As usual Christmas Day passes by in a blur, as though this time of year is always on fast forward. The house is full of laughter as the Christmas lights glow around us, which has made me feel a constant internal warmth.

It is Ben's turn at charades, and he is bloody awful. While my parents, Caroline, Jeremy, Oscar and Harriet watch with amusement as Sarah excitedly fires her wrong answers to an increasingly frustrated Ben, I watch Daniel rocking Jack by the Christmas tree. Grace is nestled into my chest, oblivious to the antics playing out around her.

"Times up!" Jeremy gleefully shouts watching the stop watch while holding Lily.

"You're so shit!" Sarah shouts in annoyance before picking up her brandy and finishing the glass. "What the hell was that supposed to be?"

"Raiders of the Lost Ark... you know... Indiana Jones?" He sits down heavily to sip his brandy.

"What was all the crouching about?" Oscar asks, looking genuinely confused.

"I was carrying the Ark!" He exclaims before standing to repeat the motion.

"Sorry dear, but that wasn't very clear." My mother says sympathetically.

"Someone else can be on Ben's team next time." Sarah teases Ben, and he bobs out his tongue in response.

There is a wave of "no thanks" muttered around the room making us all laugh loudly.

"We love you really, Ben!" Daniel says with a wicked grin. He wiggles his eyebrows swiftly towards me, so I know he's finally ready to tell Ben about Jack's middle name.

"I don't need your sympathy!" Ben feigns sorrow as he walks over towards Daniel. He holds out his hands, and Daniel gently passes Jack over to him. Ben begins to rock Jack back to sleep.

"Have we told you what the twins middle names are?" I ask innocently.

Ben shakes his head. "No. What are they?"

As everyone else is already aware of Jack's middle name, the mood in the room changes with anticipation. There has been playful betting between Sarah and Jeremy about whether Ben will cry when he is told.   There is £20 riding on his reaction, with Sarah adamant he will weep like a baby.

"Grace's middle name is Holly." I smile warmly, enjoying the build up.

"Beautiful." Ben responds without pause.

"...and Jack's middle name is Benjamin... after you." I grin wildly. As I glance around the room, everyone's eyes are on Ben in anticipation for his reaction.

"After me?" He asks before he swallows loudly.

"After you, mate. Like I said, we love you!" Daniel pats his shoulder affectionately.

Ben's face crumples as he struggles to contain his emotions. He wipes his eyes aware that everyone is still looking at him. But, the tears flow faster than he can wipe them. "Oh, shit!" He whispers before kissing Jack's forehead. Ben looks up at me. "Thank you." He mumbles.

"It's the least we could do after everything you have done for us." I respond, feeling my tears spill over too.

The room erupts into a little applause for Ben. As soon as it fades Sarah sways over to Jeremy. "Cough up, Jer. £40!" She smiles devilishly.

"I though it was £20?" Daniel asks with a furrowed brow.

"Double or quits if Ben then made Lizzie cry!" She grins towards Ben. "Takeaway Indian is on me tomorrow Benny boy."

Ben chuckles as she takes Jack from him, cradling him gently. "You bet money that I would cry?" He asks.

"Damn straight!" Sarah laughs causing Jack to stir in her arms.

"More drinks?" Daniel asks as everyone raises their glasses to show Daniel that they all need a top up.

Once Daniel is out of the room the security system alerts us that a vehicle is approaching the gates. Daniel fluidly pops his head around to look at the screen on the wall before whoever it is has pressed the buzzer. "You have got to be kidding me." He mutters, shaking his head. The content look that has been on his face all day disappears without trace, a deep scowl left in its place. He doesn't glance at anyone in the room as he returns to the kitchen.

"Mom, will you take Grace?" I ask, standing up. The warmth inside of me feels like it has been splashed with freezing water. Who could it be?

The sudden silence in the room that has been full of conversation all day is deafening.

"Of course." She tries to smile like she does not have a care in world, but she looks as worried as I feel.

"Be back in a second." I say as reassuringly as I can before I jog after Daniel. Shit!

The second I step into the kitchen the buzzer for the gate rings. Daniel is leaning against the worktop with his head in his hands. "My mother and Curtis are here." He mumbles. "What shall I do? We haven't seen her in weeks."

"You said you called to tell her about the twins. Did you call?" I ask, but know he did make the call.

"I tried, but Curtis answered. My mother was playing tennis at the time. So, I just told him." He shrugs.

The buzzer echoes through the house again.

"I'm going to tell her she's not welcome here." Daniel reaches for the screen, but I rest my hand across his before he presses the button.

"Daniel. I think you should let her in, it's Christmas Day-"

"Exactly, Lizzie. She will try and ruin it!" He snaps.

"I will not let her ruin the twins first Christmas. I promise that if she starts any form of argument, I will throw her out myself." I smile, and decide to try and lighten the atmosphere. "Or I could just send my Mom and Sarah out to vet what she has to say?"

His eyes flick up and thankfully he returns my smile. "You really think I should let her in?"

I nod. "I really do. The fact that she has driven all the way from London on Christmas Day suggests she's not here to cause an argument." I put my arms around him, and he cuddles me tightly. "She's your mom, and I'm sure she wants to meet her grandchildren."

God, I hope I'm right.

