This one is a bit long. I hope you enjoy it!
BLACKBARN LANDING
1287 2nd STREET
HUNTERS POINT, LONG ISLAND CITY
QUEENS, NEW YORK
Finally, it was time to make the trek from the Cabot house, out Tiffany's place in Hunters Point. A Christmas party was to be attended.
By the time Olivia and the others reached Number 1287 on 2nd street, she wasn't sure what to say.
They were in the middle of commercial neighborhood, and everywhere around them were business properties. The address Casey had provided put them right in front of a tall stone building with businesses on either side. Had a memo been forgotten?
Olivia thought so because if she was remembering local history right, this building had once been a post office. She was also sure that before that, it had been a hospital clinic of some kind. Odd.
The stone building stood three stories tall, and the roof was made of slate, while each of the top street-facing windows had their own separate viewing area. There was also even a turret on the far side of the building. The design, minus the turret, was repeated on the second story.
It was different at the ground level. There were windows with hanging plants, and atop a small flight of stairs was a grand set of wrought iron double doors. These were bookended a little further out by doors that looked big enough to fit vehicles through.
A family lived here?
"This is the right address," Olivia said in surprise. "But I'm confused…"
Abigail piped up from the back seat. "This is where Aunt Tiffany and Uncles Forrest live—I think the way the story goes is that it was a post office once, and then before that, a hospital clinic! Did Casey tell you the code to get in?"
"She did, Abigail. Thanks."
Using information from a text that Casey had sent her earlier that day, Olivia drove up to the doors on the right, and entered a specific four-digit code on a key panel. The doors opened automatically. They were now at the mouth of an underground parking garage. Olivia drove in, wondering what to expect.
At least Casey was waiting a little ways away in a room that had once been used as an office for a parking security attendant. She hurried over to them as the doors to the street closed again.
Olivia parked the car, turned it off, and got out. "You could have said that your sister lived in the old post office."
Casey shrugged. "Oops?"
"Anything else we should know?"
"Tiff's married name is Blackbarn, and everyone calls this place Blackbarn Landing."
"I'll definitely remember that."
Alex joined them as Harper, Abigail, and Melissa piled out behind her. "What's Tiffany's husband's name, again?"
"Forrest. They have a nine-year-old son called Sparrow." said Casey. "My nephew's name came from his parents' favorite hymn, but Tiffany and Forrest have always been the outdoorsy type, so I wouldn't be surprised if the baby on the way also gets a nature name."
Abigail joined them before Alex could think of a response to this. Melissa stood beside her, holding her hand. It was clear that they wanted something.
Casey turned to her youngest sister. "What's shakin'?"
Abigail giggled hysterically—fresh on her mind was her decision to go to law school when she was older. She still hadn't told Casey as of yet.
"Who all is upstairs?" Abigail finally managed.
"The Blackbarns, ma and pop, Savvy, and Sophia. Do you want to bring Melissa upstairs?"
Abigail put on her best charming smile. "Please and thank you?"
Casey gave her sister and Melissa both quick hugs before letting them go to elevator that was a few feet away.
Olivia watched it ascend. "How far underground are we?"
"Not very." Casey answered. "The residence is directly above us. Tiffany and Forrest have lived here for sixteen years."
"But an old post office…?"
Casey shrugged again. "They've always been into unusual building styles. Pray for the short version if they start talking about how they got this place."
From inside the car, Noah reached out to Casey. He loved her because she was always content to cuddle with him.
"Out, please! Out!" he made a beckoning motion with his hands. "Out!"
Casey called to him, "One second, baby boy!"
Olivia and Alex took this as their cues to spring their middle children of their car seats.
Casey used this changing of the guards to talk to Harper. "How are you?"
"Pleased to be having such a wonderful birthday and Christmas." she said. "A super-pregnant mama doesn't ruin things, does it?"
"Not one iota. My family loves to take care of people, and we've always believed that twins are good luck."
"Your parents got a double dose…" Harper quipped.
"They're forever thrilled about that, and speaking of Senior and Violet, they will be spoiling you rotten tonight. Don't say I didn't warn you."
"More doting is all I want right now. And to sit on a couch." Harper used her knuckles to rub circles on her big belly. "These kids are heavy."
"Okay." Casey let Harper hold her hand. "I'll help you out, but we just have to wait for Olivia, Alex, and the kids."
This was easier said than done. Just to be silly, Noah immediately hid in the back when Olivia unbuckled him. He was acting like a bar of soap. Serena noticed and began giggled very hard. Nobody had the willpower to be frustrated by the delay.
