The Messy Months [EDITING]

December - 2 (Ending)

It was Christmas morning and everything around Marcy felt warm and jolly. She'd been released just in time to go gift shopping for the holidays, and was very excited to see how everyone reacted to her gifts.

She was in the kitchen making breakfast when everyone awoke. It was weird seeing them crammed around the breakfast table eating something that wasn't pizza or take out food. Weird, but nice.

Everyone was in a cheery mood, sipping eggnog by the fireplace as they took turns opening their presents. Marcy bought the boys a new deck of cards and then separate, personal gifts for each of them. Like for Charlie she got his favorite movie on DVD and for Sam she got a cookbook—since he liked to complain about the prices of take out food all the time. She for something for everyone except Trym. She told him his present was private and, of course, his gift to her was like that as well.

In the afternoon Marcy got ready to run across town.

She hadn't been officially invited, but Marcy's dad had said it would be nice if she stopped by. This was during her parents brief visit to her while she was in the hospital. Her mom hadn't said much and her dad tried to mimic her, but it was awkward and Marcy could tell he desperately wanted them to heal. So when her mother left to go to the bathroom, he rushingly told her about their party. She knew he hadn't really meant it as a true invite at the time, but Trym assured her that he'd be there to back her up if any family wars broke out. And Trym was all she needed.

The party went well. Marcy's arrival caused only one ridiculous outburst from her mother. It had been during dinner, and though Marcy's tried not to lift her eyes from her plate, she noticed her mother had been staring at her since the start of the meal. Halfway in, her mother snapped.

"It's about time you replaced him."

When Marcy lifted her gaze she could see that her mother was gesturing to Trym. But Marcy knew full well what she actually meant.

Marcy set down her fork, feeling Trym's fingers dig into her thigh. She smiled at him, and slowly turned that smile to her mother. "Nobody can replace, Donald, mother. He will always be near and dear to our hearts."

Charlotte's gaze shifted to Trym. "Do you know about him? About Donald?"

Trym nodded. "Yes, ma'am, I do."

The older woman's eyes narrowed. "...are you two living together?"

"Mom."

"I never got the chance to tell you, but I didn't like it when you and Donald decided to move in together. Before you were even married!"

Marcy felt her jaw clench. "Yes, well, Trym's been kind enough to give me a roof over my head."

Charlotte stared at her daughter. "Excuse me? Are you suggesting something?"

"Oh, no," Marcy took a sip of her sparkling cider. "Not at at all."

Her father had his cup pressed to his lips, but Marcy could tell he was smiling around his beverage.

The rest of the night went about smoothly. Marcy's mother didn't speak up again and her father smiled almost the whole time.

Before they left, Marcy's father walked them to the door, and took Marcy off to the side. Trym watched, a smile peaked on his lips as he walked to the car.

"He treating you alright?" Marcy's father asked, looking from Trym to his daughter.

"Yes, yes." Marcy studied her father, trying figure out what mood he was in. If it was okay for her to open up. "We're great, dad."

He nodded, running his fingers through his thinning hair. "I... I miss you, Marcy."

Marcy swallowed, grabbing her father's hands. "I miss you too, Dad."