Without saying a word, Daniel simply presses the button to open the gate. He sighs loudly into my hair then kisses my temple. "Let's hope you're right."

While Daniel walks towards the front door, I turn into our living room. "Madison is here." I inform our guests. "I'm just going to close the door." I don't wait for any derogatory comments, swiftly pulling the door to a close.

Daniel hesitates at the front door, so I step forward to open it. I plaster a false smile on my face, feeling Daniel's fingers intertwine with mine as he stands next to me. Curtis opens the passenger door for Madison. He is dressed in a full black three piece suit with a Christmas tree bow tie that I imagine Madison must hate. She steps out of the car, dressed in a floor length red fitted dress covered in a black velvet coat. Her hair is curled immaculately, causing me to self consciously run my fingers through my wayward hair. As I'm already dressed in the new button front tartan pyjamas my parents bought for me, Madison and I literally look like polar opposites. As if sensing my sudden awareness of my appearance, Daniel squeezes my hand softly.

I clear my throat, ignoring Madison's widening eyes at the sight of me. I've just given birth to twins I want to explain, but my pride stops me. I owe her nothing.

"Merry Christmas!" Curtis exclaims while beginning to empty bags and bags of presents from the boot.

"Merry Christmas." Daniel and I say in unison.

"Seasons greetings." Madison's tone is clearly nervous. "I'm sorry for the intrusion, but we wanted to come and see you both... and Jack and Grace... if we may?" She uncharacteristically stumbles over her words.

"Come on in!" I say without a pause, sensing Daniel's reluctance to open this can of worms. I release his hand so he can talk to Madison.

Curtis strides into our house next to me with the gifts in hand. "You've done a wonderful job with the house, it's beautiful."

"Thank you!" I gesture for him to place the presents down next to Christmas tree in the hall. "Let's get you a drink." I turn to see Daniel and Madison still standing outside studying each other. I decide it's best to leave them to talk without my interference.

"That would be wonderful." Curtis follows me into the kitchen. "It's took a lot for her to come here this evening. She really wants to make amends."

I turn towards him and hand him a brandy. "To new beginnings." I raise my glass, and Curtis immediately mirrors my toast.

Curtis easily fits in with everyone within the living room, holding both Grace and Jack while we wait for Daniel and Madison to join us. Uneasily I glance at the clock to see half an hour has passed. Looking towards my Mom, she subtly nods, clearly understanding my dilemma.

Stepping out into the hallway, my heart warms when I see Daniel embracing Madison. He looks at me and smiles his perfect smile. I'm not sure what else to do, so I raise my thumbs while I beam at him. Swiftly I then gesture towards the living room door and mime babies. Daniel nods. "Would you like to meet your grandchildren?" He asks.

"Oh, Daniel. Can I?" Madison sobs.

When I enter the living room, everyone looks pointedly towards me. "They're having a cuddle and Madison is in tears, so I think there has been a Christmas miracle!" Everyone cheers.

I return to the kitchen holding both of our babies. "Who would you like to hold first?" I ask with a warm smile.

"Oh, Lizzie. They are perfect. You must be so proud! Can I hold Grace first please?" She asks reaching for Grace in her brand new pink baby grow with her name delicately embroidered across her chest in white.

As she coos over Grace, for once Madison looks genuine and emotional. The way her eyes have glazed over and her make up has been smudged during her heart to heart with Daniel finally lets me see that she is human. Soon she asks to swap for Jack in his baby blue baby grow with his name embroidered in the same way, and she has the same reaction while Jack studies her face.

One by one, everyone from the living room enters the kitchen, as though they have planned it this way so that Madison does not feel awkward. Daniel grins at me when my Mom makes a seamless effort to greet Madison when she enters the room for a top up of champagne.

Later in the evening, as I look around our large kitchen at everyone here on Christmas night, I feel so happy for Daniel that his Mom has actually made an effort, and let her walls down to show Daniel that she cares. Speaking to our sound system, music begins to play in the kitchen. Soon Sarah and Ben drunkenly dance, and before long my Mom and Dad have joined in.

"You should stay here tonight." I say quietly to Madison while she is sat next to me.

"Oh, thank you, but we wouldn't want to put you out." She taps my hand.

"We have one more spare room, so we would love it if you would stay." I respond with more force, not wanting this family time to end.

"That would be lovely, thank you." She says with a smile.

"I've got plenty of pyjamas if you would like to borrow some?" I tease before watching her about to recoil as she looks down at my tartan pyjamas, but then surprisingly, she smiles again.

"That's very kind of you." She says serenely.

Internally, I know it will make her squirm to wear Christmas pyjamas. But, it must be the Christmas spirit in the air if she has agreed so willingly.

"I am so very sorry for the harm I caused." It's clear she speaks from the heart. Instead of responding, I decide to give her a cuddle instead. It takes her by surprise, but she hold me just as close.

Glancing towards Daniel once the twins are in their Moses baskets, he looks drunk but happy as he approaches me to dance with him. He gently pulls me up, aware I'm still sore and slowly spins me around before he kisses me.

- hey guys!

Hope you are well and safe!

What did you think of this Christmas chapter?

I wanted Daniel to find a little peace with his mom before the end of the trilogy. Hope you enjoyed their reunion.

Thank you all for your continued support! We're nearly at the end now, only a handful of chapters! Love T xxx -