Chapter 21. The End.
It was two days later, and as Jack walked into the Bristow Mansion all he could smell was burning. Yes, Irina was cooking again. Jack sighed as he walked down the hallway towards the kitchen. He had only left her for a few hours as he went into the office to clear up paperwork regarding Sloane and Nadia.
"Jack, is that you?" She called upon hearing footsteps.
"Yes, Irina…what are you doing? And where is everybody?" He had noted his home was suspiciously quiet considering it was currently housing 14 people.
"We are trying again, Jack." She grinned. "And they are out shopping and at the park."
"Trying what again?" He asked suspiciously.
"Christmas Dinner. Now that everyone has managed to bond over gunfire and put aside their differences for a few days I think it is about time we attempted to eat together again." She raised her eyebrows at him, waiting for his response.
"Is Sydney happy about this? After last time…" He started before she cut in. "She is fine Sweetheart. We spoke on the phone while you were in work. Vaughn has been released from the hospital and his mother has agreed to come along and not make a fuss. I think she is just thankful that he is alive and that she gets to spend more quality time with her family." She surmised, whilst wafting the smoke alarm with a tea towel.
"OK. Why did they leave you with the cooking? Surely they know you are a terrible cook?" He asked, grinning.
"Well, Julian took Mariana and the kids to the park to walk the puppies, and Katya and Russell wanted to spend some alone time with them. Dmitri and Yelena don't know how bad my cooking is, and they won't find out Jack" She glared at him warningly. "They went shopping with the girls and Nadia as the sales are on, though I'm guessing Dmitri didn't really want to go, but you weren't here to keep him company. I thought I would make a start whilst the house was quiet?" She stated sheepishly.
Jack just glanced at her before hitting speed-dial two on his phone. "Sydney? Please tell me you have cooked extra chickens? Good good. See you in a while Sweetheart. Bye."
Irina glared at him as he got off the phone. "I like to see how much faith you both hold in me Jack".
"Well as the saying goes Irina, Always be Prepared." He smiled.
That night, if a passerby was to glance into the house they would see a family of 24 sat around a large oak table chatting and laughing away as a log fire burned away in the background and the lights twinkled away on the Christmas tree. They would look upon the scene and think it was the perfect wholesome family Christmas.
If only they knew.
-Fin-