“Is this a plant?”Bella yelled out.“My dad has been trying to get me to watch this for years.”
Annie shot him a quizzical look before returning to the living room.Bella had aNational Lampoon’s Christmas VacationDVD in her hand.
“It’s not a plant,” Annie said.“It’s a great movie and we rewatch it every year.”
She frowned.“It’s older than I am.I am not watching a movie that’s older than me.”
Annie met Miles’ eyes.He shook his head as if to say, “Here we go again.”
“What if,” Annie said, kneeling in front of the TV, “as a Christmas gift to me, we all watch it together?”
Bella stared at her, arms crossed over her chest.Finally, she let out a sigh and said, “All right.For you, Annie.But only you.”
After popping some popcorn, they settled into their seats.Bella piled pillows on the floor and insisted on stretching out on them.Clara sat next to Annie, and Miles positioned himself at the other end of the couch.It was foolish of her, but Annie had wanted him to sit next to her.To maybe get the chance for their legs to brush against one another, to feel the sparks zinging up her leg.
After he had surprised her in the lab, she found herself thinking about all the times he’d been so close, yet still so far from her.Laying next to her on the blanket, grasping both of her hands when he offered to have Roy’s house egged.
There was a steadiness to him.It was in his even moods, in his soothing presence.More than that, she felt it even when he wasn’t there.It was like his calm voice had invaded her head.She could hear him telling her things would be okay.
Oddest of all, she believed him.Maybe she was naive, but to her, he was a real-life hero.
Foolish indeed.
The movie started, and much to her teenage chagrin, Bella kept laughing.
“These people are nuts,” she said.
“They’re family,” Miles said simply.“All families are nuts.”
“And they make us nuts,” Clara added, chuckling at her own joke.
Miles and Annie exchanged wary looks before bursting into laughter themselves.
When the movie was done, Bella admitted it was enjoyable, and possibly even a classic.Then, they loaded into Miles’ truck and made the drive to the farm.
On the way there, Annie’s phone lit up with a text message from Roy’s dad, of all people.
He had always been a pleasant man, easy to joke and offer a smile.He was friendly to Annie, but completely overshadowed by his wife and silent since the divorce.
Her heart thudded as she opened the message.Had something happened to the twins?Did she need to fly to the hospital?
But no.It was pictures he had taken of Leon and Noel opening presents, playing with toys, and eating cookies.There were smiles on their faces and icing on the Christmas outfits she’d bought for them.
They were okay.They were having a good time, even.
She tucked her phone away, hiding the happy tears in her eyes, as they got to the farm.There were two other families there, both with school-aged kids.Miles introduced them and they stood around a propane fire (allowed, per Miles), sipping on hot chocolate as the kids tried to roast marshmallows.
Miles’ friend swung by with his horse and carriage, welcoming the first load of riders onboard.The kids leapt up, Bella included.
When they returned, Miles asked Annie if she was ready to try it out.
“I’d love to,” she said.
Her mom started after them, but stopped herself.“That’ll make my hip too stiff, actually,” she said, returning to the fire.
It was just the two of them, then.Annie’s heart leapt as Miles slid in next to her.
“I hope you don’t mind,” he said.“At the very least, I can keep you warm.”
