Good timing…the chapter is a Christmas one, but will it be a jolly Christmas? Thank you Hollie as always!
"Tis the season to be jolly..." Jessica Stone's face was bitter as the carollers outside her front door sang their happy song. Who even came up with that crap anyway? It's a well known fact that the festive period was one of the most stressful times of the year...probably the most stressful! People were short of money, worrying whether the presents they had bought for loved ones would be appreciated, angry at the people who seemed to breeze through the Christmas period with no problems whatsoever, panicking about cooking the Christmas dinner...the list was endless. Jess stood silently, waiting for the carollers to finish. When they did, they looked up at her blank face expectantly. She was so tuned out that she didn't even realise that they'd finished.
"Erm, excuse me?" the lead singer said tentatively. Jess snapped out of it, glancing down at the group.
"Sorry. Here you go." she said brusquely, dropping a pound coin into their collection bucket. They wished her a merry Christmas then made their way down the steps and away from the house.
Jess shut the door behind her, a bit harder than was necessary, and trooped into the living room. It was only a week until Christmas, but the house was still bare. Callum didn't want to decorate on his own, he wanted to do it with Jess and their son, make their first Christmas as a proper family really special, but Jess didn't seem to care. She just walked round the house like a zombie, not feeling anything, not seeming to hear what anyone was saying to her.
That night that she had run off to her mum's had been awful for Callum. Jamie wouldn't stop crying, he wouldn't settle down, all he wanted was his mum, and she had walked out on them. He was tempted to go over to Michelle's and drag his wife back where she belonged, but he knew that wouldn't help any. So he rode it out, waiting for her to contact him. But she never did. One day passed, then two, and three days later she still hadn't phoned to let him know what was happening. So he rang Michelle's house, and Michelle informed him that Jess wasn't ready to come home yet. Michelle apologised to him, telling him that she had tried everything to convince Jess to return home, but nothing seemed to be getting through to her. When Jess did finally return to her home, it was only because Michelle had threatened to drag Jess to the GP if she didn't get back to her husband and son. So Jess had returned home, but it wasn't her. Callum hated this look-a-like who was pretending to be Jess. He hated her.
I don't want a lot for Christmas
There's just one thing I need
I don't care about presents
Underneath the Christmas tree
"I was going to take Jamie to the park. Do you want to come?" Callum asked, pausing in the doorway of the living room, Jamie snug in his arms.
"No thanks." Jess replied blankly.
"Are you sure? I'd like it if you came." Callum pushed.
"I said no thanks." Jess replied, monotonously.
"Fine, suit yourself. Sally rang; she said she was coming over in the afternoon." Callum relayed.
"I don't want to see her, ring her back and tell her not to bother." Jess said, not looking up at him once.
"No. You know what? I don't care what you want right now. I'm worried about you, your mum is worried about you, and Sally is worried about you. Snap out of this, whatever this is!" Callum yelled, putting Jamie in his pram and leaving the house, letting the door slam shut behind him. As soon as he was out the house he felt guilty at his words, but he felt like nothing he did or said would ever get through to her. He needed to get through to her, needed her to understand that all he wanted was to help her be her again. He sighed, rubbing his forehead, before lifting the pram down the front steps and heading to the park.
Only when he'd left did Jess notice the warm tears trailing down her cheeks. Some part of her, deep inside her, acknowledged what Callum had said, and even agreed with it, but she had no idea how to let that part out, how to be herself again.
I just want you for my own
More than you could ever know
Make my wish come true
All I want for Christmas is you.
Callum and Jamie were still out when the doorbell rang. Jess sat there for a while, hoping whoever it was would go away. But then it rang again, and again, until it was just one long droning noise. Jess sighed before slowly getting to her feet, trudging to the front door. She pulled it open, glaring as it was revealed that Sally was the one on the other side of the door. Sally smiled at her, but it wasn't a happy smile, more of a sad, disappointed smile.
