The Fanfiction 2 or Why Does Technology Hate Me So Much?

Chapter 20

A few weeks passed, and the holidays were in the air, despite minor incidents throughout the season. Katherine and I had nearly finished our "project" without anyone getting suspicious of our sudden interest in knitting, and nobody got beat up badly or froze to death. 

"Wait up!" I called to Katherine and her cousins Harriet and Eleanor, who were visiting for Christmas,  as they rushed toward the frozen over pond more like schoolgirls than the young women that they were. Giggling, the four of us dropped on to a bench in a very unladylike manner and, although it was considered taboo for us to skate, we strapped on skates and raced out onto the pond. 

After skating, we headed back to Katherine's home and made hot chocolate four the four of us, laughing and singing like careless schoolgirls, warm and safe. We settled into the parlor with our mugs and began to chat in a more ladylike manner, the giddiness of the childlike day behind us.

Eventually, we ended up talking about boys (in the most dignified old timey way ever, but whatever) and Katherine casually mentioned the boys (as in all of them, not just some of them). To my surprise and relief, her wealthy cousins weren't surprised or appalled, but rather interested.

After they asked many questions about the boys, (and I mean MANY MANY MANY questions) we decided that we should have the boys over on Christmas Eve for dinner and celebration, as well as a chance for Katherine's cousins to meet them.

The weeks leading up to Christmas were a whirlwind of warmth, fun, (stolen moments with the boys from Katherine's busy "mandatory" social schedule), and general crazy. The day arrived, with the Christmas project barely prepared and the feast almost rushed to be prepared, even enlisting the help of Harriet and Eleanor to finish in time.

The boys all arrived in a mob, and our merry party enjoyed a lovely meal together with good food and abundant laughter and joy. Our merry group then moved to decorating, and as Harriet and Eleanor got better acquainted with the boys and help lead the decorating frenzy, Katherine and I snuck off to collect our project and prepare to distribute it.

We headed back to the parlor, and, seeing it fully decorated, revealed our surprise to the boys. The littlest boys found it to be like magic, even though it was just warm things and a few small toys, and the older boys just found the gesture warm and familial. 

Soon, it was time for the little boys to get back to the lodge and for Davey and Les to get home. Most of the older boys left with them, leaving only Jack, Race, Specs, Mike, and a mildly confused looking Ike. ( He was confused because his brother was talking to Eleanor and therefore, they weren't almost completely attached at the moment.) 
The nine of us sat around talking about whatever, but not really engaging in deep conversation; everyone was too tired. I was sitting next to Race, and like that time in my world, I somehow managed to fall asleep.