"Donna, do you need any help?" you offered for the hundredth time.
She lifted her head, slightly frazzled, eyes wide and frantic. "No, darling. Please, go enjoy the party." She forced a smile as you grabbed your drink.
"Well, if you need me, I will be—"
"Cousin!" Richie chirped, sneaking up behind you and lifting you clear off the ground. His arms snaked around your middle as you yelled playfully, your feet kicking the air.
"Richie! My drink!"
"Your drink will be fine! It's not like Dee Dee doesn't have more for you and the rest of this crazy bunch to drink," he joked, putting you down to kiss the side of your head. You turned to Tiff with open arms and engulfed her in a hug.
"How you deal with him, I will never know," you joked as she hugged you back.
"I could say the same to you," Tiff laughed softly. "I mean, you are actually planning on marrying into this bunch."
"I wouldn't have it any other way." You smiled as Natalie entered the room, with Lee trailing not far behind.
"Hi, Sugar!" you called out over Richie's loud storytelling, walking toward your future sister-in-law with open arms. Natalie wrapped her arms tightly around you, whispering in your ear, "Is it really as bad as the boys say?"
"Oh, yeah," you whispered back. "Better flee the kitchen before Ma loses it completely."
She took your hand and dragged you out of the chaos just as Donna started to yell about too many people crowding her small kitchen. Natalie looked at you like you were psychic.
"She has been doing it all day," you explained, leading her toward the back door. "Mikey, Carm, and I have been helping in shifts because she doesn't want to ask for help. So we're basically asking first and then forcing our help upon her based on her response."
"That sounds like madness."
"It is," you replied, pushing the door open and stepping out into the biting Chicago snow.
The backs of Carmy and Mikey faced you as they looked out over the street, a plume of cigarette smoke rising into the freezing air as they passed it between themselves. As soon as Mikey took it from Carmy, you stepped up and cleanly snatched it from his fingers. He spun around to yell, but the moment he saw it was you holding the cigarette between your red-painted lips, his face instantly softened.
"You okay, baby?" he asked softly.
You took a drag, the warmth hitting your chest, and handed it back to him. "Course. Donna is nothing compared to my mom. However, what's with the seven fishes? No one ever eats it."
"I tried to tell her," Carmy muttered, shivering, "but if she doesn't follow the Italian tradition, she thinks Christmas will be ruined."
"You should have tried harder, Carmy," you joked, nudging his shoulder.
Natalie sighed, looking at the boys. "So, should I go back in and ask—"
"No," Mikey cut her off, his voice dropping to a sharp, defensive edge. "Whatever you do, don't do that to yourself, because she will fucking spiral."
"Is she always like this?" Natalie asked, her eyes searching her older brother's face.
"Every day," Mikey answered, staring blankly into the snow. "Honestly, I am surprised I even have a girlfriend still, seeing how she's now seen Ma at her absolute worst."
"You forget I've known you your whole life, Mikey. I know exactly how your mom is," you reminded him, reaching out to squeeze his arm. Mikey passed the cigarette back to Carmy, who took it silently, watching the two of you.