"Hey. Can I come in?" she asked quietly.
"If I say no will you go away?" Jess replied blankly.
Sally winced, as if she'd been slapped, "Fraid not." Jess rolled her eyes, but stepped aside, shutting the door as Sally shook snow out of her hair.
"Do you want tea or coffee?" Jess asked, out of hospitality more than anything else.
"Coffee please. How are you? I haven't seen you in a while. You've not been answering your texts." Sally broached carefully.
"I'm fine." Jess said bluntly. Sally opened and closed her mouth, not sure how to proceed with this stranger who looked like her best friend but very clearly wasn't.
"Really? Cause you don't look or sound fine." Sally said.
Jess turned round, pausing in the act of making Sally's coffee, "Have you come round here just to insult me? Because if you have, you can leave now."
"What the hell is wrong with you? I'm trying to be a supportive friend, showing you that I'm here if you need me, that I want you to admit you have a problem and go and see a GP. It's a week before Christmas, and this house is as bare as the trees outside. My Jess would have had this place looking like Santa's whore house grotto, with as much tinsel and fairy lights as possible! My Jess would have been sitting in the living room in front of the fire, with a hot chocolate in front of her, playing with her son and laughing with her husband. My Jess would admit she had a problem and stop being such a nasty bitch to everyone who tries to get near her and help her." Sally said heatedly, her eyes burning. "Do you know what? Leave it, I don't want the coffee. Merry Christmas." And with that, Sally stormed out of the house, leaving Jess crying in the kitchen.
I don't want a lot for Christmas
There is just one thing I need
I don't care about presents
Underneath the Christmas tree
Michelle was baking in the kitchen when the doorbell went. She wiped her floury hands on her apron and hurried for the door. She swung it open to see Jess stood there, shivering, snow in her hair, and tears endlessly dripping down her face.
"Baby, come in, you're freezing! Where's your coat!" Michelle chided, hugging Jess to her and getting her in the house.
"Mum!" Jess cried, and that was all she could say before clinging to Michelle as if for dear life. Michelle led her into the living room, sitting down on the sofa and rubbing Jess' back soothingly.
"It's ok darling, mum's here. What's bought this on eh?" Michelle asked, pressing a kiss to her daughter's head.
"I'm a bitch. A nasty bitch that's ruining her husband's life and making it very hard for her friends and family to like her." Jess cried, wiping her face with a tissue Michelle proffered.
"Oh darling, you're not a bitch, you're a kind, beautiful woman who's lost her way, that's all. We just need to help you find your way back to who you used to be." Michelle said gently.
"I don't want to be like this anymore mum. I want to be happy again, and I want to be excited for Christmas like I normally am. But most of all mum, I just want to love my husband and son properly! I want to hold my son and not want to pass him off to someone straight away. I want to hold him tight to me so that he knows how sorry I am. I just want to hold him." she said in a broken voice.
"You can do that my darling. We can ring Callum, tell him you're here, and then he can come over with that beautiful grandson of mine and you can hold him and talk to Callum. How about that?" Michelle asked, stroking Jess' blonde hair. Jess hesitated and then nodded; Michelle pressed another kiss to her head before getting up. "How about, before we give Callum a ring, you come and help me make the Christmas cake, like you used to when you were a little girl?"
"Can I lick the spoon after?" she asked shakily.
Michelle laughed, "Of course you can sweetheart."
I don't need to hang my stocking
There upon the fireplace
Santa Claus won't make me happy
With a toy on Christmas day
Callum was so relieved when he got the call from Michelle telling him that Jess was with her. He had come home with Jamie, feeling progressively more guilty for his outburst at her earlier, and she hadn't been there. There was no note, and she hadn't taken her phone or her purse with her. Her coat and hat were still on the hook, and her gloves and scarf were still in the basket. He had placed Jamie upstairs in his crib, making sure the monitor was on, before checking the whole house. She was nowhere to be seen. He had even rung Sally, wondering if they were together, but then Sally told him what had happened when she had been to see Jess, and Callum felt even worse.
