"Good morning." Laura poured a mug of coffee and handed it to her.
"Have you seen Frank yet this morning?" she asked.

"He said he'd be down right after he showers."

"Good then we can open gifts." Joe commented walking into the kitchen.
"Sleep well? It seems my snoring kept Frank awake last night." Joe
added innocently.

"You were snoring pretty badly. I could hear you through the walls."
Nancy smiled at him.

"Through two rooms? I'm sorry it must have been horrible." Joe teased her.

Nancy could tell by the gleam in his eye that he knew exactly what
they'd been up to last night. She decided to let Frank deal with it.

Laura looked at Joe with a look that said cool it. She tolerated
the boys going at each other , which they did often. Nancy was a
guest, and Joe knew there was a limit to what she'd allow.

Luckily, Frank walked through the kitchen, and ended any further
argument.

"Mom." he said as he took the coffee mug from her. "Sorry if I kept
you waiting." He said as he sat down.

Now that they were all downstairs Laura grabbed batter from the
refrigerator , took out the waffle maker and poured the batter and
closed the top. She looked at the boys.

" When it beeps, you know what to do. I've got to get you father from
the office, he's been on a phone meeting for the past two hours."

"I've got it Mom." Frank promised and rose from his chair

"Frank make a few extra for your Dad and Gertrude. Thanks." Laura
instructed.

"I'm starving. Someone decided to keep us waiting." Joe looked at his
brother.

"Poor thing wasting away. I'll make you an extra just to be sure you
don't fade away during Christmas. I would hate to have that on my
conscious ." Frank clutched his chest dramatically. The beeper buzzed,
so Frank placed the batter for the next waffle.

"Very funny, bro." Joe gave him a gesture.

"Manners little brother manners, there's a lady present." Frank teased
grinning at Nancy.

"Lady, Nan have you seen a lady around here?" Joe teased her.

"Joe!" There was no missing the warning tone in Frank's voice. Before
Frank had been teasing. He wasn't joking here.

Joe looked at his brother. Frank meant it. He'd gone too far.

"Nan sorry I didn't mean..." Joe offered.

"Apology accepted." She handed Joe her coffee . "Top this off, put
some cream and sugar in it for me. Thanks." Nancy commanded grinning.

The look she gave Joe let him know, she planned on extracting
revenge for the remark slowly.

Joe glared at her for a minute. "Joe get her a refill." Frank
ordered . "Then grab some plates and utensils. I've got the waffles,
syrup, and fruit."

Frank turned around and placed the waffles and stuff on a platter to
bring by the tree.

Joe grumbled but did as asked. He didn't mind helping, but he did mind
being ordered by both of them. He fumed silently for a minute, then
looked at his brother. He'd gone over the line. If Frank had made such
an obnoxious comment to Vanessa, he no doubt would have reacted
probably with his fists first.

Frank motioned Nancy to follow him as he brought the waffles into the
living room by the Christmas tree.

Joe realized startled that Frank had reacted exactly the same. Granted
his reaction was more subdued, but for his brother it was equivalent
to taking a swing at him.

Frank meant to protect Nancy, just as Joe would Vanessa. Joe knew
Frank cared for Nancy, but his reaction was more. Joe knew his brother very well. With Frank what he didn't say was often more important, Frank was more about actions. Joe smiled to
himself as he followed them out the kitchen door. Frank was in love with Nancy Drew, even though he may not know it yet.

Joe smiled to himself. "Merry Christmas big brother. It's about time
you finally figured it out." He thought silently.