Hello! I haven't had much time to write lately. Raising a small human doesn't allow for a lot of creativity! Apologies this one won't be my usual affair and it may conclude after Christmas, but I couldn't let the season pass without a little story. I promise I will write the proper sequel to Trouble in paradise, hopefully when the little one starts to have more regular naps!

Chapter one

Gee, that's my girl.

Mine.

A year on and it was still a marvel. He sat with the pink foiled present loosely in his hands as he gazed at her with unabashed affection. She'd recently cut her dark locks into a sleek chin length bob, dyed to a chocolate plum coloured hue. He'd initially been shocked with the change but decided it framed her pretty face perfectly.

He smiled to himself as she fussed with the tinsel in the middle of the tree, ever the perfectionist. The baubles had to be spaced equally, the tinsel swirled just so as it twisted around the tree. He would offer to help but knew better than to interfere. Tin-Tin plucked a golden star from the box on the sofa before tiptoeing to reach the top and just falling short. She looked over her shoulder with a sheepish smile. "Gordon, would you mind?"

"You say that like I can reach." He deposited the gift next to him before hopping up to assist her. He gently placed his hands on her waist, the soft pastel silk warm to touch as he hoisted her in the air. With squeal of surprise, she quickly counterbalanced herself before stretching out to place the star at the very top of the tree. He gently set her back down on her feet where she dropped a chaste kiss on his cheek.

"The decs are looking swell Tin-Tin."

"Scott! Rose! You made it!" Tin-Tin skipped over to hug Scott before moving across to greet Rose.

Tin-Tin invited Rose over to the next tree to start decorating it together as Scott slipped closer to Gordon. "Hey."

"Hey, look at you with your Brit pallor." Gordon tapped him playfully on the shoulder as Scott scowled back before breaking into a half-amused grin.

"We've had snow for the last couple of weeks, you'd be pale too. How's things here?"

"Not too bad. Dads on operation Christmas, why he leaves it till the 22nd every year to decorate I don't know. Virgil's reciting his for his annual piano recital and John's in trouble for swiping most of the pie for dessert this evening.

"Not the apple?" The tremor of mild horror was audible.

"The cherry I think." Scott sighed in relief but resolved to check in on the kitchen as a priority.

"What about you and Alan?" Scott stood with his arms crossed. After recusing Alan from a rally gone wrong mid-December there hadn't been much time for him to adjust to the fact Gordon and Tin-Tins relationship had gone public among the family. Not hard to guess why he was desperate for space duty for once this year.

Gordon twiddled with a golden bauble. "Not bad. I guess."

"Gordon."

He turned to face Scott. "What? We're not killing each other, what more do you want? I think we've reached an impasse. He knows he can't win her back and I know she loves me, plus it's her choice. I'm done torturing myself over it." Hooded amber eyes flashed a defiant glance towards his eldest brother.

"That's something I suppose." Scott turned towards him and muttered. "I would have killed you." Gordon swallowed uncomfortably.

"Still" Scott continued with a breezier tone, "love isn't clear cut, we can't always decide who we fall for." Scott's gazed flicked across to the two women laughing in the corner, his posture relaxing.

"Nope. I'd agree with you on that one."

"Well as long as you remember not to give Alan a hard time then I guess things will work out. You and Tin are happy?"

"Are you kidding? We're more than happy. She makes me feel whole, something I've not felt since before – well you know." He threw a dismissive waving motion towards Scott who shared a knowing nod.

Scott clapped him on the back. "Well, I'm happy for you buddy."

"Are you two going to natter all day or are you going to get these garlands up?" Rose gestured to the ribbons in her hands while Tin-Tin giggled behind her.

Gordon smiled. "We're being summoned."

"Hmm… by the demon no less. Well come on, I've learnt not to ignore her, or chaos ensues. Usually, her falling off ladders or creating DIY disasters."

Gordon chuckled following his lead. A short while later John and Virgil arrived with a rather reluctant Brains who felt his time would be better spent in the lab but he knew that the decorating of Tracy island was a family affair that no one escaped – well unless they had space duty. Even Mr Tracy was hanging lights above his desk.

By the late afternoon the villa had been transformed into a Christmas grotto with ribbons, fairy lights and three huge Christmas trees. One stood just outside on the balcony weighed down with large rocks from the rock garden in the hopes it would withstand Thunderbird One's launches. Tinsel twinkled and baubles gleamed in the half light.

