billie_kent posted

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billie_kent: the night before christmas, not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.

COMMENTS:
afcrichmond: welcome baby tartt!!!

colinhughes: congrats!!

maddsgreen: beautiful little one!!!

alfiesykes98: I'm in awe

jamie_tartt: our little star

will_kitman: the bestest gift ever!

keeleyjones: the most perfect little family already!

"Merry Christmas, little man," Jamie smiled down at the tiny sleeping baby in his arms as he looked out of the hospital window at the view of the sunrise over London that the hospital room gave them, "You came just in time to celebrate with us, didn't you?"

Jamie couldn't take his eyes off of the tiny baby in his arms, the little human that was half of him, carried and grown by the woman he loved most. The moment that Jamie held his son for the first time was one that he wasn't sure he'd ever forget, even the thought of one day winning the World Cup with England didn't come close to the pride and joy he felt as he cradled his little boy against his chest.

"I always thought rooms with a view were a thing you got in hotels," Jamie whispered to his son as he glanced up at the view of London's iconic skyline and the River Thames, "I were twelve the first time I ever came to London, it were with your Nana Georgie before Christmas and we saw all them lights they put up, and I promise me and your mummy will take you to see 'em every year on your birthday."

Watching the love of his life give birth to their son was simply the most beautiful thing he'd ever seen. It pained him of course to see her in so much agony, but the abilities of a woman's body to handle such pain completely blew his mind. The relief that filled him as their little boy's cries filled the room was unlike anything he'd felt before.

"That's London Bridge, which is the one Fergie sings about fallin' down, that's Tower Bridge, which is also pretty cool, 'cause the road lifts up and down to let them boats through, your mummy will probably tell you about the video One Direction filmed up there...this is your city now, little love, and it's your home too," Jamie told the tiny baby who remained asleep in his arms, "I'm gonna bring you the world, little lad."

In the last few weeks of Billie's pregnancy, Jamie had spent a lot of time thinking about what sort of dad he wanted to be. He knew exactly what he didn't want to be like because of the father he'd grown up with, because he knew what that could do to a child.

He wanted to be the sort of parent that his Mum had always been; supportive, loving and approachable. He wanted their home to be full of love and laughter, but most of all he wanted their children to have an example of a loving and happy relationship that he had to spend his younger years working out for himself.

"What are you two up to?" Billie asked, freshly showered and dressed in a fresh tracksuit, leaning against the en suite doorway (one of the many benefits of a private hospital), watching Jamie bond with their son.

"Just showing the little lad where he's gonna grow up," Jamie smiled as Billie joined her two favourite boys by the window.

"Did you ever think you'd be raising a West London boy?" Billie smiled, wrapping her arms around Jamie's waist, resting her head against his shoulder.

"Nah, we'll make a northerner of him yet," Jamie grinned proudly.

"And you chose the little reindeer onesie?" Billie whispered with a smile as she kept her eyes on the tiny little boy in his fluffy sleepsuit, complete with a tiny hat that had Rudolph's face and antlers on it.

"Well, he's our little Christmas miracle, in't he?" Jamie smiled proudly, "Born yesterday on Christmas Eve with the music from Home Alone in the background."

"I still can't believe he's here, even if my body can, now that the painkillers have worn off," Billie sighed.

"How you feeling?" Jamie asked, placing the baby back in his crib, before turning back to Billie, "Why don't you sit down for a bit, yeah?"

"I'm alright, Jamie," Billie smiled as she took a seat on the edge of the bed.

"Remind me what you said to me when you were having contractions," Jamie smirked as he sat beside her.

"I was too drugged up on gas and air to remember." Billie huffed.

"Jamie Tartt, I'm never letting you anywhere near my vagina again," Jamie repeated in his best London accent.

"Oh, yeah," Billie laughed, her body aching as she did, resting her head against his shoulder as they both stared at their little boy in awe, "You still set on his name?"

"I've been set on his name since we realised that it were on both our lists," Jamie grinned, kissing the top of her head. They'd both made the decision not to find out the baby's gender until the birth, meaning they had a list of both girls and boys names, so when they discovered that they had the same boy's name at the top of their lists they knew exactly what they'd call the baby if it was a boy.

