As she stepped onto the welcome mat outside her apartment, Red smiled at the beautifully ornate Christmas wreath hung on the door. She adored this time of year and never could resist going a little overboard. The place had been decked out since the day after Thanksgiving. In the front window stood the large Christmas tree that she, Gloria, Julio, and Benny had gone to pick out last weekend together. At the top was the hand-crafted porcelain angel that had once belonged to Gloria's grandmother. Mixed in between the red, gold, and silver balls were several ornaments that Red had collected and cherished over the years. The tree was a beautiful reflection of the blending of their two families. This was going to be their first Christmas together.
Carrying two large brown bags, from which delicious aromas were emitting, Red used her foot to bump on the door. A moment later she saw her step-son, Benny, peek his head out from behind the tree to peer out the window at her. She motioned to her heavily laden arms, with a look of exasperation on her face at his stalling. Benny grinned back before scurrying from view.
"How long were you planning to make me stand out here?" Red complained, when he opened the door for her. She shoved the bags into his arms and then unravelled the purple scarf of Gloria's from around her neck. She had accidentally grabbed it in her haste.
"Well, I had to make sure you weren't a burglar," Benny explained, carrying the bags over to the table.
"What sort of burglar would knock at the door before robbing the place?" Red asked in annoyance.
"The crafty unpredictable kind," Benny replied.
Red rolled her eyes as she bent down to unlace her boots. They had been living together for a few months now and Benny never failed to give her a hard time. She could always tell his pranking and teasing were done out of affection, though. Warming to her and accepting his mother in a relationship, with a woman no less, had been a slow process for Benny. He had gone through the stages of anger and avoidance, until he had finally felt ready to accept Red. Now it was obvious to everyone how much he adored his stepmother.
"You remembered to get lots of egg rolls, right?" Benny asked, as he began pulling the lids off of cartons to examine their contents.
"Yes, yes," Red said tiredly, "but you can't have one yet."
"I'm hungry!" Benny moaned dramatically.
"We're waiting for your mother to get home before we eat," Red replied unconcernedly, "she's the birthday girl, after all."
"Five hours ago, you didn't even know about that," Benny pointed out, "can I just have one of these chicken ball things?"
"No!" Red replied shortly, "and don't you dare open another thing! You're letting out all the heat."
"What does it matter?" Benny argued, "we have a microwave."
"Yes! Chinese food!" Julio exclaimed enthusiastically, rushing into the room and taking a seat at the table next to his brother, "I hope you remembered to get chicken wings."
"You boys are like savages!" Red exclaimed, coming over to the table and swatting Julio's hand away from the bag before he could touch anything, "you'd think I never fed you."
"Well, you don't usually feed us stuff like this," Julio pointed out.
"Yeah, you got to admit that us getting to have Chinese food for dinner is sort of a big deal," added Benny.
"I think it could qualify as a Christmas miracle," Julio teased.
"Especially because the woman who went to pick it up, is the same one that considers it a personal insult anytime someone suggests we order out," Benny laughed.
They could hear some rustling at the door and Red's posture stiffened in anticipation.
"I think she's here," she whispered to the two boys.
"Do we jump out from behind the furniture and shout 'surprise'?" asked Julio.
"Nah," said Benny, "this is her fiftieth, we're going to have to tone it down, now that she's old."
"Fifty's not old," Red said defensively.
"I guess it's not when you're sixty," Benny conceded, "Is that how old you are? I'm just guessing."
"My age is none of your business," Red replied.
"I'll just ask Vasily the next time I see him," Benny grinned.
They all went over to the entry way to welcome her home. The door opened and in walked Nicky.
"Hey everyone!" Nicky grinned, "this is quite a welcoming committee."
"We thought you were mom," Julio replied, "it's her birthday today."
"Really?" Nicky raised her eyebrows, "why wasn't I told?"
"Because I didn't know until a few hours ago," Red said bitterly, "otherwise, I think we'd be doing more to celebrate than just some greasy takeout that was way overpriced, by the way."