Christmas eve dinner was a raucous affair with Scott and John who were rarely home at Christmas time. Chairs scraped across the floor as they all took their places. Gordon held out Tin's chair which earned Scott a playful swot on the arm from Rose. Happily married for a couple of years now chivalry wasn't dead but had maybe slipped somewhat. Scott grinned at her before kissing her cheek and offering her the first roast potatoes. "You're forgiven." She sighed happily as he dished out several on to her plate. Gordon and Scott had a tense moment over the last of the turkey till Tin-tin chided them enough to make them both red faced, earning a chuckle from their father. It wasn't like it was the last of it, more simply had to be cut off the bone.

Jeff sat at the head of the table with Scott to his right and Virgil to his left. Then Gordon and Tin sat together with John at the other end and Brains by his side. It had been a stressful couple of months with the revelation that his second youngest was in love with the youngest's former girlfriend and long-term family friend. That had required a lot of mediation, at one point Jeff was convinced one of them was going to have to leave home then they seemed to have a breakthrough. He'd not discussed it since with either of them, less the problem reared its ugly head once more. Some things were best left well alone. Then Alan had become a further source of worry, having been caught in a horrific avalanche that brought back memories of losing his wife and father. Thankfully Alan had only been minorly injured, but Jeff had been on the verge of a heart attack with worry till his brothers had safely rescued him. Jeff gave himself a metal shake, it didn't do well to dwell on such events – especially when he was sat here looking at his boys. He watched as they boasted about antics of their youth to their partners, their brothers chiming in occasionally with more honest accounts. John and Brains were avidly discussing the latest communication array designs to upgrade Five's technology to bring it up to more modern standards. Kryano had already slipped away to add the finishing touches to desert.

The remnants of dinner were gathered up. Scott and John standing to stack empty plates, dishes and cutlery into the centre of the table. Once they'd sat down again Jeff pressed the button that set the middle of the table in motion to be dropped down to the kitchen. Moments later it was replaced with a new tabletop, brimmed with plates of sugar cookies, bowls of bourbon balls, fruit cake and a massive gingerbread house centre piece with sugared stain glass windows and traditional icing with the rich brown gingerbread. The scent of warm nutmeg and spice had Gordon's mouth-watering.

"Say where's the pie?" Scott scanned the table with a frown.

Kryano leant over him from behind. Scott could smell the cinnamon before he spied it. "Here you are, Mr Tracy. It would not fit with the rest of the pudding and knowing how much you like it, I thought I would bring it myself."

"Thank you Kyrano."

"You spoil him, thank you." Rose added, laughing at the way Scott's expression had flipped from indignation to delight faster than an infant presented with a bottle of milk.

The evening passed without incident as they said their good night's. Gordon and Tin-Tin were the first to head up despite Gordon buzzing with excitement for tomorrow. He'd fiddled and re-arranged the stockings three of four times before his dad had raised his voice to tell him to pack it in. He couldn't help it; he loved Christmas and had the perfect present for Tin-Tin that he couldn't wait to gift her. He bounced on the balls of his feet as he imagined what her reaction would be.

"Gordon, are you listening?"

"Huh?"

"I said are you going to close the door?" Tin frowned from the bathroom.

"Oh yeah. Sorry." He grinned sheepishly as he pushed the bedroom door to. She approached him, drawing him into a soft embrace. The giddy look of joy on his face made her feel warm inside.

"I'm guessing your excited."

"More impatient. This is the worse bit, waiting for tomorrow. If I had it my way, we'd all be back in the lounge at midnight opening gifts. I'm sorry but I don't generally sleep on Christmas eve."

Tin-Tin slid her hand along his chest. "Sounds like you need a distraction." She suggested playfully as her fingers ran down the sliver of skin exposed below his shirt collar.

He stilled at her touch; his lips quirked as their gazes met. Her jade eyes hooded, lips slightly parted. "I don't know. I mean it would have to be a big distraction. I'm not sure you could – Oh!" his voice leapt an Octave in surprise as Tin's hands began to wonder.

"I like a challenge." She uttered, her breath tickling his cheek just before their lips crushed together. She pushed against Gordon, jumping into his arms as he staggered backwards, gasping for breath as they're kisses quickened in intensity. He steadily tipped backwards till his legs gave out on the edge of the bed, all coherent thoughts already forgotten.

BANG! The sound of screeching metal and concrete rent the air, followed by a splash and the jingle of bells. What the! Gordon bolted upright as Tin-Tin yelped underneath him, sheets bound them together. Wide eyed with dishevelled hair they exchanged a look of shock before Gordon scrabbled out of bed for the balcony in front of him. Wrenching open the sliding doors he ran to the balcony, peering into the depths below. It was still dark, the first creeping of pale blue appearing on the horizon. Dark shapes thrashed in the pool below, the waters choppy from impact. In the glow of the security light Gordon's mouth dropped open in surprise, his grip on the rails falling slack in shock as he fought to comprehend what was in front of him.

Father Christmas, Sleigh, Reindeer and all were in his pool!