"Theo William Tartt," Billie smiled up at him, "Our greatest achievement."

"Too right," Jamie sighed, "I can't wait for everyone to meet him."

A big family Christmas was all that Jamie had ever wanted, after his father's yearly failures to fulfil empty promises and the insane hours his mother would work to get him all the presents he deserved. So when Billie had told him she wanted a Christmas with all their loved ones in one place, he couldn't have been more happy.

They were hosting Christmas at their house, the big Christmas tree in the living room they'd chosen and decorated together, logs on the fireplace under the TV mounted on the wall, all their favourite Christmas songs playing through the speakers.

Billie's due date was meant to be Boxing Day, so given that she'd either be heavily pregnant or tending to a new baby, Simon had offered to cook Christmas Dinner as soon as Billie and Jamie invited him and Georgie to theirs for Christmas, the idea of cooking for a Tartt-Kent Christmas in Jamie's impressive kitchen delighted him.

"Here we are, little lad," Jamie sighed, carrying Theo in his car seat as he and Billie crossed the threshold into their house, immediately welcomed by the smell of a roast dinner cooking in the kitchen, "Welcome home."

Billie pushed the door closed as she and Jamie made their way into the kitchen, following the hum of Elton John's Step Into Christmas where Simon was peeling potatoes while Georgie poured herself a glass of wine.

"Merry Christmas," Billie smiled as the new family stood in the doorway to their kitchen, Simon and Georgie looking up with delighted grins as they noticed Jamie, Billie and the little baby in his car seat.

"Oh my goodness, you're here," Georgie grinned as she made her way over to them, "Merry Christmas to you both, my darlings."

"Thank you," Billie smiled as she wrapped Georgie in a hug, "You want to meet your grandson?"

"Absolutely," Georgie clapped her hands together as Jamie placed Theo's car seat on the kitchen island, letting Simon and Georgie stand either side of him and Billie as he picked Theo up, cradling him in his arms, "He's so perfect, what a precious little thing."

"A proper little star," Simon smiled down at the tiny baby.

"Has he got a name yet?" Georgie asked.

"Yeah," Billie grinned, "Theo, Theo William Tartt."

"What a little sweetheart," Georgie smiled at her grandson in awe.

"Would you like to hold your grandson?" Billie asked her.

"Of course," Georgie grinned.

"Theo, meet your Nana Georgie," Jamie hummed as he passed his little boy over to Georgie.

"Hello, little darling," Georgie smiled down at Theo as she rocked him in her arms, "Haven't your mummy and daddy done a perfect job of making you, eh?"

Billie pulled her phone out of her pocket to see a message from Roy as she turned to Jamie, "Roy, Hannah and Phoebe are on their way."

"Sounds good," Jamie grinned, kissing the top of her head.

"Si, love, why don't you give Jamie and Billie that little gift we got them?" Georgie suggested.

"Oh, yes, it's just in the front room," Simon nodded before heading out of the kitchen.

"I thought we were doing presents after Christmas dinner," Jamie frowned in confusion.

"Yeah, we are," Georgie nodded, "We just got you a little something extra for today."

"Here we are," Simon returned to the room, handing Billie a gift bag.

"Thank you," Billie smiled as she placed it on the table, pulling out three pairs of red and white striped pyjamas, a set for Jamie, a set for Billie and the tiniest set for Theo, "That's just perfect."

"That's proper lovely, thank you," Jamie grinned, wrapping his arm around his mum as she cradled her grandson, Billie promptly taking the opportunity to take a candid photo of the three generations of their family.

"Now, you lot go and make yourselves comfy in the front room and I'll crack on with the dinner, alright?" Simon insisted.

"You don't have to tell me twice," Billie sighed with a smile.

Jamie, Billie and Theo had changed into their matching Christmas pyjamas after Georgie insisted on getting a photo of the little family together. Spending Christmas day wearing matching festive pyjamas was somewhat of a tradition while Jamie was growing up, so it felt extra special to carry it on with Billie and Theo. Georgie had bought matching sets for her and Simon in a forest green and then another three in a chequered set for Roy, Hannah and Phoebe.

