Title: Want for Christmas
Characters: Pete & Cady Townshend, Pete's family
Word Count: 4148
Rating: NC-17
Warnings/Spoilers/Summary: It's Christmas, 1968. Pete & Cady are married (as of May 20th) and expecting a baby. It's their first and last Christmas as a married couple. Love and Christmas presents abound! Totally canon and totally has spoilers.


Inspired by Kay Martin's 

I know just what you want for Christmas
But I don’t know how to wrap it dear
It’s something that you always wanted
You asked me for it all last year
I tried so hard to wrap it
But it’s shaped unorthodox
I tried it in a carton
Even tried it in a box
I know just what you want for Christmas
But I don’t know how to wrap it dear
I know just what you want for Christmas
But I don’t know what to put it in
I’ve got a lot of fancy wrappings
But don’t know where I should begin
I need one hand to wrap with
Another hand to clutch it
It wiggles and squirms
It even tickles when I touch it
I know just what you want for Christmas
But I don’t know how to wrap it dear
I want to wrap it up for Christmas
But I can’t decide just how its done
It should be in a pretty package
And wrapping it is so much fun
It won’t be a surprise
It should be a delight
It’s the same one you played with
Last Saturday night
I know just what you want for Christmas
But I don’t know how to wrap it dear
I know just what you want for Christmas
But I can’t send it through the mail
Because the postal regulations
You might have to go my bail
I’m having so much trouble
I couldn’t be forlorn
You should see me try to cramp it
In the mailbox on the corner
I know just what you want for Christmas
But I don’t know how to wrap it dear
You’re really gonna get it Christmas
Because I got the Cadillac
I don’t know how I’m gonna wrap it
May give it to you in a sack
I bathed it and powdered it
And sprayed with perfume
You may even have to chase it
All around the room
I know just what you want for Christmas
But I don’t know how to wrap it up
Your little cocker spaniel pup




Wandering down the street, holding Pete’s hand, she watched his eyes far more than anything else. While she had already purchased some of his gifts, Cady had yet to figure out what would be the perfect gift, what would make him smile the most for years on end. Things related to music would be replaced with new musical infatuations. Clothing wore out and fashion changed. She wanted something lasting and money clearly was not the issue at all. It just needed to be something Pete would love. Yet as they strolled along, supposedly shopping for something for his parents and brothers, nothing seemed to catch his eye, at least not in the way she wanted it to. However, perhaps he was not in the right frame of mind? She was uncertain.

Stopping in front of a jewelry store, Pete peered in through the window, “I really don’t know what to get my mother.”

“Well,” Cady kissed his cheek quickly, “maybe a strand of pearls? That’s a classic gift.”

His eyes danced around the display for a moment, “All right. But if it’s too expensive–”

“Then it will be from both of us,” she interrupted, turning towards the entrance.

As they browsed jewelry, waiting for someone to speak to them, Cady picked up that Pete was watching her as carefully as she had been him. Not wanting to fall into his trap, especially since she thought differently of jewelry as a gift than most women, Cady carefully did not show any emotion when looking into the sparkling cases. They seemed to be completely ignored until Cady reached up and brushed her hair from her face with her left hand, exposing her glittering wedding ring. Seemingly, that was all that was needed for three salespeople to approach the couple.

Leaving the jewelry store with a small package an hour after entering, Cady pleaded to find some place to sit for a few moments. Glancing at her belly briefly, Pete quickly agreed. Finding a nearby bench, the couple sat together, his arm easily settling around her. Letting his pregnant wife rest her feet for as long as she needed, his eyes glanced around at the shops near them. His gaze settled on the nearby pet shop. Though they had not discussed it at all, he wanted to introduce a pet into their family. With a baby on the way, he presumed that would have to wait. A pair of puppies tugged on a toy in the window. He wanted to go over and pet the puppies. Maybe he could talk Cady into… no, they were having a baby in a few months. They did not need a puppy.

“Pete?” Cady’s soft voice interrupted his thoughts, drawing his blue eyes to hers.

“Yes, sweetie?”

“I think I want to rest a bit longer, but you can go on without me,” she declared.

“No, no. I am in no hurry. I’ll sit here with you,” Pete instantly replied.

Cady kissed him quickly, “Why don’t you pop into the pet store really quickly and see if there is anything for your parents’ dog?”

“No, I don’t want to leave you here alone.”

“Pete,” she reached for his hand, “I cannot stand the scent of pet shops right now. But you should go in. I’ll be right here waiting for you.”

