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Daphne, Emily and Gavin
Author: Ellis
Date: 12-18-18 17:16
Daphne and Emily stomped into the mud room, tracking in snow and little bits of hay from the barn where they had gone exploring. This time last year they'd found five kittens in that barn. This year they were not so lucky. Daphne had managed to scrape her hand on the rough edge of the loft ladder, while Emily had slipped on a patch of ice and bruised her bottom.
The twins kicked off their wellies, removed scarves, hats, and mittens, and lastly their coats, before entering into the main part of the house, which was amazingly empty save for Gavin. Their eleven year old little brother was kneeling next to the packages around the Christmas tree, feeling some and shaking others.
"Gavin!" Daphne exclaimed. "Leave those be."
Gavin looked over his shoulder her and said, "I'm not doing it to mine, so what does it matter?"
"Some might be fragile and your shaking them could cause damage," Emily said.
Gavin rolled his eyes and got up to move to the kitchen, which smelled of freshly baked sweets. Daphne and Emily followed him.
"Where did everybody go?" Daphne asked.
Gavin inspected a tray of fudge cooling on the stove top and said, "They went out to take some group photos, since the snow is so nice. I didn't want to go and they didn't make me, and Blakeney rightly pointed out that you two would be covered in muck and not worthy of being photographed, so nobody bothered looking for you."
"Oh, that's nice," Emily murmured. "Stop that!" she added, when Gavin took a fudge square and popped it into his mouth. "Those are supposed to be for tonight."
Gavin said matter-of-factly, "I'm the fudge inspector. I'm allowed to taste before anyone else." He took another to prove a point and then wandered off.
This time the girls didn't follow him. They sat down on barstools at the kitchen island, Emily gingerly since her tailbone was still throbbing, and wondered about the presents they might get tomorrow morning.
Both girls had participated in Secret Santa this year. They had gotten nice gifts themselves. Daphne liked her booties and ballet flats, and Emily liked her hair accessories.
Daphne's recipient was Joe Brecknock, a first year boy. As Daphne was a bit adventurous herself, she thought Joe might appreciate something outdoorsy, like a fishing pole and accessories. Perhaps he could use them at the Black Lake.
Emily drew Bertie Nutcombe's name. Like Joe, he was in Hufflepuff, but he was an older boy. He was also the team's Quidditch seeker. Emily got him a classy, Hufflepuff-themed wristwatch.
"Do you think we should go join the others for the photos?" Daphne asked.
"Do you think anyone would notice if three of us are missing?" Emily asked. "There's already like 20 people in the photographs."
"True." Daphne's eyes traveled to the fudge.
"Don't even think about it," Emily said. "You know we'll get in trouble for it."
"Then let's remove ourselves from temptation," Daphne said with a smile.
The girls went to their room to play with their cats. It wasn't long before the house grew noisy again, with the rest of the family having come inside from the cold.
Rogue
Author: Declan
Date: 12-19-18 17:54
Holding the door of MacFusty's for Declan, Rand asks, "We're really moving here?"
"Really. Why? Do you not want to live next door to AJ and Mariposa? Down the street from Grace?"
"Oh, no, I don't mean that. It's that neither of you said anything until today."
"We didn't know until today that our bid on the house was accepted. If we rush things we might be able to get all the parchmentwork done for closing before some offices close for Christmas and New Year's. That means we could start moving in before our break is over. Whether things move that quickly or not be thinking of how you want your room decorated."
Rand grins cheekily. "You mean it's not going to stay the pale yellow and bright pink it is?"
Declan returns the grin. "Only if you want it that way. Nothing wrong if you do though personally I'd change the pink to peach."
They are now standing in front of a cat tree on display. "What do you think for Raven and Claw?"
"They'll love it. Oh, Zabrynna said to be sure to get them those salmon treats they like."
"Why don't you go do that and get the cat food as well while I talk to someone about getting one of these trees."
MacFusty's is so busy that one of the aisles Rand goes down is difficult to maneuver. He ends up going back the other way, going down a less crowded aisle, then coming back to the first one from the other direction. After grabbing a couple of the fish shaped boxes of salmon treats, he leaves the aisle the same way he came to go in search of the cat food Claw and Raven prefers, bumping into Hydrangea Marchbanks in the process. She might be years older than he is but because of Zabrynna's connection to Mariposa Hodfuffer, Rand has gotten to know her nieces and nephews by marriage, though some better than others.
