T

he sound of Jacksons voice waking me, smiling I turn to face him.

"Happy Christmas my Queen" His lips pressing against mine, I actually did it, we made it to Christmas, today is Christmas and I get to spend it with him and the girls. 

Laying here, I can't help but marvel, this life is amazing, and I am lucky to be here with him, I don't want to move yet, I want to stay in the bed and enjoy this moment.

"Let's get up, get the girls downstairs and watch them open their presents" 

I would love to stay here, but today is about the girls and I don't want to waste a minute of it. Reluctantly I climb out of bed, walking to the shower I get in and washed, Jackson walking around the room getting himself ready, watching him to try make sure he doesn't go under my side of the bed. 

Getting out the shower, once dressed we walk out of the room together, waking up the girls and getting them dressed I can't help but smile, everything is perfect right now. 

Walking downstairs with them, their excitement showing as they scream and run towards the tree and presents. Sitting we watch as they open their presents, to many presents I think but I won't say that to Jackson of course.

"I will cook breakfast, my mum will be here soon to help you get started on dinner" 

Nodding I smile, I am not looking forward to that part, me trying to cook for us all, ten adults, three kids. Maybe inviting my sister and mum wasn't such a good idea, no doubt I will burn the food. I hope my step mum and real mum get on, it is not something I thought about when inviting her. 

It will be nice though, to have the whole family together even if there is issues we still need to resolve. Sitting here watching the girls, I can only imagine what last Christmas was like, who was here, Jackson had offered to show me pictures but at the time I was not ready to see them, maybe today I could look through them and see just how their first Christmas was.

"When are they going outside?" 

The biggest present now fully built in the garden, I almost totally forgot about it to be honest. It is a good job him and Marcus had finished building it just in time, otherwise today would have been spent them outside again.

"Later, when everyone is here. It is something the whole family should see, just like the playroom" 

Nodding I agree, and to be honest it looks cold outside, so I would rather stay in where it is warm.

"Anyway, food is ready, I did cook for Marcus, but I am guessing he is still sleeping off last night" Walking over to him, I carry the plates, sitting we start to eat.

"What happened last night that he needs to sleep off?" Looking at Jackson confused, he seemed perfectly fine when he was with us.

"Troy and Alexander came around last night after you fell asleep, they were sat in talking about the mission and drinking, Marcus drank a little too much, I went to bed and he was still up, so no doubt he will be out until dinner is ready" 

Well that is just typical, yet I have a feeling he has done this, so he doesn't feel he needs to hide this morning. Which I can't blame him for he is basically playing the 3rd wheel in this, and while we both love him, it can't be easy especially today of all days. 

Finishing eating, we sit down with the girls, playing with their toys they are in their own little worlds. I would give anything to be able to do that, forget about the harassment and threats, the past and all the drama.

"Right, time for you present" Jackson smiles getting up he hands me a box, opening it inside is a locket, pictures engraved onto it of the girls, it is perfect, beautiful and perfect.

"Don't say thank you yet, here" Handing me another one this time an envelope, opening it slowly I pull out the slips, plane tickets.

"I figured, while Marcus is away we could go on holiday, just me you and the girls, the stress of everything, plus I know you will be worrying about him, so I figured a holiday would be good" He is amazing, and so right it is just what we need.

"Thank you" Hugging him I can't help but smile 

"Here are yours" Handing him the three boxes, I hope he likes them, I hope this was not over stepping the mark. Opening the first one, he pulls out the watch, the underside engraved with the words.

We love you daddy, Tallulah, Katie, Isabella xxx

Not saying anything he opens the next one, inside a frame, moving photos all of Katie and Tallulah, he has photos of them, but none really up I figured that would be something nice to put up in the house for him, me and the girls see it daily. 

His hand shaking as he opens the next one, the small heart shaped pebble, Tallulah's prints on it, with her date of birth. His silence is unnerving, maybe these were not such good ideas like I thought? I have a feeling I have gone to personal on this, and he isn't happy about it. 

His head slowly looking up, tears in his eyes, I can only pray they are not tears of anger, I would hate it if he thought I overstepped the mark.