It was a short ride into the lift to get into the main house. When they stepped off, they found themselves in a receiving area, much like at the elder Novaks' loft. There were also a lot of signs that kids inhabited the house regularly because Olivia spotted a cubby-style structure along one wall. It was double-decked, with areas for both coats and shoes. A few feet away Olivia spotted a belongings area for the adults.
"Hm." Casey mused as she helped her family put their things away. "Looks like Abigail and Melissa have already been through here."
Olivia followed Casey's gaze to see that the girls' things had been neatly arranged in their own cubbies. "This is the kind of thing you see in a classroom."
"My sister and her husband have always made their place kid-friendly, and they're about fostering independence. They also love having everyone over. This unit is theur way of rolling those qualities, and organizational skills into one."
"Wow. That's actually really clever."
"Thank you." came a new voice.
They looked to see that Tiffany Novak Blackbarn herself had joined them. Indeed, this woman was a near spitting image of Casey, with only a few subtle differences. She was even sporting a baby bump only a little bigger than her sister's. Beside Olivia, Noah couldn't keep from staring—he was trying to wrap his mind around the newcomer's appearance.
Tiffany noticed him. "Hi, Noah."
He waved. "Hi!"
"I'm Aunt Tiffany. Think we can be friends?"
Noah just nodded and pressed close to Casey. She could him sort everything out later.
Casey patted the top of the little boy's head. "Give him an hour, Tiff. He'll come around."
"Got it." Tiffany moved on to Harper. "How are you, my dear?"
Harper gave her a fond smile. "Ready to have some fun."
"That's the ticket." Tiffany moved on to the Cabots. "How are you two, Serena, and Diana doing?"
"I'm great." Olivia indicated the tins she was carrying, full of cookies. "We had a baking session before we came."
Tiffany grinned at her. "Outstanding."
Alex adjusted her hold on Serena so she could brush a wrinkle out of her outfit. "I'm ready for fun, and the girls are both well-behaved now."
"Then everything is perfect." Tiffany chirped. "Come follow me, everyone. Forrest and Sparrow are around here somewhere."
The interior of the main floor boasted a big sitting room that stretched out for most of the area, and somehow, a TV area, a small indoor green house, a reading nook, and many armchairs and lined bookshelves had been squeezed in. It was all so cozy that Olivia felt at home right away. There was even a tall bedecked tree in a central seating area. All that was missing was any signs of a kitchen. Olivia supposed that that room was in another part of the house.
"Here we are." Tiffany directed her family over to sit on the couch, taking care to help Harper the most. "Abigail, Sparrow, and Melissa should be along in three… two… one…"
The trio burst through a door near the greenhouse, as if it had been planned. They halted at the sight of an arched eyebrow from Tiffany.
Her son gave a nervous giggle. "We were playing with Melissa."
"That's good and well, Sparrow, but the rest of Melissa's family is here."
"Oh!"
"I know you know Auntie Harper because we bring food over to her house, but how do you introduce yourself?"
Sparrow suppressed another nervous giggle as he stood in front of the Cabots. "I'm Sparrow, and I'm nine! It's to meet you!"
He shook their hands without prompting.
"What are your names?"
"I'm Olivia." the lieutenant said of herself. "Did you know that Auntie Harper is my sister?"
Sparrow grew surprised. "No way! Does that make you my auntie, too?"
Olivia winked at him. "If you like."
"I do!"
Sparrow approached Alex. She was ready for him.
"I'm Alex, and I married Olivia yesterday. You can also count me in as an auntie because we've known Auntie Casey since long before you were born." she indicated Noah, who had snuck over to Melissa. "Do you see Melissa's shadow?"
"Yep." Sparrow nodded. "I see him."
"That's mine and Olivia's boy, Noah. He loves to play."
"But I should go easy because he's a little guy?"
"That's exactly what I was thinking."
"I can go easy for Noah." Sparrow said seriously.
"Sparrow, you're a good kid." Alex now pointed to the baby in her arms. "This is Noah's baby sister, Serena."
The baby recognized her name, but nurse into giggles when she noticed Sparrow. She was the least shy of Olivia's and Alex's children.
"She is very cute."
"Thank you." Alex told him. "Is there anything else you want to ask?"
Sparrow thought about it. "Does all of this mean that Auntie Sophia belongs to you, too?"
Alex was tickled by the phrasing. "She is our daughter, yes. Guess what?"
"What?"
"Sophia, Noah, and Serena are getting a baby sister next year." Alex pointed to her baby bump. "This is Diana. She'll be here in April."
"My birthday is in April, and I'll be ten!" Sparrow did a double fist pump. "This is the best Christmas ever!"
He collected himself as he shifted his attention to his mother once more.
