One Big Happy Family

Chapter 6

6

Heath stared at the house, his mouth hanging open. “You said it was a cabin.”

“It is.”

“That is not a cabin. How big is it?”

Julie walked to the back of her SUV and popped it open. “I’m not sure. Six thousand square feet maybe.”

“That’s no one’s definition of a cabin.”

Julie looked at the house, trying to see it as Heath would. It was big—two stories on this side, three from the back, where it sloped down the hill. The four-car garage was around the side, and a big wraparound porch circled the place. Tall trees separated the large lot from her neighbors. About two feet of snow covered the ground.

“So it’s a large cabin,” she said with a grin. “Isn’t that better than a small one?”

“Size matters.”

They gathered as much as they could carry and started for the front door. Both his truck and her SUV were jam-packed with suitcases, presents and food. Lots of food. Starting the seventeenth, there would be nine people to feed, ten when Huxley arrived. Three meals a day plus Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. She’d worked out tentative menus and planned as much as she could. There was a local grocery store for the fresh stuff and they’d probably eat out a few lunches, but still, supplies were needed.

They went inside. Julie led the way to the large open kitchen, calling out rooms as she went.

“Formal living room on your left. We don’t use that much. Dining room. The table pulls out long enough to seat sixteen. Butler’s pantry. The family room is past the kitchen. There’s a big alcove we use for board games and puzzles, a bathroom, and a craft room beyond that.”

They unloaded both cars, stacking suitcases by the stairs leading to the second floor. Julie had him store the bags of presents in the closet off the game alcove.

They put away the groceries first. Julie showed him the pantry, empty except for a few staples. She filled the refrigerator and freezer, keeping the twenty-pound turkey and fifteen-pound ham off to the side.

She unrolled the large paper calendar she’d brought and hung it on the wall in the kitchen. She’d already marked out the various dates.

“Today is Saturday,” she said.

“I knew that.”

She smiled at him. “I have a point here.”

“I’m listening.”

She touched the calendar. “You drive back on Monday to get the kids. You’ll come back here Wednesday morning. Dana, Nick, Blair, Gwen and Paul arrive Tuesday afternoon. I’ll have my kids and Blair help me with whatever decorating isn’t finished. Once you and your kids get here, we’ll go buy a big fresh tree for the family room. It sits in the garage overnight and we’ll decorate Thursday.”

“Why does it sit in the garage?”

She looked at him. “Because we’ll be cutting it down from the forest and things will be in it. Better to let them crawl out in the garage than in the family room.”

He grinned. “Good point.”

“I’ll start baking Thursday. We’ll figure out what everyone wants to do once they’re here. Oh, we go to evening services on Christmas Eve. I hope that’s good with you.”

“We wouldn’t miss them.”

She looked at him. “This is going to be okay, right?”

“It’s going to be perfect. We’re together, Julie. Everything else will take care of itself.”

His words gave her a little flutter in her belly.

“Grab the turkey,” she said, taking the ham and leading the way downstairs.

There was an extra freezer in the garage. They stored the meat there, and then she showed him the second family room with a large wood-burning stove and a giant TV.

“If there’s an argument about what to watch, the group splits up,” she told him. “But mostly we end up watching the same thing upstairs.” She pointed to the hallway. “The kids will be in here.”

The big open room had a large window with a view down the mountain. Two sets of bunk beds were pushed up against the walls. A mural of the forest, complete with cartoon animals and smiling sun, covered one wall. A long dresser had plenty of storage, and there was an attached bathroom with two sinks and a tub/shower combo.

“The cleaners came through last week,” Julie said, peeling back one of the comforters. “They put fresh linens on all the beds.” She pulled open one of the dresser drawers and removed a walkie-talkie. “Short range, so it only works in the house, but they should help the kids feel connected to you. The other one is upstairs in the master.”

Heath looked stunned. “You thought of everything.”

She smiled. “The house has evolved over time. After my dad bought the place, he started renting it out when we weren’t using it and he paid attention to guest feedback.”

