Christmas Day was almost over in the blink of an eye. It was much busier than usual; normally Stevie's family would stay after the party on Christmas Eve and the six of them spent the day together. This year, Sheryl's entire family had flown down from Missouri. Stevie had reconfigured much of the house to accommodate Sheryl's parents, sisters, brother, their partners, and two young nephews.
There had been some very careful negotiations over the dinner. Both Barbara and Sheryl's mother, Bernice, were used to cooking, and both were reluctant to budge on their own traditions. Stevie and Sheryl had suggested they go out, or hire caterers, but this suggestion had gone down as well as if they'd suggested throwing all the kids' presents on the fire.
Ultimately, Karen had had to take over and convinced them to come to an agreement about who would do what. Everyone was nervous about how this would play out, but when Stevie, Sheryl, and their siblings all silently crowded around the kitchen doorway on Christmas morning, they were amazed to find the two mothers laughing together, sharing cooking tips and stories about life on the road with their daughters.
Much of the talk around the dinner table was about the engagement. Sheryl had told her sisters what she was planning beforehand and there was no way of keeping a lid on it - in fact they'd noticed the two of them creeping out and had rushed around letting everyone know what was happening, and when Sheryl and Stevie walked back in they were greeted by a kitchen packed with people screaming "CONGRATULATIONS!"
"So where will you go to get married, then?" asked Sheryl's sister, Kathy.
"Well, honestly we've never even talked about it. Not getting engaged, or married, or anything. So it's lucky your little stunt last night telling everyone paid off because I had absolutely no idea what she was going to say."
Stevie rolled her eyes and nudged her playfully before answering.
"Ideally, we'd like to be able to do it here, we have a lot of people who wouldn't be able to travel -" she looked pointedly at her parents. Her dad smiled serenely at her but her mother seemed to have taken a keen interest in the label on a bottle of wine. "- but, uh, obviously it may be a while before that happens."
"Massachusetts looks good for legalizing it in the next year or so," chimed in Sheryl's dad. "So after one takes the lead the blue states will start to follow."
There was a general murmur of agreement round the table, again with the exception of Barbara. This hadn't gone unnoticed by her daughter, who felt her temper rising. Lori had noticed it too and decided to defuse the situation by loudly regaling them with stories all the Nicks family had heard a million times about recording and touring with Stevie.
~
A few hours later and everyone was draped across various chairs and couches, stuffed with food and watching It's A Wonderful Life. The kids were playing with the puppy, who seemed to have boundless energy, and Stevie got the sense that this was what Christmas was supposed to be about. She watched the children for a while and felt a pang of guilt. Sheryl had never mentioned wanting a baby since thanksgiving, but Stevie had seen how she played with her nephews and with Jessi, how every time they saw a baby in public it distracted her.
Sheryl was curled up with her head in Stevie's lap, Stevie stroking her hair. Without looking up she knew what Stevie was watching, and it wasn't the movie. She didn't want her to be upset, so lifted her head up and suggested a change of scenery.
"What did you have in mind?"
"New tradition. Come on everyone, shoes on, we're going to walk the dogs."
~
The burnt orange sun was beginning to sink as they made their way down onto the beach.
"Look, Brandy, this is the beach!"
Stevie turned to Sheryl, who was holding the puppy inches from the sand for him to look at it.
"Brandy?"
"Do you like it?"
"I do - where did you think that up from?"
Sheryl looked around to make sure no one was listening, then mumbled to her.
"Well, if it wasn't for you plying me with brandy and convincing me to sleep over that night, we wouldn't be here now. Brandy has a lot to answer for."
Stevie threw her head back and laughed, her voice echoing around the beach and turning the heads of the entire family.
The weather was mild as they walked along, Brandy playing in the sand and trying to bite the waves gently lapping at his paws. Sulamith was keeping an eye on him, safe in Stevie's arms. Sulamith did not walk on the beach for anyone. Jessi and the boys were paddling and splashing each other.
"I like this new tradition."
"So do I."
They linked hands and kissed lightly, not caring anymore they were out in the world for anyone to see. Stevie glanced over her shoulder and noticed her parents a few feet behind everyone.
"I need to speak to my mom."
"Ok - don't get mad."
Stevie glanced at her. The fact she'd noticed she was upset with her mother astounded her. She couldn't believe how attentive she was. She kissed her again before turning and heading back to where Jess and Barbara were walking.
"Mama, can I talk to you?"
Jess took Sulamith from her and subtly sped up enough that he was out of the conversation, catching up to Sheryl and chatting to her about country music.
"What is it, honey?"
"Well, it's just I noticed at dinner you didn't seem happy talking about the engagement, and you haven't said congratulations or anything. Most mothers would be thrilled -"
"Most mothers aren't dealing with what I'm dealing with, Stephanie."
Stevie stopped in her tracks.
"What does that mean?"
"Oh well, you know..."
"No, mom. I don't. And I wish you'd just come out and admit you have a problem if that's the case."
Barbara sighed and looked out at the ocean.
"I don't. I don't have a problem. I'm your mother, Teedee. All I want is for you to be happy. And you are, I see that. It's just...everyone has an opinion on you and that's hard for a mother too. I've always tried to protect you, and it feels like all your life all you've done is put yourself in situations I can't protect you from. It's tiring. I was looked forward to things settling down as you got older. But it seems you're just determined to surround yourself with drama."
Stevie felt her temper rising again.
"So what - you think I'm with Sheryl just to create drama?"
"Not at all, I don't think it's intentional...look, words are getting in the way of what I mean. I'm not saying you do it on purpose."
"Look. I'm in love with her. And if the rest of the world has a problem with that, then that's their problem. Not mine. And not yours. Just do me a favor, mom, ok? Because I'm clean. And I'm healthy. And I'm happy. And once upon a time you didn't even think I'd live to be as old as I am, let alone living the life that I am. So just be happy. Please."
"I am, honey. I am." The sun was dipping on the horizon as Barbara pulled her in for a hug. "I can't wait for the wedding."
Shouts of laughter told them that everyone else was on their way back. They stood with their arms around each other and watched as their new extended family bonded. Sheryl reached them first, and before she could do anything, Barbara threw her arms around her neck and thanked her.
"What for?"
"For being the best thing to ever happen to my daughter. Congratulations. I'm so happy for you."
As she hugged her again, Sheryl looked to Stevie in confusion, who smiled and shrugged her shoulders.
Sheryl's nephew ran into Stevie's arms out of nowhere.
"Thanks Aunt Stevie! This is the best Christmas ever!"
"You know, Bradley, I think you might be right about that."