Sally was nearly in tears because she felt so terrible at how she'd spoken to Jess, and now they didn't know where she was. Had she gone out again and found trouble? Had she been hurt? Had she left them, disappearing into the snow not to be seen again? The thoughts kept spinning round his head, faster and faster. And then his phone rang.
The panic paused. Callum saw the caller ID was Michelle and he hastily answered. Everything was ok, because Michelle had explained that something had finally got through to Jess and she'd had a breakthrough. So Callum took the stairs two at a time, lifting his slumbering son from the crib. He wrapped him up nice and warm, taking him back downstairs and gently strapping him into the car seat. He swung the changing bag over his shoulder, grabbed the car keys, and made his way to Michelle's, to his wife.
I just want you for my own
More than you could ever know
Make my wish come true
All I want for Christmas is you
Michelle opened the door with a smile, taking Jamie off of Callum, and nodding her head to the kitchen.
"She's in there, finishing off the Christmas cake. She doesn't know that I've called you yet. I think she's going to accept that she needs help, I think she's coming back to us." Michelle said happily, her eyes shining with unshed tears.
"Thanks Michelle." Callum said with a nod, watching as Michelle took Jamie upstairs to the nursery. He slowly made his way to the kitchen at the back of the house, pausing as he heard singing. It was Jess, Jess was singing! He strained his ears, trying to catch what it was she was singing, and soon realised that it was "Make You Feel My Love" by Adele. She loved that song. He allowed a small smile to grace his lips as he took a step into the kitchen. Jess had her back to him; she was completely oblivious to his presence. "Jess?" The singing stopped immediately as Jess slowly turned to face him.
"Callum? Did mum call you?" she asked quietly. He nodded slowly, not sure if she was going to explode at him.
"I'm sorry." he said sincerely, his head hanging in shame at what he'd said to her.
"What for?" she asked as she slowly moved towards him, closing the distance between them.
"For shouting at you this morning. For not supporting you when you needed me. For everything." he said, his voice catching at the end. He was surprised when he felt Jess' hand gently cup his cheek, her thumb rubbing gently over his cheekbone.
"You have nothing to be sorry for. I'm the one who should apologise. I've been awful to live with these few weeks, and I shouldn't have treated you and Jamie the way I have been. I know that Jamie needed me, but no matter how much I wanted to, I just couldn't connect and break through the barrier. I don't know how. But I want to change, I want to be his mum again, and I want to be your wife again. So I'm going to get help, I am." she said, her voice breaking. And before she knew it, she was back where she belonged, in her husband's arms.
"I love you Jess, so damn much. And now you're back with me again, like you should be. I want you to understand that I'm behind you all the way, you hear me? And I'm so sorry if it didn't seem like that." he whispered into her hair. She nodded, her arms wrapped tightly around his neck.
"I love you." she said simply, crying into his chest.
I won't ask for much this Christmas
I won't even wish for snow
I'm just gonna keep on waiting
Underneath the mistletoe
The family stayed the night at Michelle's, just talking through what they were going to do to get Jess on the road to recovery. Jess knew it was going to be hard, and she knew it would take a while for her to feel herself again, but she was willing to go through all the difficulties if it meant that she would be a part of her family again. She had decided to see the GP the next day, wanting to be feeling better for Christmas with her family. Michelle had offered to look after Jamie so that Callum could go with her, so it was the next morning, after they had drunk their coffee, that they got ready to go to the GP's.
"You okay?" Callum asked softly, massaging her tense shoulders.
"I will be once we hear what the GP says. I just want her to help me be me again." Jess replied quietly. Callum brushed a kiss against her flushed cheek.
"She will, we all will. The hard part is over; you've admitted that you need help. We're all going to be here for you, I promise. Oh, and Sally rang again last night, but I told her that you'd call her back when you're ready." Callum said carefully.
