Her Eyes

Forty Six

The scene was picturesque. Young children with wide smiles sitting on the ground, their tiredness gone the moment their eyes caught sight of the bundle of presents under the Christmas tree. Parents and the older adults sitting or standing around, conversing calmly while drinking coffee or tea.

It was like a scene out of a movie when Evangelia came around with a tray of freshly baked cookies, making sure her many nephews, nieces, grandnephews and grandnieces had a try before she settled down with Charis at the center of the large family. She clapped her hands, gathering the attention of everyone in the room in an instant. Her usual strict demeanor was switched off completely as a wide, caring smile was plastered on her face, her eyes soft and warm.

Esmae couldn't contain her excitement as she grinned from ear to ear, eyes glimmering at everything around her. The tree she once felt uncomfortable around gave her a new perspective now that the festive spirit was alive. She drank her mug of hot chocolate happily, Nikolaos' arm around her waist as they sat together on the couch alongside his many cousins.

He caved in to her request. Resisting her pleads for sugar was harder than he originally thought, especially when Evangelia pampered the leaf as much as she did.

"Kaliméra se ólous kai kalá Christoúgenna," Evangelia began, receiving greetings from everyone around her. With her wine-red sweater, contrasting from the blindingly ugly Christmas sweater Charis wore, she seemed like the more normal one between the two today. It was quite amusing to see such a stoic bear wearing a sweater which blinked and sparkled like no other.
(Good morning everyone and Merry Christmas.)

Esmae loved it.

"She's saying good morning," Nikolaos quietly translated to Esmae, who nodded, a small smear of whipped cream on the corner of her lips.

"Os diorganótria ton fetinón Christougénnon, chaíromai pou sas xanavlépo ólous. Xéro óti o pappoús tha ítan polý perífanos an ítan edó." Everyone hummed in solidarity and Nikolaos' grip on Esmae's waist tightened momentarily.
(As the one to organize this year's Christmas, I'm glad to see all of you once again. I know grandpa would be very proud if he were here)

Sensing the shift in the mood, Esmae's wide grin dimmed slightly to a small smile, somehow understanding the weight Evangelia's words bore without knowing what was said.

"Símera eínai iméra eortasmoú. O chrónos échei schedón teleiósei kai óloi mas échoume zísei ygieís zoés se óli ti diárkeia, nai? Tha íthela polý na milíso gia ton kathéna apó emás símera edó, allá xéro óti polloí apó esás prosménoun ta dóra," she continued, eyeing the small children who giggled innocently in return.
(Today is a day of celebration. The year is almost over and all of us have lived healthy lives throughout, yes? I would love to talk on and on about each of us here today, but I know many of you are looking forward to the gifts.)

"So, then, let's begin with the youngest, okay?"

「⸙͎」

Some children ran around the long chairs, chasing each other and playing with the toys they were gifted. Wrapping paper was shredded and thrown on the ground as chatter ensued, the older relatives gazing at the younger generations' wide smiles and bright faces. The gifts were initially given in order, however, with how many gifts there were to give, it would have taken years to wait for each person's reaction. Thus, Evangelia changed her mind midway, as she tended to do, and rushed the process, allowing parents and siblings to gift each other whatever they had.