Christmas from L.A.

chapter seven: christmas eve and making up

"I'm a cotton-headed ninny-muggins." 

~Elf  

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Kelsey was so wrapped up in preparations for Christmas dinner, she almost forgot about dinner for Christmas Eve. Thankfully her mom came through with sausage and potato soup.

They all sat around the living room, inhaling soup to warm their insides. They had a "Four Word Story" going, where everyone took turns adding four words to the story being passed around.

Kelsey sat cross-legged on the couch, cozied up next to Ethan, a steaming bowl of coup cuddled close to her. She caught Jacob smirking at her.

The little cousins would often say more than four words, but everyone let it slide. There was a blanket of Christmas magic that had settled over the house. Where everyone somehow felt the same amount of happiness at the exact same moment. And even though the only words exchanged were four silly ones in rapid succession, they didn't need to converse about how perfect the moment was.

Once the story got too out of hand and absurd to even continue, Ethan got up and motioned for the kids to follow him.

Kelsey's heart swelled as she watched him disappear into the hallway, the kids almost tripping on his heels. She thought Ethan and Becca would have to put up with her family for Christmas...but, as it turned out, they were thriving more than she was.

A few moments later, a curtain was draped across a row of chairs, and five puppets appeared on the other side.

It was a silly, random act, but by the time it was over, the entire family was in stitches. Even Grandma Rosamie was chuckling from her wheelchair.

Ethan presented the kids and taught them how to do a stage bow.

Afterwards, Kelsey, her mom, Aunt Josephine, and Aunt Pam all worked in the kitchen together, making jokes to one another, and laughing until they all had a headache.

The Mendoza's went back to their RV for the night, and Aunt Josephine and Becca retired early to get their beauty rest (Becca had definitely been rubbing off on Aunt Josephine, and now they were practically twins).

While her mom took a shower, Kelsey lingered downstairs on the couch, enjoying the glow from the Christmas tree and the fireplace.

How the Grinch Stole Christmas was playing on4 TV and Kelsey found herself laughing out loud. It never seemed to get old.

"Hey." Ethan trotted down the stairs, dressed in a white t-shirt and red flannel pajama pants. He plopped down next to Kelsey.

"Hey." Kelsey scooted closer and draped her legs over his lap. "Before you lecture me again, I'm just waiting for Mom to get out of the shower, and then I'll go to bed."

"I wasn't going to lecture you," Ethan scoffed. "I just wanted to talk."

"Suspicious."

Ethan fake glared at her before smiling. He took her left hand casually in his and said, "I did something really, really bad, Kel." He sighed.

Kelsey frowned. "What?"

"You're probably going to hate me for it."

"What?"