"Hey, come on now, Chinese food is delicious," laughed Nicky, "there's no reason to get insulting."
"And I'm sure mom is going to really hold it against you for not throwing her an elaborate birthday party. I mean, I'm positive that she lied to you about the actual date just to get out of such a thing," said Benny.
"Lied about her birthday?" Nicky frowned, "what would be the point of that? She had to know that you'd just end up celebrating it on the fake day."
"Yeah, but I don't think she thought the relationship was going to get serious when the two of them started dating," Benny grinned mischievously.
"Excuse me?" Red said sharply.
"Well, none of us really thought you were her type in the beginning," Benny reasoned, "until you two started getting put together more and we discovered how much we enjoyed the pairing."
"And then the two of you started stealing attention away from me," Nicky pouted.
"Don't feel bad, Nicky," said Julio kindly, "there always will be a place for you. We need you for laughs."
"Well, I guess I am pretty good at that," Nicky lamented, "you guys would get pretty bored without me."
"Hey guys," Gloria announced, walking through the door. Everybody jumped. They hadn't heard her come in over the sound of them all talking.
"Hi, love," Gloria said warmly, wrapping her arms around Red and kissing the corner of her lips briefly, "I missed you."
"Gross," said Benny, looking away.
"How was work?" asked Red, brushing a lock of Gloria's hair behind her ear.
"Long," sighed Gloria, leaning her forehead against Red's shoulder and momentarily shutting her eyes, "I'm exhausted. My manager is an idiot. I don't know how much longer I'm going to be able to tolerate that job. Except, the hours are good since I at least get to be home in time to have dinner with all of you."
"Yes, that is important," Red reasoned, "especially on your birthday…. but if I had known ahead of time that it was your birthday today, I'd have insisted you take the entire day off. I would have liked to do something special with you."
A blush spread across Gloria's face and she bit her lip nervously. However, the edges of her mouth were tugging in a dangerous bid to smile. When she and Red were just getting together and Red had asked about her birthday, Gloria had spontaneously given her a random date in May. December 23rd was the day she was born, but having it be so close to Christmas meant that it had often been forgotten or overshadowed. She had grown accustomed to that arrangement, though. It was a little embarrassing to realize she had been caught in such a ridiculous lie. She had just never imagined things would have become so serious between then that it would ever matter. None of the people she had ever dated before had cared much about her birthday. Red had become one of her most unexpected and cherished blessings.
"I'm sorry," Gloria smiled sheepishly, "I just never liked my birthday and I was scared if you found out I'd end up with a horrendous surprise party or something."
"Why would I throw you a party?" asked Red, with a pout, "then I'd just have to share you. People would stay late and interrupt..."
"I feel like that's a jibe against me," said Nicky.
"Well, you technically did just interrupt," Gloria pointed out.
"Gloria!" Red reproached.
"Yeah, Gloria, stop trying to steal Red from me," said Nicky, "it's rude."
"Can we eat now?" Benny asked, "I'm starving."
"What demanding children we have tonight, my love," Gloria said to Red, shaking her head in exasperation.
"Only tonight?" Red smiled at her affectionately. Then she went to the cupboard to get some plates for them to eat on.
"Demanding? I didn't even say anything," Julio complained.
"That's why you're my favourite," joked Gloria.
"Not funny," Benny scowled.
"Neither are most of your jokes," Gloria retorted.
"Whoa, down tiger," Nicky exclaimed, "birthdays seem to bring out a whole new sassiness in you. I'm sort of digging it, to be honest."
"I sort of like it too," Red whispered, when Gloria walked over to stand beside her, "your spiciness. I bet I can put that to good use later."
"Meet me in our bedroom tonight once the kids are asleep," Gloria whispered softly in her ear, "I don't think I'm the only one getting celebrated tonight."
