Dec threw himself into his work to help get over the break up with Clare and Ant of course was always there to catch him if he fell and if things got to be a bit much.

The second and final series of Pop Idol was soon underway and would be completed by Christmas,that was a great distraction.Also Decs renovations on his new home were complete and he was eager to move in as soon as possible,so he could actually host a Christmas himself for once.

He'd wanted to do that for so long,but he just never had the space before.It would have meant his brothers,sisters,their partners and kids as well as Anne and Fonsey needing to stay in London for at least a couple of days and even though Dec offered to pay for everyone to stay in the best London hotels,they always refused,but this time he wouldn't take no for an answer.

Once he moved into his impressive new home that had been decorated exactly to his taste,he sat down with Ants help to discuss exactly where he would put everyone now they had finally agreed to stay with him for the festivities.

"How many people are you planning to host exactly Declan?" Ant frowned.

"Well,with all my siblings,their other halves,their kids,my parents,you and your family,there'll probably be at least thirty of us" Dec replied.

"Er...what?" Ant asked curiously "MY family?"

"Yeah,of course" Dec smiled "you're one of the family aren't you?it's a given that you'll be here"

"Is it?" Ant frowned "we don't usually spend Christmas together,you go to your family and I go to mine"

"We have a couple of times" Dec pointed out.

"Yeah" Ant nodded "but that doesn't mean that it's a given"

"Don't you want to come?" Dec asked sadly.

"Yeah,of course I do" Ant smiled "I'd love to,but I'll have to run it by Mam first,she might have other plans and Sarha has a fella now,she might want to spend it with his lot"

"Just ask them will ya?" Dec insisted.

"Ok" Ant sighed "but I also have to consider what Lisa wants to do,she usually goes to her own family and might want me to go too"

"I just want to have a lovely Christmas in my new home with all the people I love" Dec announced,feeling slightly dejected at Ants apparent reluctance to go along with his plans.

Ant immediately sensed Decs disappointment and put his mind at rest.

"Don't worry Decs" he smiled "I'll be with you for Christmas,even if Mam,Sarha and Lisa have made other plans and can't make it,I'd love to be here"

"You promise?" Dec asked expectantly.

"I promise" Ant smiled "but I still don't see how you're going to fit that many people in here,I know it's a big house,but that's a lot of people"

"Well,I've got more than one table that can be pulled out" Dec replied "we'll manage to fit around it somehow and maybe the kids can have a smaller table to themselves"

"I was talking about the sleeping arrangements Decs" Ant laughed "where are you going to put everyone?"

"Yeah,good point" Dec sighed "I've still not figured that one out yet,some of the kids might have to sleep on the floor,they'll love that though,will be like a camping adventure for them,you know,huddled up to each other in their sleeping bags,having a midnight feast and all that"

"Won't be much sleep going on here over Christmas then?" Ant laughed.

"Probably not" Dec agreed "but my stubborn family still won't let me pay for a hotel for them,so what can I do?I just want them all to come down so badly"

"Listen Decs" Ant said thoughtfully "I've got loads of spare rooms,why don't some of them stay at mine,makes sense doesn't it?"

"Really?" Dec asked excitedly "you'd be happy to do that?"

"Of course I would" Ant smiled "I love your family as if they were my own,it would be a pleasure to have them stay,it's the perfect solution"

"Yeah,it is" Dec agreed "I'll run it by them,but I can't see why they would have any objections,you can have Mam and Dad though"

"Ha" Ant laughed "can't imagine your Mam going along with that somehow,she'll want to be with you every minute she can"

"Yeah,that's what I'm afraid of" Dec replied.

"Aww,come on Declan" Ant smiled "she just adores her baby boy,that's all,you might have to indulge her for this holiday period"

"Yeah,I know she does" Dec nodded "I'm just kidding,I'm really looking forward to spending time with her and everyone else,it's gonna be ace"

"And there's one thing you haven't mentioned yet" Any pointed out.

"What's that?" Dec asked curiously.

"Just exactly who is going to be doing all the cooking for this huge Christmas day extravaganza?" Ant grinned "you can barely cook beans on toast"

"I CAN cook beans on toast" Dec huffed.

"So that's going to be the big Christmas dinner is it?" Ant laughed "no turkey,roast potatoes,yorkshire puddings,stuffing,pigs in blankets,ten different kinds of veg?none of that?just beans on toast?"

