Zealous

Rory had never before seen anybody so happy that they could be described as zealous. She had seen some very happy reactions from people. Stephens reaction when she said yes was one of elation. When they told everyone, they were ecstatic. When they got married they couldn't stop smiling. But zealous? Not quite. Nearly, but not quite. She wondered if Stephen would be zealous about her surprise for him.

The morning was merry. Boo, Callum and Freddie came round early at about 8am. They brought their unopened presents with them. Thorpe came by about half an hour later and commented that this much bigger flat was a better place to spend Christmas. They all agreed. Presents were exchanged and opened. Hugs and kisses were given. Christmas wishes were said. The radio was put on. Board games were hunted out for later on. Phone calls were made to family and friends. Rory put Jazza and Jerome on speaker and they told everyone that they were enjoying their first Christmas living together. Everyone was laughing and smiling. Chocolates were opened and placed on the table for everyone to help themselves to and wrapping paper was rolled into balls and thrown at people playfully. Inside her chest, Rory's heart beat quickly.

She had to get Stephen into the kitchen so she could talk to him alone. Would he like the surprise? Only one way to find out. "Stephen," she said, her voice a little too shaky. She concentrated on steadying it. "Can you help me with something in the kitchen?" She smiled at him, hoping that she was coming across as perfectly calm and natural. It seemed to work. He smiled back. "Of course."

They both stood and told the others they'd be right back. They walked through the corridor into the dining area and down the single step into the kitchen. "So what do you need help with?"

She turned to face him with a smile. "Honestly? Nothing. I just wanted a minute alone with you."

He nodded, smiling. "Ahhhh."

She put her arms around his neck as his hands went around her middle. He kissed her softly. "Our first Christmas in our own place," he said as he pulled away. "I still can't believe it."

She grinned. "What? That it's already Christmas or that we have our place?"

"That we're here. It's like we said last Christmas. We'd be married with a place of our own."

"I think I also mentioned something about having a little baby Dene."

"Oh yeah. I remember you saying that."

They heard laughter coming from the living room and she smiled as he rested his forehead against hers. They stood there like that for a minute, gently swaying to the low sound of Christmas music on the radio. Her mind turned to the surprise she had for him. She was wondering how to go about delivering her surprise but he himself gave her the opening she needed. She took it. "I can't believe we did it," he whispered. "We have a home at Goodwin's Court. Just you and me."

She grinned, tears prickling her eyes. "Yeah. You and me...and the baby."

He giggled. "You're already thinking about the baby we may have someday?"

She chuckled and shook her head. "No." She stepped onto her tiptoes and whispered in his ear. "I'm thinking about the baby I'm three weeks pregnant with."

She felt his chest hitch and heard the sharp little intake of breath. She kissed his cheek before she pulled away to look at him. He gazed down at her wide eyed. His lips were parted slightly and his eyes were glistening. He swallowed hard and shook his head gently. "Oh my god..."

She looked at him expectantly. "Stephen?"

His face didn't change. The look of surprise was still plastered onto his features. His voice was a whisper, disbelieving but excited. He continued to gently shake his head. "You're not..."

Her smile grew slowly, her voice equally as quiet. She nodded. "I am."

He gasped and his lips twitched at the corners. "Really?"

She couldn't help the grin that spread over her face. "Yeah."

And then his face changed. The parted lips which had pulled up slightly at the corners turned into a grin, his wide eyes blinked, and the tears that had been gathering fell as he started giggling. "We're...we're having a baby?"

Rory sobbed as she laughed and nodded her head. "Yeah...we're having a baby."

He laughed. Properly laughed, and Rory thought it was the greatest sound in the world. He pulled her into a hug, actually lifting her off of her feet and swinging her around. When her feet touched the floor again, she gently pulled away. They were both grinning. She took his hand and placed it on her stomach, holding it in place with hers. "Merry Christmas."

He kissed her and spoke against her lips, thinking about the tiny little life that was growing inside of her, just where his hand lay. The tiny little life that they had made. Another tear slipped down his cheek. "Merry Christmas. And thank you."

"For what?"

"The greatest Christmas present I've ever received."

AN: And so, we are at the end of another series. But have no fear, the first chapter, and maybe the second, of the next series will be up within a day or two. I have so many feels to write and share with you all. Thank you for reading my lovelies and I'll (hopefully) see you on the next series :D xxx