“The new sidewalk is so even!” Lizzie said.
“And the stoop—no cracks,” Lydia marveled.
“We’re getting there. One job at a time,” Mary said cheerily. As the children ran to the tree, they peeled off their coats. Mary helped collect the coats of her sisters and brothers-in-law and sent them into the back parlor to see the tree.
“Joe built a fire,” Mrs. Bennet announced as Darcy entered the parlor. “He remembered to open the flue,” she added.
“Will I ever live that down?” Darcy turned to Lizzie.
“The black smoke Christmas?” Lizzie laughed. “I don’t think so.”
“We thought we’d die,” Mrs. Bennet said.
“But we didn’t,” Darcy reminded her.
“Have some punch,” Mary said. “Everyone.”
Lydia ladled the punch into glasses. Kitty served. Jane handed out linen cocktail napkins that Mrs. Bennet had embroidered with small trees. Lizzie wrangled the children to the tree to look at the gifts wrapped underneath it, as the brothers-in-law joined their father-in-law on the sofa.
The girls clamored around the tree, squealing when they read their name on a gift tag.
“So this is a Bennet family Christmas,” Joe said. “A lot of feminine energy.”
“Is there any other kind?” Kitty joked.
“There is in New Jersey.” Joe winked at Mary.
“How were the Seven Fishes, Mary?” Jane asked.
“Seven times seven.” Mary laughed. “But not to worry. The feast inspired my new play.”
“Good for you.” Mr. Bennet grinned.
“My mother overdoes it,” Joe said. “My father was hanging wallpaper five minutes before the guests arrived.”
“That’s a great opening scene,” Mr. Bennet said.
“The Tarantello men are builders; they can do anything.” Mrs. Bennet sipped her punch.
“I’ll say. Joe, this brownstone never had so much love. The new bathroom is perfection,” Lizzie said.
“For years, it was a water closet, now it looks like a powder room in Versailles,” Mrs. Bennet said.
“Joe’s masterpiece.” Mary kissed him.
“I always wondered what it would look like, all fixed up. It’s lovely,” Jane said.
“Thank goodness somebody married a man who’s handy.” Kitty laughed.
“Hey,” Bing said. His brothers-in-law on the Bennet sideconcurred. Perhaps they weren’t talented in plumbing, electrics, and building, but they had other talents.
Lydia joined Joe and Mary by the fire. “Are you serious with that bathroom? It’s gorgeous.”
“Carrara marble. I figured you needed something Italian in this house.”
“Besides you.” Lizzie smiled.
“I love Italian everything,” Lydia said. “You’ll have to come to Waterford and build me a bathroom with spa features.”
