One week later...

It had been a week since Grace's birth. Things had been blissfully perfect. Grace was a handful, especially at night time, but she was absolutely beautiful and 100% worth it. Eddie and Rachel were completely besotted with their baby girl. Being parents was everything Eddie and Rachel could have dreamed of and more. Rachel was loving being a Mother and getting to spend so much time with Grace. She had thought she would miss work whilst she was on maternity leave, but, to her surprise, she didn't.

Eddie pulled up on the driveway, practically leaping out of the car and into the house. He had, had his first day back at work today. Whilst he had enjoyed it, he had missed Rachel and Grace a little too much. Leaving them this morning had been difficult. So he was happy to be home, even if they were heading out in just a few moments.

"Rach? Are you ready to go?" Eddie called from the hallway, placing his bag down

"Just a second!" She called back

Eddie wandered into the living room. He smiled as he watched Rachel gently strapping a sleeping Grace into her car seat. She looked up, smiling at him.

"Hey" he smiled, walking over to her

"Hi" she replied, her face lighting up with a smile as Eddie leaned in to kiss her

"Is she ok?" He asked, looking at Grace

Rachel nodded

"She's just had a bottle, so she should sleep for the next couple of hours" she told him

Eddie smiled, gazing lovingly at Grace. He loved his little girl so much. Just as much as he loved Rachel.

"How was your first day back?" She asked

"Good. I missed you both though" he told her

She giggled

"We missed you too"

Eddie smiled

"Are you ready to go?" He asked, taking the car seat

She nodded, standing up slowly. She was looking forward to this evening. They were heading to Waterloo Road to watch The Nativity, and to introduce Grace to everyone. Rachel was excited to see what the students had been up to with this play, and to see everyone of course. She had been cooped up in the house for the last six days with Grace, recovering from the birth. Whilst she'd been happy to rest and spend time with her baby girl, she was itching to get out of the house for a bit and to show Grace off.

Once Rachel had got her shoes and coat on, they headed out to the car. Eddie strapped Grace's car seat into the back seat, before joining Rachel in the front of his Land Rover.

"You ready?" he asked

Rachel nodded

They drove the familiar route to Waterloo Road, Eddie parking in his usual space.

"It feels weird being back here so soon" Rachel mumbled, staring at the school building

"I thought you'd be desperate to come back!" Eddie chuckled

"So did I, but I'm not. I've got my hands full with something even better" she smiled, turning to look at Grace, who was still asleep in her car seat

Eddie smiled back, kissing her cheek gently.

"Come on, we'll be late" he said, jumping out of the car

Grace's car seat in hand, Eddie and Rachel walked hand in hand into the school building. The second they entered, various students skipped over to Rachel, chattering away to her excitedly as they fussed over the baby. Eddie smiled. The kids had missed her more than they'd missed him, and he was fine with that.

"Oh, Miss, she's so cute, man!" Bolton smiled, staring at a sleeping Grace

"Come on you lot! You've got a play to perform!" Steph huffed, ushering them all into the hall

When she saw Rachel, she smiled.

"Rachel! I wasn't expecting you to be back so soon!"

Rachel smiled

"I wanted to come and support the kids with the school play" she explained

"And to show off your little one?" Steph added, looking at Grace

"Yes, that too" Rachel giggled

"I don't blame you, she's gorgeous!" Steph smiled, rubbing the little girl's cheek softly

"Miss! Miss Mason?"

Rachel turned to see Danielle Harker running towards her, a panicked expression on her face. She was wearing a white dress and a gold tinsel halo was placed on her head. Matt was following behind her. Somehow, he looked even more stressed.

"Danielle? What's wrong?" Rachel asked, frowning

Matt stepped forward, a little breathless from running down the corridor.

"Rachel, we still don't have a baby doll to use in the play. Did you order one?"

Rachel's heart sank. She hadn't told him last week before unexpectedly going on maternity leave. She'd thought she'd have been able to break the news to him the next day, but her little one had, had other ideas. With the birth of Grace, the issue of not having a baby doll for the Nativity Play had completely slipped her mind.

"Oh Matt, I'm so sorry! I looked but I couldn't find one! I didn't get chance to tell you last week!" She sighed

Matt groaned, running a hand through his blonde hair. He couldn't believe this.

"Ok... ok. So we don't have a baby Jesus? We may as well cancel the whole play!" He huffed

"Oh, Matt calm down! It's not the end of the world!" Steph scolded

"It is! What am I supposed to do?" He argued, pacing up and down

"Matt, it's a performance, I don't think anyone's going to notice if there's no baby in the manger!" Eddie chuckled

Matt glared at him.

Whilst everyone was debating what to do, Rachel was staring at Grace, who was still fast asleep in her car seat. She was completely oblivious to the current chaos. Rachel felt guilty, she hated letting people down, even though it wasn't really her fault.

As she continued to gaze at her little girl, an idea formed in her mind. It was risky and outlandish. But it could work.

"Grace could do it"

Everyone turned to look at Rachel.

"You want a real baby in the Nativity?" Steph questioned

"Why not? It's the closest option we have" Rachel shrugged

Eddie frowned at her, realising she was being serious. They couldn't put their daughter in a Nativity! It was almost as outrageous as Rachel decorating a Christmas Tree whilst in labour!

He took her to one side, lowering his voice.

"Rach? Have you lost your mind?"

"Eddie it'll be fine, she'll be fine! She's fast asleep, she won't wake up! It's only for five minutes!"

"Do you really trust the kids with her?"

"I do" she nodded

Eddie sighed. He thought she was mad for even offering to involve their little girl in the Nativity Play. But he trusted the kids to be gentle with her, and he trusted Matt.

"Fine, let's do it" he agreed

By the time they'd come up with a plan as to how to get Grace onto the stage, it was time for the audience to take their seats. Eddie and Rachel sat at the front, Grace sleeping contentedly in Rachel's arms.

The play went by in a blur. Rachel watched on, her heart bursting with pride as she watched the students perform. There was so much talent at Waterloo Road. These kids would go far in life.

Before they knew it, Grace was being passed to Danielle, who gently carried her onto the stage. Rachel and Eddie watched on nervously as the students interacted with her. To their relief, Grace stayed asleep and didn't wake up. Rachel felt an enormous sense of pride watching the students she worked with looking after Grace so calmly and respectfully as they performed. It was perfect.

"Our little one is only a week old and she's already in a Nativity Play!" Eddie whispered to her

Rachel smiled. This was the first of many Nativity plays she would watch Grace in. It was the first of many magical Christmases they would have as a family. The first of many memories that would be treasured forever.

The end.

A/N: Hope you all enjoyed! Let me know what you think! Have a lovely Christmas!