All I Want Is Everything

Christmas Peace

The party's on
The feelin's here
That only comes
This time of year

Simply having a wonderful christmastime
Simply having a wonderful christmastime.

Paul McCartney, Wonderful Christmastime

As Ella closed the door behind her--no more band members deciding to barge in after her, thanks--she noticed that her dry cleaning had been returned and was hanging on the inside doorknob. Excellent. She could wear one of the new silk blouses to Christmas.

"What's got into her?" she heard through the door, and she had no compunction about listening in.

"She was mad that I came along to the spa with her and Becca," Nat replied to Bucky. "They kind of left me on the sideline. But Becca said it was ok last night." Bucky was silent a moment, possibly reviewing what his sister had said and her lack of enthusiasm.

"Well, maybe I shouldn't have pushed it," Bucky said. "But I would like you two to get to know each other better now that our relationship's public."

Just fuck buddies my ass, Nat, Ella thought.

"I don't think she wants to get to know me, honey. Her loyalty's with Ella."

"She'll come around," Bucky predicted confidently. "She wants me to be happy. And I am with you." Ella turned away from the door and picked up her jacket and purse. She pulled out some cash and went to the door. They were still standing outside.

"Here," she said to Bucky, handing him the cash.

"What's this for?" He looked puzzled.

"The spa. I didn't expect or want you to pay for my treat."

"Jesus, Ella, don't be like this."

"Like what?" she snapped. "It seems like a bribe to accept shoving in someone who wasn't invited." Bucky looked vexed, but apparently that's what it was.

"I wanted to do something nice." Ella bit back the response that that would be new from him lately,  gave him the Look her mom had used to indicate someone was full of it and went to the elevator.

Down in the lobby, she had a chat with the concierge and set out. She was picked up by a van taking some tourists to Red Rock Canyon, a short 20 mile drive from the city. For the next two and a half hours, she and her fellow travelers drove along a thirteen mile scenic loop of the place, learning about the geology of the region and seeing sights including Mount Wilson, the Calico Hills and Ice Box Canyon. There were turnouts for photos, stretching legs, and closer looks at the scenery,   and they ended the tour at the Visitor's Center where they learned more about the history of the place as well as the animal and plant life. They'd seen some bighorn sheep, burros, red-tailed hawks, and rabbits, and in an enclosure, there were desert tortoises. When they were returned to the city, Ella went to the arts district where there were all sorts of fun stores. There was even a store that sold feathered items like you could find in the Las Vegas shows. Ella couldn't resist and bought a boa made from big feathers that were less downy and more defined than marabou. Things were starting to close down for the night so that employees could go home for the holiday, and Ella headed back to the hotel. She could come back after Christmas.

She was feeling so much better thanks to the vitamin shot and the increased food, but too much and too rich made her stomach a little queasy and she hadn't noticed any weight gain yet. She still tired too easily, which was she took a van tour rather than walking around Red Rock Canyon; she needed to be sensible and conserve her energy. She'd had enough of hotel rooms and enjoyed the fresh air at the canyon. She had a chat with herself during the taxi ride back; she had to keep her cool and not antagonize people. She was under a lot of stress, this was true, but so were they. Things would be changing, and she had to roll with it, make the best of it, and she wanted to maintain some degree of harmony. She felt certain that things would ease with her twin after the tour and with some space between them. There would inevitably be distance with Nat; Ella wasn't sure she wanted her friendship so much anymore, but it was essential to keep things cordial in the band. She shouldn't have mentioned Nat's snacks. That was her business and it was hard not to stress eat, which Ella knew was something Nat did. As far as Bucky... well, this whole thing had revealed a less wonderful side to him. She knew she'd idealized him, but the secret relationship showed her that she didn't understand him as well as she thought.