She led the way to the second bedroom on that floor. It was L-shaped with two queen-size beds and an attached three-quarter bath.

“I figured Paul would stay down here. Huxley will join him when he arrives.”

“That works.”

“And now for the part that will really get your heart pounding. Once we clear this out, we can store the Christmas presents inside. Away from prying eyes.”

She pulled a key out of her jeans pocket and unlocked a closet door. After opening it, she turned on the light and stepped back so he could see inside.

“The Christmas decorations.”

Heath glanced in the closet. “How much is—Holy crap.” He disappeared inside.

She followed, walking between built-in shelves stacked with labeled bins. The storage area went back about twenty feet before making a turn to the right. There were five or six artificial trees, dozens of wreaths, strings of lights, miles of garland, two separate Christmas villages and enough faux candles to light Milwaukee.

Heath reached the end and turned to face her. “These are all Christmas decorations?”

“Yes.”

“And you expect us to get them all in place in two days?”

“That’s not going to happen, but we’ll do the best we can.”

“You said something about decorating, but I thought you meant a fake tree and some holiday towels.”

She laughed. “Now you know why I was so pleased about a quiet Christmas at my place.” She looked around at all the bins. “Although now that we’re here, I’ll admit I’m kind of excited to spend the holidays here. We’ll have a good time.”

He moved toward her and put his hands on her hips. “You’re always a good time.”

“So are you.”

He kissed her with a thoroughness that left her breathless. When he finally drew back, she found it a little difficult to speak.

“So, um, let me show you the rest of the house. We’ll unpack, then start decorating.”

He raised one eyebrow. “Is that really what you want to do?”

She pretended to consider the question. “Maybe it would be better to make love, unpack, then start decorating.”

“I agree.”

They walked to the stairs.

“Do me a favor,” she said. “Stay here until I reach the second floor. I’ll call down when I’m there. I want you to talk to me in a normal voice.”

He frowned. “I don’t get it.”

She grinned. “Oh, you will.”

She took the stairs to the main floor, grabbed a couple of suitcases and made her way to the second floor. After setting down the suitcases, she leaned over the railing.

“I’m here. Say something.”

She spoke in a quiet tone, knowing her voice would carry.

“There’s no way you’re going to be able to hear me.”

“I can hear everything.”

There was a moment of silence when she figured he was staring up at her, not sure how that was possible.

“Tiffany got implants.”

Julie felt her eyes widen. “They’re implants? Really? I thought they were just hers. I had no idea. So do they feel different? They must. Why didn’t you tell me this before?”

Heath appeared at the base of the stairs. He picked up the remaining suitcases and carried them up to the second floor.

“I’m not discussing my ex-wife’s breasts with you.”

“You started it.” She grinned. “Implants, huh?”

“Yes. What’s with the sound carrying down two floors?”

“I have no idea. I assume it’s just a quirk of the house, but consider yourself warned. If you’re not in a room that has a closed door, assume everyone can hear everything. There’s zero privacy in the house.”

As they walked toward the master, Julie pointed out the other bedrooms.

“Hall bath,” she said, nodding toward an open door. “There are two bedrooms across from it for Dana and Gwen.”

“Gwen’s Blair’s mother?”

“That’s her.”

At the next bedroom, she paused. “Nick and Blair. There’s an en suite bathroom. And this is us.”

Double doors stood open at the end of the hallway. To the left was a sitting area with a gas fireplace. To the right was the king-size bed. Two of the walls were windows with views of the mountains, the trees and the fresh snow.

“There’s a private balcony,” she said, putting down her suitcases and pointing to the French doors. “It’s a little cold this time of year, but nice to use in the summer.”

She walked over to the doors and pulled back the draperies. The familiar view awaited, as always, making her smile.

She hadn’t been at the cabin since late summer—just before the leaves had started to turn. Back then the view had been all green with the grass and leaves on the trees. Now only the trees with needles had any color—dark green against the white snow and gray sky. The sloping lawn was covered with snow, as were the roofs of the neighbors they could see on one side.

