“Welcome home Dear, you were out late tonight.”

Nicholas looked at his wife, exhaustion across his face offset by a quiet satisfaction. “Increasing population, takes just that little bit longer. I barely have time to stop for mince pies and brandy.”

She walked up to him in sympathy, wrapped her arms around his large stomach and commiserated, “It’s ok, you have the next year off, you can relax and I’ll keep you fed and happy.” She sniffed, winced, and added, “and we’ll start by getting you changed. You smell well overdue.”

Nicholas sighed and nodded. “That’s another problem,” he said, “No time for toilet breaks.”

His wife smiled, and teased him gently, “When did I last allow you one of those anyway?”

She led him into the house, letting the elves handle the reindeer. He might be a fan of babies worldwide but her husband was still her own personally baby, and it was time for a change before bed in the new red onesie she’d made him.