"Sorry, Rand! Was so busy trying to avoid knocking into someone else that I nearly bowled you over."
He shakes his head. "It's fine. The place is busy today."
"You'd think it's Christmas Eve or something," she jokes about what seem to be a lot of last minute shoppers. "Are you coming to the Crown & Cauldron later?"
"Yeah, have hardly eaten today so I can stuff myself at the party."
Hydrangea laughs. "Me too! Say, what's that poking out of your pack?"
Rand sets down what he's holding so he can sling his pack around and pull out the item Hydrangea asked about. "A magical skateboard. It's what my Hogwarts Secret Santa gave me this year."
Rand had gotten the name of Blakeney Ellis, sister of friend and classmate Conrad Ellis. From Conrad he knows Blakeney is more of the girly girl sort so Rand's Secret Santa gift to her was both pretty, or so he thinks and Grace agreed, and practical. The gift he placed under the tree in the Common Commons for her was a brooch that has a working watch face on one side and the other side looks like a pansy.
Declan's Secret Santa went to first year Alex Lancaster. As a sort of tongue and cheek nod to Alex's connection to the band Dynamic Duo, Declan got him an It's OK, I'm With The Band shirt. He'd also gotten Alex a festive tin filled with a Christmas popcorn and candy mix.
He comes up as Hydrangea is oohing over the skateboard and Rand telling her, "You can try it later at the party."
"Hello, Hydrangea. Christmas shopping?"
"A little but mostly just window shopping until time to go to the restaurant to help with anything last minute that needs doing. What about you two?"
"A little but mostly getting some things for the cats."
"I've got the salmon treats but haven't made it to the cat food yet. Did you get the cat tree?"
Declan nods at Rand. "One's already been sent through the Floo and is set up. I see some of the cat food on that end display there."
Hydrangea says, "I'm off to look at any kittens or puppies they have today. See you at the Crown & Cauldron."
As she pivots away, maneuvering around a couple debating the pros and cons of one dog toy over another. Declan walks the same direction as Hydrangea, picks up one of the bags of cat food, then continues after her saying over his shoulder, "Let's look at the kittens and puppies, Rand."
All but one of the few kittens and puppies MacFusty's currently has are being cuddled or played with by others in the shoppe. The one kitten in the pen is so fluffy its fur makes it look bigger than it is, which isn't very. With so many people interested in giving the furry babies attention, some even with thoughts of taking home a new family member, there is a MacFusty's employee hovering around the pens set-up for the kittens and puppies to run around in, or sleep, when not getting more up close and personal attention.
When Rand bends to pet the sole kitten the employee asks, "Would you like to hold him? He's a Siberian."
At Declan's nod Rand replies, "Yes, please."
The kitten immediately begins purring and kneading Rand's chest. Hydrangea, who'd been petting one of the puppies someone she knows is thinking of taking home, comes over then. "So soft," she says, stroking the thick fur.
The clerk says, "He seems to like you a lot. The last person who tried holding him got hissed at."
"Does he have a name?" Rand asks.
"I started calling him Sib when he arrived yesterday and the others have started calling him that as well but it's not official yet."
"Seems more of a Rogue to me," Rand says.
"Why do you say that?" Declan asks.
Rand shrugs. "Don't know. The name just came to me all of a sudden."
Declan smiles. "Seems to be he's quite at home with you and you have his name."
"Are you saying ?"
"Yes, so as long as we're here we should get another cat bed and another food dish."
Rand buries his face in Rogue's plush fur, his voice now muffled. "Thank you. Zabrynna won't mind?"
Declan doesn't tell Rand that Zabrynna and he had talked of letting Rand get his own cat or dog, or bird or fish or whatever pet he might choose for his own, as a way to help him continue healing over the loss of his mother. For now, all he says is, "She won't mind a bit."
Hydrangea offers congratulations then moves on to let them do what they need to take Rogue home, bidding them goodbye until later today. Rather than do more shopping after getting the adoption parchment taken care of, Declan, Rand, and Rogue Floo home to get the kitten settled and start the slow introduction to Raven and Claw before they need to return to Hogsmeade and the party at the Crown & Cauldron.
Crazy
Author: Rowan Westwick
Date: 12-19-18 18:52
"This is crazy."
The small cottage Ash had called home since defecting from his undercover work with the Death Eaters was filled with more people than had ever been there during his stay. In fact, the majority had not even known he was alive until earlier in the day.
