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Snowflakes drifted lazily over St. John’s, settling like powdered sugar on rooftops. Inside the station, festive chaos reigned. Jesse was in full holiday mode, balancing on a chair to hang yet another strand of lights across his workstation, as Charlie leaned against his own desk, watching with amusement, his hand resting lightly on Sarah’s back as she adjusted her scarf, cheeks rosy from the cold. Rex sprawled at their feet watching Jesse’s antics carefully.
Sarah’s phone buzzed with a message just as she finished adjusting her scarf. She glanced down, smiling at the name—Leah, her old friend from medical school.
“Hey stranger, all set for another Christmas Eve of criminal activity?” Leah’s message read, sprinkled with a police officer and flashing light emoji.
Sarah grinned, thumbs flying. “You know it! How's your night looking?”
“Chaos, obviously!” Leah replied. “But listen, we still need to do that double date. You, Charlie, me and Sam. I promise Sam will behave this time.”
Sarah laughed quietly, picturing Leah’s partner’s cheeky grin. “Let’s make it happen after the holidays. Maybe that new Italian place? Charlie loves a good risotto.”
“Sorted! I’ll wrangle Sam and you wrangle your detective. Stay safe out there, Sarah.”
Sarah slipped her phone away, warmth flooding her cheeks at the thought of a night out with friends, something bright to look forward to once the holiday rush had passed.
“You’re quiet,” She teased, nudging Charlie gently.
“Just taking it all in,” Charlie replied, his eyes softening as they met hers. “Who was that?”
“Leah, she wants us to arrange a double date for after the holidays.”
Before Charlie could respond, his phone buzzed sharply, slicing through the warmth of the moment.
“Hudson,” Charlie answered briskly.
“Detective, we’ve got a situation,” Constable Bennett’s voice broke through. “Break-in at the Avalon Hotel. Jewellery store inside—diamonds worth millions are gone.”
Charlie sighed, exchanging a glance with Joe. “Christmas Eve and someone decides to play Grinch,” he muttered. “Charlie, take Rex and Jesse, Sarah you’re on standby for forensics. I know you’d rather be out in the field but we’re running on a skeleton crew tonight.”
Sarah squeezed Charlie’s arm. “Be careful.”
Charlie grinned. “Always.”
The Avalon was a winter wonderland—towering trees, garlands draped across marble columns, and carols floating through the air. Jesse whistled when he saw the grandness of the foyer.
“Nice place” he mused “expensive...”
“They do a great Afternoon Tea…” responded Charlie
Jesse looked at him and Charlie continued “I brought Sarah here for her birthday in the summer…”
They were unable to continue their conversation as they reached the boutique; it was the opposite to the tranquillity of the hotel entrance. It was chaos; shattered glass, empty velvet displays, and a frantic manager pacing the floor.
“Mr Banks?” Charlie queried
“Yes.”
“I’m Detective Hudson, this is Detective Mills and this is my partner Rex”
“Hello” replied Banks, slightly distracted as he watched Rex get down to work.
“Is there any Security footage?” Jesse asked.
“Gone,” the manager stammered. “System wiped clean.”
Jesse muttered “That’s… professional.”
Charlie crouched near the broken case, Rex sniffing intently. “What do you think, boy?” Rex’s tail wagged as he moved toward the back door, nose to the ground.
“Looks like Rex found something,” Charlie said, following. A faint trail of footprints led into the snow-covered alley.
Charlie bagged some shards of glass and handed it to a uniformed officer telling them to take it back to the lab at the station.
- - - - - - - - -
Sarah examined the glass noticing a greasy smudge on one of the pieces. “Industrial lubricant,” she murmured. “Used for heavy machinery. Not your average smash-and-grab.”
Charlie leaned against the counter, watching her work. “So, we’re dealing with a pro?”
“Definitely,” Sarah replied, glancing up. “This was planned.”
“You know, you can make any crime scene look festive.”
Sarah tilted her head, teasing. “Festive? That’s a stretch.”
Their eyes met, and Charlie smiled, before lowering his voice “Yeah, you’re the only person that makes broken glass look beautiful.”
Sarah laughed softly. “And you make them messy.”
Charlie leaned in “Guess that means you’ll always have a reason to stick around.”
Rex as always waiting patiently at the door to the lab yipped quietly, making Sarah laugh. “Looks like someone’s jealous.”
Charlie grinned. “Can’t blame him—I’d fight for your attention too.”
“You’re incorrigible” remarked Sarah with a smile
“And yet you keep me around…”
They leaned in for a kiss just as Jesse popped his head into the lab cutting off the moment, smiling as he saw them both blush. Saving them the embarrassment, he jumped in with
“Hey, Sarah, you saving Christmas again? Santa’s got nothing on you.”
Sarah chuckled. “Thanks, but you’re the one making the station look like a snow globe.”
“Guilty as charged,” Jesse said, adjusting his Santa hat. “But seriously, you okay? You’ve been running nonstop today.”
