A Matter of Perspective

Christmas 4 - Brendan

"So," Annabella raised her eyebrows as they pulled out the massive bags of gifts she'd been hoarding in the closet for months. "What do you think of him?"

"Who?" Brendan replied innocently, peeking out of the corner of his eye at his wife who was staring at him, mouth agape.

"Who do you think?" she shouted, before covering her mouth, aware that the kids were asleep just a few feet away. She narrowed her eyes at her husband before hissing, "Joe, obviously."

"Oh, right, Joe Slugg," Brendan chuckled at his wife's enthusiasm and her eye roll as he used their son's term of endearment about his sister's boyfriend.

"And?" Annabella nudged him with her elbow as she began to drag the gifts toward the tree set up in the living room. "Are you a fan?"

"Are you?" Brendan shot back, still eager to push her buttons as they began to lay out all the wrapped presents.

Annabella glared at him, "Well, I think he's rather lovely, but he's dating YOUR sister."

Brendan grinned, leaning in to kiss her pursed lips quickly, placing the last box under the tree and stepping back to admire their handiwork. "I think he's...nice."

Annabella tucked herself into his side as he wrapped an arm around her shoulders, squeezing lightly. She gazed up at him, her eyes searching his, hoping he would elaborate. When he didn't, she tugged him down onto the sofa behind them.

"'Nice' is a very generic answer, Bren," she spoke quietly. "We've spent the last two days with Joe and Dot, and all you can say is he's 'nice'?"

Brendan shrugged, "Well, I don't really know him. Everyone else in my family has spent proper time with them in the UK...but we haven't...I don't know, connected yet? I have yet to have had a real conversation with him. Have you?"

His wife shook her head, laughing quietly, "Well, no, but that's because Billy has been in his face practically since first meeting. Not to mention Mia won't let go of Dot."

"True," Brendan yawned, leaning back into the sofa a bit more, "Our kids seem to be Joe Slugg's biggest fans."

"He seems...quiet. Maybe a little overwhelmed, but who can blame him, really," Annabella mused after a few moments, "I would never guess he's as famous as he is, he seems very down to Earth. And he's really very sweet. So attentive toward Dot."

Brendan grumbled, thinking of his sister's loved up behavior over the last few days, "Yeah. And she's bloody head over heels."

"You say that like it's a bad thing," Annabella giggled, shoving his side gently. "I think it's nice. Did you see how they held hands on the walk last night when they thought nobody was watching? They reminded me of..."

"Us?" Brendan interrupted. "But about a million years ago?"

"Yeah," his wife gazed up at him, smirking.

"I guess," Brendan sighed, "I just need to get to know him better. I'm trying really hard to not be that overbearing older brother."

"You're doing a good job," Annabella grinned, patting his chest comfortingly. "But I don't blame him for being a little nervous around you."

"Well, Dot's always going to be my little sister who I look out for," Brendan shrugged. "I tried to talk to him one on one at dinner tonight, but my family kept interrupting. They're all such bloody talkers."

"Well, don't worry, you have another chance to get to know him tomorrow. And the next day. And the day after that," Annabella chirped as she stood, extending her hand and leading him toward their bedroom. "Come on, Santa. Those kids of ours are going to be jumping like beans way too early."