After coordinating with Connor and other members of law enforcement, Ash arranged for his sisters and father and for Beatrix's immediate family to come to the safe house, where several things happened.
First, the Vanderbilts had to overcome their shock at seeing a dead man very much alive. Second, they learned in quick succession that Ash and Beatrix wanted a future together and were planning on getting married that very day. Needless to say, Beatrix's parents were not only stunned but also not entirely onboard with the idea, given the circumstances, but Beatrix was smart and managed to convince them that marrying Ash and going off the grid wouldn't be mistakes.
Prior to the marriage ceremony, a ritual of a different sort took place. Spellwork was cast to keep the fact that Ash was alive a secret and to make it impossible for anyone to reveal the new identities and location of the happy couple to anyone who didn't already know. All involved would know where Ash and Beatrix lived and would be able to visit, but no one else would ever know unless added to the secrecy spell.
The wedding ceremony had been a quick and simple affair, with one of the law enforcement officers serving as officiant. Ash and Beatrix signed their names on the marriage license as Shaw Wickets and Bindi Wickets (née Traver Talbex).
"This is crazy," Rowan repeated to Willow.
"I know. I didn't think Ash had any feelings for Beatrix beyond tolerance," she replied. "How did we miss the signs?"
"I don't think there were any," Rowan said. "On Ash's end, I mean. He's good at shielding what he thinks."
"That's why he was the right wizard to go undercover with the Death Eaters," interjected Connor, who was holding a champagne glass. "I told him he could still work for us, always in disguise of course, but this––" He waved his glass at Ash and Beatrix, who were in each others arms. "––was more important to him, and I can't say I blame him. It's nice having someone."
Rowan nodded and realized that Willow had slinked off to talk to one of the Vanderbilt siblings.
"Do you… have someone?" she asked, after a brief hesitation.
Connor shook his head and smiled at her. "No. Do you?"
"No," Rowan replied. She wished she had a drink in her hand at that moment. The alcohol could explain why she looked flushed, rather than the real reason. "Would you…? Do you…?" She couldn't quite get out the words.
Connor had a faint smile on his face. "I'm old."
"You're not, and had I not gotten cursed, then age wouldn't be an issue. I'm a nearly 46 year old witch in a twenty year old's body. Either way, I'm an adult."
"I can't argue with that," Connor said. He gave Rowan a side-long glance and suggested, "Dinner, then? Day after Boxing Day all right?"
"Yes," Rowan replied, trying to suppress her grin. "It's a date."
This is crazy! she thought to herself.
Just One More Game (Louis)
Author: Furnella Hodfuffer
Date: 12-20-18 06:42
Louis tells Margaret, "One more game."
"We're late as it is."
"It's a come and go party. Who's going to notice?"
"Mum. Dad maybe."
"You just want to see if Cornington's there yet."
"I just want to not get chewed out by our mother."
"You go on then. I'm going to play one more game."
Margaret huffs, "Fine. I'm going. Don't blame me when you end up sitting in a corner for punishment."
Louis laughs. "Like Mum would put me in a corner at a party and at my age."
"I wasn't being literal."
"Huh?"
"Nothing. See you."
Margaret flounces out of the gaming centre leaving Louis to decide what game he'll play. He decides on one that's based on the Muggle game of basketball. Put a ball through a hoop from behind a certain line. The hoop and ball remind him of the Secret Santa gift he gave Adiran Balfour.
Adiran's gift, which Louis had left under the Commons tree before term ended, looks like an ordinary backpack when all closed up but open one compartment and there is a small hoop with ball to play a sort of desktop version of basketball.
When Louis has used up all the allotted balls for the round, he considers playing just one more. The first couple of balls he hadn't done so well but steadily improved. He stands there a full minutes, moving only when someone else wants to play the same game. He decides he really should get to the party. Besides, he is starting to feel a little peckish and there will be loads of food at the party.
Sighing, Louis leaves the gaming centre. He'll go eat and make the rounds of people, let Mum and Dad see that he's there, and then maybe, just maybe he'll be able to sneak out and come back to the gaming centre, which is keeping regular hours even with it being Christmas Eve, getting in a few more games before the place closes.
Women In The Kitchen
Author: Kissy Isuki
Date: 12-20-18 19:00
"Clearly not this year but next year or soon after we need to make the men take a turn in the kitchen."
Nyoko laughs at her daughter-in-law's suggestion. "Have you eaten anything Adamu made other than something off the grill?"
Akina thinks about this before shaking her head. "Can't think of a single time, not even a sandwich."
