4 MONTHS LATER (DECEMBER)

"Honey, have you got the kids ready?" Vicky asked through the phone. Katelynn sighed as she lifted up the bag of books. She glanced over at the kids were pulling on their jackets. "Oh look, someone finally let me in," Vicky said with a laugh. "See you in a minute, Angel." He put his phone away into his blazer pocket as he walked down the playground. After a few seconds of walking, he pulled open the door to Katelynn's classroom and stepped in.

His eyes set on Katelynn and he felt himself break out into a smile. He turned round to greet the kids and they quickly took the keys off him before walking away. Vicky chuckled as he wrapped his arms around a tired looking Katelynn.

"Long day?" He lifted a hand up to her cheek and stroked her cheek. "You look absolutely knackered."

"I'm just glad I have the Christmas holidays to look forward to." Katelynn sighed before wrapping her arms around him. "I just want to go home and have a nice warm bath and sleep." He kissed her neck as he smiled.

"That works in favour for me. I was thinking the kids and I can cook some dinner for you and then we start our weekend with cuddling on the sofa while we watch movies with our kids. How does that sound?" He kissed her shoulder once more before letting go of her. He lifted her jacket from the chair and helped her put it on. "It's a bit chilly out. Snow is starting to settle."

"You think it's going to be a white Christmas?"

"Hope so. It's our first Christmas together so I want it to be perfect." Vicky leaned down and planted a soft kiss on her lips. "I love you."

"I love you too." Vicky smiled and picked up the bag of books before walking over to the door. "Lets go home."

--

"Honey, you done with the marking?" Katelynn looked up from the pile of books and smiled. "I'll take that as an almost."

"Almost. I'm sorry, I just wanted to finish this all today so I have the rest of the holiday to spend with the kids and you." He leaned down to kiss her cheek before sitting down beside her. "What's up?"

"Nothing. Dinner is gonna be done in about an hour or so," he said whilst scratching the back of his neck.

"I thought you guys were almost done."

"Okay well I just want to say it's not my fault." Katelynn hummed as she started to mark the last book. "I had everything done and everything was in the oven. I went for a shit and you know how long that takes sometimes. I left Katy in charge and I put the mash into the oven to keep warm and plus I put cheese on top- just the way you like it- and left it to melt. The vegetables were on the stove, boiling." Katelynn sighed as she put the closed book on top of the pile, turning to face a flustered Vicky. "And when I came out she was still sitting there playing a damn game. Chicken was burnt. Vegetable was mushy. Mash scraped by but was still burnt. I think the salad is the only- no wait, she left that next to the stove so even the salad wilted."

"And this is why you never let a teenage girl in charge of concentrating on things when she has a phone in front of her," Katelynn said with a laugh. Vicky frowned as he pulled her in closer, listening to the scraping of the chair. "Vicky, it's okay," she whispered when he leaned his head against hers.

"No it isn't. You were meant to have a nice home cooked meal today as we all sit at the dinner table and talk about our day or the week or any plans. We were meant to let you relax because you've been so busy and stressed lately," he whispered as he stroked her face. Vicky felt a heavy weight settle on his chest as he looked down at her smile. "Stop it. You're always so okay when I fail at making you feel special."

"Honey, you know I love you. I love you and the kids very much and it's okay if not everything goes the way you planned because at the end of it we all still get together. Vicky, it's been almost a year, I thought you would have got it by now."

"I do! Dammit, Angel, I get it. But I still want to try and give you everything I can. I know...I know I can't give you everything any other man can give you so I always want to keep you happy so you don't leave me- leave us. Because for fuck sake, honey, you've made me fall in love with you so much." He sighed before kissing her softly. "I think your bath should be almost done. I better go and check on it because I doubt Katy would remember. Don't need her flooding the house now do we?"

Vicky made it to the door before Katelynn pulled him back. "How many times do I have to tell you that I'm happy with what you and the children give me? That no matter what happens I will love the four of you for the rest of my life? Victor, I walked into this relationship knowing that I won't come first but you've never made me feel second. I promise you that. I love you, honey. And thank you for always trying."

"You promise? If I ever did then let me know and-"

"I promise. Now, can I go and have a bath now?" He pecked her lips as his arms sneaked through her robe. "Where you ordering from? Anything but pizza, please. I've had enough."

"I was thinking that Caribbean place that we ordered from last time."

"Sounds great. Now stop undressing me and let me go," she said with a soft laugh.

"Just helping you get into that bath of yours."

"Sure," she said whilst rolling her eyes.

Vicky sighed as he watched her tie her robe up, covering the skin that had just been under his fingertips. "You've got a killer body, Angel. You drive me crazy."

Katelynn laughed as she wrapped her arms around him. "Back to you, Vicky," she murmured against his neck. "Thank you for always trying," she said as she looked up to him. "I love you."

--

Katelynn felt Vicky's warm skin against her bare back. His light snore vibrated into her neck which made a cold shiver run down her back every few minutes. She slowly moved his arm off that was securley around her waist. Katelynn froze when she heard him mumble so she quickly placed her pillow in his arms. Slowly, she got off the bed and slipped on her robe, throwing the hood over her head.

She quietly walked out the room, picking up her phone on the way. Ten minutes later, she walked back into the room with the wrapped presents in her arms. She bit her lip as she looked around the room, thinking of where the best place was to hide the presents. Once she had hid them in her old room, she walked back into the room and back to room. Slowly, she moved the pillow out of his arms and froze when she saw his eyes open.

"Angel?" he groaned, heavy with sleep. "Why is the lamp on?" Vicky finally looked down at the pillow in his arms and groaned. "Come back to bed."

"I'm sorry, I just had to use the bathroom," she lied. Vicky slowly sat up as Katelynn got into bed. He glanced around for a while and finally picked up his t-shirt that was at the corner of the bed.

"Here you go," he whispered as he gave her the t-shirt. "You look cold." He tiredly watched as she slipped off her robe and put the t-shirt on her. He then leaned over and turned the lamp off. "Go back to sleep." 

Katelynn turned around and placed her lips over his. She raised her hands and brought it up to his cheeks. "I love you."

"I love you too." He kissed her once more before she turned around. "You do have underwear on right?" Katelynn laughed as Vicky wrapped an arm around her. Her mind went back to the time Thomas had almost pulled the covers over and seen Katelynn naked. Since then she had ensured she was clothed when she was went to bed. "I love you," Vicky whispered against her neck, "Goodnight, Angel."

"Goodnight, Vicky. See you in the morning."