“Well… if you insist…”

“Go, love.”

Kissing her quickly again, Pete got to his feet and headed towards the pet shop. Waiting a few minutes, Cady slowly got to her feet and picked up their few packages. She approached the shop and carefully aligned herself with the sign on the shop window so she could see in but would be hard to see, even in her six months pregnant state. Finding Pete amongst the other customers, she suddenly knew what he was getting for Christmas.

She just did not know how to wrap it.

Greeting her husband with a kiss, Cady slipped her arm into his as they headed down the street once more. They discussed Christmas Eve and Day plans as they made their way back to the car. While she was a bit saddened that he would be away for a good portion of the day Christmas Eve – for reasons he would not explain to her – at least it would allow her to wrap the last of his gifts without worry of him seeing them. Reaching the vehicle, Pete held the door open for his wife, kissing the top of her head as she settled in the seat, and hurried around to the driver’s side. Before long, they pulled up in front of their building and headed up to the flat.

“Should I perhaps go get us something for dinner?” Pete offered as he unlocked the door.

“No, no need,” she responded. “We can just reheat last night’s dinner.”

“Are you sure, sweetie? It is no trouble to go get something.”

Cady sank onto the couch, smiling as Pete kneeled to remove her winter boots for her, “I know. But there is no need. We can reheat leftovers. I would rather just spend more time with you.”

Tossing her boots aside, he moved to sit on the coffee table. Before she could protest, Pete began to massage her feet, working out her fatigue. Releasing her foot, he stood and kissed her. With little pause, he headed into the kitchen and removed the leftover from the fridge. Pivoting on the couch so that she could elevate her swollen ankles on the armrest, Cady smiled as she watched Pete reheat their meal. Something about that simple action filled her with great warmth and she grinned happily.

Glancing at her, Pete’s blue eyes met hers, “Why the smile, love?”

“My man is cooking for me,” she declared.

“Hardly cooking,” he responded, “merely re-cooking.”

“It’s still wonderful. In fact…”

“What?”

“You might just get lucky after dinner, Mr. Townshend.”

An hour later Cady wrapped her arms around him from behind and kissed his ear, “There is nothing sexier than a man who cooks and cleans up afterwards.”

He chuckled, “Is that so, Mrs. Townshend?”

“Yes,” she breathed. “Leave the dishes for tomorrow and come to bed with me, Pete.”

“But–”

“To bed with me,” she repeated.

Pulling the last plate from the water, he smirked, “This is the last one.”

Letting Cady dry the last plate, Pete pulled the stopper from the sink and rinsed off his hands. After she returned the plate to the cupboard, he grasped her hand and led her from the kitchen, turning out the lights as they did so. Guiding her to sit upon the bed, he kissed her gently. Cady, however, wanted more than that and quickly tore off his shirt. He chuckled as her hands went to his buckle.

“Cady, are you–”

“Quick, Pete, I need you,” she responded huskily.

Smiling he pulled her back up; he kissed her deeply as his fingers quickly unbuttoned her dress. Sliding it over her curves, he let it drop to the floor in a puddle at her feet. With his lips still upon hers, he removed her bra and tossed it aside while she pushed his pants pass his hips. As her fingers circled his cock, Pete pulled out of the kiss and looked into her eyes. Cupping her face briefly, he kissed her once more before reaching to cup her swollen breasts. He loved how they felt in his hands with her pregnancy. Hell, he loved how they felt in his hands prior to her pregnancy.

Guiding her to sit back down, Pete sat beside her. He kissed down her neck and over her shoulder. Before she could turn to face him, he lay down, pulling her with him. Lying on his side, his hands ran over her rounded body. He softly circled and traced around her breasts. His fingertips ran circles and circles around her nipples, working towards her swollen nipples. Pinching each just once, his caresses headed towards her rounded belly. Pulling up from kissing her skin, his eyes watched as his fingers traced circles and patterns on her abdomen. He could not for a moment believe they had created life together. It was… miraculous.

“Cady, thank you,” he breathed.

She glanced down at him through hooded eyes, “For what?”

He reached for her hand and pressed it to her belly, “This.”

“I didn’t do it alone.”

He laughed and leaned down to kiss her raised navel, “I’m ever grateful for that as well.”

While his lips continued to kiss her rounded belly, his left hand continued to caress downwards. His hand ran over her fabric-covered pubic mound, his lips curving into a smile upon her flesh. Never had he thought panties would still be sexy eight months into their marriage, even less so during pregnancy. Somehow, Cady always wore something sexy. She was beautiful and all his.