"Shut up" Dec replied "you're making me hungry"

"Well,you still haven't answered the question,who's cooking Christmas dinner?" Ant enquired.

"Well,we're all going to muck in,like we always do at Christmas" Dec stated "we all have our own jobs,obviously it's too much for one person"

"Oh yeah?" Ant laughed "what's your job then?"

"Peeling potatoes" Dec replied in barely more than a whisper.

"Pardon?I didn't quite catch that?" Ant grinned.

"I peel the potatoes" Dec confirmed in a louder voice.

"Ah,I see" Ant joked "so you finally get your family down to spend a Christmas with you in London and you make them do all the work?"

"Hey" Dec replied in mock offence "I do loads of work,do you know how many potatoes I have to peel for that many people?takes me hours and my lot don't just want roasties,oh no,they want mashed potato as well and gratin dauphinoise and I bet they'd even have chips if they were allowed"

"Alright Decs" Ant laughed "I'm just teasing ya,Christmas is gonna be great"

"You'll be given a job too you know" Dec replied.

"No problem" Ant smiled "happy to do my bit"

And so,once the day arrived that Dec had longed for for so long,all of Ant and Decs families were happily mucking in with the various jobs that needed doing on the cold,crisp December day.

The laughter as the kids played with their new toys,the banter between the adults,the jokes and the bucks fizz that was flowing,were just a few of the things that contributed to the joy and happiness that was radiating through the the whole house.

Christine and Sarha couldn't resist the invitation and were a part of the celebrations,although Lisa still chose to go to her parents as she always did,but she would be driving back to London to join the Donnellys and McPartlins on boxing day.

"How's it going with the spuds?" Ant grinned as Decs pile of peeled potatoes grew higher and higher in front of him.

"Exhausting" Dec frowned "you got the easy job"

Anne had obviously given Ant the simple task of making the packet stuffing and rolling it into balls,which took him hardly any time at all to complete.

"Come on Decs" Ant smiled as he took another potato peeler from the kitchen drawer "I'll give you a hand"

Soon the two families were sat around the table enjoying the food that they had spent most of the day preparing and cooking.

Dec couldn't have been happier,his family had been tactful enough not to ask him anything about Clare.It hadn't been that long since the break up and once Dec had told Anne what had happened,she made it her duty to inform the rest of the family,warning them not to broach the subject with him.

Dec was glad she had,it meant he avoided many difficult conversations with them,it had been made clear to all of them that he didn't want to talk about it and they respected his wishes,so he knew he could now relax and enjoy their company without worrying about anyone dampening the mood by bringing the subject up at any time.

After their delicious dinner,Anne couldn't relax knowing there was a hell of a lot of clearing up to be done,but everyone insisted it be left until later,there were games to be played after all and it wouldn't be Christmas without charades

Ant was first up and did his best to act out a convincing scene from the film 'Independence Day' where he tried to do his very best alien impression,much to everyone elses amusement.

The kids loved the game and the adults played along with pretending not to know what they were attempting to mime,even though it was incredibly obvious,mainly because most of the youngsters couldn't resist talking and giving huge hints.

Dec caused much merriment as he attempted to act out the title of SM:TV live by twisting his body into the shape of the letters,of course Ant guessed correctly with the first letter,much to Decs annoyance.

Eventually the exhausted kids were put to bed,some at Ants house and some at Decs.Ant had made sure to get several sets of keys cut,so everyone could come and go at their leisure.

Decs brother Dermott had volunteered for babysitting service at Ants house.Being a man of the cloth,as he now was,he wouldn't be partaking in any drinking of alcohol,not that it was completely forbidden,he just chose to abstain and if he was honest,he relished the thought of the peace and quiet so he could concentrate on writing his next sermon,that was providing the kids kept to their end of the bargain and stayed in bed.

So Ant and Dec sat in Decs living room with their families,after the clearing up had finally been done,it had been a big job,but with so many of them helping, it was soon taken care of.

Everyone agreed that it had been a great day and Dec beamed with pride at their complimentary words,although he knew he had only done a small part of the work,but he was happy to take the credit,especially as he knew it was mainly his cheeky chappy sense of humour that everyone loved so much that usually made family occasions so such fun.