"These are perfect, honestly Alena the best presents you could ever give, especially the watch, seeing all three names together" Smiling I am glad he likes them. "How did you get all the pictures of these?" I hate this part, I was hoping he wouldn't ask.

"Sorry, I snooped, I knew you kept that box with their stuff in, so I snuck some of it out, get these made and put it back before you noticed" 

I feel awful, but there was really no other way to sort it out. Getting up he hugs me, his arms squeezing a little bit too hard.

"Thank you" Hugging him I can't help but smile The door opens, and Helen walks in with Georgina and Liam, time to start cooking I guess.

"Everything okay?" Everyone looks at us, Jackson does look upset, but I am glad it is for a good reason.

"All fine, I had just given Jackson his presents" Smiling at Helen, trying to reassure her.

"That bad eh? Maybe next time ask for help Alena" Liam begins laughing at his joke.

"No actually, they are pretty much amazing, look mum" Helen walks towards us, Jackson showing her the gifts, smiling she turns to face me, her arms wrapping around me.

"They are beautiful, honestly why none of us have thought of this before I don't know" Liam and Georgina walking over, looking at the items, both amazed by what I got him.

"Right, let's get started, Jackson, Liam you're on baby duty, we will be in the kitchen" 

Turning to Jackson I kiss him, following Helen and Georgina into the kitchen, the moment of truth, can I cook, or will everything be done by Helen?

"Right, so I prepped some of it last night while watching the girls" Standing in the kitchen she told us what to do, while she helped, all three of us cooking away, every once in a while, making a drink for us, Jackson and Liam. 

Marcus walking down the stairs, but looking like he has been awake for hours, as I suspected just staying out of the way, so we could spend the morning just us. 

"I will grab you some food Marcus" Shaking his head at my words he walked past me.

"No need, you have enough to do I can wait" Walking to Jackson and Liam he sits down, since when do I listen? 

Walking around I sort him out some food, he has to eat dinner isn't going to be ready for a few hours yet. Carrying it in to him, I hand him the plate, a look of disappointment on his face.

"Really, you shouldn't have concentrate on Christmas dinner" This time it is my turn to shake my head, as I do I laugh slightly at his words.

"Food won't be ready for a few hours, you need to eat after all the drinking you did last night" 

Walking out I leave no space for him to argue back, the sound of Jackson's light laughter behind me. 

Walking back to the kitchen we continue cooking, my mum and Freya walk in, followed by my dad and step me, this feels awkward, very awkward I had not exactly planned how this would work.

"Dad" Walking over I hug him, feeling slightly guilty for my mum but I still don't feel like she is my mum.

"Alena, everything is cooking so I think we should do some presents?" 

Helen calls over nodding I agree, get presents out of the way and then hopefully everything goes smoothly. Helen and Georgina joining us, I walk over to Jackson, smiling at him on the way, he gets up.

"Presents time" He walks out with the girls, Liam and Marcus following. Sitting down, I look around this is amazing yet at the same time it feels weird.

"Let's start with the kids, give them their presents first then the adults" Jackson smiled, Helen looking as excited as ever.

"These ones are from me, Georgina and Liam" Looking towards her, she pulls two large sacks out with the girl's names on. 

This may take longer than expected. Sitting we watch as the girls go through the sacks opening the presents, the floor covered once again in wrapping paper. 

"These ones are for Max from me and Jackson" I hand Freya the presents for Max to open. The girls finishing opening theirs, my dad hands them a couple of presents each, the girls sitting and opening them, the little rag dolls are amazing.

"This is from me, mum and Max" Freya hands the girls a toy, both opening it together.

"It isn't anything big" Freya smiles, her gift must seem small compared to the heap everyone else threw away money for.

"It is perfect thank you" Hugging her, the girls trying to open the box with the double seated trike inside.

"Jackson can keep up his muscles with pushing them around in that, old age is getting to him" Laughing I wink at him, no doubt it will be me pushing them around most of the time.

"These two are from me" Marcus hands the girls a box each, watching them unwarp them, inside them personalised teddies, the exact same ones that were taken from here that the police still have. 

Along with a personalised bedtime story book each, it probably means more to me that he has got them then the actual girls. Katie instantly cuddling hers, Isabella trying to read her book.

