« Christmas is the day that holds all time together »
Alexander Smith
Chapter 7
Kate knocks on Olivia's door. She hears voices from outside. She nervously bites her lower lip, her legs shaking with anxiety, holding a bag. Olivia opens the door: she wears a beautiful black dress, pretty earrings and has a glass of champagne in her hand. Kate smiles at her, feeling it quavering but unable to restrain herself. Olivia slightly frowns, wondering why she is so nervous but Kate comes in, hugs her, says: "Merry Christmas" and walks to the living room. She stops right in her tracks when she sees Fin sit by Elliot's side. El stands up when he sees her and hugs her with a broad grin: "Hey buddy! Merry Christmas!" and she wishes him the same. She turns to Fin and quite coldly says: "Hi." He says it back and turns her back at her. She holds back an exasperated sigh and turns to Elliot instead:
"Were you with your kids last night?"
He smiles:
"Yeah. They were at their mother's and", he adds softly, "they came here in the evening."
"Okay. That's cool."
"How was it at your parents?"
She sits on the couch near Fin and Elliot sits in an armchair in front of her:
"Oh, awful. As usual", she says with a weak smile.
Olivia comes join them with a glass for Kate:
"What happened?" she asks, and Kate thanks her.
She slightly shakes her head:
"It's just… My siblings are weird. They were very close when they were younger, and it changed all of a sudden. I never knew why. I'm the last one, and I've always been apart so… it's difficult for me, it's been years since I didn't have fun at Christmas so thanks for having invited me", she ends up saying with a smile, rising her glass. Liv and El slightly smile and clink glasses with hers. Kate glances at Fin but he stares at his shoes. Elliot and Olivia share a knowing look and she clears her throat:
"El, would you come help me in the kitchen?"
"Sure."
They leave and, when they're alone, Kate turns to Fin:
"How are you?"
"Fine."
His icy tone disheartens her and she looks away for a moment. There's a heavy and never-ending silence. All the situation is ridiculous: Olivia and Elliot who leave their own living room to let them talk and him reacting like a 15 years-old. Kate laughs bitterly and turns to him again:
"Listen, I'm sorry okay? I didn't want to be nasty with you the other day."
"I don't care."
"What do you mean?" Kate asks, frowning.
"We're partners and that's it. That's why I've always wanted male partners. They don't make a fuss of everything."
Kate wants to reply but he stands up and heads to the kitchen. A few seconds later, Olivia comes back.
"What's going on?" she asks.
Kate shrugs:
"Mister Touchy."
Olivia gives her a comforting look and strokes her shoulder:
"It's hard, I know. He's really a loner and he never confides in anybody. You know, you are closer to him than anybody ever was. So that's something really important you have to believe me. Fin didn't have an awesome life, he got through a lot of bad things."
"I know that", Kate interrupts her. "But, he could relax a bit. That's all I'm asking for."
"Give him some time. He's old, you know, and you won't change him."
"I don't want to."
"I know. Give him some time, that's the best advice I can give you."
Kate sighs:
"Okay. Well, the evening is gonna be long…"
Liv smiles at her:
"Hey. I'm here, as well as Elliot."
"Yes, fortunately."
She laughs and the guys come back then. They all sit and enjoy the dinner. Kate is admirative of how Elliot and Olivia look like they're only friends. She never could hide her feelings. People read her like an open book. That caused her many trouble in the past, while she was a teen and even in college. That's why she left it and decided to become a cop. Kate chats cheerfully with the couple, Fin is more or less in his own thoughts. He doesn't talk a lot and she ends up almost forgetting about him. If he doesn't want them to be friends, well, fine. But she's not gonna ruin her evening for him. She has two other friends with whom she can talk, laugh, and be crazy without being judged. Elliot and Olivia are really different from work, where they're really serious and very empathic with the victims. In private, they act like crazy puppies: always teasing each other, laughing loud and hard. God, Kate feels so good with them. She can be herself and that's the most important thing when you're with friends, right? It's more difficult with family, they always expect so much from her. She's the last one, she's the one who has succeeded the most, the one who never did drugs or alcohol. Sometimes, she feels she has a way too heavy weight on her shoulders. And now, with the two other fighting all the time, her mother has never counted on her so much. She tries to forget about her weirdoes' family and concentrates on her Christmas day. They finish their dinner and it's time for them to open their gifts. Kate has bought one for everybody. Fin has simply forgotten her. He looks embarrassed but she doesn't really care. Actually, she would have been surprised if he bought her something. She has bought for Elliot a book about Catholicism and for Olivia a pair of earrings. They thank her warmly and she hands her gift at Fin:
"Thanks", he mumbles.
They all stare at him and that embarrasses him even more. When he takes off the wrapping paper, he discovers two gifts: one is the last CD of his favorite band, and the other one is a book about rap' history. He gives Kate a surprised look: how could she know he would like it? They never discuss private stuff. He thanks her again, not willing to cause a fuss. Kate grabs the book on horses and the box set of "Game of thrones" Olivia and Elliot has offered to her and puts them in her bag. They go on chatting until Fin says he's tired and gets back home.
"You wanna stay sleep there?" Olivia asks Kate.
"No, I'm fine, I'll take the subway."
"Please, be careful and send us a text as soon as you're home safe okay?" Elliot asks.
She smiles at him:
"Yes, I will."
She grabs her bag, her purse and her coat and she walks to the door. Elliot waves her goodbye, Olivia sees her out:
"Thanks for the invitation. I really enjoyed being with you tonight."
"You bet. We're happy too. Take care."
"Thanks. See you tomorrow. Goodnight guys", she says louder so Elliot can hear her.
"Night Kate!" he shouts back.
She leaves the apartment and walks to the subway station. She tries hard not to fall asleep and, as soon as she has locked her door, she sends a text to Liv saying she's safe and thanking her again for the dinner and the gifts. Then she undresses, has a shower and slips in her sheets with a satisfied sigh.
