Catfish and the Bottlemen Imagines

Nativity Play (Dad Van)

AN: Someone sent me an ask about this on Tumblr and it prompted me to write another one!

🌟 You weren't in the least bit surprised when your daughter Grace managed to bag one of the the starring roles in the primary school nativity play.

🌟 "Star quality eh?" Van says proudly as he ruffles her hair. "Take after your old dad dontcha? Must be in your genes!"

🌟 Grace pulls a face, grasping hold of the material of her dress and stretching it out for Van to see. "But I'm not wearing jeans for the play Daddy! Mary wore a dress... a blue one just like this!"

🌟 You're both laughing and you tell your daughter that she's going to be the best Mary that the world's ever seen, but she disagrees. "But what about Grandma? She's the best Mary! And Little Mary too!"

🌟 Grace takes the role very seriously in the lead up to the performance, and says she's "getting into character" when you ask her why she's taken to walking around with a large pillow stuffed up the front of her dress.

🌟 "I'm going to have a baby, that's why! Baby Jesus!" She pulls a thoughtful face and turns to Van. "Daddy... where do babies come from?"

🌟 You have to bite back the laugh that's bubbling up in your throat at Van's wide-eyed look of panic. "Errr... it's errr... when mummies and daddies are in love they sometimes decide to errr... make a baby..."

🌟 You know damn well that this vague answer won't satiate your daughter's inquisitive nature. She looks up at Van, one hand on her hip and the other prodding the cushion under her dress. "I know you need a mummy and a daddy to make one, but how do they get in there?"

🌟 Luckily for Van, you manage to distract Grace by telling her that you saw Santa shopping for mince pies in Tescos just that afternoon.

🌟 Van's positively glowing with pride as you arrive at school later that week to watch the nativity performance.

🌟 You always feel a little smug walking on to the playground with Van and you hear hushed murmurs as you walk past groups of parents. You can definitely feel a few of the other mum's eyes lingering a little too long on your husband.

🌟 Van seems to be oblivious, but you always tease him about it. "I swear Lucy's mum was just checking out your arse!"

🌟 "Still got it, eh?" He chuckles, tipping Lucy's mum a small wink as he walks past, making her blush.

🌟 You surreptitiously dig him in the ribs. "Oh my god I can't take you anywhere! You're such a flirt!"

🌟 "You're the only woman for me love, I've only got eyes for you," he smirks back at you, and he squeezes you even tighter into his side as if to prove that point.

🌟 The play is wonderful in that endearingly haphazard way that school productions always are; one of the three kings loudly announces that he's brought a gift of 'Frankenstein' rather than frankincense, the angel Gabriel loses a wing and Joseph gets stage fright and forgets all of his lines.

🌟 You know you're biased but Grace shines just like the little star that she is.

🌟 As soon as she walks on to the stage you can feel the tears welling up and you're just about holding it together when you steal a glance at Van to see him all glassy-eyed and tight-lipped.

🌟 The tissues come out straight away but Van says he doesn't need one. "Just got summat in my eye, that's all," he mumbles. "Think it's an eyelash."

🌟 His shaky voice betrays him and you spot him wiping away a stray tear when Grace sings her solo line with note-perfect precision. "She's got the voice of an angel, hasn't she babe?"

🌟 She's definitely inherited Van's stage presence with confidence by the bucket-load and a little hint of sassiness.

🌟 The applause in the school hall from proud parents is deafening, and Van cheers loudest of all, leading a standing ovation.

🌟 Grace is mightily pleased with herself by all accounts, flinging herself into your arms afterwards, still buzzing with the excitement of the moment.

🌟 "How's my little superstar?" Van gushes when she finally detaches herself from you and snuggles into Van. "Wasn't sure if we'd see you after the show. Thought you'd be too busy meeting fans and signing autographs!"

🌟 "Don't be silly Daddy!" She giggles. "I'm not as famous as you. I don't have fans."

🌟 "Actually you do," you interject. "Me and your dad are your biggest fans!"

🌟 Grace smiles the widest gap-toothed smile that melts your heart. "Does that mean you're gonna take me for ice-cream?"

🌟 You feel little fingers entwining with yours and she reaches for Van's hand too. You and Van exchange a look before he's smiling down on her, eyes brimming with affection. "Anything you want angel... anything at all."