Kissy looks up from stirring both the miso soup and leek and potato soup. "Dad made sandwiches for Zen and me a few times when we were children. Somehow he'd make them almost inedible. So much of whatever condiment went on the sandwich that the bread would be falling apart soggy. Or he'd make a ham and cheese sandwich but manage to forget the meat. Toasted sandwiches wouldn't just be burned but charred. I think my favorite was the sandwich with pickles where he didn't slice the pickles. Big fat dills on sub rolls."
Akina snickers. "How has Zen never mentioned this?"
"I am certain the man always does these things on purpose so he's less likely to be asked again," Nyoko says of her spouse. "The only reason he'll grill is because he has some notion that grilling is a man's duty."
"I'm lucky that Cam not only cooks but he enjoys it. We're also lucky to be able to eat in the Great Hall on a regular basis. The house elves do an excellent job."
"Zen cooks some meals, I do some, and then we do some together. It's nice. Recently, the kids have shown an interest."
"Everett and Callista both like to help make biscuits and since summer if we make fairy cakes he wants to be right there stirring the batter and having me hand him the ingredients to put in."
As if hearing his name Everett bursts into the kitchen. "Mummy, there's a present with my name on it but not who it's from. Is it my secret Santa?"
"Don't know. Could be."
"I can open it?"
"Not until after supper."
"When is that?"
"Soon."
"Is soon five minutes?"
"A little longer but shouldn't be by much."
Everett wants to beg to open the gift, all his gifts here at Gran's and Gampy's but if he does that Mummy might tell him no presents at all tonight. He frowns deeply but mumbles, "Okay," and hurries back to see what else is under the tree he'd not noticed before.
Akina looks to Kissy. "He has a secret Santa?"
"Callista and he know I was doing something at Hogwarts called Secret Santa and would ask if they had a secret Santa too. I spoke with my colleagues with children and Cam spoke to his with children and some of them agreed to do a Secret Santa draw with the children's names." She smiles at Akina. "Even though actually from Cam and me, knowing they might ask about the secret Santa we brought secrets for your kids too." There are similar gifts for the nieces and nephews on Cam's side to take tomorrow.
"Excellent! Next year I'm going to do what you've done and get a circle of friends and coworkers with children to do a secret exchange."
Kissy knows her Secret Santa this year is Sophia Statford but chose to open the gift tonight when her children open theirs. This time around Kissy is Secret Santa, or is that was by now, to Asher Kent. After struggling to find a good, if not great, gift for the seventh year, she ended up going the practical route. That means Asher may not think it's a very good gift even if Kissy does.
Whether Asher goes to university or straight into the work force or take a gap year, Kissy thought he might find a bedding set useful. She got him a nice bedding set of sheets and comforter in a plaid design of colors a young man his age might like.
Within a few minutes Kissy steps out of the kitchen carrying a tureen of the miso soup with another of the leek and potato soup floating along beside her. "Soup's on," she announces as a call to bring everyone to the table, the children putting aside playing without argument knowing that the sooner they eat, the sooner they get to open gifts.
Family Holiday
Author: Jolyon
Date: 12-21-18 16:26
The Kents were on holiday in Snowdonia, Wales and were staying in a two-bedroom cabin with a stunning view of the Rhinog mountain range. The cabin had two bedrooms, one bathroom, an open living room/kitchen area, and a patio with a table, chairs, and BBQ pit. Jolyon and Merrie and the younger twins were occupying the room with the double bed, while Asher and Arielle shared the other room.
After arriving the day before yesterday and getting settled, the family of six had gone hiking. Jolyon had carried Barrett in a backpack carrier, while Asher had carried his baby sister Berenice. As usual, Asher hadn't wanted to spend any more time with his dad than he had to, but he always softened around the babies, who had turned one on the twelfth of December.
In the evening, the Kents hauled a Christmas tree they selected and cut down themselves to the cabin and decorated it after breakfast the next morning. Then, they explored other areas of the national forest before grilling sausages for Christmas Eve dinner.
Now, after a hearty breakfast, they sat around in the Christmas tree in their pajamas and opened up presents. As in previous years, Jolyon had submitted his name for Secret Santa. He had brought the snacks Bertie Nutcombe had given him with him to the cabin. Unsurprisingly, a lot of it had already been eaten.