His fingertips found the top of her panties and slipped inside them. His long fingers spent no time arousing her but quickly dipped inside instead. Finding her as wet as he expected, Pete pulled away from her and knelt upon the floor next to the bed. Guiding her hips up from the bed, he quickly slid her panties off and tossed them aside. Hands on her thighs, he leaned forward and licked her hot sex. She moaned and pressed her hips up, needing more than just his licking. Grinning, Pete pulled away and leaned up to kiss her, his fingers slipping inside her. She groaned and pleaded, her hands snaking between them to reach for his wrist. Quickly pulling his digits free, he caught her hands and thrust into her body with his cock in the same fluid movement.

Gently positioning them at the edge of the bed, Pete slowly moved in her. Her lips parted with moans, her hands covered her breasts. Her heels pressed into the mattress, aiding in her hips rise to meet his thrusts. He grunted as he pushed quickly into her, the rhythm in the slap of their bodies conducting their unwritten song. Pete felt the crescendo building quickly in Cady’s body and increased his pace. Her moans became even more breathy, her body arching towards his. With a soft purr of his name, Cady orgasmed, triggering Pete to as well. He thrust three more times into her body before pulling out. 

He kissed her sweetly and helped her shift to the center of the bed. Pulling away, he quickly rolled out of the bed and turned out the lamp by the doorway. Wordlessly he crawled back onto the bed next to his wife, pulling the sheet and blankets over them. He smiled as Cady curled around him, her head on his shoulder.

“I love you, Cadence.”

“I love you more, Peter,” she muttered before falling asleep.



Sitting cross-legged on their bed, Cady stared at Pete’s Christmas gift. She had absolutely no idea how to wrap it. She could not circle it with paper and ribbon; it was shaped so unorthodox. She supposed she could put it in a box and the wrap it with her pretty paper, but that did not seem to work either. Perhaps she could put it in a bag?

“Oh dear,” she sighed, reaching out to touch it. “I have no idea how to wrap you for Pete.”

Standing up carefully to not disturb Pete’s gift, she paced about the room. He would be home soon and she needed to have everything wrapped. But his gift, something he had asked for ever since they were wed, was more than problematic. Sighing she looked at the large box in the room. Perhaps if she wrapped the box first it would simplify things. After all, she needed one hand to wrap and one hand to clutch it. Deciding that was the best course of action, Cady sat upon the floor gingerly and pulled the large box towards her. Once the lid and base were wrapped separately, she slowly got to her feet.

Reaching for the gift on top of the small pile, she smiled when it did not wiggle too much. Kissing the gift before placing it in the box, her smile widened as it fit perfectly in the large box. Holding down the lid, she struggled to tie the bow on, keeping the lid in place. It was not as pretty as the other wrapped packages, but it would do.

Deciding that the gift would calm down if she left it alone for a while, Cady headed to the bathroom. She showered, powdered, and sprayed on perfume. Pulling on the red silk panties and then a red satin nightgown, she appraised her pregnant form in the mirror. While she had noticed many women wore clothing to conceal the changes in their bodies, she had not done that at all. She loved the curve of her belly and the way her breasts swelled. She loved being pregnant. Perhaps that alone made her an exception to the world or something. She cared not. She was beautiful and Pete agreed.

“Cady! I’m home!” he called.

Quickly scrambling to cover her attire with one the silk robe hanging in the bathroom, caring little that it was actually Pete’s not hers, she hurried out of the bathroom. He would not find it too odd as some days she did just lounge around in a robe and not much else. As she stepped out of the bathroom, he opened the bedroom door. Their eyes met and both grinned. Pete quickly crossed the room and embraced her, kissing her mouth lovingly as his right hand caressed her belly.

“How are my girls?” he asked softly.

Her eyes sparkled, “And how do you know the baby is a girl, Pete?”

“I just do,” he responded and kissed her again. “I missed you.”

“You were only gone like four hours,” she replied.

“Four hours too many,” he declared.

“But did you accomplish what you set out to do?”

He nodded, pulling away slightly, “I did. Did you finish all your wrapping?”

She nodded as well, “Help me take them out to the tree?”

“Of course.”

