Jingle Belle's

December 12th ( A Year Later...)

A:N - So this may seem confusing but I'm going to show you three years worth of leads up to Christmas before I show Cole and Poppy celebrating together. I hope this makes sense?

I run a hand through my freshly chopped blonde bob, as I walk towards the gates of the school. I still can't believe my baby is a first grader. It's been a whole semester but yet here I am in awe that my daughter has grown so much.

My eyes narrow as Cynthia eyes me up and down in disdain I cock my head to one side, 'Would you like to take a picture?'

She looks taken back, 'Excuse me?'

'You're excused. Don't worry about it.' I murmur as I brush past her onto the playground.

I feel a tap on my shoulder, I jump for a slight second before I whip my head around to see a tall brunette looking down at me with a bright grin.

'You're Poppy right? Belle's mother?'

I nod slowly, 'The one and only, I also go by Mother Theresa rencarnated. So you know, you take your pick.'

'I'm Marissa, my son has just started kindergarten.'

'Oh that's nice...how's he settling in?'

Her smile widens, 'Great, he's doing great. Okay, I'm just going to come right out and say it, you and Belle's dad aren't together are you?'

'Not to my knowledge no.'

'Oh fab! Not fab that you two aren't together, I mean that must be hard for Belle. I just mean that I've seen him collect her a few times and we've talked a little, so I was kind of hoping that I could ask him out on a date.'

I nod stiffly as I push down any negative emotion I'm currently feeling, 'That's amazing!...You should totally do that.'

'Seriously?!'

'Yeah, I mean go for it.'

'Do you have a boyfriend?'

'Pardon?'

'Because my brother is recently divorced and I figured you two would hit it off. I can give you his number if you want.'

I hold my hand up, 'I am fine for the number but thank you, I'm just kind of taking a break from the dating scene right now.'

'Oh you are? How long has this break been?'

I wince as I rub the back of my neck, 'Like five years?'

'So you haven't dated since Belle's father?'

'Not a serious relationship no, I've just not really felt like the timings is right.'

'You should get yourself out there!'

'...Yeah, maybe.'

...

I gently pass over a sleeping Belle into Colton's arms, my stomach warms as he looks down at her with complete adoration.

'You've got yourself one tired Ballerina on your hands mister.'

'How did she do?'

I place a hand to my chest, 'She did amazing! I'm telling you now that girl is going to be selling out tickets for her debut in 'The Nutcracker' one day.'

'I kind of want to tell you something but it's a little awkward.'

'Did you have a sex dream about my mother?'

He chokes on his own spit, 'What?'

I shrug, 'I'm just saying that would be a little awkward.'

'And horrifying...no it's just one of the mom's at school asked me out on a date.'