Georgie sat with them as they watched Home Alone, or rather, let it play in the background as they all admired Theo as he slept on Billie's chest. The doorbell rang and Georgie insisted that she'd get it as Jamie and Billie remained curled up on the sofa.

"I still can't believe we have a son," Billie whispered as she snuggled into Jamie's side.

"He's so bloody perfect, Bils," Jamie smiled, "I were proper in awe of you, watching you give birth to him."

"How's your hands?" Billie teased, referring to how hard she'd clung to them through each contraction as she took ahold of his hand.

"Not too bad," Jamie assured her as she kissed his knuckles.

"Look who's here to see yous," Georgie smiled as she returned to the room, followed by Roy, Phoebe and Hannah.

"Merry Christmas," Hannah grinned as she laid eyes on her new nephew, while Roy and Phoebe stared at the little boy in awe.

"Merry Christmas to you too," Billie smiled as her siblings took a seat on the free sofa while Phoebe began emptying the bags they'd bought with them and placing all the presents under the huge Christmas tree.

"Come on, Uncle Roy," Jamie patted the empty seat beside him, "Come meet your nephew."

Roy wordlessly took the empty seat as Billie handed Theo to Jamie who then placed him in Roy's arms. Roy gazed down at the little boy, his brand new nephew, reminded of the day he'd first met his youngest sister when he was sixteen years old.

"He's fucking perfect," Roy muttered with a gentle smile.

"We better start Theo a tab now, eh?" Jamie joked as Phoebe raised her eyebrows at Roy.

"Theo?" Roy glanced at his sister.

"Yeah, Theo William Tartt," Billie smiled.

"Are you telling me you named your son after Ted?" Roy remarked as he looked down at his little nephew.

"Maybe we did," Billie smiled, "Maybe Jamie's all time favourite animated character is Theodore from Alvin and the Chipmunks."

"To be fair, he's a pretty incredible Christmas present," Roy sighed as the little boy opened his eyes, staring up at his Uncle Roy with his big brown eyes, just like Jamie and Billie's.

"We got him some little ear defenders for the match tomorrow," Billie replied, referring to Richmond's Boxing Day match at home against Nottingham Forest.

"Babe, you literally just gave birth yesterday, are you sure you want to sit out in the cold for a whole match?" Jamie frowned, having assumed they'd wait a couple of weeks at least until Theo attended his first football match.

"We're not going to miss it," Billie assured him, "Little lad wants to see his daddy do what he does best."

"How can I say no to you two?" Jamie smiled, kissing the top of her head before glancing over at Phoebe who was sitting beside the Christmas tree, "Pheebs, you wanna come meet your little cousin?"

"He's not going to remember me, babies don't remember things when they're small," Phoebe remarked.

"He'll remember your voice from when he was in Auntie Billie's tummy," Hannah assured her.

"He's gonna need his big cousin to show him what's what," Billie smiled fondly.

"And to help him terrorise his Uncle Roy," Jamie added.

Phoebe approached slowly, sitting beside Roy as she gazed down at the little baby. She tentatively held her finger out to Theo who wrapped his tiny hand around it in reflex as Roy held him close to his chest. Everyone in the room remained quiet as they watched the sweet interaction unfold, silently acknowledging that Theo had a readymade protector in Phoebe the way that Billie and Hannah did in Roy.

After the credits began to roll on Home Alone, Christmas dinner was served and everyone sat around the dining table that Georgie had spent the morning decorating. Simon served up what could be considered a feast, with every side imaginable, as well as enough helpings of vegetables and meat ahead of Jamie's match the next day.

Theo was sleeping peacefully in his Moses basket beside the dining room tree as the family sat together. It wasn't something that Billie was sure she'd ever be able to describe, knowing that the big family she'd always wanted was finally hers, that she could start new traditions for her son.