"Mmm," Red purred. She wrapped her arms around Gloria's neck and gave her a warm hug. Looking past Gloria's shoulder, she could see the boys and Nicky taking their seats around the dining room table. Nobody even reacted to their affection, it had become such a normal thing. Gloria and Red were careful not to make the boys feel uncomfortable. They were sensitive about not showing too much, but at the same time, it seemed like the boys took comfort in seeing their mother loved and in a stable relationship. Red smiled fondly at the sight of the three of them sitting around the table where they shared meals and conversation every night. It hadn't been easy getting to this point, but they were a family now.
Turning inwardly, Gloria bumped her chin against Red's cheek as she pressed ever more tightly against her. She felt as though her heart might burst from the joy and love she was experiencing. It was astonishing how much her life had changed, for the better, in just one short year. She never would have guessed she'd ever be where she currently was. Living with a woman and raising her sons together. Yet, there was nothing Gloria would change. She was convinced that this was as close to heaven as one could be on earth.
"I love our life," Gloria murmured softly, "and I love you."
"Happy Birthday, darling," Red said, "I love you so much." She brushed her lips against Gloria's in a soft but all-too-brief kiss.
"Are you two planning to sit down and eat with us at some point?" asked Nicky, "You better hurry if you want food. Red wasn't exaggerating when she called these guys savages."
"You called our boys savages?" Gloria raised her eyebrows at Red.
"Look at them," Red pointed, "Wouldn't you?" They both watch as Benny chewed happily on a chicken wing and then set the bones flat on the table.
"Can I have a plate?" he grinned.
"I forgot," Red said, "not that that excuses you eating like an animal."
"I guess you got a little side tracked, huh?" Gloria teased her.
Winking playfully, Red grabbed the stack of plates and some cutlery to bring to the table. She gave Benny a stern look, as she picked the small pile of chicken bones up off of her tablecloth and dropped them onto his plate. Gloria joined the table at her usual spot and smiled when Red sat down in the vacant chair next to her. Scooting her chair closer, Red laid the palm of her hand atop Gloria's thigh.
Gloria had learned a long time ago how to eat with chopsticks. Red, Nicky, and Julio just used their forks from the get-go, but Benny always wanted to give them a try first. He used his chopsticks to successfully pick up a chicken ball and brought it to his lips. Just as he was about to take a bite, it slipped and fell to the floor. Suddenly, a jet of gray raced out from behind the sofa and began pawing at the chicken ball as though it were a ball.
"These things don't work!" Benny complained, dropping his chop sticks and picking up a fork to use instead.
"There's my little girl!" Gloria exclaimed affectionately, watching as her little gray kitten, Bella, zipped around the room, "I was wondering where you were hiding."
"That cat spent the entire day camped out behind the sofa waiting for the opportunity to pounce," Red said in annoyance.
"What's wrong with that?" protested Gloria, "she's playing."
"What's wrong is that she clawed my ankle," said Red dramatically.
"She's a baby!" Gloria defended, "it's not as if she could do any kind of damage."
"She's always getting into mischief—"
"She's a tiny," Gloria said again. She leaned over in her chair and wiggled her fingers invitingly. Making puckering sounds with her lips, Gloria coaxed her kitten back over to the table. Bella's green eyes darted side to side and her tail twitched from her spot across the room. Then she darted back over to her mistress.
"Good girl," Gloria cooed, picking up the little ball of fluff and setting her in her lap.
"Really? At the table?" Red complained.
"It's my birthday," Gloria reminded her with a smirk.
"Yes, but it's not her birthday," Red pointed out, while Gloria fed the kitten a piece of shrimp off of her plate.
"Shush, don't listen to mean old lady," Gloria kissed the top of her kitten's head, "you stay right where you are."
The kitten purred and nuzzled Gloria's hand. She stayed there for the rest of the meal and as the dishes on the table were cleared away. Red refused to let Gloria lift a finger.
"Birthday cake time," Red announced.
"You baked me a cake?" Gloria exclaimed happily.