"Can we go play now?"
"Yes, but don't forget to give a hug to Auntie Harper first—it's her birthday." Tiffany informed him. "It also looks like Noah wants to play, so stick to the play room. Come find one of his mamas if you, Melissa, and Scrappy go upstairs, alright?"
"Okay!" Sparrow hugged Harper before turning to Noah and holding a hand out to him. "Wanna go play?"
Noah took the offering. "Yes."
With permission from his mothers, Noah set off with Sparrow, Abigail, and Melissa for the nearby play room.
Olivia looked around. "Are Sophia and Savannah here?"
Casey came through the door by the greenhouse on the tail end of these words—nobody had noticed her go.
"Found them." she said cheerfully. "Forrest waylaid them, and my parents."
Olivia suddenly realized she hadn't seen either of them yet. "Where are they?"
Casey rolled her eyes. "I love my brother-in-law, but I've never loved that my parents indulge his neat-freak ways while they're cooking together."
Tiffany was was apparently having the same school of thought as her sister because she called out in the direction of the kitchen. Her words were in Slovak, so Olivia didn't understand what was being said. All she was sure of was that a warning had been issued because the last of the kitchen occupants finally appeared.
When Senior and Violet saw who had arrived, they hugged them. Being with family always made them happy.
Forrest Blackbarn was the tall, muscular type who looked more like a nightclub bouncer than the architect that he was. Even his clothes bore a sharp 'don't mess with me' vibe. Juxtaposing the man's intimidating look was a novelty apron decorated with lobsters that he was wearing over his clothes. Forrest had forgotten he was wearing it.
At least he had the sense look sheepish about waylaying half the people in the house.
"Pardon me." Forrest said. "I was just putting some finishing touches on dinner, and I had some help. We have to cook like we're feeding an army…"
Forrest immediately changed lanes when he saw Tiffany nearby, staring him down. She wasn't a fan of his ramblings.
"Forrest L. Blackbarn, at your service. Welcome to the family." he lowered himself in a sweeping bow motion. "We're so glad you came."
Olivia beamed at him. "Thank you for having us."
After yet another round of introductions were had, Forrest spoke directly to wife.
"Tiff, have you told them yet why we wanted to have them over early?"
"No, dearest." she replied. "We've been wrangling the kids or you this entire time."
With an, "I'll be right back," Forrest made a hasty retreat to a different room.
He returned in record timing with an armful of decorative Christmas boxes. Each was labeled with a capital N, S, D, X, or a Z. Forrest made quick work of distributing everything.
"This family has always really celebrated little ones for long as I can remember." Tiffany told the people ohm the couch. "It's been that way because my parents are both only children who then went on to have eight kids together. Even Forrest comes from a big family."
"It's true." Forrest confirmed. "I have eleven other siblings."
"We love welcoming children into the family. We already did this today for Sophia's and Casey's kids." continued Tiffany. "Now it's time for Noah, Serena, Diana, Xander, and Zoelle. There are things that all of you will appreciate."
Olivia, Alex, and Harper opened the boxes to find new toys, clothes, and surprisingly, money for each designated child.
Olivia stood and hugged Tiffany. "Thank you so much. This is incredibly generous, and so kind."
"You are more than welcome. We're family now." Tiffany returned her hug and gestured towards the boxes. "You can do whatever you want with the money, but with all this baby fever going around, there's now a little extra to get that one last thing from your list that you might have put aside."
"Noah is going through a growth spurt. We've been meaning to take him shopping."
Olivia turned to her wife, to see what her take on all the generosity was, only to face Alex completely when she saw that the bridge of her nose was wrinkled. She even had her free hand plastered to her bump. Something was up with Diana.
"Guess who's in an all-out kicking frenzy because they're hungry?" Alex griped.
Olivia quickly moved Serena from Alex's arms to Casey's and pulled her to her feet. "That's no fun for anyone. Why don't we see if we can fix that?"
Nearby, Forrest perked up. "There are snacks that need putting out. Come try a few."
"Sounds good to me." Olivia said.
Harper held out a hand. "I also like the sound of that. Will someone please help me up?"
Savannah rectified this. Forrest then led the way to the kitchen. The Cabots followed behind, with Harper and Savannah after them. Tiffany brought up the rear.
This left Sophia, Casey, and Serena. Things were very quiet.
But only for a few moments.
Casey had offered to keep Serena for awhile—it had been some time since they'd spent time together.
She looked at the baby. "How are you doing, sweet cheeks? Do you like hanging out with me?"
Serena giggled and smiled at her as Casey continued indulge her in a 'conversation.' Her laughter even turned into joy-filled snorting giggles when a few rousing rounds of peek-a-boo were had.
