Chris Evans: The Collection (Imagines and Short Stories)

A Chris-mas Story 3

Chapter 3: Christmas Day Evans-Patterson Style

Now to the twenty-fifth of December in the year two thousand and eighteen where the Evans Family Three enjoys a holly jolly first Christmas on the Patterson Ranch Estate. the older grandchildren and Dodger play with Nana Farrah and Talia in the white wonderland that continues to become whiter and whiter as snowflakes stick to all of Sudbury; the Evans brothers, Grandpa Robert, Shanna's boyfriend, Carly's husband, and Ava sit by the fire and discuss the experiences the new father has had over the past week and a half; where much is being tirelessly done in the kitchen from pastries to eggs by Stavvy, Guin, and Lisa using all produce and products of the ranch in their creations and discussing Guin's potential next book and their Christmas Eves; and then finally to the Evans sisters who help Artie in his yuletide vision for the table where the boisterous Boston families merge as one.....

December 25th, 2018, 11: 45 AM

From the interior to the exterior of a colonial mansion made of white wood and gray stone, there's holiday cheer. The Pattersons own and reside on a ranch with acres and acres of land. The property is laden wifh horses, cows, goats, chickens, and fruit trees galore -- mostly managed by Farrah who has published a number of farm to table style cookbooks and guides to making cheese and jams (even fiction reminiscent of Little House on the Prairie and Anne of Green Gables) while Jay owns a multi-million dollar company specializing in a specific method of training horses (that also breeds them) as in his youth he was a champion jockey (his sister did Olympic dressage) prior to receiving his MBA. With a colonial mansion on-site, they're able to accommodate a considerable amount of people. Outside, in the front yard, where cars are parked in a row, Miles, Stella, and their brother make merry in a snow-covered world alongside Farrah who is playing an active role of grandma and "Auntie Fay". They make a snowman with a long, orange carrot nose and reindeer companion to keep him company. They transition to an all-out war with snowballs flying left and right-- Miles and his brother against Stella and Farrah with the ladder showing who're the bosses. Talia rocks back and forth in a porch rocking chair mediating the snow warfare. She rubs her bump as she's having phantom contractions-- causing her great discomfort.

Farrah calls a time out and calls to her son's girlfriend, "Talia, I bet you'll go into labor early."

Talia chuckles, "That'd be a Christmas miracle. I'm so done being pregnant!"

"That's the way of it," Farrah breaks the time out with a gesture and throwing a snowball through the air. "One second you have the glow and the next you feel like a beached mammal."

Talia laughs in agreement and finds the strength to stand up so that she can walk around the porch for exercise.

Now from the front yard, through the door, and up the first staircase, in the living room, we find the Evans brothers sitting in loveseats by the fireplace. Their father on the sofa to their right, and next to him is Shanna's boyfriend, Graham. Carly's husband is wandering about the historical home, taking in the decor, the aches, and creaks-- while Dodger lays at Chris's feet. Chris cradles Ava in his arms and she has been the topic of many conversations, it has shifted to important questions regarding her father's most recent project.

"So you got to keep all of the sweaters?" Scott asks.

Chris looks to his brother and his daughter who holding onto his shirt with the material balled up in her fists-- Ava's gazes intently but she is trying to move her head to see her grandpa. To ensure, she's still comfortable and he doesn't need to call for reinforcements, Chris lifts Ava up, replying, "Yes."

"The white cable knit too?"

Rolling his eyes, Chris replies, "That one too. Why are you so obsessed with the sweaters?"