CHAPTER 7 | Fa la la la la . and all that jazz
CHAPTER 7
Fa la la la la ... and all that jazz
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“A lice! Addy’s on the phone!” James called out from the studio.
James’s agent and best friend, Addison, usually called him throughout the week as they prepped for shows. Yet when they were in between projects, their conversations dried up to the occasional text message. He didn’t necessarily love losing touch with Addy during these creative periods, but they both understood the process. As soon as the paint dried on a new collection, they became inseparable yet again.
Their personal lives were also busier than usual. Alice was in the midst of her own creative process, with a book going through final edits and a proposal in the works for a new title. Addy was busy with work, but she and Chloe had finally moved in together after years of dating. She’d assured James that all was well in her romantic life, they were both just busy.
Alice sprinted into his workspace faster than a racehorse at the Kentucky Derby, her socked feet sliding across the polished cement, narrowly missing a stack of canvases. “Yeah, don’t worry about those.” He chuckled, moving aside a piece that would likely fetch a four-digit payday.
Completely undeterred, Alice held her hands out, and chanted, “Gimme, gimme, gimme,” until he gave her the phone. “Hey, girl,” she chirped. “Long time, no see.”
Addison huffed a laugh, the sound of her heels echoing through the line. “Alice, it’s been a week since I saw you.”
“And that’s too long,” Alice said, pulling out one of James’s work stools and making herself comfortable. He hastily moved a pile of pallets and brushes to the side before she accidentally elbowed them to the floor. “How’s Chloe?”
Alice and James adored Addison’s girlfriend, nearly as much as Addison did. She was sweet, funny, and kept their type-A friend fun and human. While Addison was an art agent constantly glued to her phone and always looking for the next big name in the art world, Chloe was reserved and worked for a non-profit in New York that focused on helping teens with tough home lives.
“She’s fine. Still saving the world and making me proud. The stuff she deals with amazes me, yet she’s always smiling.”
“Chloe’s a quiet powerhouse,” Alice agreed.
“Right now she’s not too happy with me, because we’re still trying to figure out what we’re doing for Christmas.”
“Do I need to buy you a calendar?” Alice asked, unable to hide her judgment. “It’s three days away.”
“Thanks for the update, Julius Caesar.” Addison’s footfalls stopped, and Alice heard her mutter something before a series of beeps. “And I’m about to enter the subway, so you’ll probably lose me. I just wanted to say hey. I miss you two already. Do you think you’ll make it up to NYC after the holidays?”
“For sure. I need to confirm my book signings with the publisher, and James wanted to check in with one of the studios you mentioned.”
Addison sighed dreamily. “If only I was also a literary agent. I’d get you and James all the best deals.”
“He needs you more than I do. Tell Chloe we said hey, and after Christmas, we’ll figure out a time for you girls to visit. I miss our slumber parties.”
Addison and Chloe had visited Buckeye Falls countless times over the years. At first, Addison bristled at the small-town and slower pace, but the more they visited the more she fell for Buckeye Falls’ charms. Chloe was from a small town in Pennsylvania, so she relished the chance to slow down and smell the roses ... and eat at the diner.
“We might take you up on that. I’m craving some of that midwestern home cooking.”
James huffed as he walked past Alice. Leaning into the phone, he said, “You miss me cooking for you.”
“God, I do love that kitchen. I keep threatening to move in while you guys are on the road.”
Alice took the phone back, and said, “You have a standing invite. We love hosting you both.”
“Yeah, yeah.” Addison’s voice garbled as she got lower into the subway station. “I’m about to lose you, so I’ll let you go. Love you both. Merry Christmas!”
James and Alice said, “Merry Christmas, Addy!”
Alice disconnected and handed James his phone. “We really should get a time for them to visit on the calendar. It’s great being back here, but I miss our city friends.”
James tucked his phone in his pocket and nodded. Stepping near, he pulled Alice in for a hug. “Can you take a writing break? I was thinking of having a lazy afternoon. Just you, me, a pizza, and some cheesy Christmas movies.”