Heath came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her close. “Beautiful,” he murmured.

“It is. This is a good house with happy memories.”

She led the way into the bathroom. A huge claw-foot tub sat in the center of the room. There were double sinks and a shower for two, along with a separate toilet room and a huge walk-in closet.

Heath grinned at her. “Cabin, huh? We need to define our terms better.”

“It’s what we’ve always called it.” She stepped into his embrace. “I want this to be a happy Christmas for you and your kids.”

“Me, too.”

She had more to say—things like how her kids would revert back to bickering with each other and how she was nervous about having Gwen around—but Heath started kissing her and she decided all that could wait.

Blair kept a hand pressed against her lower belly, silently repeating calming phrases to herself in an attempt to ease the pain and pressure. They were only a few minutes from the cabin, and she had to hang on until then. They’d already had to stop twice so she could race into a bathroom and have massive diarrhea. Honestly, she didn’t know how there was anything left in her intestines to poop out, but the signals from her body told her otherwise.

“I’m freezing back here,” her mother said sharply. “Is it really necessary to have the window open?”

“Sorry,” Blair said, not sure what would happen without the cooling air blowing on her face. Still, her mother had a point. It was twenty-five degrees outside, and even with the truck’s heater going full blast, they were all dealing with the cold.

She sucked in a deep breath, told herself that she would be fine and reluctantly closed the window.

“You don’t have to do that,” Nick said quietly, his tone concerned.

“It’s not that much farther,” she said, grateful for his ever-present support.

With a limited diet and medication, she was usually able to keep her IBS under control, but any high-stress event was often enough to push her over the edge. Spending ten days in the same house as her mother was the definition of a triggering event, and she’d been having issues for the past couple of days.

She’d skipped breakfast in an effort to keep her stomach quiet, but not eating was a hit-or-miss strategy and one that hadn’t worked today.

Nick exited the highway and started up the well-plowed feeder road. Five minutes later they were heading toward the upscale neighborhood of Alpental. Her stomach gurgled ominously.

“Two minutes,” he told her.

She nodded, telling herself to stay calm and relaxed. She consciously slowed her breathing. Two minutes. She could make it.

She focused on how beautiful the houses looked with a fresh dusting of snow. She had the brief thought that the cabin’s driveway might be a problem, then smiled. If there had been snow, Julie would have hooked up the plow and cleared it that morning. The woman could do anything.

Seconds later, Nick turned into the long driveway with snow neatly piled on the sides. He parked next to his mom’s truck, leaving plenty of room for Dana, who was right behind them. Blair immediately scrambled out of the truck and breathed in the cold air. Her stomach started to settle.

Julie walked out of the house, waving. “I’ve been watching for you,” she called out. “How was the drive?”

“Easy,” Nick said, opening the door for Gwen, who got out slowly.

Dana and Paul got out of her SUV. They were laughing and talking and obviously had had a more pleasant drive. Dana glanced over at Blair.

“You okay?”

Blair breathed in a couple of times and nodded. “Things are calming down.”

Julie joined them and everyone (except Gwen) helped collect luggage and bags of presents. As they climbed the stairs to the porch, Blair felt herself starting to relax. Last year she’d had such a good time with Nick and his family. Hopefully this year would be as fun. She ignored the voice in her head that whispered that wasn’t possible with her mother tagging along. She wasn’t going to assume the worst, she told herself. Besides, there were plenty of people around to act as a buffer.

Once they were inside, Julie hugged everyone, hesitating only a second before reaching out to Gwen. Her mother stiffened before accepting the hug with obvious reluctance, holding her body away from the other woman’s.

“You’ve been working hard,” Paul said, taking in the garland on the railing and the Christmas village set up in the family room.

“There’s a lot more to do,” Julie said cheerfully. “Let’s get you all settled. Then we can meet in the kitchen and have lunch while we discuss the plan for the next few days. I also have some tentative menus worked out.” She touched Blair’s arm. “I think I got all the food right, but you can tell me if I messed up.”

