Holding hands, holding hearts

Christmas Eve

"Mummy will Santa know where to send my presents if we are at Fletch's?"
"Well of course baby. He is very magical but have you been a good girl"
"Umm I try mummy"
Jac smirked thinking about Emma having to come to the ward after being sent home for hitting another child but honestly,  especially given all she'd been through she was a good girl
"0k" Jac laughed and knelt down to give her a hug "got everything?"
Emma nodded
They arrived at the Fletcher's shortly after.
Fletch answered the door in a Santa's little helper elf apron and icing all over his face
"Hi" he beamed "we're just making gingerbread houses. I have been attacked by my children" he gestured to his face "Emma, run through to the kitchen and you can make a house. Evie will find you an apron and I will sort out the bags"
"Ok" she dumped her coat in Jac's arms and ran off
"Hey you" he said and moved to put his arms round her. She quickly swerved out of his way
"Get away from me with your icing face - this is a good coat Fletcher"
He laughed and tried to kiss her.
"Fletch" she tried to sound cross but she was laughing
She reached up and removed some of the icing with her finger and then slowly licked it off
"Fuck" Fletch said under his breath - that was too sexy
Jac smiled and did it again and this time she didn't resist when he moved to kiss her deeply as they broke the kiss he whispered against her ear "I'll get you back for that later Naylor"
"Mmm I look forward to it" she said suggestively walking off to the kitchen, leaving him standing there all hot and bothered.
"Hi" Jac said walking into the kitchen. She was a little nervous.
A chorus of "hi-s " greeted her
"Are you feeling better now?" Asked Evie
"Much better thanks"
"Mummy help me with my house"
"Here take my apron I'm going to sort us out a drink" Fletch said
He put the apron over Jac 's head and took his time tying the bow stealing a few slow caresses of her waist, lower back and backside.
Jac's breathing rate increased , probably only noticeable to her and Fletch but wow.
Fletch made them a gin and tonic and put the Christmas tunes on. 
Jac was having fun, it wasn't often she allowed herself but you couldn't avoid it in this house.
Gingerbread village finished, everyone sat down to eat Fletch's Festive fajitas - there was nothing festive about them but he insisted they were called that. It was a sociable meal with lots of chatter and laughing. Mainly at Fletch's expense. Afterwards Emma wanted to show Jac her bed in Ella's room where she'd slept occasionally when Jac was in hospital. Evie helped Fletch tidy up in the kitchen
"So you're properly together then?" Evie asked
"Yes we are. How do you feel about that?"
"I think it's great. I told her ages ago she should go out with you"
Fletch's eyebrows shot up
"Did you now. Well  I'm pleased she eventually took your advice"
"You do realise you've had a soppy grin on your face since she arrived"
Fletch held his cheeks to stop himself smiling
"I can't help it darling"
They were  both then in fits of laughter. Jac watched quietly from the doorway thinking how much she loved him, how much she loved this
"Hey" said Fletch finally spotting her
"Grab a tea towel Naylor. Evie you've done your fair share"
Evie rolled her eyes "god you're so obvious Dad" but she laughed anyway and kissed him on the cheek
Jac smiled "contrary to popular belief your kids are great Fletch. You're a great dad"
He pulled her towards him and put his arms round her waist
"They're sending me into an early grave most of the time but generally they're good kids. I could do worse. They've had to deal with a lot of loss over the last few years"
"But you were still more willing than me to risk 'us' and take the risk that you might be bringing someone into their lives who might screw everything up and end up leaving"
"But you're not going to screw up Jac, I won't let you and if it doesn't work out or you get sick of me at least we tried and the kids - they take things in their stride. But right now you're here and I've been dying to kiss you for the past two hours"
Jac listened to him and wondered what they would become. It was unpredictable and Jac needed order and certainty in her life but this uncertainty was exciting and she was happy Even admitting it to herself
"I'm happy I let my heart win for once" she said and pulled him in for the passionate kiss he'd been waiting for all afternoon