Alice squealed, pulling James down for a kiss and running her fingers through his hair. His inky locks felt like silk in her hands, and she wiggled closer. “Maybe we can take a brief detour to the bedroom on the way to the couch?”
James dipped, wrapped his arms under Alice, and hauled her in the air. “Wife, that is the best idea you’ve ever had.”
Just as they headed down the hall, a tangle of limbs, the doorbell rang. “Were you expecting anyone?” Alice asked between kisses, her hold still firm on James’s collar. Their tenth wedding anniversary was on the horizon, yet she still felt like a newlywed.
“The only person I expected to see is in my arms.” He winked, closing the distance for another kiss.
Alice swatted his chest and sighed. “Aww, babe. That’s really sweet.”
“I have my moments.”
The doorbell rang again, this time followed by a series of knocks and a muffled “We know you’re home. We see your cars.”
“It’s the kids,” James said, disentangling his wife from his torso. “I didn’t know they were coming.” The smile he flashed Alice melted her heart. He loved those kids and enjoyed hosting them as much as she did.
Alice straightened her shirt and followed James to the door. By the time he unlocked the deadbolt, Otis had pushed his way inside. “Hey, Uncle James.” James managed to snag a fist bump before the boy dove onto the couch, sending a pair of decorative pillows flying in the air. “You guys have lunch yet?”
Madeline followed her brother inside, carrying two tote bags and an eye roll. “Thanks for helping, O.”
Otis grunted as he found the remote and turned the TV on. “I was thinking maybe pizza?”
Alice snorted and closed the door, following Madeline into the kitchen where James was already pulling out cans of pop for the kids. “Are you sure he’s not my son? I’m pretty sure I did that routine with your parents.”
“Maybe it’s payback?” James teased, handing his wife a glass of wine. “Looks like I’ll order two pizzas.” He winked and headed to the living room. “Otis, you feeling pepperoni or sausage today?”
With the boys distracted with pizza toppings, Alice helped Maddie unload her bags. “What is all this?” she asked, holding up a bag of flour.
“Mom and Dad are busy with ...” Madeline huffed as she tossed a bag of chocolate chips on the counter. “Stuff, and I wanted to bake cookies.” She upturned the rest of the first bag on the counter, causing a bottle of vanilla extract to roll toward Alice.
Scooping up the bottle, Alice helped line up the baking supplies. Her niece was quiet, jaw tense as she carefully nudged a shaker of cinnamon in line. “You want to talk about it?” she asked, bumping Madeline gently in the ribs. “I happen to be a pro when it comes to family drama.”
“It’s not drama necessarily,” she hedged, “but they’re so busy getting Dad ready for his new job, plus all the holiday stuff.” Madeline sighed, a lot more heavily than a girl that age should have to.
Alice’s heart stopped. “Are things bad at home?”
Madeline shook her head so forcefully, her blonde ponytail hit her cheek. “No, nothing like that. It just doesn’t quite feel like Christmas, you know? We haven’t baked yet, and Grandma and Grandpa are still on their cruise.” She reached out and snatched Alice’s hand, squeezing it once before folding the tote bags into tidy squares. “I’m just glad you and Uncle James are back. I was starting to feel like Christmas wasn’t going to feel as festive.”
Alice pulled Madeline into a firm hug, kissing her temple. “Maddie, you’re in luck. James and I were just about to watch a million Christmas movies and binge eat pizza. Let’s start baking these cookies and have a full festive day.”
Madeline beamed. “Really? You don’t mind me and O barging into your day?”
“Not one bit.” Alice pinched her cheek then turned toward the counter. There was a slim bag resting against Madeline’s purse, and Alice reached for it assuming it was more baking supplies. Madeline stopped her with a trembling hand on her elbow.
“Wait! That’s something else.” Her cheeks flushed, and she yanked the bag from Alice’s grip. “I uh, wanted to ask Uncle James about something.”
James entered the kitchen with an empty can of pop and a concerned expression. “Is it normal for Otis to chug a pop in less than ten seconds?”
Madeline snorted. “I’m surprised it lasted that long.”
