“At least those two look like they’re enjoying their stay so far,” I smile, showing the footage to Nicolas.
He looks at it and gives a satisfied nod.
“Of course, they deserve a nice stay.”
I roll my eyes. Nicolas and I don’t argue often, but when we do, he never, ever lets me win easily. And I’m not proud I lost on this one. According to Nicolas, wehadto entrust our former street cats to the fanciest cat hotel in Boston. I kept insisting they would be perfectly fine spending a couple of nights alone at my place, with a pet cam to check on them if we really wanted to, but he wouldn’t have it. He made a whole PowerPoint presentation with a compilation of the cat hotel reviews to convince me, for crying out loud!
" …Coconut seems to like that toy. We should take note to get him one at home.”
“Nicolas, no. He has plenty of toys already!” I protest.
Cat toys are a waste of money on this silly kitty. He usually has more fun with plastic wrappers and empty boxes than with any of the overpriced toys Nicolas gets him!
“Still,” Nicolas says. “He looks like he really enjoys this one.”
I roll my eyes with an amused smile. I’m pretty sure Nicolas will get it for our cat, no matter what I say. If there’s one argument I can never win, it’s how much he spoils the three of us!
“Well, maybe if they’re good kitties,” I say. “They’ve been too mischievous lately, we can’t let them think it’s alright.”
“Alright,” Nicolas nods. “We can reevaluate based on behavioral improvement later.”
I smile and take my fork to start our lunch. If the delay doesn’t get any worse, we should have time to buy an afternoon snack, and then hopefully we’ll be boarding our flight soon!
“How is your family?” Nicolas asks while we eat.
“Busy with preparations,” I smile. “Chaotic as always, too. It’s a bit of a Tetris situation when everyone’s there with the kids… I think they might be a bit glad we’re not there, to be honest.”
“It does sound like a bothersome arrangement,” Nicolas frowns. “Your parents’ house was very nice, but your siblings have… a lot of children.”
“It can’t be helped,” I shrug. “My older brothers and their wives live in different states, so they have to drive over, and hotels are too pricey around Christmas…”
“Do they never celebrate with their wives’ families?” Nicolas asks with a frown. “You mentioned they were there last year too, right?”
“Well, Parveen’s family doesn’t celebrate Christmas, and I don’t know the details, but Courtney’s estranged from her family,” I explain. “But it’s only once a year, and it’s nice for the family to reunite and for my nieces and nephews to see their grandparents! Except for my old Aunt Ruth. She always invites herself and drives everyone crazy…”
I grimace at the memory of my dad’s older sister. She truly is the Grinch, constantly picking fights with my mom and arguing with everyone about everything! Last year, she argued that my sister was old enough to bring a boyfriend home, chastised my brother for “still” living with our parents, and how my sisters-in-law weren’t helping much in the kitchen! I wasn’t spared either. I got plenty of backhanded compliments on my “weight loss” that felt over-the-top… I couldn’t get a single serving without a comment about the fat content or the “better” alternative! Good gosh, as if I would ever skip butter on Christmas… I still get grumpy whenever I think about it!
“Why is she invited?” Nicolas frowns. “Based on what you told me, it doesn’t seem like anyone particularly wants her around.”
“She technically isn’t,” I sigh, “but she lives down the street, so she always comes by to say ‘hi,’ except that she never, ever leaves! I can’t tell you how many times she and Mom have almost physically fought…”
I don’t think I’ve ever seen Mom as furious as the year my aunt commented on her Thanksgiving turkey being undercooked… I was afraid she was going to try stuffing it with my aunt next! We might be stuck in an airport for now, but I sure am glad we will avoid that Scrooge this year…
And there must be a Christmas angel watching over us somewhere because, to our relief, they finally confirm the boarding time and gate for our plane!
We quickly finish our lunch, pay for some sweet snacks, and line up just in time to board our seats, along with many other passengers who range from still grouchy to visibly relieved. I admit that I only relax once we’re up in the air, and Nicolas and I can launch another Christmas movie to watch on my phone on the way there.
Sadly, I quickly realize the movie is set in Quebec, and of course, the heroine is strolling through the Christmas Market… My heart pinches with a hint of disappointment, but before I can even think about it, Nicolas takes my hand.
“Do you want to watch a different movie?” he offers gently.
“No, no, it’s fine!” I smile. “It’s totally fine. This way it feels a bit as if I made it there anyway, right?”
I keep smiling until he’s convinced and gets back to the movie. I really don’t want to let him see that I am still a little disappointed… especially since I had waited to watch this movie specifically for the trip, and I feel so silly now. But it’s fine! It can’t be helped.
Plus, Nicolas surprises me by ordering two cups of hot water, and, like Santa pulling a present out of his bag, hands me… a selection of our Hansel company hot chocolates, the newest ones in little sachets!
“Oh my Santa!” I giggle excitedly. “When did you sneak this?”
