The Next Step:Jiley's story

chapter 61-christmas morning

"it's Christmas!!!!!" I hear little voices screaming in my ear, they're all jumping on the bed and being as loud as they can to wake me and James up, I smile to myself before opening my eyes and giving all the kids hugs

"Merry Christmas," I say to all of them and James before I turn to the older four "And happy fourth birthday you lot." I say with a smile, they all return the smile before being distracted by James who has started tickling them all, I'm absolutely exhausted because I was up most of the night with Caleb but I try to forget about that and enjoy Christmas. I'm just getting out of bed when Caleb starts crying so I pick him up and sooth him so he's quiet

"Mommy can we go downstairs nowwwww?" Amelia asks, we have put all there presents downstairs so right now they're all desperate to start opening their presents, I smile and nod. We all walk downstairs, I have Caleb and James is keeping a close eye on the others so they don't trip. Once we get to the door of the living room they all wait until I've caught up with them before bursting in, I walk up behind them and open the door, all their faces light up as they charge in. I smile at James and he takes Caleb off me and takes show him his presents. Before long there's paper everywhere and lots of very excited children all showing me their new toys and dance clothes.

"That's very pretty Lottie, can you give me a twirl?" I say, she nods and spins around in her new tutu, then she runs off to show Amelia

"Mommy, do you like my new dance bag?" Dom asks showing me his black bag

"Yup, it's really nice Dom." he smiles and then goes back to his pile of presents, tearing more paper up and leaving it all over the floor, this is going to take a long time to clean up and we haven't even done the older fours birthday presents yet. James walks over to me after putting Caleb down in his portable cot, he slips his arm around my waist and I rest my chin on his shoulder

"They're pretty great kids aren't they." he says, I nod into his shoulder, he chuckles

"Is somebody a little bit tired?" He asks, I know he's smirking

"Uhuh, he really did keep me up almost all night." I say sleepily, he turns his head down to look at me before replying

"Babe, you know that if you want me to get up in the night I will, any night." he says, I nod before replying

"Yeah but you can't exactly feed him can you." I say stating the obvious, he laughs

"Ni not really but you know if I could I would, any day." he says making me smile, it's great knowing he's their for me, no matter what.

"Mommy, Poppy got chocolate and won't share with me." Isla says, completely ruining the moment we were having

"Isla, didn't you get some chocolate as well?" I ask her, already knowing the answer

"Yes but I want some of Poppy's" she says, I sigh

"Well you can't if you really want chocolate just eat your own." I snap, I instantly feel bad when her little efface crumples, I didn't mean to snap but I'm just so tired right now, I can't always be nice and caring especially not after only one and a half hours sleep. She starts crying, I need to fix this but I don't have the brain power

"James?" I ask him, he knows that I want him to step in, and he does. I walk away just as the doorbell goes, that will be the rest of the family.