"I just want to make a toast and say thank you to all of you for joining us for Christmas, and thank you to Simon for cooking this amazing meal," Billie smiled as she picked up her glass of orange juice, "I know that families come in all different shapes and sizes, but I'm pretty happy with how ours is shaping up, and I'm so glad we're all able to spend Christmas together...So, cheers!"

"Cheers!" The family clinked their glasses together as Jamie took Billie's hand in his, kissing her knuckles.

As the evening drew in, Billie made her way upstairs away from the busyness of Christmas Day, having spent the last hour or so opening presents with the family. She lay in bed, Theo beside her, staring back at her with wide eyes, accompanied by nothing but the faint hum of Christmas music from downstairs.

"How lucky are we to call you ours, my darling boy?" Billie whispered as she gently stroked his cheek with her thumb, "I can't wait for all the adventures we're going to have together, and all those football matches we're going to watch your daddy play, and it's okay if you get bored because I do too sometimes when Daddy doesn't have the ball, but that's just between me and you, okay, lovebug?"

Everytime she looked at him she couldn't quite believe that he was hers, that she had grown and birthed a tiny human with an entire life ahead of him. She and Jamie were parents to a little boy whose life she wanted to be sure that they would fill with love and laughter.

"Me and your daddy, we're going to be here as long as you need us," Billie continued as Theo gazed back at her, "We'll be your best friends and your safe place all in one."

"What are you two up to?"

Billie looked up to see Jamie entering the bedroom, closing the door behind him as he approached them, carefully climbing onto the bed and laying opposite Billie as Theo lay in between them.

"Roy's taken everyone to Higgins' for pudding and drinks," Jamie told her as they lay in their own space as a family of three for the first time.

"Just me and my boys," Billie hummed as she let Theo hold onto her finger, gripping it in his tiny hand.

"Your best boys," Jamie smiled.

"Yeah," Billie replied, "You reckon Nelson's enjoying his Welsh Christmas with Alfie and Colin?"

"Oh, I reckon Colin's mum's spoiling him proper," Jamie laughed softly.

"Our firstborn son," Billie sighed, "I feel so lucky that I get to call you my family."

"Ditto, babe," Jamie grinned, as his gaze flitted from Theo to Billie, "If you'd told me three years ago that one day I'd have a son and his uncle would be Roy Kent, I never would've believed you."

"And would you have believed it if someone told you that he'd be the manager of the team you play for too?" Billie asked.

"Not at all."

It was strange to return to Nelson Road, pushing a pram with a tiny baby, their baby, just a few weeks after the boys hosted a surprise baby shower for her before she went on maternity leave. But as Billie walked back through the clubhouse doors alongside Georgie and Simon with her little boy, it was as though she'd never been away.

"There's our girl," Rebecca smiled as she approached, dressed in a red turtleneck jumper and black pencil skirt, "Congratulations, you star."

"Thank you," Billie smiled as she wrapped her in a hug, feeling particularly underdressed in Jamie's Richmond shirt, a pair of wide legged trousers and a long line coat, "I'd like to introduce you to someone."

Billie pulled away, letting Rebecca get a look at the little baby who was dressed for a Boxing Day match in a thick white snowsuit that Hannah and Phoebe had bought him for Christmas.

"This is Theo," Billie told her as Rebecca stared at the little boy in awe.

"He's just perfect, Billie," Rebecca whispered, smiling proudly at the young women, before turning to Georgie and Simon who she'd been introduced to at the premiere, "You two must be so proud."

"Oh, absolutely," Georgie grinned, "He's absolutely perfect, and Billie and Jamie are doing the most amazing job as parents."

"I'm glad you do think he's perfect," Billie told Rebecca, "Because me and Jamie were wondering if you'd be his godmother."

Neither Billie or Jamie were religious in their beliefs, but they'd grown up with godparents of their own, and while they didn't intend on Christening Theo or any other children they might have, they liked the idea of bestowing titles upon the people in their lives who they loved and treasured, and knew Theo would one day grow to do the same.

Billie also didn't want Rebecca to think that she was choosing her as some sort of consolation for not having children of her own. Billie felt loved, protected and seen by Rebecca, and she wanted Rebecca to mean as much to Theo as she did to her.

