“A tree?” says Shathar. “Inside your house?”
“Yeah. It’s weird, I guess. We go cut down a pine tree and then bring it inside and decorate it.”
Shathar and I share a quizzical expression as we glance at each other over the top of Fiona’s small head. What does this mean, cutting down a tree to bring it indoors?
“What do you do with it afterward?” I ask her.
“Well, good question. A lot of people just… leave it up for a long time.” She gives an uncertain laugh. “I am one of those people. Then, once I do get around to it, I guess I just put it in the trash.”
Again, we frown at each other. Surely they don’t just dispose of it.
“Seems like a waste,” I say.
Fiona shrugs. “Yeah, I guess it is. Anyway, if I have to host the Christmas party, that means I have to go all out on the decorations.”
“We will help you,” says Shathar quickly. “Don’t worry.”
I nod in agreement. “You have two Arshurians. We will make it go by quickly.”
Fiona grins. “Okay. Maybe decorating for the Christmas party will be fun.”
Then the staff arrives to ask what we would like, and Fiona orders for all of us. When the food arrives, it is very hot to the touch, and absolutely exceptional in flavor. It’s salty, spicy, and after only a few minutes I’ve devoured half of one plate. Then we all switch, so I can try even more dishes.
“Mexican food is exactly as the little Frahma described,” Shathar announces. “Wonderful. Delicious.”
I must agree with him, though I don’t say it aloud.
When we’re all stuffed and finished, no speck of food remains on the plates. Fiona is amused by our appetites.
“Going to have to feed you guys more,” she says. “Didn’t know you were both bottomless pits.”
Once dinner is over, I have made my plan.
“I will help you in any way you need with this ‘Christmas party,’” I tell her as we return to the car. “Will there be a lot of people?”
“Many, many people. Marguerite’s house is always full.” Fiona rubs her face. “Man, all those people in my house!”
I rub her shoulder. “Don’t worry. You have me.”
“And me, too,” pipes up Shathar. “No party will defeat us.”
I love Fiona’s bright answering laugh.
Chapter Thirteen
Fiona
Tonight gave me hope we can find a way to make this work. Khesan and Shathar were both cordial, and no fights broke out. And they both looked quite good in their new jeans.
That is, perhaps, the part that’s hardest. I’ve come to like both of them so much that I don’t know how I’ll be able to choose when the time comes. It weighs on me heavily, like a boulder I’m carrying around.
When Amara texts me saying we need to shop for Christmas sweaters, I call her right away and scuttle into my office.
“How’s it going?” Amara says before I can even get out a hello. “With the two husbands?”
“It’s fine, I think. They’ve been getting along better. Nobody tried to tear anybody else’s head off tonight.”
“Sounds tense,” says Amara. “And you sound tense. You okay?”