Behind Madeline, Alice gestured to the bag and made a face. James raised an eyebrow but picked up on what she was trying to say with her manic expressions. Ah, the perks of married life.
Leaning on the counter, James poked at the mystery bag. “What’s all this?”
Cheeks now turning radioactive, Madeline shrugged. “I thought, maybe if you have time, you could look at some of the pieces I’ve been working on for art class.” She dipped her head lower, speaking directly to the countertop, and added, “I mentioned to one of my classmates that you’re my uncle, and they thought you might be able to help with this.”
James rubbed over his heart and nodded, swallowing twice before he spoke. “Maddie, I would love to take a look. We have at least an hour before those pizzas arrive. What do you say we head to the studio?”
“Really?”
James picked up the bag and gestured toward the rear of the house where his studio was. “Absolutely. Let’s roll.”
Madeline practically skipped after James, a spring in her step and a megawatt grin on her face.
Alice went to the fridge and pulled another two cans of pop for Otis. She took a moment to blink away a round of tears, her heart full at how much her husband loved her family ... his family. “All right, buddy,” she said as she tossed her nephew his sugar fix. “I’ll be right back, then we’re finding a Christmas movie that we both like.”
Otis caught both cans, popping one open and downing the contents before Alice could walk away. “ Die Hard ?”
“Cue it up!” she shouted over her shoulder, heading toward the bedroom. As soon as she was inside, she pulled her phone out and called her sister-in-law.
Natalie answered right away, not bothering with pleasantries. “I’m hoping this call means my children are with you, as are the contents of our pantry.”
Alice closed the door and flopped down on the bed. “Yep. Otis is drinking us out of house and home, and Maddie is showing James some of her art projects. We’re going to bake cookies and watch holiday movies, if you don’t mind.”
Natalie sighed, but rallied quickly. “I don’t mind at all. I’m sorry they left when we were busy. Anthony and I were working on wrapping their presents and checking on things at your parents’ house while they’re away. I promised Maddie we’d bake tonight, but I guess I wasn’t fast enough.”
“Everything okay with you guys?” Alice hated that she had to ask, that she couldn’t stop herself.
“Yes, it’s all been great. I think it’s just that the reality of Anthony’s new job, getting ready for Maddie’s college applications next year, and Otis starting JV baseball in the spring, we just kind of imploded.”
Alice groaned. “College applications already? I’m still getting used to Maddie driving.”
“Girl,” Natalie said with a cackle. “You should see your brother. Anthony is hardly handling it well.”
“I can only imagine.” Her brother was utterly devoted to his family, and she knew he had the biggest soft spot for his little girl. Thinking of Madeline’s sullen mood, Natalie threw an idea at Natalie. “What are you and Anthony doing later today?”
“We were going to bake with the kids.”
Alice sat up, giddy with her idea. “You’re still going to, but I have an idea.”
Natalie laughed. “Oh boy, I’m all ears.”
“Give us a few hours with the kids. We ordered pizza for lunch, but eventually they’ll tire of food and TV. You and Anthony enjoy the afternoon to yourselves, but join us for baking. Maddie seemed a little down that my parents aren’t around, and maybe a little forced Snyder bonding will change her tune.”
“That’s a great idea. How about we swing by around six? I was going to make chili, so I can bring that with me.”
Alice beamed, already hungry for her sister-in-law’s famous chili. “Perfect. See you then.”
*
“G ood news, honey!” Natalie shouted into the living room, sliding her cell phone back into her jeans pocket. “The kids are alive and with your sister.”
Anthony strode into the kitchen, a cluster of tape stuck to the front of his sweater. He’d been on gift-wrapping duty for the last hour, and apparently he was over it. “I figured they hadn’t run off to join the circus,” he said, rubbing his lower back with a groan. “I think I’m getting too old. I shouldn’t have back pain from wrapping a video game.”
Natalie approached her husband, carefully peeling the tape ball from his clothes. “You should have used the kitchen counter. There’re hardly any secrets with the kids and their gifts.” Natalie rolled her eyes. Both kids had shared their Amazon wish lists back in August, as they were very particular. The days of surprises under the Christmas tree were sadly over, replaced with electronics, cosmetics, and other grown-up requests. Both parents were eager to spoil their children, but Natalie would be lying if she didn’t admit to missing the doll babies and dinosaur toys.