"I'm so glad we came Decky" Anne smiled "I've had such a lovely day with the whole family"

"Yeah,me too" Fonsey confirmed "thanks for inviting us lad,it's been grand"

"Was my pleasure" Dec beamed,still on a high about how the wonderful day had gone,it couldn't have been more perfect.

Eventually,most of the families trickled off to bed upstairs or made their way to Ants house three doors down,until only Ant,Dec and Pat were left.

"Well,little bro" Pat smiled "thanks for today"

"You're welcome" Dec smiled "it was fun wasn't it?"

"Yeah,it was" Pat smiled "I'm just so happy to be able to spend some time with you,busy little bee you've become haven't you?"

"Yeah,you could say that" Dec laughed "I love it though"

"Do you really?" Pat enquired seriously.

With that,Ant let out a fake yawn and over exaggerated stretch of his arms,sensing that maybe Pat was yearning for some rare quality time with her adored baby brother.

"Sorry guys" Ant smiled "it's time for me to hit the sack,can barely keep my eyes open,I'll leave you two to catch up"

"Oh ok" Dec replied "I'll see you tomorrow though right?come over whenever you're ready and don't forget your swimming stuff"

Dec had reminded his family several times over that he wanted to have a bit of a pool party with the kids and preferably the adults too the following day in his swanky,indoor swimming pool.He also threatened to throw anyone who forgot their swimming gear into the pool fully clothed,although everyone just laughed at that idea,bearing in mind just about all of the adults except for his Mam towered over him.

"Yeah,of course,I'll be here with my swimming trunks and armbands" Ant joked,as all three got up to hug each other goodbye "thanks for today Decs"

As he let himself out,he could hear Dec and Pat already resuming their conversation.He was glad they were getting some time together now,he knew how much Dec looked up to his big sister and how much she adored her little brother.

"I promise you Pat,I really do love it" Dec stated again,returning to his oldest sisters previous question "I was born for this"

"Yeah,I won't argue with that" Pat laughed "you've always been a proper little show off"

"Don't know what you're talking about?" Dec winked.

"Mam worries about you,ya know?" Pat frowned.

"Well,she's a natural worrier isn't she?" Dec pointed out.

"Yeah,she is" Pat nodded "but more so with you because of all the pressure you're under and how full on your job is"

"But I'm not under pressure Pat" Dec insisted "yeah,I'm incredibly busy and don't get much time off,but I can handle it and I wasn't lying when I said I love it,I really do and the awards have even started rolling in"

"Yeah,I've seen that titch" Pat smiled as she pulled Dec closer to her on the sofa for a sideways hug "I'm one proud big sister,but should you ever find yourself struggling with absolutely anything,you know I'll always be here for you if you need me right?I'm only a phone call away"

"Yeah,of course" Dec smiled "but I promise you,you don't need to worry about me,I'm absolutely fine and having the time of my life,I get to hang out with my best friend every day and get paid for it,it doesn't get any better than that"

"Well,when you put it like that" Pat laughed.

"You know Ant will always looks out for me" Dec assured her "comes naturally to him"

"Yeah" Pat nodded "I'm so glad you two have got each other,just don't forget about your big sister ok?I'll always be here for you"

"I know that" Dec replied "and thank you,but I promise I'm doing ok,I'd tell you if I wasn't"

"Yeah,you're definitely doing ok" Pat laughed,while glancing around the room "this place is amazing Decky,your own swimming pool and gym,I'm surprised you didn't have a cinema put in?"

"Did think about it" Dec grinned sheepishly "but just decided on a TV room with a huge telly in the end"

"Yeah,that's possibly the biggest telly I've ever seen" Pat laughed "so what's next for you?"

"What do you mean?" Dec enquired.

"You know,for you and Ant?" Pat replied "career wise?what will 2004 hold for the both of you?"

"Oh I see" Dec smiled "it's gonna be pretty crazy from the start.We're off to Australia straight after new year for 'I'm a Celebrity' don't know why it's even earlier in the year this time though?then pretty much immediately after we get back we'll be working on the new series of 'Saturday Night Takeaway'"

"That's a crazy schedule" Pat frowned.

"Maybe it is" Dec replied "but I'm ready for it"

"You sure?" Pat asked concerned.

"Yes,I'm sure Pat" Dec smiled "bring it on,I couldn't be more ready"

"Good for you" Pat smiled at her confident,little brother.

"Yeah" Dec nodded "this is going to be the best year yet for me and Ant"

"I just know it!"