The name Jolyon had drawn this year was Schuyler Weasley. Schuyler was not one of his students, but he belonged to a well-known family and was Jolyon's colleague Majandra Weasley's nephew. He learned from Maj that Schuyler had gotten a new kitten at the start of the school year. For Schuyler (and Rye), Jolyon selected a cat tree with a scratching post, dangling ball toy, and nestling basket.
Jolyon looked around the living room of the cabin and saw four happy faces and one glum one, and it didn't belong to Asher for a change.
He got down off the sofa to sit on the floor next to his eldest daughter. "What's the matter, Arielle?" He had noticed that she had been somewhat quiet since the start of their vacation, but she hadn't seemed too upset for him to overly worry. Since he knew she wouldn't be the type to be unhappy about an unwanted Christmas gift, he wondered what was on her mind.
Arielle had wanted to break things off with Malden prior to leaving Hogwarts, but she hadn't. She was upset about her failed relationship but also in a panic because she didn't know how or when to break the bad news.
She hadn't even seen Malden all break, though she knew her brother had met up him before their trip and had heard that there were plans to get together before New Year's as well.
She turned to her father and offered him a weak smile. "It's nothing."
Jolyon wasn't buying it, but he wasn't going to force her to talk… yet. "Are you sure? You know you can talk to me about anything."
Arielle nodded. "I know, and thanks."
When she didn't say anything else, he put his arm around her shoulders and gave her arm a squeeze. She reciprocated his affection by leaning into him. Together, they watched Barrett and Berenice find more joy in the boxes and shredded wrapping paper than their actual Christmas gifts.
(Cecily) Christmas Treat
Author: Sophie McCourt
Date: 12-22-18 12:38
"Do you like it? It's lovely isn't it? And I also got one that says Gryffindor Quidditch Team Beater, in my house's colors!"
Cecily had sneaked into the stables, where the thestrals were resting. She was wearing one of her Secret Santa's gifts, a T-shirt with a thestral on it. She had removed her coat because the stables were warmed by a spell.
"I think you would love Hogwarts," she told the creatures. She picked up a brush and started to brush one of them, gently. "The grounds are very big, and I heard there are little carriages pulled by thestrals, that carry the students to the castle. I haven't seen them yet because I went by boat…" she explained them.
She had missed being with the thestrals. Like Wren had promised Hogwarts had thestrals as well and Cecily liked to visit them. Hagrid seemed to appreciate her visits too. But they weren't her thestrals. Cecily had knew these creatures all her life, and they recognized her voice and touch. She was still trying to bound with the Hogwarts ones. She kept brushing each thestral and presented them all with treats. After all it was Christmas and they deserved to have good moment as well. She continued to speak to them.
"My Secret Santa was a boy named Louis Kegg. I had no idea who he was, but Miranda, a friend of mine, helped me, and we figured out he was a third year Hufflepuff. Initially I had no clue what to give him, but I've heard he likes games. So, I asked Wren and he bought Louis a dart game. It comes in a box, so he can take it anywhere and it will easily fix on every wall with a simple spell. Parsifal had seen it and he wanted one for himself, but Mom was afraid he might get hurt. I hope Louis will be happy with his gift."
"I'm sure he will," Wren said, entering the stables. "What are you doing here?"
"Giving them a Christmas treat," she explained.
"Let me help you then, so we can go back home. Your sudden disappearance frightened us. You shouldn't leave the house without a warning."
"I'm sorry," Cecily said.
The McCallisters lived in the Pole property in a small house. It wasn't a long distance from their house to the stables. However, Cecily's parents and Wren didn't like her to make that path on her own, especially when it was snowing, or in the evening. They finished taking care of the thestrals and then they went home. It was snowing so Wren used his wand to illuminate the path. Their previous footprints were long gone.
From a distance, it was possible to see the light coming from the Pole manor. Cecily wondered how the Poles spent Christmas there. She never entered the house itself in her entire life and she often wondered how it looked like inside. But she wasn't curious enough to go on her own. She was sure she would get into trouble if she was caught.
Athens
Author: Carys
Date: 12-22-18 13:11
The day after Tristan returned home from Hogwarts, the Hanham-Price family traveled to Athens, where they would stay until the day after Christmas. They had toured much of the city, including ancient sites like the Acropolis and various museums, and they had also spent time at the beach on the Saronic Gulf. The family was both sorry to have to leave and eager to return home.
Carys picked up scraps of wrapping paper from the floor of their bed & breakfast. Christmas presents had been opened to great fanfare earlier in the day. Tristan especially liked his gifts and was busy entertaining himself with them at the moment, while Meg was fighting naptime in Griff's arms. Her eyes struggled to stay open, but she didn't want to submit to sleep.
