The Way Things Change

Chapter 54

For Christmas, we were going home to Anne and Robin. Gemma was gonna be there as well, but she would arrive later. I was looking forward to seeing them again. And this time I wouldn't be scared shitless. It had been a long time since I had a real family Christmas. Last year was actually quite sad. I was alone. Everybody had gone home to their families, and though they had offered me to come with them, I didn't want to impose. It was a family holiday after all. But now Harry insisted on bringing me. Told me I was family now. But I knew it would bring up questions and that made me slightly anxious.

Walking up to the familiar house, I was exited to see Anne again. I had really grown close to her. And she knew more about me, not only the good parts. Harry had called her, when he was in distress, the day I was depressed. So Anne and I had a good heart to heart, a couple of days later. She made it very clear that I could call her whenever I needed to. And the same for Gemma. I appreciated it, but I didn't know to what extend I would use it. They were related to Harry after all.

"Harry! Kate! How wonderful to see you again!" Anne exclaimed and took each of us into a tight embrace.

After our polite exchanges of 'how've you been?' and 'how wonderful to see you', we were scurried into the kitchen, forced to help Anne make dinner. She was a really tough chef. We were not allowed to joke around, and if Anne caught us giving each other a quick kiss or embrace, she would kill us with her eyes. But in the end it was all worth it. It was an amazing dinner, and it wasn't even the Christmas dinner. The evening continued with all sorts of games, most of which I lost to either Anne or Harry. But it was fun.

Next morning Gemma arrived, with some rather exciting news. But she only told Harry and I, because she didn't know how things would go. She had met someone. A rather handsome gentleman, 2 years older than her. Immediately the protective brother in Harry showed. He wanted to know everything. I had to hold back my laughter, but both Gemma and I shared humorous looks, while he was interrogating her. She really was beaming with happiness, so Harry accepted him, Robert, after hearing about him. And so the days went on. Talking, playing games, going out for some walks. And even if Harry tried to get me not to do it, I was still working my ass off. I was addicted and if I didn't get my fix, I would get moody. He knew. And he joined me, since he was sort of addicted too. In this game, I mostly beat him.

Now we were all coking Christmas dinner, Anne being the chef again, but less brutal this time. This was a family tradition, I learned. All of them having fun, making good food and eating it afterwards. I was currently sitting at the kitchen island, watching the others, since Anne didn't have a task for me.

"And what about you Kate? Do you have any Christmas traditions?" Robin asked. He was chopping some vegetables, wearing a pink apron.

"No, not really." I answered truthfully. It was a nice friendly conversation, going back and forth, everybody joining and making fun of one another. Now it was my 'turn'.

"Sure you do, sweetie. What did you do last year?" Anne joined in. She was the one stirring the pots.

"I didn't do anything last year" I shrugged. "Just working out. I think I made stirfry for dinner. Nothing special."

"You didn't go to your parents for the holiday? And were you all alone?" Gemma asked, genuinely curious. They still didn't know I didn't have a family. So there were no bad intentions in that question. Normally it would have bothered me, but I felt safe here. I could tell them anything.