Got a bit distracted with other stories but I'm still going with this one

Christmas morning

Ava was the first to stir in the household. She was beginning to babble now and her little noises were coming through the baby monitor into the bedroom where her parents were still in bed.

The adults in the household, which also now included Steve's parents had had a late night making sure all presents were wrapped and food preparation had been done.

Unfortunately Ava didn't appreciate this and was awake at her usual time. "I better get her before she wakes mum and dad," Steve whispered sleepily as he slowly got out of bed.

"Remember to dress her in the reindeer outfit," Kate mumbled, still half asleep.

"How could I forget?" Steve retorted as he left the bedroom and headed across the hallway to Ava's room.

"Good morning, sunshine," Steve greeted her. Ava saw her father and started waving her arms around very energetically, her delight at seeing her father very obvious. In her hand was Piglet who had become her favourite toy and the poor pig was getting a bit of a bashing against the cot sides. "Happy Christmas to you too," Steve responded as he leant over her crib, lifted her up and gave her a kiss on her cheek.

"He tapped her nappy clad bottom and determined she needed a quick change. Going over to the changing table he set about changing his daughter. Ava just lay very obediently and started to suck her toes whilst her father cleaned her up.

"Are your toes tasty Ava," Steve asked as he did up the tape on her clean nappy. "They sure look it," he continued. "Can daddy taste?" He asked as he took one of her chubby feet and placed it in his mouth and pretended to nibble at the toes.

Back in bed, Kate smiled as her daughter's belly laugh came over the monitor. She had been right in her assessment of Steve's parenting skills- he made an excellent father.

"Right miss, Mummy has ordered me to put you in the reindeer onesie. I want you to know this was all her idea when you are older and see the photos, ok?" He explained to Ava as he gently dressed her in her costume. "Daddy will try and make sure you don't have to wear the antlers for too long," He said as he picked her up and headed back to the bedroom.

It wasn't long before Kate heard Steve re-enter their bedroom. "One clean little reindeer as ordered," he said as he headed back to bed.

"Hungry by the sounds of it if she's eating her feet. Did they taste good?" Kate asked as she sat herself up in bed. Ava knew the drill and reached for her mother, keen to be fed.

Kate went to settle her at her breast, but it became quite apparent that the antlers were getting in the way. Refusing to look at Steve because she knew he would be gloating that he had been right in their inappropriateness, she quickly discarded them.

"They've been on less than five minutes," Steve couldn't help but notice out loud.

"Just whilst she's feeding and then they're back on," Kate retorted whilst concentrating on Ava.

"Steve watched Kate watching Ava as she fed. He loved watching his girls together. Kate was doing a fantastic job at helping Ava thrive. Motherhood really suited her and he took every opportunity to tell her what a fantastic job she was doing and how lucky he was that she was the mother of his child. Very slowly he could see Kate's confidence at being a mum gradually increase.

"Just whilst it's the three of us," Steve said as he leant over and retrieved the small box he had been keeping close to him, "I want to give you something," he continued as he returned to his original position. His heart started hammering in his chest knowing what he was about to do.

"Steve?" Kate said, shocked when she saw the box. It could only contain one thing and she knew what he was about to do. She took the proffered box and opened it. Inside was an emerald cut diamond surrounded by a halo of tiny diamonds. "It's beautiful,".

"Ava helped me pick it out," Steve admitted.

Kate smiled and looked at her daughter still guzzling at her breast. "She has very good taste," she declared.

There was silence in the room except for the sound of Ava feeding and Steve grew anxious. "Well?" he asked.

"Well what?" Kate asked.

"Can you put me out of my misery and answer me?" Steve retorted.

"You haven't asked me anything yet," Kate said smiling.

"Haven't I?" Steve asked before realising Kate was right. The most important moment in his life and he had totally fucked it up. "Shit!" He berated himself.

"Relax," Kate advised. "Take a deep breath ...and ask me,".

Steve did as he advised. "Will you marry me?".

"I didn't know you wanted to get married. I thought you were happy with how we are,".

"I want more now, Kate,".

"I'm not sure I'm very good at being married though. You know what happened with Mark. I don't want that to happen to us,".

"Kate, we aren't like you and Mark. We're better. Stronger. We can do this. We've been doing it for a while,".

Kate looked hard at Steve. She could tell he meant what he said and she knew he was right. They were good together.

"I've even asked Josh's permission and he's said yes" Steve added, hoping it might sway Kate to finally accept his proposal.

Ava chose that moment to unlatch herself from Kate's breast and made a contented sound now her tummy was full. Kate looked at her lying in her arms. "What do you think Ava?" she asked her daughter as she lifted her up to her shoulder to wind her. "What should Mummy say to Daddy?" she continued as she started tapping her back.

Ava made a gurgle.

"Is that right?" Kate asked.

"What did she say?" Steve asked, playing along.

"She says I should say...yes,".

Steve smiled. He was worried he was going to be turned down. He quickly took the ring and placed it on Kate's finger before kissing her.

The sound of movement in the hallway alerted them to the fact that people were starting to rise.

"We better get up and start Christmas," Steve suggested once they pulled apart. "Let everyone know our good news,".

The day continued as well as it had started. Steve's mum was the first to spot Kate's ring. It had caught the light as they were busy chopping vegetables for the lunch. Steve's parents were overjoyed at the news.

As everyone gathered around the table for lunch, Kate stopped Steve's progress. "Thank you," she whispered as she wrapped her arms around his shoulders and she gave her fiancé a kiss. "I've got my wish. You've given me the Christmas I've dreamed of,".

"You're welcome," Steve promised before returning the kiss.