Sophia watched them fondly. It always delighted Sophia to no end whenever Casey spent time with Serena or Noah. Neither of them would remember life without her. Even Diana wouldn't know a time where Casey hadn't been there.
Sophia got up and kissed her fiancée. "How are you doing, Red? Having fun hanging out with my sister?"
"Always." Casey kissed Sophia. "She is a love bug, and it's been a long time since I've known a baby this cuddly."
Serena chose this moment to lean against her friend and yawn hugely. Casey gave her a hug.
Before she could get too lost in the moment, she said to Sophia, "I should be asking you how you are."
They both knew that this was because up until this year, Sophia had had more miserable Christmases than she cared to remember.
"I'm having the best day." Sophia kissed Casey a second time. "I love you so much. Today is just the beginning of many more Christmases to come with you."
Within the hour, Blackbarn Landing had so many people that Olivia like she had to pinch herself all over again. She just as quickly reminded herself that this was her new family. This was everything she'd wanted… and more.
Three different languages were being spoken.
Children were running about, every which way. Her own children and even her sister were being doted on.
Food was being served potluck style. Cake was also on the agenda so they could celebrate Harper's birthday.
Christmas music was playing.
More presents were being doled out.
Even more snow was falling outside.
This was all perfect.
"What are you doing all the way over here?"
Olivia jumped when she realized that Tiffany had found her on the far end of the room, at the doorway, watching everyone. The lieutenant smiled at her.
"I'm just feeling like I should pinch myself. I always thought that I'd never even have a family of my own."
"We didn't think it would happen for us because we had many things working against our favor." Tiffany admitted. "Sparrow is our first rainbow after three losses."
"Oh, wow…"
Tiffany cradled her baby bump. "This one is one last rainbow after another loss. We have a rainbow-themed photoshoot planned for after the baby is here. Forrest and I have been through so much that we soak in every moment that we can."
"That's what Alex and I do because all of our hardest years have led to today. All the same, neither one of us would ever change a thing."
"Neither would we." Tiffany smiled at Olivia. "Forrest and I have been married for fifteen years, but we've been together for twenty."
"Oh, my goodness. That's amazing."
Tiffany squeezed Olivia's hand in thanks, and beckoned for her friend to follow her.
They wound up in a home office of some kind.
"There were many empty rooms in this building when we first moved in." Tiffany said response to the look of surprise on Olivia's face. "I may be a florist, but I have my own office. Forrest's is the next room over, and Sparrow has a homework room upstairs."
Olivia found herself incredibly impressed for the umpteenth time since entering the Blackbarns' home. "Wow. You guys really think of everything."
"Well, it's funny that you should say it like that. Take a look at my desk."
Olivia moved over to Tiffany's desk to find three decorative boxes, unlike what she had received earlier that night. They were stacked in a neat pyramid fashion in the middle of the tabletop. Beside the boxes was a neatly stapled packet of paper. This turned out to be a checklist of items, and everything was crossed off.
Tiffany interrupted Olivia's thoughts.
"We know about Amanda—including the engagement, and that she's Sophia's big sister." the florist said. "It was only right that they know they've got friends in this part of the family. This whole thing was actually Casey's idea…"
Olivia pointed at the papers. "This list is Amanda's and Dominick's baby registry."
"Casey sent it to us, and she, Forrest and I, both of my parents, my adult siblings, and the spouses have all bought the rest of the registry out. Everything should start arriving within the week." Tiffany shuffled her feet, like a child waiting on approval after saying an extra nice thing. "What do you think? Are they going to be pleased?"
"More than you all could possibly know. I'll bring the boxes to their place, myself."
"Perfect… Olivia?"
Although it was very much in a good way, Olivia was feeling even more overwhelmed by all the feelings she'd been experiencing since opening her eyes that morning. It was hitting her like a brick wall.
But it was a warm feeling.
"I'm okay, but my feelings have been yo-yoing all day long; I've never had a Christmas like this before." Olivia told Tiffany. "This is way more than I ever dreamed of as a kid. It gives me a lot of joy when I think about everyone who's been part of it."
Tiffany rubbed Olivia's back. She'd had a feeling that the other woman had wanted to get something like this off her chest, so she'd gotten her alone on purpose. Olivia needed a chance to breathe.
"What do you think, now what the day is almost over?" she asked gently.
"I think, Tiffany, that this is the best holiday season I've ever had in my life. All of my dreams have come true." Olivia exhaled shakily as the emotion began spilling over. "I've never been so thankful for family before."
Tiffany hugged her. "Neither have I, Olivia. Neither have I."
