sat crossed legged on the floor, delicately wrapping presents, adding bows and ribbons as she went. She glanced at the clock and noticed the time, James was due to fly in from LA tonight, and his plane was landing soon. She flicked her phone on and checked the flight tracker app. “See you soon baby” she smiled to herself, placing one last gift under the tree. She ran upstairs and jumped in the shower, getting herself ready for his arrival.
She slicked her hair back into a smooth, high ponytail and pulled on James’ hoodie she had stolen from him the last time she was with him in LA. James’ lived out there, and was splitting her time between there and her home in London, and although they had only been separated a matter of weeks this time, she was more excited than ever to see him.
She sat by the window, watching the stars shine in the sky, singing along to Christmas songs as she waited for a familiar car to pull up, and as if like clockwork, she saw the headlights appear on the driveway. She pulled on her coat and shoes, running out, the cold hitting her as she did.
“JAMES!” She shouted as he walked towards her, she jumped into his arms, wrapping her legs around his waist as he planted a million kisses on her lips.
“I’ve missed you.”
“I missed you too!” she kissed him back, her arms wrapped around his neck, her holding on tightly.
“Come on you, it’s cold, let’s get in”
James walked into the living room and admired the decorations.
“You really do go all out don’t you” He grinned as she locked the door behind them. She jumped into his arms once again, hugging him even more tight than before.
“You’ve really missed me haven’t you?” She just nodded and giggled at him.
“Drink?” She asked as he placed her back down on the ground. He nodded as she led him into the kitchen, handing him a cold Budweiser out of the fridge. He pulled her into him as he leant against the kitchen island counter.
“I missed you too, by the way” he smiled, wrapping his free arm around her waist.
“We still need to have that talk though…” he reminded his girlfriend of 4 years, how they had to have that conversation about where they were going to live come the new year, if James would move back to the UK, or if would move out to LA. Neither were really willing to budge, but both were harbouring secrets that would sway either way. sighed deeply.
“I know…but, lets wait until tomorrow, you’ve only just got back, and we need to catch up” She winked before leading him upstairs.
The sunlight lightly escaped the curtains, allowing a stream of light to enter into the bedroom. James loved waking up next to , something about her felt safe, familiar, but also never boring. She was perfect in more ways than one. He smiled as she turned around and, whilst still in a sleepy haze, nuzzled herself into his chest, him placing an arm around her protectively, before falling back asleep.
When James finally woke up, was already up and about. He walked downstairs to find cooking breakfast, dancing and singing around the kitchen, a mix of Mcfly and Westlife blasted out of the Alexa sound system. He smiled as she sang into her spatula, giving the performance of her life, before grabbing a wooden spoon and jumping in to sing with her. She was caught off guard, before smiling as they finished a rendition of ‘Star Girl’.
“Good morning Babe” he kissed her lips as she handed him an iced coffee.
“Good morning darling” she smiled.
“Something smells good!”
“Pancakes with crispy bacon and maple syrup, pure American delicacy” she grinned as she placed the food gently on the plate, before placing two plates onto the breakfast bar.
“Oh and happy Christmas Eve Eve” giggled as they sat down to eat.
“I love how you wait every year for this day, just to be able to quote it!”
“So, what shall we do today?”
“I need to do some last minute shopping, and then I thought we could go for a nice dinner tonight, before we leave for your parents tomorrow!” James took a bite of his food, not realising how hot it would be.
“That sounds nice, but how about a night in, rather than dinner out, I’m feeling a little tired.”
“You okay?” James asked with concern. It was unlike to not want to go for dinner.
“I think it might be the season cold everyone seems to have, but a nice cosy night would be nice”
“If that’s what my baby wants, my baby gets”.
“You sure you don’t want to come with me?” James asked, pulling his jacket on to leave for the shops. was looking pale and shook her head. He walked over the sofa where she was laying, and placed a blanket over her, tucking her in gently.
“I’ll be back soon” He stroked her hair and kissed her forehead. “I’ll bring back snacks and treats” he smiled, even though he knew it was unlikely she’d be wanting any, considering she’d thrown up her breakfast.
“I must look so attractive,” she sighed.
“You always look attractive,” he replied, making her instantly feel a bit better. James got up and left, closing the door gently behind him.
lifted herself off the sofa and walked over to the tree, pulling out a box, carefully wrapped in gold metallic wrapping paper, complete with a red bow.
