TROUBLE MAGNET - Completed

Chapter 11 - Christmas Eve Rat Attack

Chapter 11 - Christmas Eve Rat Attack

Christmas is my favorite time of the year. Festive music is playing at full blast in my house and as much as poppy and the boy complain, I catch them singing along every now and then. All of us have been running around looking for scissors and tape and wrapping paper to do our last minute wrapping. Ma has even been doing some baking, which is truly a Christmas miracle in our house. We have rum and eggnog ready at a moment's notice for neighbors or friends who drop by to wish us happy holidays. It's just starting to get dark outside and already there have been enough visitors that both my parents are giving off a nice Christmas glow.

I'm standing in our front foyer looking out the little decorative window in our front door, waiting for Landon to arrive. As soon as I see him pull into our driveway, I throw my coat on, step into my running shoes, and grab my small garbage bag filled with gifts. I yell a quick goodbye to my family as I rush out the door. I want to catch Landon before he gets out of his car, because if he comes inside, it will take forever to get him back out again. I know if he comes in poppy will have to talk to him and ma will want to take pictures and feed him and Cole will insist he play ping-pong. It's just better all around for me, if I don't let him in.

Landon likes it at my house. He likes my parents and he gets along great with my brother. We hardly ever go to his house because he says his little sisters will drive us crazy. I actually like his sisters, but I can see why he would want a break from them every now and then. Ever since we started dating, we've spent the majority of our spare time at my house. I've been to his house before, but usually it's a quick visit so Landon can change or grab something and then we're gone. Tonight it's different. I'm invited for Christmas dinner. It's the first time I've ever gone to his house for dinner.

Landon is already out of his car and walking up the front walkway, by the time I get out the door. He looks pleasantly surprised to see me and I know its because he assumed I would be late. I lean in and say a quick, "Hey," as he wraps his arms around me and pulls me in close.

"Wow Kare, I can't believe you are actually ready on time. I thought for sure I'd have to come in and wait for you." His pale blue eyes hold mine as he slowly leans in and places the softest, sweetest kiss on my lips. As he pulls away he beams that boyish grin which always ignites a fluttering flame inside me. It's too cold outside for anything more, so Landon takes my bag of gifts from me and places it in the backseat of his car, while I jump into the front passenger seat. Luckily he has the heat up high so by the time he gets in, I am already feeling toasty warm.

As he backs out of our driveway, I explain why I was ready to go so quickly. "I was worried if you came in, I wouldn't be able to get you back out."

He laughs. "Yeah, probably a good call." His thumb drums a silent rhythm along the top of the steering wheel. "So are you ready for this?" He gives me a quick glance.

"What... dinner at your house?" I ask playing dumb.

"No, not the dinner," he says calmly. He sees my puzzled look. "The rats! Are you ready for the rats?"

'Rats' is what Landon calls his sisters - it's short for Rugrats. "I love your sisters," I tell him honestly. "It's you that has a problem with them."

"Okay, we'll see about that," he states ominously. "Let's see what you think by the end of the night tonight... if you even make it through."

"I'll be fine Landon." I sound confident, though I think I'm trying to convince myself more than him. "You're the one that sounds nervous."

"That's because I am nervous," he says totally surprising me. Landon never gets nervous. As I wait for him to explain, he reaches over and takes hold of my hand. When he doesn't say anything more, I squeeze his hand to let him know everything will be fine, hoping to convince myself as well as him. Landon may be nervous about me spending time with his family, especially his sisters, but it's nothing compared to how nervous I am to meet his mom. I just want her to like me. In all the time I played hockey with Landon, I only ever got to know his father. His mother was there in the background, but was often busy with Landon's sisters or with his younger brother's hockey.