"Yep," Benny replied, with a mischievous glint in his eye, "Galina made you the best red velvet cake you've ever seen."
"Red Velvet?" Gloria wrinkled her nose, "that's still a thing?"
"It's not Red Velvet," Red called from the kitchen, "although what you have against a delicious flavour I'll never know."
"It tastes like play-dough," argued Gloria, "it is not velvety."
"Well, I think you'll like this creation," Red said, "although it would have been decorated better if I had had more time. She pulled a cake out of the fridge but kept it shielded from sight.
"Do you need my lighter?" Nicky asked, pulling one out of her pocket as she went to the counter to help light the candles.
"We just got you the number kind," Julio said reassuringly, "since fifty is such a big number."
"Thanks for the concern," Gloria rolled her eyes at him.
"Alright, boys, are you ready now?" Red called to them, "Happy—"
"What, we have to sing now?" Benny looked affronted.
"Yes, you have to sing!" Red replied.
Trying to pretend like he didn't want to do it, Benny sang along with everybody else in wishing his mother a Happy Birthday. Nicky went over to the light switch to darken the room. Red carried the round cake over and placed it in front of Gloria at the table. It was a deliciously appetizing cheesecake which she had made from scratch that afternoon. A scattering of strawberries and blueberries were on top.
Gloria blew out the candles, simply wishing that the year would bring her more wonderful adventures with her sons and the love of her life. She didn't need to hope for anything more than what she already had. The cheesecake was like a work of art and nobody had ever put so much effort into a cake for her before. It almost seemed sad to eat it, though of course she was looking forward to it. Red served everybody a piece and beamed as they all commented on how yummy it was.
"It's not Red Velvet," Gloria smiled, once they had finished dessert and the table had been cleared. She clasped Red's hand and brought it to her mouth to kiss, "it's just perfect. I can't believe you did all of this."
"Imagine what I could have done if I hadn't been so rushed," Red replied, squeezing the hand holding hers.
"Hey, mom, do you want to open your presents now?" Julio asked.
"Absolutely," Gloria replied, "bring them on!"
"Obviously you're going to have to stayed tuned for my present," Nicky said apologetically, "short notice and all." She was returning from the fridge where she had gotten herself a second piece of cheesecake.
Julio and Benny each handed their mom badly wrapped gifts in matching paper. Gloria beamed like a child on Christmas morning, as she eagerly opened them one at a time. Julio's gift was a box of her favourite dark chocolates and Benny got her a new adult colouring book, since Gloria had discovered that doing them was very relaxing. She had finished her last book a couple of weeks ago.
"Thanks, guys," Gloria said happily. She thought it was so sweet that they had spent their allowances on little gifts they knew she would like.
"Well, you put me in a bit of a dilemma today, my darling," Red said quietly.
Gloria blushed, "I told you I'm sorry. I don't know why I didn't tell you about today."
"I didn't have time to get to the mall," Red continued on, "but I wanted you to have something to open from me today. I was just going to give you one of your Christmas presents that I already have wrapped and under the tree, but I suppose people have been doing that method all of your life. So, before I went to pick up the food, I went into the convenience store next to it."
Looking excited, Gloria watched as Red walked over to the coat hook and pulled a folded-up plastic bag out of her jacket's pocket. She came back and handed it to Gloria.
"Awwwww," Gloria gushed, opening up the bag and peering inside.
"Bella, look!" Gloria said happily, as she pulled out an adorable kitten collar. It was purple and covered in sparkles. She removed the collar from the packaging and then put it on her cat.
"Now you have bling, baby girl," Gloria told the cat, "I told you Galina was just pretending not to like you."
"In all fairness, my choices were limited," Red replied, "but I know that purple is your favourite colour and I also have learned that the way to your heart these days is through that darned cat."
"Well, you should know that you already have my heart," Gloria whispered to her. Their eyes locked.
"Happy Birthday, Gloria," Red said softly.
Happy Birthday Johanna-002!