"Thank you. I think she hates me now though, so I don't know why she was ringing. I'll make it right with her again. When we get back from the doctor's, I'll invite her over." Jess said with a nod.
"I think she'd like that. Come on then, you ready?" he asked her, pulling her to her feet.
"I'm ready." she said determinedly.
I won't make a list and send it
To the North Pole for Saint Nick
I won't even stay awake to
Hear those magic reindeer click
"Postnatal depression." Jess said to Michelle once they were back at Michelle's, Jess warming her hands round the cup of tea her mum had offered.
"I had an inkling that was what it was. Did they give you some medication?" Michelle asked, bouncing Jamie in her arms while Callum gathered all their stuff together.
"Well, she said that she thought even though my symptoms may have seemed quite severe, I was suffering from mild postnatal depression. So she's given me some tablets and also a number for a counsellor who specialises in it. She said it's called talking therapy, where I just go and see the counsellor and talk about everything basically. It's got a good success rate according to Dr Jones. She said losing dad and then all the drama around Jamie's birth, then my postnatal hormones, just combined into the worst possible mix and caused it. " Jess said with a nod.
"To be honest darling, I'm not surprised. That was a lot of trauma to go through, in such a short amount of time. What if the medication and talking therapy doesn't work? Not that it won't, but I just want to make sure that they're going to do everything for you." Michelle said.
"Dr Jones said that if the therapy doesn't work, she can increase or change the medication, but she said she doesn't want to if she can help it. She's also given me a leaflet with all the information in, and I've got a number for a new mum's group." Jess explained, handing Michelle the leaflet.
"I'm so proud of you sweetheart, I really am. Here, why don't you feed Jamie, he's getting a bit restless." Michelle suggested gently. Jess looked like she was about to say no, when Michelle said, "It's ok, I'll stay with you. Why don't we take him into the living room, and I can sit next to you then."
Jess nodded mutely, taking her squirming son from his grandmother's arms. She held him awkwardly at first, as if she'd forgotten what to do, but then she shifted her arms so that he was lying comfortably in the cradle of her embrace. She allowed a small smile to grace her face as Jamie's wriggling stopped.
"There, see. He's missed you sweetheart."
"I missed him too." Jess said thickly, trying to hold back the tears. She pressed a gentle kiss to her son's forehead, walking into the living room, Michelle close behind.
'Cause I just want you here tonight
Holding on to me so tight
What more can I do
Baby all I want for Christmas is you
Later that evening, Jess had put Jamie to bed for the first time in weeks, and she was now snuggled up in her own bed with Callum. Callum hadn't realised how much he had missed having her with him like this until she'd come back to him. He stroked her hair gently before trailing his hand up her arm.
"Can we decorate the house tomorrow?" Jess asked quietly, twisting to look up at Callum.
Callum stopped stroking her arm, instead cupping her cheek and leaning down to kiss her.
"Yeah, yeah we can. Why don't we take Jamie out shopping in the morning for some new decorations?" Callum suggested.
Jess paused before answering, "Would you mind if we just stayed in? I mean we've got plenty of decorations, we don't need any more do we?"
"Of course I don't mind. How about, I go out in the morning to get the tree, and you and Jamie can make a start on the house?" Callum asked.
Jess' heart picked up a bit at the thought of being alone with her son, "What if something happens to Jamie? What if I don't know what to do?"
"Jess, listen to me. You're his mum; you'll know what to do, I promise. Your mum is only round the corner if you really feel anxious, ok?" Callum said in a calm voice. Jess took a deep breath and nodded.
"Ok, yeah. Thank you." she said softly.
All the lights are shining
So brightly everywhere
And the sound of children's
Laughter fills the air
The next few days passed in a whirlwind, with the Stone's getting their house ready for Christmas. They had decided to just spend it at home, and Michelle would be coming over to open presents with them and help Jess do the lunch. Sally and Nate would be coming over in the evening for games, something which Jess was really happy about. She had rung Sally to apologise for the way she'd been acting, and to tell her that she'd gone and got help. In no time at all, the two women were in tears on the phone to each other, each apologising profusely. Eventually though, the tears turned to laughter, and both were excitedly looking forward to Christmas.