He instantly headed towards the largest box, but Cady stepped between and scooped it up. Though Pete tried to take it from her arms, she motioned to the other stack of packages instead and slowly made her way to the living room. Stopping a few feet from the tree, Cady’s eyes widened. There were half a dozen presents underneath their small tree that had not been there before. She was surprised to say the least.

“Pete?” she muttered.

He paused and kissed her cheek, “You didn’t really think I was going to adhere to the ‘only a couple of presents’ rule on our first Christmas as a married couple, did you?”

“I… but…”

“You didn’t either, so don’t give me that,” he teased before placing the presents under the tree.

“True,” she glanced at the box in her hands. “I think we should each open a gift now.”

“But, baby, it’s not Christmas yet,” he responded, turning and reaching out for the box she held.

“It’s Christmas Eve, Pete. And… I really want you to open this one now. So let’s start a new tradition and open one gift each on Christmas Eve,” Cady said.

Looking at her for a moment, he nodded, “I know just the one I want you to open.”

Heading to the couch with his present, she watched as he shuffled through the wrapped packages. Keeping one hand on the large box and the other on her belly, Cady smirked when her gift to Pete shifted on the couch just as the baby seemed to kick. Pete found the package he was looking for a moment later, stood up, and headed to sit beside her on the couch.

“Open yours first,” he declared, holding out the medium-sized box with a big blue bow.

“All right,” she agreed and accepted the box.

Balancing it on her belly, Cady pulled the ribbon off and tossed it at Pete. He chuckled and looped it around her head. She tore off the paper and threw that too at him before her fingers pulled the lid off the box. Separating the white tissue paper inside, Cady gasped. Inside the box was a soft blue, cashmere wrap. As she pulled the soft fabric from the box, something sparkly fell out from between the folds, hit her belly, and tumbled to the floor. Pete instantly bent over and picked it up. Her eyes went to his hand and her fingers released the pretty shawl, reaching for the jewelry.

“Pete… it’s… it’s…” she muttered.

Reaching for the clasp, he unfastened the necklace as she swept her hair up. Kissing her softly, he looped the silver chain about her throat and fastened it. Cady’s fingers instantly reached up and touched the simple aquamarine heart, tears glittering in her eyes. The tears instantly made Pete worry and panic. Had his gift of the pendant and matching cashmere shawl been a mistake? Had he ruined Christmas already?

“It’s beautiful, Pete,” she finally breathed, a tear rolling down her cheek.

He kissed her, wiping away her tears, “Then why do you cry?”

“Because… because it’s so… beautiful,” she responded, more tears spilling from her eyes. “I just… I just… Oh, Pete, I love you.”

He kissed her again, “I love you too, baby. Don’t cry. Please don’t cry. Do you know why I chose that color?”

She shook her head and bit her lip in an attempt to stop crying.

“Because,” he touched her belly again, “this child of ours… was conceived in love. And she will be born in March, which aquamarine is the birthstone is. But I didn’t want to give you just a pretty necklace – because you are so much more beautiful than any jewel in the world. I thought, perhaps, the shawl would be something you could use now… and later. I… it’s not a very good gift.”

“It is an excellent gift, Pete. A very excellent gift,” Cady declared. “And oh so thoughtful. I will treasure it always, my love. Thank you.”

He kissed her again, “I love you so much.”

She smiled, “Good. Now it’s your turn to open your gift.”

“Are you sure?”

She nodded.

Rather than reach across her for the large box, Pete moved to the other side of it on the couch. Glancing at her, he smiled slightly as she silently encouraged him to pull the ribbon off. Tossing the red satin ribbon at her, he flipped the lid of the wrapped box off. His eyes dropped down to the contents and he gasped. Before he could reach in for the gift, his gift attempted to jump out of the box. Large brown puppy eyes stared up at him, the happiness of the puppy’s wiggling nearly knocking the box over. Pete quickly reached in and plucked the black and white English cocker spaniel from the box. Holding the puppy up, Pete grinned as it attempted to lick his face.

“Oh Cady… this is the one I played with last week!” he bubbled excitedly.

She smiled and nodded, “It is. One of the hardest things to wrap ever.”

Pete smirked, holding the puppy close to his chest, “It’s perfect. How did you…?”

“John,” she answered. “We picked up the puppy yesterday and he spent the night with John. After you left, he brought the puppy over so I could figure out how to give him to you. All of his puppy things are in the closet in your studio.”

He leaned over and kissed her lovingly, the puppy happily licking her salty chin, “You are amazing, baby. Absolutely amazing.”

“Merry Christmas, baby.”



