* * *
Everyone enjoyedthe breakfast Patrick prepared. He hadn’t. Everyone was happy and laughing. Even River. Except Patrick knew her well enough to know her teasing and smiles were covering up her unease. The unease that Patrick had caused.
Patrick decided that today was a day for family. He would talk to River after Gran and Bébhinn left. Two days. Two days, and maybe he could figure out a way to have peace between them again. He needed River. He just didn’t want to need her so much.
They all sat in the big living room around the giant Christmas tree. Mimosas and laughter. Bran sat behind Raven. His hands cupped their son. They whispered and kissed. Pat wanted that. But... but surely it couldn’t last. He hoped for Bran’s sake that it was forever. It just seemed impossible.
He would rather have River as a friend forever than a lover for a moment.
Bébhinn and Rowan were passing out Grandma gifts. They’d drawn names before leaving Ireland to see who they were buying gifts for except the grandmas. They got gifts from everyone and gave everyone gifts.
Patrick glanced at River, excited about what they’d done for the matriarchs of their families. She smiled back, but her eyes clouded almost immediately before she looked away. Damn it. Patrick squeezed his eyes shut tight for a moment. He didn’t want River upset with him. He never wanted to disappoint her, and yet, it’s all he’d done lately.
Hugh announced, “Mom and Bébhinn, you only have one gift each this year. We all went together.”
Patrick didn’t care what he got. Any present was just plain awesome. Both women smiled at each other and untied the red ribbons adorning each box. When they lifted the lids, there was a single letter inside explaining that they each owned an apartment in Dublin to use when they visited their family. Each woman had carte blanche in decorating and outfitting their apartments courtesy of Triskelion Territory Designs.
Of course, tears, hugs, and thank yous took thirty minutes. It was one of the best Christmases Patrick ever remembered having.
He wished River was sitting in front ofhim, like she was his and he was hers. Like Raven was with Bran.
* * *
It tookeverything River had in her not to ugly cry. She was so happy that her grandma was so happy. Both older women were in tears. Excited to be included in their children’s and grandchildren’s lives.
Nan knitted scarves for her granddaughters and Hugh and the boys. They were lovely, warm, and perfect. The boys each put theirs on and gave Nan big hugs. She and her sisters loved that. Matilda gave Raven a trunk of Bran’s baby toys and trinkets. Raven was still crying.
She gave River a delicate white gold necklace with a single sapphire soldered to the left of the chain over the heart. Her husband had given her the necklace for an anniversary. Because, she said, blue was River’s favorite color, she wanted her to have it. Matilda tried to act like it wasn’t a big deal that she was giving River something that her beloved husband had given his wife. Now River was the one tearing up. Matilda gifted Rowan an antique Native American woven wicker flower basket. Rowan... was dabbing her eyes.
’Tis the Season of Tears. What amazing and thoughtful grandmothers they had.
It was time for the younger people’s gift exchange. Thank God she got Bran, and despite the tension between Patrick and her, River was totally stoked about her gift for her brother-in-law.
Hugh handed Raven her gift first. As Raven peeled back the tissue, her face turned pink, then red, thenredder. What had Hugh gotten her to cause that reaction? It was in a hallmark Tiffany blue box. Hello... Tiffany.
Raven stuttered while Bran looked perplexed at her reaction. “Th... tha... thank you, Hugh. It’s all so beautiful.”
“Well, sis, share with the class already. What is it?” River asked.
Rowan moved over and looked in the box, squealed, clapped her hand over her mouth, and resumed her seat.
What in the hell was in that box? She looked at Patrick, who shrugged, seeming as perplexed as she was. Nothing for it but to examine the gift herself. Raven was too busy folding the wrapping paper to fill her in. River hopped over in front of her sister and started tossing the tissue to the floor. It was a full Tiffany set of baby dinnerware, combs, frames, cups— all engraved with Baby O.
Oh. My. God. River had started the Baby O, short for Baby Orgasm/O’Faolain, during Raven’s first trimester. No wonder her sister’s face was beet red.
River looked at Hugh. “Well played, old man.” His expression of boredom never changed, but the asshole of assholes winked. Impressive. He knew what it meant then.
Raven got Hugh a soft, gray (ugly) graphic t-shirt with Best Gpa on the pocket. He shot a grin at Raven. Success.
Bran got River three cases of Jameson Black Barrel. “You rock, bro,” River crowed, holding her loot. Bran smirked and said, “I’m very aware.”
Finally, she got to give Bran his prezzie. River tossed him the gift, which he easily caught. He tore off the paper like a three-year-old, which River loved, and read the card inside. She’d gotten a session with one of their favorite potters in Dublin. Once Baby O was born, she would cast a mold of Bran’s open hand with his son’s hand in his palm. “I’ve seen some of her newborn work. It’s breathtaking, Bran. Seriously, I think she’ll create something you’ll treasure always.”
“River. Jesus. This is an incredibly thoughtful gift.” He got up and hugged her tight. “Seriously, Riv. Thanks.” Bran sat down by Raven again. He looked at her sister with so much love. Perfect.
“You’re welcome. Much love to you both,” River added. Raven was looking at River with love and joy. Her sisters’ happiness was everything.
Patrick gave Rowan an exclusive pass to tour the Glenmorangie distillery in Scotland and the Slane distillery in Ireland with her own personal tour guide and tastings included for as many people as she wanted to take with her.