“I’m sure you did fine. You’re always so careful. Besides, I can usually find something to eat.”

Her mother watched the exchange, frowning as if she disapproved of Julie’s effort to accommodate Blair’s food restrictions.

Whatever, Blair thought. Julie was a sweetie who took care of her family. There was nothing wrong with that.

Julie smiled at Paul. “I put you downstairs again.”

“Excellent.” He winked at her. “That big TV in the second family room is perfect for those nights I can’t sleep.”

“Again?” Gwen glanced between them. “You’ve been here before?”

Blair turned to her mother. “Uncle Paul spent Christmas with us last year.”

Her mother’s expression tightened as her gaze turned accusing. “You had your uncle out here for Christmas, but not me?”

Blair’s stomach immediately flopped over. “You were staying in Boise with your friends. I mentioned coming to the cabin, but you said you already had plans.”

“I didn’t think you were having a big family gathering and excluding me.”

The hurt in her tone instantly made Blair feel guilty, even as she told herself she hadn’t done anything wrong.

“You’re here this year,” Julie said brightly. “We’re going to have a great time.” She paused. “And before we scatter to get settled, I have an announcement.”

Blair looked at Dana, who shrugged as if she had no idea what it was.

“I was going to say something before,” Julie continued. “I probably should have, but we’ve all been busy and I...”

Dana gasped. “You and Heath eloped!”

“What? No. God no. I’m not getting married again. Besides, we’ve only been dating for three months. We’re not married or getting married.”

“Well, you can’t be pregnant,” Gwen said. “You’re too old.”

“Mom!”

Julie looked at Gwen. “Thanks for sharing that.”

Gwen flushed. “I didn’t mean it how it came out.”

Blair glared at her mother. How could she be so rude?

Julie brushed off the comment. “No problem. Heath’s kids are going to spend Christmas with us. His ex was supposed to have them but she’s going away, so he gets them and they’re coming here.”

Blair looked at Nick, who grinned at his mom. “That’s great, Mom. How old are they?”

Julie cleared her throat. “Um, well, eight and ten.”

Dana’s lips twitched. Blair felt herself starting to smile. Paul grinned.

“That’s a good age for Christmas,” he said. “They’ll be in the room with the bunk beds?”

“That’s the plan. Oh, and they’re bringing their dog, Rufus.”

“A dog?” Gwen sounded horrified. “He’ll be indoors?”

Julie frowned at the question. “Of course. Dogs are family.”

“Eight and ten?” Dana repeated, her voice teasing. “Oh, Mom. How old is Heath again? Thirty?”

Julie rolled her eyes. “Very funny. You know very well he’s in his forties.”

“You’re dating a younger man?” Gwen asked, sounding scandalized. “How much younger?”

“Mom, that’s not our business.”

“If he’s going to be living here, I would think it was.”

“It doesn’t matter.”

Her mother turned away. “Of course you’d take her side.”

“What does that even mean?”

“He’s forty-two,” Julie said. “So yes, twelve years younger. Now, if we’ve talked about this enough, can we please let it go?”

Nick put his arm around his mother. “I’m with Paul. Kids make Christmas better. I’m glad he’s bringing them. And Rufus will be fun. It’ll be like when we were their age.”

“That would be good.” Julie briefly leaned into him. “All right, everyone. Rooms.”

“I know the way to mine.”

Paul collected his luggage and headed downstairs. Everyone else trooped upstairs. Blair noticed that, once again, they all carried bags except her mother. Blair didn’t get it. So far her mother seemed to disapprove of everything—Julie most of all. So why had she insisted on joining them for the holiday? Why hadn’t she flown back to Boise to be with her friends in familiar territory?

There weren’t any answers, nor were there likely to be, she thought grimly. There was just her mother and the long ten days between now and when they could drop her off at her condo.

When they reached the top of the stairs, Julie started pointing. “Dana, I put you in the end bedroom.” Her tone was faintly apologetic.