Giggling as the puppy chewed on her toes, Cady slowly pushed up with her elbows and looked down at her exposed feet. Pete’s puppy instantly noticed she was finally awake and clumsily scampered up towards her face. Lying back down, she laughed again as he began to lick her face. Pete entered upon this scene, his hands holding a breakfast tray.

“Towser! No!” he instantly commanded.

Cady plucked the puppy away from her face and met her husband’s eyes, “He’s okay, Pete. Really.”

He frowned, “But I wanted to wake you with Christmas kisses.”

“I can pretend to be asleep then,” she remarked.

Setting the tray on the bedside table, he shook his head, “No need.”

With his hands free, he plucked the puppy from her hands and set it on the floor, even though he was certain Towser would once again jump back up onto the bed. Surrounding Cady’s face with his hands, he kissed her mouth sweetly.

“Mmmm, you taste like puppy,” he teased.

Slapping his shoulder lightly, she grinned, “And you taste like coffee. And I need to pee, so move.”

Watching at the puppy bounded after Cady into the bathroom, barely slipping in as she closed the door, Pete shook his head. While he had thought his gift of the necklace and shawl were excellent, the puppy clearly trumped that. However, Pete also had something up his sleeves for later once they joined his family for Christmas dinner. And that he was certain Cady would… cry over.

A few hours later, with one hand on her lower back and the other balancing half of the gifts to his parents and brothers, Pete led Cady and Towser up the front walk. Though they had discussed leaving the puppy home, it was instantly decided to be unwise – especially after he peed in Pete’s studio. Plus Pete was hoping his young brothers could help wear the dog down so that he would sleep through the night without bothering him and Cady. They were quickly welcomed into the Townshend house, Simon taking an instant liking to the puppy and taking charge of his care. Packages were swept from the couple’s arms and they were pulled into the swirl of Christmas cheer.

After dinner, the Townshends retired to the parlor where a large tree sparkled. Towser instantly bounded towards the wrapped packages and stole off with one to Pete from Paul. As Simon took off after the puppy with Pete, Cady slowly sank onto the couch. Paul plopped down beside her.

“I took your advice,” he declared.

“About what?” she asked, smiling as Pete and Simon returned with the squirming puppy and present.

“Getting my girlfriend a Christmas gift.”

“Oh?” her eyes went to him. “Did she like it?”

“No. She broke up with me.”

Cady frowned, “I’m sorry, Paul. I really am.”

“I thought she liked birds. And you said to get her something based around her interests. She did not seem too happy about a set of binoculars,” he explained.

Trying to hide her amusement, she responded, “Perhaps she will come around.”

“Nah. It’s okay. She wouldn’t even let me kiss her after going steady for two weeks. It’s pretty amazing that you got Pete a puppy.”

She smiled, looking over at her husband as he sat down across the room from her, holding onto Towser, “He seemed to fall in love with it last week we when were out shopping. I could not resist.”

“You guys are so lucky.”

“How come?” her eyes returned to look at her brother-in-law.

“You know,” he shrugged, attempting to remain nonchalant.

“Shall we open gifts?” Cliff asked.

“YES!” the eight-year old Simon shouted.

Within a very short time, Towser disappeared in the pile of wrapping paper. While Betty packed Pete’s and Cady’s gifts into a small box, Pete slipped out of the room with his father. Cady had noticed but said nothing, figuring there was some sort of male holiday bonding. However, a minute later Pete returned and held out his hand to her.

“Pete?” she slipped her hand into his, allowing him to pull her up.

“There’s one last gift. From me to you.”

“But Pete you already–”

“Come,” he instructed, leading her from the parlor.

His brothers, mother, and puppy followed behind. Pete guided Cady into the living room. Cliff stood in the center, blocking Pete’s gift from Cady’s vision. Glancing at Pete, she questioned him silently. He quickly kissed her and motioned his father aside. As the elder Townshend stepped aside, Cady gasped. Behind him with a large red bow upon it was a honey-colored rocking chair with a thick white pad upon it. Eyes darting to Pete for confirmation, Cady slowly approached the chair. Her fingers ran over the polished wood as she circled it fully and sat down.

With tears shimmering on her cheeks again, she looked to Pete, “Oh, Pete, I… this…”

Hurrying to her, he quickly kissed her tears and knelt, “We’re starting a new phase of our life together and this… this is a symbol of that.”

“Oh, Pete,” she embraced him fully, kissing him. “This is the best Christmas ever.”