"Right, that is all the girls, this one is for you mum" Jackson hands his mum the small box, inside a beautiful broach, something she loves.

"Thank you, son," Hugging him she smiles.

"This one is for you" Handing Jackson the box, he opens it laughing, everyone looking at him confused.

"Thanks mum" He holds up the hair brush.

"Well, I know your hair is long well not that long, but it doesn't actually have to be a mess" Everyone laughing at her, I like the rugged messy look.

"I am just joking, here is your real present" Handing him the box he opens it, laughing again,

"Thank you, mum, I am not laughing because I think it is a joke, I actually needed a new one and your brush just make this funny" 

Putting the hair shavers on the floor, he hands my dad his present, smiling.

"From me and Alena" Opening the envelope two airplane tickets, looking at us confused.

"I thought you would like to go visit uncle Mark, so we booked your flights and hotel" 

He has not seen Mark in a few years, and I have already spoke to him and planned the date so he is available.

"Thank you it is perfect" His smile big, grateful for the girl.

Sitting we continue to swap presents, Marcus handing me the box and everyone looking at me, he looks nervous, a look I never thought I would see on him. 

Opening the box, the charm bracelet inside is beautiful, I can't help but smile, the small pendants on it resembling us so much, a kitten, bear, heart, love, along with other items, I can now see why he felt off giving me it in front of others.

"It is beautiful, thank you Marcus" Handing him the present me and Jackson had bought him, watching as he opens it, taking out the watch he smiles.

"Jackson was on about how you had the same watch for years till it got stolen while on a mission, so I did some searching and found the same one" 

Smiling at him, looking at us both he smiles, he is genuinely happy with it. 

"It is perfect thank you" Everyone finished opening presents, sat talking and laughing.

"Right, come on Alena, time to finish food" 

Getting up I follow Helen into the kitchen standing with her cooking, I watch as everyone talks, my step mum clearly uneasy as my dad talks freely to my mum, I feel awful for inviting her now. 

Trying to push the thought out of my mind, I continue to help cooking, nearly finishing I set the table, grateful for Jackson having such a big table, right now. Once set we carry over the food, placing it on the table, shouting everyone over to eat. 

Sitting down we all laugh, talking about the past year, keeping out the bad bits, especially ours as there is so much that everyone at this table does not know about this past year. It has gone amazing, everyone is still talking and no arguments, even my mum and step mum have had a conversation.

Finishing eating, we sit down, the girls and Max playing with the new toys, sat talking it begins to snow, it feels weird, it hardly ever snows on Christmas day, not even Christmas week. 

Trying to remember last year, did it snow? Have the girls ever seen snow before?

"I think we should show the girls the present outside, before the snow gets any worse" Jackson is looking outside as he speaks.

"Good idea, I will get their coats" Walking away I grab the girls coats, helping them with getting them on. 

All of us walking outside, the snow slowly settling on the ground. Walking to the playhouse and garden set, the girls run over, as I thought to big, they can climb up the steps and play with the play house, but the swings, and seesaw are too big. Looking I see Max stood next to Freya, walking over to him I smile.

"You can go play Max" Watching him as he runs towards the playhouse to join in. Standing outside, we watched them play for a bit, the snow falling thicker and heavier. "We best set off home pumpkin" My dad turned to look at me.

"Don't want to be travelling to far, if the snow keeps getting worse, thank you for a lovely Christmas" 

His arms wrapping around me as he said goodbye, shaking Jacksons hand, and saying goodbye to everyone else, watching as him and my step mum leaves, well that is some family gone, not many left now.

"We should get in, it is getting cold and I don't want the girls getting ill" Jackson is watching them, he worries too much, they are running around trying to catch snowflakes, but I don't want to upset him and tell him he is overreacting so just agree.

"Come on girls, let's go get some pudding" Walking back in side, I go straight to the kettle and turn it on, I think we could all do with a hot drink.

"I should be going home as well, thank you though" Freya walks over and hugs me, I have not really spoke to my mum.

"That is fine, I understand" Smiling I hug her back.

"We can stay for a cuppa, come on Freya get a little warmed up before we go" Sarah smiled at her, I am guessing this is her way of trying to talk to me and be a mum before she leaves.

