No one spoke for a moment, and then Elise's arrival broke the tension.
“Happy Christmas,” Fern declared as she stood, holding her hands out for her sister. As she got closer, her face twisted before she ran her fingers along her sister’s jaw. “What the hell happened? I can see you’ve tried to hide it.”
Elise shook her head. “I tripped last night in the dark. Honestly, since Ari, I’m so clumsy. They don’t tell you that’s one of the side effects of having children.”
Fern frowned, but her sister smiled one of those Stepford wife smiles that they seemed to teach around here. “I’m fine,” she mouthed before turning to her daughter. “Look at you. What did Santa bring you?”
“Something ridiculous she doesn’t need,” James hissed. “I mean, what does it even do? What will she learn by rocking backward and forward like an imbecile?”
Fern spun around to face him. “She’ll learn how to have fun. You know, that thing kids are meant to have. What is wrong with you?”
James’ face hardened as he stepped toward her, and I watched her newly restored confidence vanish as she cowered like a mouse in front of a hungry snake. Flicking my eyes to Elise so she would make sure Ari didn’t slip from her unicorn seat, I stood, pulling Fern into my side, offering a united front, even though I wasn’t sure what I was protecting her from. James tutted, storming from the room, shouting about the lack of coffee.
Elise, Fern, and I sat with Ari, opening more presents that Fern had brought in her case. Ari was so excited by the end ofit that she sat surrounded by her haul, unsure what to play with first.
“Thanks Ferny. And I’m sorry it’s taken so long for you to meet her in person. James’ job is a lot. It’s hard for us to have spare time.”
“You live forty minutes from where I work. I would come to you. It’s never too much effort."
“James is particular. He likes Ari in a routine. He doesn’t like me having people in the house if he’s not there. He—”
“Sounds like a controlling dick,” I interrupted.
“His work is important to him. He can’t have things or people distracting him.”
“And how does that work with a baby in the house?” Fern asked, reaching for her sister’s hand, but she didn’t reply. After a minute, Fern lifted the final gift she’d brought. “Here, I got you this.” She handed Elise a small, wrapped box.
She opened it slowly, peeking inside. The smile that spread across her face looked like the first real one I’d seen from her. Pulling out a colorful bracelet, she held it up to take a better look. “Did you make this?”
“I did. Just like when we were kids. You have everything, so I figured I’d make you something to remind you of me.”
“Put it on me.”
Fern tied the friendship bracelet on her sister’s wrist.
“I love it. Thank you. I used to love it when you made me these when we were kids.”
“I know.”
“I’m sorry. We didn’t get you anything. Dad and James convinced me we were too old to exchange gifts and Christmas was for kids.”
“Hey, we’re still someone’s kids. No matter how old we get. I hope you teach Ari that.”
Elise nodded. “I promise I will.” She reached down and picked up her squealing daughter. “Did you get a unicorn from Santa? How lucky are you?”
Just then, the ridiculous meal bell rang out, and we all made our way to breakfast.
Fern
“Can you call for the nanny and remove the baby, so we can eat?” James barked as he shook out a napkin and placed it in his lap.
“Why can’t she eat with us?” Charlie asked.
“Because babies are noisy and messy and not meant to be seated at the table,” he replied without a pause.
“It’s Christmas. I’m sure no one minds,” he argued.
“Well, I do. It’s not the way we do things around here. I’m not sure what you’re used to doing with your father, but we like things to be a certain way.”