“So what’s the plan for the rest of the day?” Anthony kissed her quickly before rummaging in the junk drawer for the ibuprofen. “I thought we were going to do holiday stuff once I was done with my notes for work.” He threw two pills in his mouth and swallowed them dry.
“That’s still the plan, but we’re changing the location. We’re going over tonight after I make a pot of chili.”
Tossing his head back, Anthony made an NSFW sound. “I cannot wait. You haven’t made that in a minute.” Natalie’s chili was famous in town for its spice and the array of toppings Natalie always included. If you didn’t leave with heartburn and covered in corn chip crumbs, you weren’t living.
“I just need an hour to get everything prepped.” Turning to the cabinet, she retrieved a few cans of beans, but Anthony stopped her progress with a hand to her shoulder. She spun to face him, a tower of pinto beans between them. “What is it?”
“Thank you,” he muttered, staring into her eyes. His were flinty storm clouds, and Natalie frowned.
“For what?”
Resting his forehead on hers, Anthony sighed. “Getting me elected. I know the last two years haven’t been a picnic, but I couldn’t have done it without you, Nat. And now you’ve got Christmas well in hand; you continue to impress me. I love you.”
Natalie’s bottom lip trembled while she tossed the cans with a clatter onto the counter. “Oh, honey, I love you, too.” She wrapped her arms around him, running her fingers through his hair. “It was my pleasure to help, because I know you’re going to be the best state representative Ohio has ever seen.”
Anthony’s cheeks turned pink at her praise. He dipped his head to capture her lips in a passionate kiss, filled with years of love, promise, and devotion. In his haste to get closer, he knocked another can onto the floor. It rolled all the way across the kitchen until it hit the fridge. “I need those for dinner,” she said in between kisses.
“And you need an hour for the chili?” he asked, nibbling her ear lobe.
“Uh-huh?” Natalie asked, her brain currently focused outside her recipe book.
Anthony pulled back and made a show of checking his watch. “And we’re not expected until dinner?”
Natalie raised an eyebrow. “I know that look.” Waggling his eyebrows, he kissed her again. He whispered something in her ear, causing the hair on her neck to rise. “Representative Snyder, I’m scandalized,” she teased, trailing a finger along his jawline. His five o’clock shadow had turned white over the election, but she loved it. Her husband was aging like her favorite bottle of merlot.
“Don’t tell the voters,” he said with a wink, leading the way to the bedroom. Natalie nearly stumbled in her haste to make it upstairs, grinning like the lovesick fool she was.
*
F ive hours, two pizzas , one movie, and four gallons of soda later, Natalie and Anthony barged through the front door. Anthony carried a stock pot large enough for Otis to hide inside, Natalie behind him with a box. “Ho, ho, ho, we’re here!” she said, kicking the door shut.
James hurried to help Anthony with the pot, while Alice relieved Natalie of her load. “What’s all this?”
“Cheese, sour cream, corn chips, and a million other toppings for the chili. I couldn’t remember what everyone liked, so I went a little overboard.”
As soon as the first bowl clattered onto the counter, the kids arrived with ravenous expressions. “Please say that’s dinner, I’m starving.” Otis pushed his way to the front of the line, nearly trampling his sister and aunt’s feet in the process.
“Wow, it’s a shame you didn’t just finish a whole pizza,” Alice remarked, still shocked her nephew didn’t weigh a metric ton.
James ruffled Otis’s hair as he served his chili, adding a worrisome amount of corn chips to the bowl. “I was impressed with his restraint. When he realized his aunt didn’t get anything, he gave you that corner piece.”
Alice fluttered her hand in front of her face. “It was a gift I will cherish.”
Otis rolled his eyes before strolling back to the living room. Madeline made up her dinner and followed her brother to the peace of the couch.
“Now that we’re alone,” Anthony deadpanned, doling out bowls for the adults. “How are you guys settling back in?”
