Catfish and the Bottlemen Imagines

The Night Before Christmas (Dad Van)

AN: Just fancied writing a bit of festive nonsense! I thought I might write some more Christmas-themed headcanon things as they're fun and quick to write...

Merry Christmas / Happy Holidays everyone! Xxx

🎄 Christmas has always been a big celebration in the McCann household and Van likes to make a big deal out of it - even more so now you've got your own little family

🎄 Now it's the night before Christmas and the excitement in the house is palpable... and you're not sure if more of it's radiating from the kids or from Van

🎄 You thought he'd balk at the idea of matching family Christmas PJs but his eyes light up when you produce them. "Wow, look at these kids, look what mum's bought! These are class!"

🎄 There's even a matching onesie for baby Leo which looks adorable on him (have you seen pics of Van as a baby as you just know his kids would be the cutest)

🎄 Van's stripped off and changed into them in a second and you're in fits of laughter as he starts doing a daft dance for the kids. Your daughter Grace is giggling so much she's lying on the floor clutching her belly. "Daddy you're so silly!"

🎄 Van picks her up and whirls her around and then he's doing the same with Leo who's squealing with excitement

🎄 You're marvelling at how your husband can  still manage to look sexy as hell in novelty Christmas pyjamas but unbelievably cute and slightly dorky at the same time

🎄 You set a timer on your phone to get the obligatory family 'night before Christmas' photo in front of the tree and you have to retake it six times as Van keeps talking and ruining the shot

🎄 Grace begs that you follow Christmas tradition and leave a treat out for Santa. Van is very specific about how Santa will only drink a 'proper cuppa'... Yorkshire tea of course.... and there's a packet of Jaffa cakes and a carrot for Rudolph too

🎄 Grace is distraught just before bedtime as she notices that someone's already opened up the Jaffa cakes and half the contents are gone

🎄 "Don't look at me Gracie... it must have been those naughty elves! They're always up to no good!" Van denies it was him even though there's a sizeable smudge of chocolate smeared across his lips and crumbs on his top

🎄 Baby Leo's out like a light as soon as you put him in his cot but Grace is too wound up to sleep and is practically bouncing off the walls. You swear she gets her boundless energy from Van

🎄 "But Daddy I'm too excited! I feel like I'm gonna burst!"

🎄 Van tucks her into bed and strokes her hair and tells her a story about Santa only coming to the house of good girls and boys who go to sleep early on Christmas Eve

🎄 Once you're sure the kids are sound asleep you're both on a mission to tiptoe stealthily around the house and place all the presents under the tree

🎄 The kids have been totally spoilt. You'd set a limit on spending but Van had blatantly ignored it, he kept seeing things that he thought they'd like and adding it to the ever-growing piles

🎄 "Why the hell did you buy Leo a PlayStation for? He's only 9 months old!" Van looks affronted. "Got to get 'im good at FIFA from an early age. You don't know how tough those championship tournaments are babe!"

🎄 You're so busy rushing around, finishing touches to the wrapping, hanging the stockings over the fireplace and adding extra decorations to the tree that you've not noticed that Van's stopped what he's doing and he's watching you adoringly

🎄 He reaches out and curls an arm around your waist, pulling you down on to the sofa with him. "C'mere love, stop rushing around for a minute and come and sit down with me. You've not stopped all evening."

🎄 "But there's still so much to do!" You protest, trying to rise up. "I just want everything to be perfect for the kids..."

🎄 Van's got both arms tightly wrapped around your waist now, ensuring that you're not going anywhere. "Everything is perfect!" He assures you, planting a soft kiss on your lips. "Mmm... you're perfect too. The kids are gonna love it and you're the best mum in the world..."

🎄 He nuzzles into your neck, scattering gentle, ticklish kisses all over, making you giggle. "Besides... Christmas isn't just for kids ya know. Now have ya been a good girl for Santa, eh?"