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“Oh.”

After a circuit of the finest decorations the town had to offer, they walked to the supermarket and Lucy waited outside with Monty (much to Dylan’s displeasure at the thought of her getting cold) while Poppy chose what she’d like for dinner.

“She’ll choose to make burgers,” whispered Dylan to Lucy before he and Poppy left her.

And when they returned a few minutes later, Poppy had indeed decided that she’d like Dylan to make her burgers and chips.

“We’re even going to make one for Monty,” Poppy explained as they walked. “That was my idea because I think he sometimes feels left out of things.”

“We can’t be having that,” said Lucy, smiling at Dylan over the top of the little girl’s head.

They arrived back at the coffee shop and made their way up to the flat. Lucy put the heating on while Dylan and Poppy unpacked the shopping. “These are going to be some huge burgers,” Lucy said, seeing the amount of food out on the counters.

“Well, this young lady likes bacon and cheese and onions on her beefburgers.”

“Dylan makes very good burgers,” Poppy declared.

“Dylan’s cooked for you before, has he?” Lucy asked.

“Of course!” said Poppy.

“Of course,” repeated Lucy to herself. Why wouldn’t this bachelor, who she’d considered a notorious lothario, have cooked for his best friend’s step-daughter?

“Can I do anything to help?” Lucy asked.

“You need to put your feet up for a while,” Dylan said. “You’ve been on them all day.”

“I sat down when I could,” Lucy reassured him, “but, yes, being on the sofa now would be good.”

“Poppy, do you want to help me cook or keep Lucy company?”

“We can choose something Christmassy to watch on Netflix if you like,” Lucy tempted.

“Do you think you can manage without me, Dylan?” Poppy asked, seriously.

“I think so,” he replied. “I’ll give you a call, if I need help.”

Poppy followed Lucy into the sitting room. “Can we watch The Christmas Prince? It’s the best,” she asked.

“Sure,” Lucy said. “You get comfy and I’ll find it on Netflix.”

Poppy prepared the sofa, gathering up all the blankets and cushions she could find, and set herself and Monty up at one end of it. Lucy took the other end and Poppy fussed around, making sure she was comfortable. “It’s very important to rest when you’re carrying a baby,” she explained.

“Thank you, Poppy,” Lucy said.

They started the film and Lucy watched about three minutes of it before she was fast asleep.

* * *

Lucy was woken by someone gently saying her name. She opened her eyes to find Dylan in front of her. He gave her a crooked smile, “Hey, sleeping beauty,” he said. “Dinner’s ready.”

Lucy sat herself up and surreptitiously checked if she’d dribbled in her sleep.

“Is Poppy mad at me for napping during the movie?” she asked.

“No, though she did complain about you snoring.”

“I don’t snore,” Lucy said, indignantly.