wasn't having any of it, she's determined to make my life a complete misery-"
"You knew when Tegan was in the hospital for being attacked didn't you? That was why you were there, not to visit me but to see her," Sandy asked, brusquely interrupting Fraser.
"I had just been told yes, but I was still completely baffled by the whole thing. It was quite a shock after all, I was just told I'd become a father again."
"And you left her Fraser! She was a young mum and you left your own child."
"I tried to help, but she only wants my money. I've tried to-"
"Don't start that Fraser, I know you're lying!" Sandy screamed, unable to believe how much her life had turned on its head in just a few short hours. "You know what, I can't even look at you anymore, you're not the man I fell in love with, not in the slightest."
"What- what are you saying?" Fraser asked, eyes widening as he realised that his relationship, his life was crumbling because of a drunken night with that stupid, interfering girl.
"You know what exactly I'm saying. We're through."
"But Sands-"
"Get out," Joe growled from where he had been sat on the couch, standing and looking more than ready to throw Fraser out himself. "Before we make you."
Fraser didn't need telling twice and left the Roscoe household, hoping that in the light of day, everything would seem a lot better, and Sandy would be willing to talk to him.
As the gangster walked down the street and away from the Roscoe household, he left a huge amount of destruction and devastation as the tight knit family tried to work out what just had happened right then and there.
"Oh Sandy," Lindsey soothed, rushing over to the older woman and hugging tightly, where only then did Sandy let it all go, tears spilling down her face as the sobs wracked through her body. "It's going to be okay, we promise you that."
"Yeah mum, Fraser ain't coming anywhere near you again, that's for sure," Robbie promised, already planning a number of revenge plots he could act on. Sandy didn't say anything as she tried to control her crying, grateful that she had her family around her, supporting her every step of the way, because otherwise she wasn't sure she'd be able to cope.
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Sandy awoke when the sunlight poured through the crack of the curtains the next day. She winced at the brightness of it, cracking her back as she realised she had never made it to bed the previous night. All around her, the others were draped around the room, having not wanted to leave Sandy on her own whilst she was still awake, though they had all drifted off at various points.
"You okay mum?" Ziggy groaned as the sun also woke him, rolling off the couch he had fallen asleep on, with an ungrateful thump.
"I've been better love," Sandy said, shrugging as she also stood. "Coffee?" When Ziggy nodded, Sandy made her way to the kitchen, ignoring the tremors in her hands. She was still unable to believe what had happened just last night, but she wasn't going to let it defeat her goddamnit. She had gone through so much in her life, the end of one silly little relationship wasn't going to defeat her.
The sight of the turkey in the fridge, ready to be cooked for that day's dinner was almost enough to stop her though, and Sandy found herself fighting back the tears once more.
Christmas was meant to be the happiest time of your life, the day you spent with your loved ones, but Sandy didn't have that, not anymore. The man she had been ready to spend her future with had turned out to be a fraud and Sandy really wasn't feeling the festive cheer anymore.
Sure she had her family, but the nurse really wasn't prepared to spend hours slaving away in the kitchen to only end up with a cremated turkey, and more reminders of her recent heartbreak.
She didn't even realise she was crying until Sandy felt herself being pulled into a tight hug by Ziggy, the young mechanic running his hand through her hair and gently calming her.
"Hey, it'll be okay mum. Fraser doesn't know what he's missed out on, but you're worth ten of him."
Despite the situation, Sandy felt a smile pulling at her lips due to Ziggy's kind words. Her third son had always been kind hearted and willing to do anything to help others out, this just showed that more than anything.
"You're right Zig, I know you are," she said, still smiling, though it was weak at best. "It's just difficult and I don't know if I'm up to the whole Christmas shebang this year. I'm sorry love, I know how much it means to you and others-"
"Hey, don't start apologising mum. You've gone through a lot since yesterday, so what if you don't feel like making the turkey. I'm pretty sure I saw some turkey burgers in the freezer the other day, they'll do."
Once more, Sandy's dour mood was combated by Ziggy's kind words and pure selflessness at the situation. Just like the rest of the family, the Christmas traditions that they had meant a lot to him, but if it meant coming between his mum's happiness, well Ziggy knew he could more than cope without a stupid Christmas dinner with all the trimmings and a few silly games.
"That sounds brilliant love." In that moment, the need for traditions washed away and in that year, the Roscoe's truly learnt the true meaning of Christmas. It wasn't about traditions that were passed through year by year and bending over backwards to keep them, no Christmas day was about family.
If you were with your loved ones, remembered the people you had lost and were truly grateful for everything you had, then what more did you need? Sandy knew it wasn't a lot else as she tucked into her turkey burger, more content than she thought possible and had been for a long time.
Aww wasn't that lovely? Once more I hope you all have a great Christmas!
I gather a lot of you really appreciated me listing the future chapters last time, so I'm going to keep continuing doing that, which I know will really help with anonymous prompters who I can't message.
Every ten prompts I get, I'll place a list of them at the end of the chapter and when they're due to be posted, though as it's Christmas, I'll post the ones I got last chapter now! Don't say I don't do anything for you lot.
Next Chapter - Sandy collapses, she's home alone and Robbie and Jason find her – prompted by AriellaXavier
51 - Robbie and Jason are left alone to babysit Oscar - Kendall
52 - Jason and Robbie both go off to Cambridge - Lydia (Bit of confusion here, do you mean the city or like they're visiting the uni as part of a school trip? Review back with a reply please hun!)
53 – Lindsey and Joe's thoughts and feelings when they lose their baby - Gillian Kearney Fan
54 – Jason gets in trouble. A lot of it, in fact it's so dangerous that Freddie feels the need to give him a gun for self-protection, though what will the others say when they find out - Anon/ alice
55 – Roscoe's are never ones to step down from a dare, even if said dare is stupid and will get them into heaps of trouble. Or the one where Jason gets a tattoo and the whole family find out – anon
56 – Sandy believes in tough love to raise her sons, but when she grounds the twins on the day of a massive party, what lengths will they go to, to get out of the house? And when the building they're in collapses, what will the Roscoe's do to save their loved ones? - guest
56 – Freddie's boss used to be Trevor. Trevor's boss is Fraser. But Fraser's boss? Well it's someone quite unexpected - hattiexoxoxo