Silent Night- A Reddie Christmas Story

Chapter One

It was lunchtime. Rachel was feeling a little stressed as she scrolled through a Theatre Props website. Matt Wilding had just come up to her office, in a bit of a panic. He was directing the Nativity play for the school this year, and, after going through the props cupboard, he'd realised they didn't have a baby doll to use as Baby Jesus. Rachel had asked him why he couldn't just bundle up some tea towels into the shape of a baby. That was a stupid question and had resulted in Matt shooting her a glare. Of course they couldn't do that.

Then she'd asked him her next question: "Why can't you get one from a local toy shop?"

Matt had answered with:

"They're sold out, I've looked everywhere!"

What kind of Toy Shop sold out of toys?! It was Christmas for crying out loud!

So, Rachel was now searching the online Toy Shops and Theatre Props websites, looking to find a baby doll for them to use. She thought it was a waste of some of the Drama departments already stretched budget, but Matt was insistent.

So far, she wasn't having much luck finding anything. All the toy shops were out of stock (as Matt had said), and most of the Theatre prop websites sold everything but baby dolls! Even if she did find one, it wasn't even guaranteed to arrive in time for the show next week! It wasn't how she'd planned to spend her day.

Eddie stood in the doorway, watching as she tutted and mumbled to herself. She was frowning adorably at her computer. He'd never seen her so focused. She hadn't even noticed he was there.

He cleared his throat, feeling guilty when she jumped, snapping her head over to the door. Her eyes softened when she saw him standing there.

"What are you doing?" Eddie asked curiously

Rachel sighed

"Matt needs a baby doll for the Nativity show next week. He's just realised he doesn't have one, so I'm looking for one" she explained

Eddie frowned

"Can't he just go to a toy shop?"

"They're sold out everywhere" she huffed

Eddie scoffed in disbelief

"What kind of toy shop sells out of toys?!" He exclaimed

"That's exactly what I said!"

"Remind me why YOU are looking for one, and not Matt?" Eddie questioned

"He's teaching all day. I offered" she shrugged

"And you can't find one?" He guessed

"Not a single one! I've looked everywhere!" she grumbled

Eddie sighed

"What are you going to do?" He asked

"I don't know, I'll have to break the news to him gently"

Eddie chuckled

"Think of it this way, its good practice for the future" he added

She frowned

"When our little one is a bit older, and she asks for a popular toy, we'll be prepared to run around like headless chickens to try and get hold of one" he explained, placing his hand on her stomach where their baby girl was growing inside

Rachel giggled

"I would just give up if we couldn't get hold of whatever it was and get it at a later date" she shrugged

"No, you wouldn't! You're stubborn as anything, Rach! You wouldn't rest till you'd found it!" Eddie argued

Rachel smiled. He was right. She didn't give up on anything easily, even if she wanted to. In her mind, there was a solution to almost everything.

"I'm going down to the Canteen, do you want anything?" He offered, changing the subject

"Just a sandwich, please" she requested, continuing to scroll through a website hopefully

Eddie nodded

Ten minutes later, Eddie returned, two packs of sandwiches in his hand. Rachel was still having no luck. If she was honest, she was tempted to give up. If it wasn't for her paperwork demanding her attention, she would look for longer and maybe have made a few phone calls. But she knew it would be a waste of time. She'd have to break it to Matt gently.

Eddie passed her a sandwich, which she took gratefully. Since she'd been pregnant, by the time it came to lunchtime, she was starving!

As she munched on the sandwich, she rubbed her aching back with her hand. That was one of the many symptoms she wouldn't miss when her baby was born in two weeks time. That and the leg cramps. And the heartburn.

"Is your back hurting again?" Eddie asked, studying her carefully

"I've just been sat down for too long" she shrugged, standing up and stretching

She smiled as the baby pressed her tiny foot against her hand. The little girl had been asleep all morning, after being wide awake all night, kicking and wriggling around.

"Good afternoon" she whispered with a giggle, rubbing her hand up and down her stomach

Eddie smiled, watching her. He loved watching the two of them bond.

"I take it you've given up on the search for a baby doll for the Nativity?" Eddie asked

Rachel nodded

"I can't find anything at all!" She huffed

Even though he knew she'd given up, he knew she was stressing about it. Rachel didn't like to let people down, and she hated it when she had no option but to do so.

"Don't stress, Rach. Matt will sort something, I'm sure" Eddie reassured

She nodded

The bell rang for the start of afternoon lessons. Eddie stood up, wrapping his arms around Rachel's waist. She smiled as he kissed her cheek softly.

"What do you want to do this weekend? We can do anything you want" He asked

"Nothing. I want to do absolutely nothing! Maybe we could stay at home, put up the Christmas Tree and wrap Christmas presents?" She suggested

"With Christmas films?" Eddie added

Rachel nodded

"That sounds perfect" he smiled

"Go on, get to your class" she giggled, squirming out of his embrace

Eddie chuckled, leaving Rachel to do her paperwork.