"Christmas Dinner, coming up!" Laura yelled over her shoulder as she carried a sizzling Christmas turkey with roast potatoes into the dining room.
"Mom, did you cook the green bean casserole? You know I love it." asked Wren, her face lighting up at the prospect of Christmas Turkey as well as the casserole.
"Well, you're the only one then, aren't you?" replied Cath dryly, reaching for the potatoes.
"Kids, calm down, you're arguing over a vegetable." Cath and Wren looked at each other and laughed at how ridiculous it seemed when you said it.
Cath looked at her sister tucking in to the Christmas Turkey and thought about how freely she laughed and joked, and how freely she got on with everyone without even trying. However, her thoughts were interrupted by someone saying her name.
"Cath? Cath, did you hear me?" It was her dad, Art, speaking to her.
"Oh, sorry," replied Cath. "I was just… thinking. What did you say?"
"I said, can you pass me the gravy?"
"Oh, of course." Cath passed the gravy, barely avoiding spilling it over the turkey.
"A toast to this Christmas Eve! Cheers!" announced Laura.
"Cheers, mom!"
"Cheers, honey!"
"Cheers, Art!"
"And to you, sis."
"Merry Christmas!" yelled (and laughed) Wren, and everyone at the table laughed.
See, there it is again, thought Cath. Why is it that Wren can entertain anyone, without even trying?
Across from Cath at the table, Laura and Art clinked their glasses of wine, said "Cheers!" and sipped a mouthful, before laughing, putting their glasses down, and holding hands.
Wren stole one of Cath's potatoes when she wasn't looking, but Cath noticed and gently slapped her arm while taking the potato back.
"I love Christmas!" said Cath, not meaning to say it out loud.
"Same!" smiled Wren. "I hope we get those identical tops we wanted tomorrow!"
"Yeah, that would be awesome! If we did, I think it might be my favourite Christmas."