Sarah smiled warmly. “I’m fine. Just hoping Charlie doesn’t do anything reckless.”
Jesse smirked. “Hudson? Reckless? Never.”
Sarah rolled her eyes. “Exactly my point.”
Before Charlie could respond, Jesse burst in fully. “The prints Rex found at the scene were worn tire tracks and snow chains. Only one rental company in town uses that brand.”
Charlie straightened. “Let’s go.”
As they headed out, Jesse grabbed his coat and muttered, “If this guy turns out to be Santa, I’m asking for a raise.”
Sarah laughed. “Why?”
“Because if I have to arrest Santa, I’m pretty sure I’m going on the naughty list forever,” Jesse said, dead serious. “And I really like presents.”
Charlie shook his head, grinning. “You’re unbelievable.”
“Unbelievably festive,” Jesse corrected, jingling the bells on his hat.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
By evening, they traced the van to an abandoned warehouse near the harbour. Inside, twinkling lights hung from rusted beams, piles of stolen goods glittering under the glow. And there—dressed in a cheap Santa costume—was their suspect, stuffing diamonds into a sack.
“Police!” Charlie shouted, drawing his weapon. The man bolted, knocking over a string of lights. Charlie gave chase, Rex a blur of fur beside him.
The suspect slipped on the icy floor, and so did Charlie—his head clipped a metal beam as he fell.
“Charlie!” Sarah’s voice rang out as she sprinted toward him.
Charlie groaned, blinking against the dizziness. “I’m fine,” he mumbled, though the world tilted alarmingly.
Sarah knelt beside him, her hands cradling his face. “You are not fine. You might have a concussion.”
Charlie managed a grin. “You always worry too much.”
“Because I love you, you idiot,” Sarah snapped, tears glinting in her eyes.
Rex barked triumphantly as he tackled the thief, but Sarah barely noticed—her focus was on Charlie.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Hours later, the case was wrapped up. The team had shared cocoa and laughter, Jesse still joking about arresting Santa, but Sarah insisted on taking Charlie home.
Back home it was warm and glowing, the Christmas tree twinkling in the corner. Charlie sank onto the couch, still pale but smiling.
“You should be in bed,” Sarah said, fussing with a blanket.
“I will,” Charlie murmured, catching her hand. “But first… I need to ask you something.”
Sarah frowned. “Charlie, you’re dizzy. You need rest.”
“I’m serious,” he said, pulling her closer. “Marry me?”
Sarah blinked. “You’re concussed.”
“I’m not,” Charlie whispered. “I’ve never been surer of anything.”
Before Sarah could respond, Rex trotted in with a small velvet box tied to his collar. Charlie opened it, revealing a sparkling ring.
Sarah gasped softly. “Charlie…”
He held the ring gently between his fingers. “This diamond… it’s an antique. It belonged to my Aunt Miranda. She gave me her ring years ago and told me to use it when I found the right person. I had it reset into a modern setting—because you deserve something timeless, but also something that feels like you.”
Sarah’s eyes shimmered with tears. “That’s… beautiful.”
Charlie smiled, voice low and steady. “Not as beautiful as you.” He slid the ring onto her finger, his hands trembling just slightly.
Sarah laughed through her tears. “You planned this?”
“Sort of,” Charlie admitted. “Just… not… entirely like this.”
“It’s perfect…”
“The ring or the proposal…?”
“Both.” Sarah replied
“Is that a yes?” Charlie asked not quite able to keep the slight nervous tremor out of his voice as he ran his thumb over her fingers.
Sarah cupped his face, her smile radiant. “Yes, Charlie. Absolutely yes.”
They kissed, slow and tender, and when they finally pulled apart, Sarah glanced at the clock on the mantel. Her breath caught. “Merry Christmas Charlie”
Charlie grinned, his voice soft and full of warmth. “Merry Christmas… Mrs. Hudson-to-be.”
Sarah laughed through happy tears, kissing him again as Rex barked joyfully, tail wagging like he understood every word.
One Year Later
The night sky over St. John’s exploded in colour as fireworks painted the harbour in shimmering reds and golds. Laughter and cheers filled the crisp winter air as friends and family gathered outside the reception hall, bundled in coats and scarves. Charlie stood behind Sarah, pulling her in to keep her warm as the cold nipped at her cheeks. She leaned back against him, her wedding dress hidden beneath the warmth of him and her coat, the sparkle of her ring catching the glow of the fireworks.
He lowered his head, lips brushing her ear as he whispered, “I love you. Happy New Year Mrs Hudson”
Sarah smiled softly, her voice tender. “We love you too.”
It took Charlie a heartbeat to register the word. Then she gently guided his hand down, pressing it against her stomach. His breath caught as realisation dawned—beneath the layers of silk and lace, a new life was growing.
Charlie’s throat tightened, joy flooding his chest as he held her closer, fireworks bursting like stars above them. “Best New Year’s gift ever,” he murmured, his voice breaking with emotion as he leaned in to kiss her.