One Step Closer to Perfect

Christmas Season

Pulling into the driveway at her father-in-law's house, Vivianne can't help but smile as she glances between Beth and Piper who are both fast asleep and have been for the past three hours of their journey. Turning the engine off, Vivianne quietly gets out of the car and opens the boot to allow her to get out their luggage. Carrying the bags over to the front door, she smiles as she's instantly greeted by Richard opening the door and smiling at her.

'Hi, Viv... Let me take some of those.' Richard says putting his hand out and taking some of the bags from her. Together they take them through to the hallway before Richard wraps his arms around his daughter-in-law.

'How was your journey? I'm assuming Beth and Piper are asleep?' Richard asks and Vivianne nods her head.

'Out for the count... I'm going to go wake Beth and potentially Piper; I might just leave her sleeping.' Vivianne replies shrugging her shoulders. She makes her way back to the car as Richard smiles and leans against the doorframe.

'Beth... Liefje, time to wake up. We're at your dad's house.' Vivianne says softly as she leans into the passenger seat and moves some hair out of the blonde's face.

'Mm... What? Already?' Beth mumbles, her hands running over her face as she groans slightly.

'Mm-hmm... You and Piper have been out for the past three hours.' Vivianne replies smiling slightly as the blonde opens her eyes to look at her.

'I never took my turn driving, I'm sorry.' Beth says causing Vivianne to shake her head.

'I was more than happy to drive the entire time, Beth.' Vivianne replies.

'I've already taken most of the bags inside with your dad... He's waiting by the door for you; I'll get Pips.' Vivianne says smiling. Nodding her head, Beth slowly gets out of the car and makes her way over to the front door as Vivianne attempts to get a sleeping Piper out of her carseat.

'Hi, sweetheart.' Richard says smiling as he hugs the blonde.

'Hi, dad... Happy Christmas Eve.' Beth replies softly.

'Look at that beautiful bump.' Richard says smiling as he glances down at Beth's stomach and she instinctively runs her hand over it.

'I know... I feel like it's just popped from nowhere and so much earlier than it did with Piper. I feel huge already.' Beth replies shaking her head as Vivianne makes her way over with a sleepy Piper in her arms and Myle running by her side.

'Look who's here, Piper.' Vivianne says softly as the little girl moans and buries her head in the crook of her neck.

'Someone is sleepy.' Richard says as the dog immediately by-passes him and runs into the house, probably in search for Rona.

'Papa.' Piper mumbles, her head lifting off Vivianne's shoulder slightly as she looks at Richard and immediately leans towards him.

'Hello, baby girl... I've been looking forward to your visit.' Richard says smiling as he takes the little girl into his arms.

****

'Piper? Do you want to come with mumma and get our surprise for Papa, Uncle Ben and Auntie Liv?' Beth asks glancing at the little girl who is sitting on Ben's knee with a book and her bunny.

'Prise?' Piper says and Beth nods her head.

'Our big surprise... Come on. You can give it to them.' Beth replies. She puts her hand out towards the little girl and watches as she climbs down off Ben's knee and rushes towards her before they make their way out of the living room.

'Well if I didn't know any better, I'd think you guys were going to announce that you were having another baby.' Ben says glancing at Vivianne who laughs and leans back against the back of the sofa with Myle curled up on her knee.

'Well you never know... We could both be choosing to carry this time round.' Vivianne replies raising her eyebrows slightly.

'Ready?' Beth asks from outside the living room door and Vivianne glances around the room.

'Ready.' Vivianne replies. The living room door opens and Piper runs in holding a huge bubble balloon filled with white and pink mini balloons with the words 'I'm getting a baby sister' on the front of the balloon.

'Wait... What does that say?' Richard asks watching as Piper spins around with the balloon in her hand.

'Piper, what does the balloon say?' Beth asks as Vivianne reaches out to steady the balloon to allow everyone to read it.

'Baby sister!' Piper squeals.

'Oh my... Another sweet granddaughter.' Richard says immediately standing up to wrap his arms around his daughter.

'Congratulations.' Ben says softly as he hugs Vivianne.

'When did you guys find out?' Olivia asks.

'Last week. No one else knows yet... We just wanted to tell you guys first and then we'll tell the girls when we go back after the break.' Beth replies smiling.

****

'You okay, Liv?' Beth asks as she makes her way into the kitchen where the brunette is getting herself a glass of water.

'Mm-hmm... Just warm.' Olivia replies smiling over her shoulder at the blonde as she takes a deep breath before taking a sip of the water.

'Can I give you a little tip?' Beth asks softly watching her future sister-in-law nod her head.

'Lollipops help with the nausea sometimes.' Beth says raising her eyebrows.

'What? I-How did you know?' Olivia asks turning around to face the blonde who smiles.

'I've been there, Liv... I'm still there actually. I promise I won't say a word to anyone until you guys officially announce.' Beth replies.

'We were actually going to tell you guys tonight. I just- We didn't want to steal your thunder when you announced you were having another girl.' Olivia admits biting her bottom lip.

'Oh my goodness, no... Please don't feel like you are stealing our thunder. Now I feel awful for announcing that tonight.' Beth says shaking her head.

'Don't. We'll tell your dad and Viv tomorrow, on Christmas Day.' Olivia replies smiling.

'Can I ask how far along you are?' Beth asks softly as she makes her way closer to the brunette and leans on the worktop.

'A little over ten weeks... We know it's still early but we've had a scan to make sure baby is growing in the correct place which they are thankfully and we just- We feel so grateful to be pregnant and just want to share it with our families.' Olivia replies causing Beth to smile.

'How exciting... Dad will be absolutely over the moon.' Beth says smiling.

****

'How excited is Piper going to be in the morning when she sees all her presents?' Vivianne says smiling as Beth rests her head against her chest and drapes her arm over her stomach.

'Mm... I thought we were never going to get her to sleep.' Beth admits smiling as her fingers trace random patterns against her fiancée's skin.

'Oh I know, she was bouncing off the walls...' Vivianne says kissing the top of the blonde's head.

'I think this Christmas is going to be such a magical one.' Beth almost whispers as Vivianne adjusts the covers to cover their entire bodies.

'Let's get some sleep,liefje... No doubt Piper will be up at the crack of dawn.' Vivianne says.