Callum had bought a big tree for the living room, and had only just managed to get it into the house, with the top of it scraping along the ceilings before Jess had cut the top off. Jess and Jamie had decorated the ceilings with colourful streamers and fairy lights wrapped around the mirrors. Callum and Jess decorated the tree with bright baubles and silver tinsel, Callum lifting Jess up in his arms so she could place the angel on the tree.
"I took Jamie out today." Jess said suddenly once he'd put her down.
Callum looked surprised at first, but then started to smile, "Where did you go?"
"To the Christmas market in town. Look what Jamie bought." Jess said with a small smile, rooting through her handbag until she pulled out a small tissue paper wrapped parcel. She handed it to Callum who carefully unwrapped it. It was a snowflake tree ornament with the image of a tiny sleeping baby in the middle and "James' first Christmas" written underneath. "They were doing the engravings for free, so I thought it would be nice to put on the tree."
"It's lovely Jess, really lovely. And I'm so proud of you." Callum said sincerely. "Why don't you pick Jamie up, and we'll see where he wants to put it." Jess nodded, scooping Jamie off of his playmat, standing next to Callum. Jamie began to stretch, and slowly opened his eyes.
"Hello beautiful boy." Jess cooed quietly, shifting him in her arms so that he was sat up facing the tree.
"Now then Jamie, where are we going to put your ornament?" Callum asked his son. Jamie stretched again, and it looked like he was pointing at a bare branch at the top of the tree, just underneath the angel. Jess and Callum looked at each other, exchanging a laugh. "Right then, we'll put it here then."
Callum reached up, gently hooking the ornament over Jamie's chosen branch. He stood back to admire their handiwork, slipping his arm around Jess' waist, allowing her to melt into him.
"It looks beautiful." Jess said simply.
And everyone is singing
I hear those sleigh bells ringing
Santa won't you bring me the one I really need
Won't you please bring my baby to me
Christmas day dawned sunny and bright in London. Dead on six o'clock in the morning, Jamie began his cries for milk. The couple slowly came to, smiling at each other.
"Merry Christmas Mrs Stone." Callum said, his voice still husky from sleep.
"Mmm, merry Christmas Mr Stone." Jess replied, kissing his stubbly cheek. "I'll see to him." Jess said with a small smile, slowly getting out of bed and picking Jamie up out of the cot. As soon as Jamie saw her, he stopped crying. "Merry Christmas Jamie." She scooped him up into her arms, rocking him as she walked to the nursery, pressing a kiss to his hot cheek. She sat down in the rocking chair, letting him feed.
Once he was done, she placed him gently over her shoulder, and shut her eyes as she rubbed up and down his back. A flash over her eyelids caused her to open her eyes, but she relaxed when she saw it was just Callum with his phone. He walked into the nursery, crouching down next to Jess. He gently stroked the tufty blonde hair on his son's head, before kissing him gently.
"Merry Christmas son." he whispered. "Do you want salmon on toast for breakfast?"
"Oh that would be lovely. We'll be down in a few minutes." Jess said with a sleepy smile.
Callum kissed her before leaving the room. "Well then little one, let's give you a nice bath shall we?"
Oh, I don't want a lot for Christmas
This is all I'm asking for
I just want to see my baby
Standing right outside my door
Jess came downstairs twenty minutes later with Jamie wrapped in a tiny dressing gown in her arms. She padded into the kitchen, settling herself at the table.
"That smells really good." she said appreciatively.
"Only the best for my wife." he said with a laugh. "Why don't you put Jamie in the rocker while we eat breakfast?" Jess nodded and went to get the rocker from the living room. She placed it on the table, slowly sliding Jamie into it, making sure he was secure before walking over to Callum. "Your mum rang, saying she'd come over about ten-ish, but I said to come over now and join us for breakfast if that's alright?"