Blair understood. The room was small and tucked under the eaves, so it had a sloping ceiling. Dana smiled.

“Don’t worry about it, Mom. I’m happy to be here. I don’t mind where I sleep.” She carried her luggage into her room. Seconds later, her bag thumped to the floor, and Dana burst into tears. “I can’t believe what you did.”

Blair looked at Nick, who shrugged. Together they walked into the bedroom, and she immediately saw what had caused Dana’s emotional reaction.

The long dresser was covered with a Whoville village, based on the Dr. Seuss book How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Grinch was in his sleigh, with Max beside him. The Whos formed a circle around a Christmas tree. Little houses glinted with light from the flameless candles. On the usually bare walls were poster-size blowups of photographs of Dana with her father, first when she was a baby and one when she was eight or nine and a third at her college graduation.

Dana threw herself at her mom and hung on tight. “You did all this for me !”

“You and your dad love that silly Grinch. I thought, given why you wanted to come, you’d like the memories.” Julie drew back and cupped her face. “Too much?”

“It’s perfect. Thank you.”

Blair glanced at Nick. “I can’t wait to see what surprise she has for you.”

Nick swallowed hard. “Whatever it is, I’m not gonna cry.”

She squeezed his hand, knowing he might tear up a little later, when it was just them. Getting through his first Christmas without his father was going to be tough.

“Gwen next,” Julie said. “You’re in here. The bathroom’s nice and close.”

Gwen blinked. “The bathroom isn’t in the bedroom?”

“No, it’s not an en suite,” Julie said brightly. “And you’ll be sharing with Dana.”

“What?” Gwen pressed her thin lips together. “Perhaps I’d be better off at a hotel.”

Blair gave in to the anger bubbling up inside of her. “Maybe you would, Mom. Should I start looking online to see if there are any rooms available?”

Her mother’s expression shuttered, but not before Blair saw a flash of hurt. She immediately felt small and awful, which didn’t make sense. Her mom was the bitch here, not her.

“I’m a good bathroom roommate,” Dana said quickly. “In and out in a flash. Actually, I can use the three-quarter bath on the main floor.”

Gwen turned away. “Don’t be silly. Of course we can share.”

Julie carried Gwen’s bag into her room. Blair went with them, prepared to come between her mother-in-law and any snippy comments Gwen might want to make.

The bedroom was a good size, with a big window and a view of the mountains. There was an electric faux fireplace in the corner. A small Christmas tree sat on a small table, and there was a wreath on the opposite wall, along with several flameless candles.

Julie put the suitcase on the bed, then picked up a remote. “This works the fireplace. It’s not just decorative—it puts out a lot of heat. Just in case you get cold.”

Gwen drew in a breath. “I’m sure I’ll be very comfortable. Thank you. Now, if you’ll excuse me.”

Julie offered a tight smile and backed out of the room. “Of course. You need to get settled.”

She led the way to Nick and Blair’s room. It was a second, smaller master, with an attached three-quarter bath. Blair appreciated the close proximity to a bathroom, just in case she had a bad night. But what she was most interested in seeing was how Julie had decorated it for the holiday.

“Oh, Mom.”

She followed Nick into the room and immediately smiled.

Julie had gone with a Toy Story theme, but all the toys had been decorated for the holiday. Woody’s vest was a red-and-green plaid, and his cowboy hat had been replaced with a Santa one. Buzz sported a cape of garland. In fact, all the toys from the movie had been Christmas-ified.

The pictures on the wall were just as special as Dana’s had been. There was a four-or five-year-old Nick walking with his dad on the beach at sunset. Another one with Nick’s dad handing him the keys to his first car. The last picture showed Eldon standing between Blair and Nick at their engagement party.

Nick set down his suitcase and crossed to Julie, then pulled her close in a silent hug. They hung on to each other for a long time. When he stepped back he said, “You’re the best, Mom. Thank you.”

“Merry Christmas, firstborn.”

He gave a strangled laugh. “Merry Christmas, Mom.”