"If you don't want to, it's okay, like if it's too much-"

"Billie," Rebecca took her hands with a smile, "I'd be honoured."

"Would you really?" Billie's eyes lit up in delight.

"Of course," Rebecca assured her, "Just gives me double the amount of excuses for cuddles with that angel boy, nevermind spoiling him with a mountain of gifts."

"Absolutely, and your in amazing company with Uncle Trent, who we're going to ask when he's back from Munich," Billie nodded, "You looking forward to the match?"

"Always," Rebecca smiled.

"It's Georgie and Simon's first time at the Dogtrack," Billie told her.

"Well then, how about I give them the grand tour while you go introduce those greyhounds to their newest pup?" Rebecca suggested, having heard nonstop since she'd arrived how excited the boys were to meet Theo.

"Is that alright with you guys?" Billie turned to Georgie and Simon.

"Oh, absolutely," Georgie grinned, "We'll see you up there."

"See you in a bit," Billie smiled before pushing Theo's pram down the corridor towards the locker room.

It felt so odd yet so familiar to be there with Theo, to be in the place that was in many ways responsible for his existence, because AFC Richmond was in many ways the invisible string that had tied Billie and Jamie together.

"You boys decent?" Billie called out as she reached the locker room door.

"Yeah!" They all cheered with enthusiasm, instantly recognising her voice.

"I bought someone to meet all of you," She told them as she pushed Theo's pram into the locker room as the team turned to greet her with delighted smiles.

"There you are," Jamie approached her, wrapping an arm around her shoulder as he gazed down at a wide eyed Theo, "How's he been?"

"A little grizzly in the car, but I fed him before we came in so he's a happy boy now," Billie told him as she leant against him, "Why don't you introduce him to his uncles?"

"Yeah, alright," Jamie replied as he scooped Theo out of his pram and cradled the little boy in his arms, "You sit down, yeah? You need to rest properly, babe."

"You and your bedside manner, eh?" Billie smirked as she took a seat on the platform in the middle of the room.

"Lads, we'd like you to meet our little lad, Theo Tartt," Jamie smiled proudly as he stood in the middle of the room, rocking Theo in his arms, "He were born on Christmas Eve, and he's just as perfect as his mummy."

"You bloody softy," Billie rolled her eyes with a smile.

"You're right, Jamie, he is perfect," Colin smiled down at the tiny baby he'd met via FaceTime on Christmas Eve, having been with Alfie and his family in Wales, celebrating Christmas.

"We're gonna win today for him, innit," Isaac affirmed in the best way he knew how to show the little boy affection, not daring to admit that he thought all newborn babies looked the same.

"Well, he's going to be proud of you boys either way," Billie assured the team as they stood around Jamie, admiring the little boy, "We both are."

"We got you a present," Sam told her with a smile as he took a seat next to her, handing her a gift bag, "Well, it's for Theo really."

Billie opened the bag, glancing down at the first present which was a greyhound teddy wearing a Richmond shirt. The second present that she pulled out was a small shoe box, she opened it slowly to see a tiny pair of red Adidas Gazelles that Theo would one day grow into, similar to her own.

"They're perfect, thank you, boys," Billie smiled at the team before turning to Jamie, "Did you know about this?"

"No, babe," Jamie assured her, "Cheers lads."

"Right, well, we better leave you boys to it," Billie sighed as Jamie returned Theo to his pram, "We'll see you after the match, yeah?"

"See you later, Billie," The boys smiled as she made her way out of the locker room, Jamie following close behind.

"You gonna be alright getting little man up to Rebecca's box?" Jamie asked as they stood in the hallway.

"Yeah, I'm gonna put him in the baby carrier and leave the pram down here," Billie explained, "There's just one more person I want to see before I head up."

"Alright," Jamie nodded, knowing what she meant as he wrapped his arms around her, giving her a quick kiss, "Love you."

"Ditto," Billie smiled as she watched Jamie kiss Theo on the head, "Now go make us proud, star man."

"Always."