"Of course it's alright; I hate to think of her on her own on Christmas morning." Jess said quietly, thinking of her dad
"Uh, Jess, I was thinking that, if you and your mum wanted, I could look after Jamie for a bit, if you wanted to go to the cemetery and see your dad and Luke." Callum said gently.
Jess blinked rapidly, trying to clear the tears from her eyes before nodding, "Thanks Callum." He kissed her on her temple.
"No problem."
Oh I just want him for my own
More than you could ever know
Make my wish come true
Baby all I want for Christmas is
You
"Where's my little Christmas elf!" Michelle shouted into the house once she'd let herself in half an hour later. She hurried into the kitchen, stopping in the living room on the way to place the presents under the tree. "Merry Christmas my darlings!"
Jess ran over and hugged her mum tight, "Merry Christmas mum."
"Merry Christmas 'Chelle." Callum said with a grin from his position at the stove.
"Where's that beautiful grandson of mine?" Michelle asked, before turning and seeing him in his rocker. "Oh good, you haven't dressed him yet. I bought him a little something to wear."
"Oh mum, it better not be that Christmas pudding costume you were threatening to put him in." Jess chided gently.
"No no darling, it's much better. Now, you two have your breakfast in peace while I take him upstairs and get him all ready. Come on then sweetheart, let's get you dressed." Michelle said gently, picking up Jamie and leaving the couple to it.
All I want for Christmas is you baby
All I want for Christmas is you baby.
Callum and Jess had eaten their breakfast and were putting on their Christmas best before going to see what Jamie had been dressed up as. Callum had on a grey Ben Sherman shirt and dark jeans, with his new watch, bought for him by Jess for their anniversary. Jess pulled on a long sleeved black velour wrap dress and put on the pearl drop earrings Callum had given her for their anniversary. Once Jess had tied her hair up in a ponytail, they made their way downstairs, immediately bursting into peals of laughter, seeing their son lying on the floor next to the tree while Michelle took pictures.
When she heard them come in, she spun round, pushing them together to take more pictures, then getting pictures of herself and Jess, and finally a group one of the new parents and their son and one with granny in it as well. Jess held Jamie up, smiling at his confused little face.
"What has granny done, eh little one?" Jess said, kissing him gently. Michelle had bought Jamie a tiny Santa outfit, complete with white fur trim and shiny black buttons. He even had on the cutest pair of black Santa boots, and on his head was Santa's hat, complete with a bell on the end.
"He looks beautiful, don't you sweetheart." Michelle said with a laugh, kissing his hand.
"Jamie's first Christmas. Who would've thought this time last year that we'd have a baby?" Callum said in wonder.
"I know. But you're the perfect little miracle aren't you Jamie." Jess said with a smile. She handed the baby over to Callum, who took him into the kitchen. "Mum, I thought, before we started properly on lunch, we could go to the cemetery and see dad and Luke, if you wanted to of course."
Michelle smiled at her daughter, cuddling her close, "That would be lovely. I bought some roses to put on your dad's grave, and some lilies for Luke. I hoped that we could go together, only if you're up for it though."
Jess nodded, "Yeah, yeah I'm up for it."
All I want for Christmas is you baby
All I want for Christmas is you baby.
The cemetery was full of people coming to wish their deceased loved ones a merry Christmas. Jess and Michelle made their way through the graves, wishing the people they saw a merry Christmas, before finally ending up at Luke and Robert's graves. Michelle slowly bent down to place her bunch of red roses over Robert's grave, clearing off the muck and dead flowers that were there.
"Merry Christmas darling. I hope you're ok, and that you're looking after our grandchildren for us. I miss you. I love you so much." Michelle said simply, wiping her eyes quickly.