“I guess we should let him open this early, hey” she said, placing her hand on her stomach, smiling to herself. “Let’s hope we get the reaction we want” she sighed, placing the present back down.
James walked through town and headed towards the coffee shop, he was secretly glad had opted to not come with him, allowing him to freely arrange his meeting, without giving some lie about sneaking off to buy her a present.
“You’re late!” Charlie laughed as James joined him and Matt at the table.
“Sorry, was feeling unwell, had to make sure she was okay.”
“She all good?” Matt asked as he handed James a coffee.
“Yeah, just flu I think.” He took a sip.
“So…you’re serious about all this then?” Matt asked looking at James, which was replied with a simple nod.
“Yep…Busted are going to come back, for good!” James grinned “The house in LA goes on sale in the new year, I’m telling tomorrow, this is so exciting”. Busted had reunited a few years back, but due to other commitments, nothing really came of it, with James living in LA, it made things hard. After several meet ups with Matt and Charlie, and with desperate to continue living in the UK, James came to the decision to move back, and make a go of it with the band and boys he’d always loved.
“With you back in the UK, we can open up so much more, we can really make Busted a thing again” Charlie was excited.
“To Busted” Matt raised his cup, the other 2 following suit.
“Merry Christmas Eve!” yelled, shaking James awake. He rubbed the sleep away from his eyes as they adjusted to the light she had just put on.
“Why the early wake up call” He groaned, if there was one thing James was not, it was a morning person. just giggled as she crawled back into bed next to him.
“I just..” she grabbed the gold wrapped box beside her “I just wanted to give you this, a little early” she said handing it over to him. She bit down on her lip nervously as he looked confused.
“What’s this?” He asked, more awake than he was before. He began to unwrap the ribbon to reveal a cardboard box, he opened the lid to reveal inside a baby grow, a card with a poem to ‘My Daddy’ and a positive pregnancy test. He picked up each item and inspected carefully, the cogs turning within his brain. chewed on her sleeve as she tried to gauge his reaction. She had been dreading this moment for weeks now, despite herself being over the moon, she just had no idea how he was going to react, she was hoping he was going to be over the moon too, especially as this now changed her opinion on moving over to LA. James’ eyes widened with shock as it sunk in what he was looking at, he glanced over to who smiled nervously at him.
“Are you really?” he asked. She took a deep breath and nodded. James placed the box to one side, taking a deep breath himself, before turning to face her.
“Are you happy?” she asked nervously.
“Happy?” he repeated, before a big grin appeared on his face, pulling in, embracing her. “That is the best Christmas present I could have asked for!”
“I was hoping you’d say that.”
“That’s why you’ve been poorly!” he said, putting the pieces together. She nodded. “When did you find out?”
“The week after I came back from LA, so three weeks, it’s been so hard keeping it from you.”
“This is so exciting!” he said as he traced the wording of the baby grow, which adorned the Busted logo.
“I know Busted seems to be done with mostly, but I saw it online, and couldn’t resist.”
“Well…about that…” he cleared his throat. She looked at him, this time she was confused.
“I have my own secret…I’ve been having meetings with Charlie and Matt, we’re not ready to let Busted go again, not yet, so we’re giving it a proper go again”. felt deflated.
“So when you’re over here a lot more you’ll be with them or they’re coming to LA?”.
“LA? …I’m trying to tell you, I’m coming back home, I’m selling the house”. Her face lit up again.
“So I don’t need to tell my mum that I’m taking her grandchild all away across the world!” She clapped.
James laughed and nodded.
“BEST. CHRISTMAS. EVER!” She yelled as they kissed passionately.
“Boy or girl?” James asked as they walked hand in hand along the woods.
“I don’t mind, as long as they’re healthy!”
“Agreed, but I want Marty for a boy!”
“There is no way,” she giggled, knowing his love for the film Back To The Future.
As they strolled, the snowflakes began to fall around them.
“A white Christmas!” cried with joy.
“The cherry on the cake,” James smiled, wrapping an arm around her shoulder.
As they walked, they knew that the only thing that would beat this year’s Christmas, was next year’s, when they would have their own little family, and that, was the greatest gift of all.
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