The foursome fell into the easy conversation they’d perfected over the last decade—the men laughing about something at town council, the women gossiping about the kids and their friends. It was comfortable and warm, like that ugly holiday sweater you pull out after Thanksgiving.
“I think it’s time for cookies,” Natalie suggested as she helped herself to a second glass of wine. “Are we making traditional Snyder chocolate chip and those lovely little honey cookies James makes? What are they called again?”
James helped Anthony clear their dinner dishes, answering, “Yakgwa. I have the ginger syrup ready in the fridge.”
“Did I hear the magic word?” Madeline asked as she joined them in the kitchen. “I was telling Josie about those last week. I love yakgwa.”
Otis, the far less adventurous eater in the family, came in and helped himself to another pop. “We’re doing chocolate chip though, right?”
Anthony tossed an apron to his son and smiled. “We’re doing it all, O.” Otis returned his father’s matching grin and tied the apron.
The six of them rolled, shaped, baked, and fried cookies for hours, taking breaks to sample their work and nibble on leftover corn chips.
“This is magic.” Madeline hummed as she scraped a blob of cookie dough free from a wooden spoon. “Just what I wanted.”
Natalie looped an arm around her waist, nuzzling closer for a kiss. “I’m glad, Maddie. We need to do more things like this. Don’t let me forget.”
“I won’t.” She surprised her mother by returning the kiss and then loaded the dishwasher.
After everything was baked, the dishes clean and put away, the six of them staged an Instagram-worthy selfie. “Send it to Mom, please?” Anthony asked as he licked honey syrup from his thumb.
“On it,” Alice announced as she shared the photo in a group text chain.
Less than a minute later, their parents replied with Oh, what fun! Wish we were there instead.
Anthony huffed out a laugh when he read the text. “Oh yeah, because a cruise around the Greek islands is torture.”
“I think next year we should go on a cruise for Christmas,” Otis said, polishing off his fifth cookie of the night.
Anthony muttered something about the cost, but Natalie swatted him away with a tea towel. “I think that’s worth looking into, O.”
Otis turned to his aunt and uncle, and said, “That’s parent speak for ‘not going to happen.’”
“She didn’t say that,” Anthony replied, trying to stifle a grin.
Madeline yawned and Otis rubbed his eyes, tell-tale signs they were ready to crash from the sugar and general excitement of the day. “We’ll see you guys at the diner for Christmas, right?” Madeline asked.
“Absolutely. I’ll be ready with some notes on your painting by then.” James shot a thumbs-up and Madeline shrugged.
“I mean, whenever.”
“And I mean by Christmas.” James slung an arm around her shoulder as they walked to the door. “You’re a talented artist, Maddie. Don’t start doubting yourself now.”
She flushed the color of cranberries before hugging James and Alice and tugging Otis free of the cookie bowl. “You can’t eat in my car. I just had it cleaned.”
“Then I’m riding with Mom and Dad,” Otis grumbled, snatching another cookie for the road.
James closed the door once everyone was gone, joining Alice on the couch with one of their favorite blankets. The lights were low, only the Christmas tree lighting the space. It was warm, cozy, and intimate—just how Alice liked it.
“I know I keep saying this,” she murmured, “but I love that you love my family.”
“Of course, what’s not to love?” He pulled her closer, resting his chin on her head.
Alice leaned in, savoring the warmth of his touch. “You think Maddie has talent?” She nibbled her lip, fearful of the answer. She knew James would play it up if their niece wasn’t any good, but it pained her to think she was terrible.
“She seriously has some chops. In fact, she reminds me a lot of myself at that age. Hungry to paint, but afraid of the results. I think with a little confidence, she’ll find her way.”
“Good thing she has a famous artist as an uncle.”
James snorted. “I’m sure that won’t hurt either. Maybe Addy can get her a show.”
“I don’t doubt it.”
They sat on the sofa, wrapped up in each other until they fell asleep. James woke first, carefully carrying Alice to the bedroom and tucking her in beside him. As his eyes closed, he thanked his lucky stars for the millionth time that fate had brought Alice, and the crazy Snyder clan, into his life.