"Hey Lukie. Merry Christmas baby, I hope Santa brought you everything you wanted. Be a good boy for granddad. I love you, always and forever." Jess said quietly.
The two women held hands as Jess placed the bunch of pale pink lilies on Luke's grave. They stood for five minutes, lost in their thoughts of their loved ones, before casting the graves one last look and going home.
All I want for Christmas is you baby
All I want for Christmas is you baby.
The opening of presents took about an hour, in between feeding Jamie and changing his nappy. Safe to say he got the most presents, but it had been a while since they'd had a baby in the family to spoil rotten. Once all of Jamie's presents were opened, and he was lying fast asleep on his mat on the floor, Callum handed Jess an envelope.
"This is from me." he said simply. Jess looked at him curiously as she opened it, slipping out some pieces of paper. She opened them up, her eyes skimming the paper, and when she finally realised what it was, she beamed at her husband, hugging him tight.
"Oh Callum thank you, I can't wait!" she said excitedly.
"It is ok isn't it? I didn't think you'd want to go abroad yet, not with Jamie so young, so I thought a log cabin in the country for a weekend would be perfect. I can change it if you want..." Callum babbled, before a kiss from his wife stopped him.
"I love it." she said softly. She rooted around under the tree for her present for him, finally finding it and handing it over. He ripped at the wrapping paper, leaving it discarded by his side as he saw what Jess had bought for him. It was a multi picture photo frame, with the largest slot holding a picture of Jess and Callum with Jamie, the next one a picture of Claire and Callum, and the last one a picture from their honeymoon. "I thought you could put it on your desk at work, because you were moaning the other day that you didn't have any."
"It will take pride of place next to the computer so I'll always be able to see it when doing bloody paperwork." Callum said with a grin, kissing her tenderly on the cheek.
"Now then, shall I get started on lunch while you two sort in here out and set the table?" Michelle asked, taking charge of the situation.
"Sure mum. And thanks for Jamie's presents and for ours as well. I loved the book." Jess said with a smile at her mum.
"Yeah thanks 'Chelle." Callum said gratefully, helping Jess off the floor and picking his son up, following his family into the kitchen.
All I want for Christmas is you baby
All I want for Christmas is you baby.
The Christmas dinner made by Jess and Michelle was demolished in a fraction of the time it took to prepare. It was perhaps a more sedate affair than usual, seeing as Robert and Andy were missing from the celebrations, but everyone had a good time. There was lots of laughter and reminiscing over Christmas past; with Michelle having Callum and Jess in fits of laughter as she recalled the time Robert set his beard on fire trying to blow out the Christmas pudding.
Once the main dishes had been cleared, Michelle emerged with the Christmas cake that Jess had helped her make, setting it pride of place in the middle of the table. The family only managed small slices each, they were still so stuffed from the roast dinner, so decided to save the rest for when Sally and Nate came over later. Once all the dishes had been placed in the dishwasher, and the table had been cleared, they all retreated to the living room, watching the Queen's speech and just relaxing.
At five o'clock, Jess began getting the buffet ready for later on, setting out all the food and party poppers, and digging out the board games that would most likely come out later on. Sally and Nate arrived with presents just after six o'clock, with Nate dressed up as Santa's little elf. As soon as Michelle saw what he was dressed as, she thrust her grandson at him in order to get pictures.
Once their gifts were exchanged, Sally and Jess escaped into the kitchen, hugging each other and apologising again to each other, and just catching up with each other's lives for the first time in weeks.
The evening carried on with the board games and Charades; safe to say Nate raised the most laughs with his attempts. It was a brilliant evening, and Jess was so pleased that she'd managed to enjoy it properly. As they lay in bed later that evening, full up from food and content from all the good company they'd had, they talked for hours, openly and honestly. It felt good to be able to talk like that again, after all the problems they'd had recently. As Callum drifted off to sleep, Jess nestled in his arms, she thought that this was going to be a good end to a not so good year.
Song: Mariah Carey- All I Want for Christmas