Chapter 6: December
MG - Trust me, the last chapter was essential in the story. But I guess it was also just a shameless filler. You guessed right, however, about Anabel's background. It will be in this chapter. Thanks for the review. J
ShastenRothe - What can I say? I love to make people laugh. Thanks for the review. J
Terrible Fish - That was exactly how I reacted when I caught my mum and her boyfriend in bed together, the morning after of course! Thanks for the review. J
Smilingdork - Thanks for the review. J
All Readers: This is my best friend's room that I'm describing. Trust me, it just works.
blah blah blah means translation, they are at the end of the sentence/paragraph
One word translations at the bottom.
Summary:
Christmas in Baton Rogue with the new boyfriend. Oh, goodie. ;)
December 6, 2004
"Hey, baby," Anabel said as she walked up to the admit desk where Ray was standing, looking over a chart, and gave him a quick kiss on the lips.
"Hey," he said as he smiled.
"What?" she asked.
"Do you realize that at this time two months ago, you wouldn't of been caught dead saying 'baby' to me?"
"Yeah, well you give me a few reasons to say 'baby' to you now," she said with a suggestive grin.
"Here?" he asked grinning expectantly as he wrapped his arms around her tiny waist.
"Get your mind out of the gutter, Barnett. I didn't mean it like that!" she said, not backing out of his grip, but just giving him a playful smack on the shoulder.
"Well, you can't blame a guy for trying," he grinned.
"Yes, I can." Anabel said as she leaned up to give Ray another kiss, this one just a little bit longer than the last.
"Mmm, actually there is something you can do for me," she said with an innocent grin.
"What?"
"Come with me to Baton Rogue for Christmas." Anabel said hopefully.
"Now why would I want to do something like that?"
"Because I asked you to, nicely might I add." she said truthfully.
"Yeah, but why?" Ray still wanted to know.
"Because, I hate going there for the holidays. I'm always yelled at by my mom for showing up without a date. Even when I point out that Logan and Tobias are my dates, she still yells. Please don't put me through that kind of torture. Please, please, please, please!" Anabel practically begged, wrapping her arms around Ray's neck.
"What's in it for me?" he wanted to know playfully.
She just gave a smirk and leaned in to whisper something in his ear.
When she had said what she wanted to, Anabel leaned back to look at Ray's face. He was grinning that cocky little grin of his and asked, "Really? You'd do that for me?"
"Only if you come to Baton Rogue with me and the twins." she reasoned.
"All right, you convinced me." he said with a smile.
"Good, now I'll see you later, because I'm off now and you aren't," she gloated to him and stuck out her tongue.
"You coming by my place after your done here?" she wondered before she went into the lounge.
"Yeah. I'll be there about 4."
"Good. Oh, and don't forget to ask Kerry for the 22nd through the 27th off. If you have to, trade days, or else I won't hold up my end of the bargain. Bye, lover," and with that, Anabel went into the lounge.
December 23, 2004
1:00 PM
"Ok, so say 'please' and 'thank you,' but remember it's 'merci' to your grandmother," Anabel reminded Logan and Tobias.
"Why is it 'merci' for grandmaman?" Logan asked.
"Because she's half-French, and French is her first language. Plus, it makes her happy when people talk in French to her. And, trust me, it's good to make my maman happy." Anabel answered.
"Jesus. Aren't we in Louisiana? Shouldn't it be warm here?" Ray complained.
Anabel looked at Ray and fixed his jacket and said, "Sorry, you have been grossly misinformed."
"You know what? I'm having a bad feeling about this," Ray said.
"Hey, don't worry about it. Just say 'please' and 'thank you' but what ever you do, don't say it in French. My mom won't be impressed."
Anabel turned from Ray and knocked on the huge front door. The house itself was 2-stories not including the attic. It was white with large windows and the trim around the windows and the door was hunter green. There was a three car garage next to the house and a huge oak tree next to a hedge fence on the left side of the yard.
The door opened and a little boy, no older than 4, screamed and slammed the door when Anabel said 'hi.'
"Friendly place," Ray said, his voice full of sarcasm.
"Shut up," Anabel said as she knocked again.
This time, a woman in her sixties who was wearing a velvet, ankle-length green dress, opened the door. She smiled broadly when she saw Anabel, Tobias and Logan. She seemed to pay no attention to Ray.
"Anabel, bonjour. Entré." The woman said as she opened the door wide. Anabel, hello. Come in.
Anabel ushered Logan and Tobias forward before saying, "Bonjour, maman." Hello, mom.
Anabel hugged her mother and preceded in a conversation with her.
"Il est si bon de vous voir!" Mrs. Walker said to her daughter. It's so good to see you!
