The Way We Were

The Way We Gift

Karou hugged Marcy from behind. "Cuz, we have to talk."

"If you hurt her, I will hurt you." Marcy didn't react.

"No. I'm not. I'm in love." Karou came around the table and leaned across it.

"You've known her four days."

"Grandmom and Granddad got married after three days."

"Are you ready for marriage?" Marcy lifted a brow as she looked up.

Karou knew she didn't believe her. "I'm serious. I've never felt like this before."

"And here I was trying to hook you up with my friend, Artie's cousin."

"What's he look like?"

"Rou!" Marcy knew it.

"I'm bi! What do you expect?!"

"I chose Mal."

"You always say, "Why choose?"." Karou gave her a look.

Marcy made an angry face. Karou would throw her words back in her face. "You're in Japan anyway."

"I don't have to be."

"Rou!"

"I'm serious." Karou stressed. "Can I live with you guys? I'll obey all of your rules and everything. I promise."

"Have you told Uncle Daniel and Aunt Kehlani?"

"Yes. Mom says for me to ride the wave. Daddy's just glad she's a girl."

"So if you were to tell him about Arnold?" Marcy gave her a flat face.

"That's his name? Sounds hot. Strong. How's he look?"

"Gorgeous!" Marcy frowned. She didn't mean to gush, let alone say that at all. But she wasn't wrong. "He and Artman are like us. That's why I thought you'd be good together."

Karou chewed on her bottom lip. "But three people in a relationship? Does she even like boys?"

"Yuri's like Mercy." Marcy rolled her eyes, focused on her work again.

"Cool. I think this can work. P wants to come. Can I have a cookie? I think it's time to go."

Marcy looked up at her. "What?!"

"I think it's time to go." Karou tried to sneak a cookie.

Marcy smacked her hand, ignoring her pout. "P wants to what?"

"Paris is sick of seeing Jude once a year. She loves him. She's convinced they'll get married." Karou rolled her eyes until she thought of Yuria.

"Why is everybody trying to live in my house?!"

"We were supposed to live together anyway. We were supposed to go to university together."

"You get on my damn nerves. Come on here!" Marcy snatched up a newly finished gingerbread man and bit his head off savagely.

Karou knew not to ask for anything else for a very long time.

Everyone in the kitchens went to the hotel's ballroom and took seats on the floor as servants handed out presents and dessert and drinks.

"Mommy!" Mally jumped on his mother.

"Hi, baby!" She picked him up length-wise and curled him up to kiss his cheek. She kept pulling him up and down, kissing his cheek, getting a workout.

"Hey, baby." Mal moved his eyebrows.

"We have to talk."

He didn't like the sound of that. "Okay?"

"Oh no!" Jeanette groaned. "Mother's coming!"

Michael chuckled.

"That's not funny. Her gifts are always for her."

"True." They all agreed.

Xhi-Xhi stopped with 12 people behind her. "Children?"

"Hello, Grandmother." The kids said.

"Happy Christmas."

"Happy Christmas."

"I have your gifts right here." She indicated the people standing behind her.

"You got us people?" Marcy shook her head. "What year is it?"

"You all live on your own. You need staff. Especially you two."

"Grandmother,-"

"You're welcome."

Marcy was flabbergasted by her gall then wondered why. Xhi-Xhi (and quite honestly every woman in their family, sometimes them included) lived as though the sun revolved around them. "Thank you, Grandmother."

Xhi-Xhi smiled at winning. "You have a chef, a nanny, a maid and a butler each."

"Grandmother,-" Laura started.

"You're welcome, child."

Laura didn't even know how to respond at first. "How much are you paying them?"

"I paid off either their families or debts so whatever money they earn will come from you."

Marc blew out a breath. "Thanks, Grandmother."

Xhi-Xhi beamed. "You have these four. Malcolm and Marceline Anne have these four. And you three have the rest."

Each had a female nanny and maid and a male butler but only Marcy and Mal had a male chef.

"Thank you, Grandmother." The seven chorused.

Xhi-Xhi was proud of herself. "You are very welcome."