Page 23 of Yes to The Holidays
“I travel a lot for work and happen to be in town for a couple of weeks.”
All the women gave me a nod with tight-lipped grins. Even they knew it was sad.
“Well, we’re happy to have you for dinner, Odin. Much nicer–”
Mom was cut off by a thud under the table. She scowled at Dad, and he shook his head.
My aunt chimed in to get the chat back on track. “Sweetie, you know my friend is an agent. Get her info before you leave. She’ll find you something nice and get the best deal.”
The conversation switched to my cousins, so I sighed, thankful for the little amount of questioning.
Everyone threw their disposable plates away after they ate, and pies were cut and plated by me and one of my cousins. She was a year older than me but with two kids and a great husband. My aunt had coffee ready, and Odin helped pour it into mugs as everyone grabbed one and a piece of pie.
He glanced around with a furrow to his brow, so I asked, “Everything alright?”
“Yeah, just wondering if there’s cocoa for the kids.”
My cousin shrugged, tucking her short honey-blonde hair behind her ear. “I think she has some; let me check.”
“Oh, that is if it’s okay with you. I should have asked first,” he said.
I leaned on the counter, gazing up at him.
“What?” he asked with a dimple-filled grin.
I shook my head.Cocoa for the kids.“That’s just thoughtful.”
“It's a tradition for our family, so I just started thinking about it. Adults have coffee, they have cocoa.”
My cousin found some, so she warmed the milk but let Odin call the kids to the kitchen since it was his idea. We found marshmallows, and the kids plunked them on top as they thanked Odin for the treat.
I ate a few bites of pie and drank half the coffee, and I was done. “I can’t have one more bite or I’ll bust.” I checked my phone for the time. “Wow, we’ve been here all day.”
Odin shrugged as he finished off my pie. “Really? Didn’t seem long. But it’s your family, so you let me know how much longer you want to stay.”
My cousin was still in the kitchen, but I didn’t care. “Oh yeah. What if your family was here?”
He shrugged. “I don’t know. We’ve had holidays on the weekends for years because my sister-in-law’s family lives near them. Mom and Dad usually do something the weekend before or after for us. Either way, we all get to see our family. Except this year, but that’s because we couldn’t plan. The baby is due any day.”
My cousin leaned on the counter, sipping her coffee. “Oh, who’s having a baby?”
“My brother and his wife. Their second. She’s due this week. Nobody wanted her to stress about cooking or cleaning, even just having to show up anywhere. So, we decided we can all meet up for Christmas and by then we’ll have a new baby to play with.”
“That is so sweet. Do you have kids?” she asked.
“Not yet.” He glanced at me, not moving his eyes as he sipped his coffee.
What the hell is wrong with me?It’s not even been a full week, and I was daydreaming about how cute our babies would be.
“I’m beat. And traffic is going to be hell in the city. You about ready?” I asked.
He put his mug down and grabbed our coats from the rack by the back door. He helped with mine, then put his on, and I led him to the living room where nearly everyone was still enjoying their coffee and pie.
“Hey, y’all. We’re headed out.”
Mom and Dad stood, but I walked to my aunt and uncle to hug them and thank them for their hospitality. Odin was right behind me, shaking my uncle’s hand and hugging my aunt.
Mom and Dad walked us to the porch, my sister following.