"I guess so, I just don't want to be driving too late in the snow" Freya walks in and sits down. Sarah walking over to me.

"How are you?" Looking at her I smile, as fake as it is, I am trying to be nice, the times she has been around me, she has made a point of making me aware she dislikes me and Jackson being together. 

I can only imagine what she would have to say knowing about everything else that has happened.

"I am really good thanks Sarah, just trying to concentrate on the business, girls and Jackson. How have you been?" I really am not bothered, but I feel I need to ask her back to be polite.

"Good, I was hoping you would have contacted me, but I was disrespectful, so I don't blame you" Smiling she turned to face the girls.

"It was nice to finally meet the girls, I can't believe I have three grandkids" She picks up her cup and having a drink slowly, she is looking at me waiting for a reply.

"It is fine, they need to know their family, it is the most important thing in life" Sitting we carried on drinking and talking, she seems totally fine now, calm and happy about everything including Jackson.

"Today, I realised just how amazing Jackson is as a father, brother, and even husband, so I apologise for what I said" 

Looking at her, her apology is genuine, and sympathetic. 

"That is fine, not everyone agrees with what happens behind the scenes, even though it is safe, but it means a lot that you're okay with him now" 

It really is, and to be honest I can move past it and get to know her more now that I know she won't be complaining and judging Jackson.

"I do have to say though, it is weird that Marcus lives here still. Freya was telling me he moved in, you would have thought he would have his own place" Is this her now finding a fault with Marcus?

"Marcus is fine here, he is like Jacksons brother, he has no one else and nowhere else to go. He has helped us a lot and there is no issue with him being here" 

She looked at me shocked, my outburst clearly heard by others around us, everyone looking at us, waiting everyone turned back around and continued with their own conversations. I sense Jackson and Marcus are still listening though. 

"You're protective of him, just like you are Jackson, why?" Thinking back, I was but then again, I would be for any friend, Liam and Georgina even Troy.

"You don't have a right to comment on who lives here, especially people you don't even know" Her eyes filled with humour as a laugh escapes her mouth at my words. 

"I know Marcus, not well but I met him a few times while being Jacksons accountant, I know him more than you do Alena. 

He is very much like Jackson, but everything is about him" My happiness of a mum who doesn't get to involved didn't last long. She's gone from judging Jackson to Judging Marcus, and I really don't understand why she is trying to find a fault, with anyone at all.

"I don't care, honestly I know Marcus well, more then you know, I think it's time you left" Standing up I walk past her and to Freya.

"Thank you for coming, Sarah is ready to go now, come down sometime though with Max" Freya smiles nodding, looking at Sarah, clearly waiting for her to move, she stays sat looking at me.

"Mum let's just go. I need to get Max home in time for bed" 

Freya walked towards the door and grabbed their coats, Sarah following quietly, her eyes on me as she does. Watching them leave the house relief washes through me, we nearly made it the whole day without issues. Jackson walks towards me, his hand wrapping around me waist. 

"Are you okay?" He looks concerned, I am fine, but I can't ignore what just happened.

"I am fine, we can talk about it when everyone has left. Let's not let it spoil the rest of today" Smiling I walk back to the girls and Helen, sitting down we watch the girls playing, talking between ourselves. 

A film in the background as we do, Georgina and Liam look so happy together, it feels strange seeing them like this. Totally unexpected, yet at the same time I am glad, my mind trying to imagine Georgina as a mum, Liam the dad. They really would be amazing parents.

"I am tired, I think I should go home. You two stay though, don't let me stop you from enjoying today" Helen starts getting up slowly, the mention of tiredness making me yawn, feeling totally worn out myself.

"No, we will come home, Alena looks worn out as well, and the girls do too" 

Georgina gets up, pulling Liam with her, I want to refuse and tell them no, ask them to stay but I am tired and to be honest I can't wait to give Jackson his other present. It is seven o'clock so past the girl's bedtime as well, I guess Christmas is over, but it was amazing. 

Getting up I hug them goodbye and watch as they leave, sitting down I close my eyes, tiredness taking over. I need a nap, then I can get up and give Jackson his other present.