Chapter 5 #2
“We are going to romanticize the fuck out of Christmastime,” I say solemnly, eyebrows furrowed together. “And we need to make a list, because time is running and we have less than four weeks until the holidays. So, chop, chop, what are your ideas?”
“Baking cookies has to go on there.” She taps her lip and peers into the distance as she contemplates. “Do you think we’ll get snow here? Because that would introduce a whole additional list of possibilities.”
“Then let’s do a snow-specific list too. Building a snowman…” I quickly jot it down, followed by “making snow angels, sledding down a mountain, snowball fight, a winter wonderland hike.” From the corner of my eyes, I see her nod along.
“I still have to decorate my house,” Nic points out. “You can add that to the list, because I imagine it will be much more fun if we do it together.”
“Decorating Nic’s house,” I whisper, a grin tugging at my lips.
“We are going to have the best Christmas time ever. Until Chaos knocks down all the garlands we meticulously put up, I guess.” Nic points out, slightly shaking her head. “I swear that little monster is strictly against decorations of any kind.”
“Maybe against your decorations,” I tease her. “Who knows? Maybe she loves Christmas.”
“I sure hope so.” She lets out a deep sigh. “I would love to have a Christmas tree, but not if a certain ghost cat knocks it down every hour.”
“We’ll think of something,” I assure her. “Maybe we can hammer it onto the wall somehow.”
“Bold of you to assume that’s going to stop Chaos.”
“We won’t know until we try,” I say and point the back of my pen at her. “But all right, back to the list. We’ve got to make gingerbread houses and visit Christmas markets. Maybe we could make ornaments?”
I jot down all of those ideas. Damn. This list is already getting long. I doubt we’ll make a dent in it until Christmas.
“Did one of you mention the Christmas market?” Kieran slides onto a chair next to Nic, appearing out of nowhere.
“Hello little babies,” he says in a high-pitched baby when he sees the cats and leans closer to give Jenna a pat on her forehead.
“Where is…” I turn around, searching for his puppy. He breaks into a grin, leans back and swoops him right out of his jacket.
“He’s so fluffy now,” I say, positively melting at the sight of him yawning. Fuck, he’s cute. “And you got him a collar with a tie? That is adorable, Kieran!”
“Everyone, meet Dick van Dyke.” He smiles proudly, holding the dog in front of him with more pride than Rafiki holding up Simba.
“Dick van…” Nic and I exchange a knowing glance before promptly bursting into laughter. “Seriously?”
“Yeah.” Kieran cuddles him against his chest and presses a kiss to his forehead. “I mean, look at him, all dapper in his little tie. I think the name suits him.”
“It’s certainly… a big name.” Nic bites the inside of her cheek. “Disney Legend and all that.”
“I’m sorry, Kieran, I can’t call a dog a Dick,” I say, fighting laughter. “Can I say ‘Richard’?”
“You may.” He nods, but his nose is up to the ceiling, as if he’s a king granting me a request.
“Well, I love it,” Nic points out, and offers for Kieran to switch animals.
He takes the cat all too happily, letting Taytay climb all over his black sweatshirt while Nic gets to cuddle his dog.
Richard appears to feel right at home in her arms. He immediately curls up in her elbow and lets out a big yawn.
“So anyway, which Christmas market were you talking about?”
“Oh, you didn’t know there’s a Christmas market?” He points into a corner, at a paper hanging on the wall. I can only see a red blob on there. It might be Christmas-related, though it’s hard to say from a distance.
“Apparently, similar to the Autumn Fair, they’re doing a Christmas market every year.” He leans over the table, motioning for us to get closer. “And there’s a competition.”
“A competition?” My interest is piqued. From the corner of my eye, I see Nic lean in closer too, already grinning. “Oh, do tell us more.”
“You’ve got to apply for a booth with Harry, and there’s going to be a vote for the best booth. The winner gets to pick the charity that proceeds from the Christmas market go to, and they get to call the theme for the next year.” He scoops Taytay up as she’s trying to jump from his thigh.
“A theme?” My eyes meet Nic’s. “That sounds fun. What’s this year’s theme?”
“Naughty or Nice,” he says with an eye roll. “The most cliché one it could have been.”
“That’s anything and everything,” Nic shakes her head. Then she narrows her eyes and shoots me a mischievous smile. “Put it on the list.”
“It’s already on there.” I narrow my eyes right back at her. “Are you thinking what I’m thinking?”
“Oh, hell yes.” She extends her hand over the table. “May the better one win.” We shake hands on it.
“Huh? I was sure you two of you would be taking part together.”
“Oh, not a chance,” I tell him. “I’m way too competitive for that.”
“Ever since we entered the entertainment industry, we’ve been in something of a friendly competition,” Nic explains, a grin washing over her face.
“I can’t count the number of times we’ve been nominated for the same awards or categories.
We’d spend the whole ceremony shit-talking each other, whoever won rubbed it in the others’ face and then we’d pop a bottle of champagne together. ”
“We ended our careers in a draw,” I add and rub my hands together. “Now what better way to settle it, once and for all?”