Outside Work We... •[TNN One-shots]•

Christmas Eve •|| CLORSHA + QUINN ||•

Prompt: The Doyle Family celebrates Christmas Eve together.

It was a quiet Christmas Eve in the Doyle household. The fireplace crackled softly, casting a warm glow across the living room. Sorcha was sprawled on the couch, her hair tied up in a messy bun and her feet resting on the coffee table. Clodagh sat on the floor, leaning against the couch with a few baby toys scattered around her. In her lap, little Quinn babbled happily, her tiny hands reaching for the jingling rattle Clodagh held.

“She’s so fascinated by that thing,” Sorcha said with a smile, watching her wife and daughter.

Clodagh grinned, shaking the rattle gently. “It’s the sound. She loves it. Don’t you, my little bean?” she cooed, leaning down to nuzzle Quinn’s soft, chubby cheek.

Quinn giggled, her laugh bubbling like music in the quiet room.

Sorcha reached over and stroked her daughter’s dark hair, her eyes soft with affection. “She’s perfect, isn’t she?”

“Absolutely,” Clodagh agreed, her gaze never leaving Quinn. “Though she’s going to be a handful when she starts crawling.”

Sorcha laughed, the sound warm and rich. “Crawling, walking, running—she’ll keep us on our toes, that’s for sure.”

Quinn let out a loud squeal, grabbing at Clodagh’s rattle with surprising determination. Clodagh handed it to her, watching as her tiny fingers wrapped around it.

“She’s strong,” Clodagh noted, pride evident in her voice.

“She gets that from you,” Sorcha said, leaning down to kiss Clodagh’s temple. “I’m just the one who spoils her.”

“You’re not wrong,” Clodagh teased, glancing up at her wife with a playful smirk. “That stuffed bear you brought home yesterday is practically bigger than she is.”

“It’s Christmas,” Sorcha defended. “She deserves it.”

Clodagh rolled her eyes but couldn’t suppress her smile. “You’re hopeless.”

“And you love me for it.”

Quinn chose that moment to drop the rattle, her little face scrunching up as if deciding whether or not to cry.

“Oh, no, no,” Clodagh said quickly, scooping her up and bouncing her gently. “It’s okay, sweetheart. We’ll get it back.”

Sorcha picked up the rattle and handed it back to Quinn, who immediately cheered up.

“Crisis averted,” Sorcha said with a mock sigh of relief.

Clodagh laughed, shifting Quinn in her arms so that she was cradled against her chest. Quinn’s eyes were already starting to droop, her little fist still clutching the rattle.

“Looks like someone’s ready for bed,” Clodagh murmured, stroking Quinn’s back gently.

Sorcha scooted closer, wrapping an arm around Clodagh’s shoulders. “I’ll put her down if you want.”

“No, it’s okay,” Clodagh replied softly. “I want to hold her a little longer.”

Sorcha rested her head against Clodagh’s, watching as their daughter drifted off to sleep. The room was quiet except for the soft crackle of the fire and the steady rhythm of Quinn’s breathing.

“Merry Christmas, babe,” Sorcha whispered, pressing a kiss to Clodagh’s hair.

“Merry Christmas,” Clodagh replied, her voice filled with contentment.

And in that peaceful moment, with their daughter sleeping soundly in Clodagh’s arms, the world outside faded away, leaving only warmth, love, and the promise of many more Christmases to come.