I find myself leaning on Mark on the sofa downstairs, not fully aware of how I ended up here. I sit, watching Kate and Connor sort out the leftover handmade decorations. He places them where she says. Connor has learnt what a woman says goes, even when it’s a young girl. Kate is so chatty. “Daddy, shall we place this over here? Then, people can see it outside.”

“No, it’s too small. They will not see it.” Ignoring him, she places it where she suggested. You can tell she is going to wear the trousers in her future relationships. I can’t help but smile.

“Where is Lucy?” I turn and face Mark.

“You’re awake. She is asleep, bathed and in bed.” He places a little kiss on my forehead.

“Thank you.”

“Would you like something to eat?”

“No, have you heard from Jenny?”

“No, Warren rang though. They will be back later tonight. All is sorted.”

“Megan,” Kate says, running towards me. “You’re awake. Can we place our stockings up yet?”

“Of course, we can. Get Mark to go and get them for us, and we can hang them up while Daddy finishes what he’s doing.” I sit up, letting Mark move.

Mark smiles and goes running upstairs to get them. When Kate first saw them, they were just plain red stockings, but I couldn’t leave them like that. I added everyone’s first initial in their favourite colour to the front of each one.

“There you go, Kate,” Mark says, giving her the bag with the stockings inside.

I sit there, watching her as she pulls them out and starts to scream and jump up and down. I slide to the end of the sofa before standing up and listening to Kate recite the order for them to be hung. I suddenly feel a draft and turn to see Warren and Jenny standing there. Both of them are wearing their big coats, covered with snow.  Warren is holding onto Jenny’s hand. They are such a perfect sight to see.

Jenny smiles at me and then looks around. “Hey, everyone.”

“Jenny, you’re back. Look at the magic stockings. There is one for everyone, including Warren.” She runs over to him and gives him a hug. I don’t know why, but she really has clicked with him. They spend lots of time playing together, and he is always picking her up and throwing her above his head and having tickle fights with her. She seems to gel well with the men.

“How are you?” Jenny asks me.

“I’m fine. And you?”

“Yeah, I’m fine. All is true. Mum left him. She is off to stay with a friend. Dad has that cow in the house.”

“I’m sorry, hun.”

“It’s okay. Mum’s happy and free from Dad.”

I smile as I watch Warren place a present under the tree.

“What’s next?” Kate enquires.

“Supper.” I pause. “Go and get the apples.”

I follow her into the kitchen. Grabbing the chopping board and six small plates, I cut the apples into small, thin strips.  Kate takes a bottle of pop into the front room with some plastic cups.

“You pour it,” Kate demands before running back in to me.

“Sugar,” I say.

Kate smiles as I place a small amount of sugar to the side of everyone’s apple slices before I give her two plates to carry through as I carry the rest.

“Yippee, I love Christmas Eve apples,” Jenny says.

Everyone else looks questioningly at us, and I explain that it is a naughty treat you can only have today. It is a tradition from my childhood. After everyone eats, Warren gets up and grabs hold of Kate, giving her a special reindeer decoration for the tree. It has Martin’s name written on it.

Jenny smiles. “Thank you, Warren.”

“Anything for you.”

“What now?” Kate says.

“Bed, young lady,” Warren says.

“Oh, but…”

“No buts, Kate,” Connor interrupts.

“Come with me, Kate. We have something to do first, but…Shh…because it’s a secret.” Warren takes hold of her hand and walks out of the room.

We remain in the room, just leaving the two troubles to it. Jenny and Mark fight over the television remote. I chuckle a little because I like my man and best friend getting on, but I’m on Jenny’s side. No way am I watching the crap quiz show Mark wants to watch.

“Megan, help me,” Jenny says.

I stand up and walk over to the sofa, grinning at Mark.

“Nah, you’re not getting it, baby,” he says, sliding the remote down the back of his shirt.

“Oh, you know I am.” I sit on him with one leg on either side of his. Grabbing his hands, I pull him towards me.

“Quick, get it, Jenny,” I mouth as Mark struggles to loosen my grip.

Jenny hastily grabs it as Mark frees his hands, placing them behind me and pulling me close. “You will pay for this, baby,” he says as he lowers his lips onto my neck. I can’t help but blush.

“Right, what are we going to do?” I say, struggling to free myself from his grasp.

“How about we play a game until someone is asleep?” Jenny hints.

“Kate?” I question.

“Yeah, then we can get everything else out.”

“Perfect,” I say.

“Well, once Warren has finished with her, I’m going to take her for a bath and story, then bed.”

“That’s fine,” Jenny replies.

Mark holds me tight and smiles. “I don’t know what you’re up to, Mr. Reed,” I say. 

“How about we watch the end of this film and then finish those orange things?” Jenny proposes.

“Daddy, we have everything out for him. It’s in the kitchen. We have placed food outside for the reindeer, too,” Kate says, jumping up and down in front of the tree.