Claire Bear (M.A.D)

Chapter Fifteen

We had an early Christmas in the MADhouse before we all went home for the holidays.

When I awoke, Michael was already awake. He was sat on the floor at the edge of the bed and as I stirred he looked at me and tucked something under the bed. I chose not to question it.

"Morning sunshine." I yawned as I sat up and then flopped forward onto my stomach, leaning down to kiss Michael as he sat back up.

"Morning beautiful." he replied as I pulled away.

"What are we up to today?" I asked as I rolled onto my back and lifted my knees.

"Christmas!" Michael grinned.

"Huh?" I looked at Michael standing over me, his face upside-down to mine.

"Yep! We're having a MADChristmas before we all go back home."

"Wow sounds fun!"

"Here. I got you this." Michael dropped something wrapped in penguin paper on my chest. I sat up and ripped it open. Inside was a baggy, knitted, Christmas jumper. It was grey and had a penguin wearing a Santa hat and a scarf on the front.

"Aww baby it's adorable! Thank you!" I smiled up at him watching me and he leaned down and kissed my lips as he whispered "you're welcome gorgeous."

"Not that I don't think you wearing my t-shirt and those long socks is hot, I think you should get dressed sweetie."

"I think you're right. Is the hot water on?"

"Yeah. I heard Dan have a shower about 5 minutes before you woke up so if you're quick it should still be warm."

"Thank you sweetie." I got up and as I pulled out clean underwear, socks and leggings out of the drawer I remembered something. "Hold up! I got you something too." I put my clothes on the bed and opened the wardrobe. In the bottom, right where I'd left it wrapped in minion paper and hidden under a handbag, was a present for Michael.

"Here you go sweetie." I said as I kissed him and transferred the present from my hand to his. "I'll be back." I told him as I picked up my clothes and left to go shower before he had chance to even begin to rip the wrapping.

I came back washed and dressed to find Michael dressed and rummaging through one of his drawers.

"Let me see then!" I grinned, making him jump and turn in surprise. He laughed.

I got Michael a Christmas jumper too. His was white with a few thin stripes across it and a reindeer on the front. He looked adorable in it.

"Aw it looks adorable!" I exclaimed as I crossed the room towards him.

"You're not so bad yourself." he grinned.

"What's wrong baby?"

"I, um....I can't find my Christmas presents for everyone." Michael ran a hand through his hair. "And have you seen my Christmas hat?"

"Your hat is in the bedside table drawer. Remember you put it in there last night because you wanted t for today? And as for the presents have you checked-" I lowered myself onto my stomach an peered under the bed "Aha!" I pulled out a present.

"What would I do without you?" Michael smiled as I pulled out a few more presents. He lowered himself next to me and took out the last few gifts.

When we finally went down to the kitchen, a bag of gifts on my shoulder, George had made pancakes and Ben, Dan and Aiden were sat on the living room floor around a pile of presents in different kinds of wrapping paper.

"Here Michael, take the presents in babe; I'll be in with the pancakes in a minute." I handed Michael the bag and with a kiss on my nose he took it into the living room to empty its contents onto the pile.

"Hey George, need a hand?"

"Oh thanks Claire. Could you take in that plate and the squirty cream? Thanks. I'll be in with the rest and the chocolate sauce in a moment."

"Sure." I took in the plate of pancakes and cream and four pairs of hungry eyes turned to stare at me as I placed them on the coffee table. A few seconds later, George came in with a second plate of pancakes, some extra plates and the chocolate sauce and everyone tucked in.

Once we were al full to the brim with pancakes we sat in a circle around the presents and everyone started grabbing presents and passing them around to the right people. Everyone had their presents and unwrapping began.

I got a really nice perfume from Aiden, a necklace from Dan, a cute beanie from Ben and a pretty bracelet from George. During opening our presents Michael leaned over and whispered in my ear.

"I'm saving yours for when we go home."

"Well that's good because I've done the same." I whispered back and Michael sat back, smiling.

We sang and danced to Christmas songs and had Christmas dinner at lunch time and then watched Christmas films all afternoon until late into the night.

As we first settled down with popcorn and sweets and chocolate to watch films, we were still quite hyper. Michael put his finger too his lips and motioned for me to not say anything as he slowly took a piece of popcorn from the bowl. He threw it at the back of Dan's head and Dan turned instantly. He picked up a piece of popcorn from his own bowl and threw it back. Except he missed. It hit my face. Naturally I picked it up and threw it back at him. Okay, so I threw a few....and one of them hit Aiden... Eventually we were all throwing and flicking and ducking as popcorn flew across the room and laughter filled the air, drowning out the sound of "Elf" in the background.

By about halfway through the fourth film, I could feel myself slowly falling asleep as I leaned against Michael on the sofa. I must have fallen asleep there because next thing I knew, it was morning and I was waking up on the sofa, a fleecy blanket over me and a pillow under my head.