With her family occupied in various ways, Carys thought that now was the perfect time to get things packed for their departure tomorrow, though she still planned on going on a last excursion or two before the day ended. With it being Christmas Day, a lot of establishments were closed, but there was still plenty to see and do. At the very least, they could all walk through the old streets and enjoy the scenery.
"How is it that your struggling not to sleep is making me sleepy?" Griff remarked to his fussy daughter. Meg was fidgeting in his arms and despite all her efforts, gradually losing the battle to stay awake.
Carys smiled as she looked at them and then moved around Tristan to collect more trash, ruffling his hair as she passed him. He wriggled out from beneath her fingers so as not to lose concentration on whatever he was playing with at the moment.
One of the things the family had done while on holiday was make a quick visit to the wizarding prison Le Trou. Although Carys corresponded with her father regularly, she had not been to visit him since before Meg's birth. He'd seen photographs of his granddaughter but had never met her in person until their visit a few days ago. Although brief, it had been a good visit.
"Mum, I'm hungry," Tristan said, while keeping his gaze focused on what he was doing.
"Already? We ate a late breakfast, and it was huge."
"I know, but it's lunchtime, isn't it?"
"Let's wait a bit longer," Carys suggested. "We can eat after Dad and Meg wake up from their naps."
"That could be hours," Tristan said, "and that's only if Greg ever does fall asleep."
Carys shook her head. "Let's see how we feel in an hour, okay?"
Tristan frowned. "But I'm starving to death."
"Yes, poor you," Carys remarked, feigning sympathy. "You can have a small snack if you don't think you can last an hour, but when I say small, I mean small. I don't want you to spoil your appetite for lunch when we do have it."
"Fine. I'll have an orange."
Carys looked shocked. "Who are you and what have you done to my child?" she asked.
Tristan rolled his eyes. He liked the oranges they had gotten at the market because they were blood oranges. It was a wicked name for a fruit, though they tasted like regular oranges and weren't dripping blood or anything. He was totally going to tell Tyler otherwise, though.
Christmas At Munch Manor
Author: Travis
Date: 12-23-18 18:37
Finola hands Travis the ribbon she's been playing with half the day. "For me? Thank you."
Her niece grins then goes to inspect a box that had held a gift for Benedict. Sitting down beside Travis Lisi says, "I have no idea what her thing for empty boxes is. It's like she's part cat."
"She's so cute."
"She is, isn't she? There are days I can't believe I made this interesting little creature. Solomon and I made. We can't wait to see how Logan's personality evolves."
"I'm the same way about Benedict."
"You know, I've been half expecting you to announce you've changed his name to Zephyr."
Travis laughs. "And I was half expecting you to announce Logan's name as Zephyr."
"Or Calyx," they say together, laughing more.
Morticia pauses on her way to the bar to refill her wine. "What are you two chortling over?"
Travis shakes her head. "Nothing really. Just the silliness our children."
"They get it from their mothers," Morticia states very matter-of-factly, continuing on to get more wine.
Laughing more, Lisi and Travis exchange glances. Once Morticia has made the return trip past them they sober somewhat, both thinking of how many silly moments they lost together growing up because of Lisi's inability to be around people for long periods.
Another thought also has Travis turning slightly more serious. "Mum hasn't said a word to me in months about who Benedict's father is. Hasn't pushed me to visit Ogden. Hasn't mentioned a supposedly eligible man she's dying for me to meet. Do you think she's ill?"
"She's also not been after me to start planning having a third child. I don't think she's got a new hobby."
Indigo sits down beside Lisi. "All her attention is on me. Over the last two weeks alone she's introduced me to five women, each of whom she swears could be my soulmate and give me lots of children."
"Awwwww," the sisters say with empathy. Morticia's always been after Indigo to make a good match but with Travis being the oldest she has often been the focus of their mother's attention.
Indigo grins from one to the other. "Don't pretend to be sad for me. You're both glad she's leaving you alone for now."
Lisi and Travel, who truly are sad for him, laugh nonetheless because he it is true they're happy not to be the center of Morticia's attention. Their laughter increases when Indi admits, "I'm almost afraid to tell her who my date is for New Year's. Mum would have a dossier on her within hours."
Reaching for the spiced cider she's drinking Travis holds it up to clink with her sibling's drinks. "Merry Christmas the Morticia Munch way."