Billie pushed Theo's pram across the corridor to her old office, which until she'd left for maternity leave, was a space that she'd shared with Will while mentoring him into his new role.

"Hi," Billie smiled as she leant against the doorframe, watching Will at his desk with a proud smile on her face, "We've just come to say hello."

"Oh my, come in, have a seat," Will stood up, moving across to take a seat on the sofa as Billie did the same, "How are you?"

"Tired, but it's worth it," Billie smiled as she picked Theo up out of his pram, "Little lad wanted to come and see you."

"He's so cute," Will smiled at him in awe.

"We decided to call him Theo," Billie told him, "Theo William Tartt."

"William as in?"

"Yes, Will, William as in you," Billie smiled as she cradled Theo, "He's gonna need his cool fun uncle to show him the ropes when he's older."

"I can't wait," Will grinned.

After catching up with Will, Billie made her way up to the owner's box, Theo strapped against her chest in his baby carrier, wearing the small pair of ear defenders Billie and Jamie had bought for him. She reached the box just as the teams were standing in the lineups, making her way down to the empty seat between Georgie and Rebecca.

"There they are," Georgie grinned as Billie took a seat beside her, "How's the little man?"

"Snoozing, I changed him just before we came up so he'll be happy for a while hopefully," Billie smiled as she glanced down at Jamie, surprised to see that he was wearing the captain's armband, but then she noticed Isaac's absence from the lineup, remembering Roy had mentioned that he was out on injury.

"Our Jamie's got the captain's band," Georgie grinned at Simon before turning to Billie with a proud smile, "Did he tell you?"

"No, he kept that all to himself," Billie sighed as she returned her gaze to Jamie as he glanced up at the box, blowing her a kiss which she caught and squeezed her hand shut before kissing her knuckles.

Billie never got tired of watching Jamie play from the stands, as much as she loved being on the sidelines, she had found a new appreciation for watching him play while sitting alongside her favourite ladies. She liked being able to enjoy the match instead of thinking about work.

She glanced down at the sidelines, a proud smile on her face as she laid eyes on her brother, Richmond's manager, wearing a big black coat over his usual training gear as he stood alongside Nate and Coach Beard. Her eyes wandered to Will who was ready with the camera she'd gifted him, waiting for the match to begin.  

Within five minutes of the whistle being blown, Colin had the ball, passing it straight onto Sam, Nottingham's defence were strong, but Richmond's forwards were stronger. Sam passed the ball left to Jamie, who weaved the ball past Nottingham's scattered defenders, taking aim at the goal and burying the ball in the back of the net, an applause from Richmond's fans immediately echoed around the ground.

Billie stood up and cheered alongside Georgie and Rebecca, conscious of Theo who was sleeping peacefully against her chest, his little ear defenders leaving him oblivious to the noise of that all too infamous chant.

"Tartt is on fire and he's shagging Billie Kent!" The fans chanted as Jamie ran down to the corner where most of the home fans were sitting in celebration, sucking his thumb before tapping his heart and pointing up at Billie and Theo with a proud smile on his face. It was similar to his celebration for the goal he scored a few days after the premiere and the announcement of Billie's pregnancy, when he grabbed the football and shoved it under his shirt before blowing a kiss to Billie in the box.

"Bloody beautiful," Georgie grinned as she wrapped her arm around Billie's shoulders.

"Pretty perfect, isn't it?" Billie replied.

"Still makes me just as proud as it did when I saw him score his first ever goal for his Sunday little league team when he were a little boy," Georgie sighed as the two women returned to their seats, "You two have all that to look forward to."

Having a baby together really put the idea of 'forever' into perspective for both Billie and Jamie. They had their own little family to think of, so any decision made from then on would have to be made with that in mind, but that didn't matter, because love tied them together, and that was something that would last them a lifetime.

author's note: and that's act three of mastermind done!
thank you so so much for all your comments, love and support! i do have plans to write an act four for this fic eventually - i just want to focus on my other fics for a while too.
this story means the world to me and im so glad to have had you all along for the ride
G x

(also, i knew they were calling their baby theo from like ep 4 of act one...)