7 Kids On a Couch

Oh Snow!

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"Why are we watching a Christmas movie?" Ryan got comfortable next to James on the large, green couch. Everyone was settling down for a movie night. Tonight's picture was set to be Muppets Christmas Carol, a movie that both Joey and Morgan hadn't ever seen.

"Because," James passed her some popcorn, "October is over, and that means it's Christmas. Be happy I waited so long."

Ryan rolled her eyes, "Christmas is like a month from now."

"Actually it's 43 days, 6 hours, and 20 minutes," James stuck his tongue out at her.

Morgan tried to do the math on her fingers. "Are you bull-shitting or do you actually know the exact minute counter to Christmas?"

"The date is right," James said. "And," he looked at the time on his phone, "the hour's pretty close."

"Never question James on how long till Christmas." Mateo snuggled next to James, moving so close he was almost on his lap. "He has the Christmas count down as his google homepage."

Ray, seeing Mateo sitting so close to James, sat on Raphi's lap raising his eyes at Mateo. "I thought this was gonna be a wholesome family night Mathew."

"Oh don't worry Ray, we'll do this in front of our kids too," Mateo grabbed James' face pressing it into his.

The kiss went on for a prolonged moment before James gently pushed Mateo away. "You," James looked deeply in his eyes leaning into him, "need to stop arguing with Ray." Mateo scoffed and pushed him away.

"Yeah Mat," Ray faked a childish pout, "stop arguing with me."

Everyone else settled in their seats, Morgan and Joey sharing the armchair and whispering to each other. James turned on the tv, sighing when nothing played. He got up to adjust the player. "You know you never really answered my question," Ryan said.

"Oh," James paused, trying to remember what was even asked. "Right, we're watching a Christmas movie because Raphi said it's gonna snow."

"Why are we watching it on VHS?" Morgan asked.

"For fun," James answered, unsure. "I like VHS, it reminds me of childhood."

"Oh like nostalgia? That's so fun," Raphi said. "What makes you guys nostalgic? I'll go first. Umm," he paused to think. "I think for me it's old Nickelodeon. Like Hey! Arnold and Rugrats."

"I think for me it'd be Bon Jovi, it was my mom's favorite band. Oh and Dunkin' Donuts," Ray said. "What about you James?"

"Everything makes me nostalgic," James said. "I mean Disney movies, stuffed animals, old French lullabies, anything. Everything I own makes me nostalgic. Mat knows."

"Yes I do, and it's adorable and also annoying. James has such a connection to everything he owns, moving was impossible," Mateo threw up his arms dramatically. "But it's also very fun. James has a story for everything. I'm not that nostalgic, but growing up our houses always smelled like food so anytime I smell anything like that, it takes me back."

"What about you, M?" Raphi looked to Morgan who was quietly listening to the other's answers.

Morgan looked back at him and shrugged. "I don't know. I don't think anything makes me nostalgic."

"Oh," Raphi frowned. "How about you Rye?"

"Nope, no nostalgia here. You have to have a happy childhood for that," Ryan answered plainly.

"Wait," Morgan said, "I thought of something. When I was younger my mom used to sing to me and I listen to those songs sometimes. I think that's nostalgia."