"Il est si bon de vous voir!" Anabel returned. "Va-t-il comment le papa? Est-il ici?" It's so good to see you! How's dad? Is he here?
"Il est bon. Oui, il est ici. Il est en haut." Mrs. Walker said to her daughter in a rich, sophisticated voice. He is good. Yes, he is here. He is upstairs.
"Y en a-t-il des autres ici?" Anabel questioned her mother curiously. Are any of the others here?
"Oui, petite bébé. Ils sont tous en haut dans la salle de divertissement," Mrs. Walker said to her daughter. Yes, little babe. They are all upstairs in the entertainment room.
Mrs. Walker then turned to Logan and Tobias and smiled broadly. She pulled them into her stomach for a tight hug, Tobias and Logan looking at each other with a look of confusion and worry, and then pushed them back a little and pulled their chins up so they would look at her right in the face.
"Comment mes deux six vieux petits-fils vont-ils préférés d'an?" she asked them with joy in her voice. How are my two favorite six year old grandsons?
Anabel looked at her mother with a sad look and said, "Ils ne parlent pas la maman française." They don't speak French mom.
Mrs. Walker looked at Anabel shocked. She then said in a stern voice that was lined with disappointment, "Pourquoi pas?" Why not?
Anabel shrugged and said, "Puisque je n'ai pas circulé à les enseigner." Because I haven't gotten around to teaching them.
Mrs. Walker shook her head and said exasperatedly, "Anabel, vous ne devriez pas avoir honte de votre héritage." Anabel, you should not be ashamed of your heritage.
Anabel just looked at her and rolled her eyes, for she had heard the "you should not be ashamed of your heritage" line a million times. She then said, to avoid and argument with her, "Je sais, maman." I know, mom.
It was then that Mrs. Walker noticed Ray. She looked him up and down and crinkled her nose in disgust. She then said, in her most haughty voice, "Qui est-ce qu'ou que c'est?" Whom or what is that?
Anabel walked over to Ray and pressed her body against his right arm. She rested her left hand on his shoulder and wrapped her right arm around his waist. She then said, "La maman, ceci est mon Ray Barnett d'petit ami." Mom, this is my boyfriend Ray Barnett.
"Ray, this is my mother, Angelique Walker. Offer her your hand," Anabel whispered into his ear, as she let herself back up off of his arm so he could.
Ray held his right hand out for Mrs. Walker, who just looked at in disgust.
Anabel saw her mother's reluctance and said sternly, "Maman, secouez sa main." Mom, shake his hand.
With a lot of reluctance, she did and then turned to Anabel and asked curtly, "Pourquoi l'avez-vous apporté ici?" Why did you bring him here?
"Il a voulu vous rencontrer, plus vous se plaignent toujours au sujet de moi n'ayant pas une date. Maintenant je," Anabel said proudly. He wanted to meet you, plus you are always complaining about me not having a date. Now I do.
"Je ne peux pas vous croire," Mrs. Walker said to her daughter. I can't believe you.
"Maman, il est grossier pour parler en une autre langue devant un invité. S'il vous plaît, parlez en anglais," Anabel said to her mother. Mom, it is rude to speak in another language in front of a guest. Please, speak in English.
Mrs. Walker forced a smile and said, "Welcome, Mr. Barnett. Anabel will show you where you will be sleeping," and with that, and a swish of her skirt, she walked out of the room.
"Is she always this nice to your boyfriends?" Ray asked amusedly.
"You're the first one I've brought home, ever. I think she wanted someone who was more clean cut and less rocker." she said with a smile.
"Is that what you want?" he asked with fear in his voice.
"I want you, just as you are. Nobody's opinion matters," Anabel said as she leaned in to kiss him.
"You will be staying with me in my old room," she said with a raised, suggestive eyebrow. "Logan, Tobias, you know where you're staying."
"Yes, mom," they said in unison as they climbed the stairs and rounded a corner, disappearing from sight.
Anabel grabbed Ray's right hand with her left, and with her right, grabbed her bag. Ray held onto her hand with his right and with his left, grabbed his bag, as Anabel led him upstairs. She walked them to a door at the end of the hallway, which, when opened, held a flight of stairs. Anabel and Ray jogged up the stairs to yet another door, and Anabel opened it.
Inside, Ray was surprised to find, that the room wasn't green, like it was back in her Chicago apartment. Instead, Ray found that the room was that of a teenager who loved music and was rebellious. The walls were painted a violent shade of orange and he could barely make out the music and its lyrics on the walls, written for 12 years in yellow highlighter. She lined her roof with Christmas lights, but she had an ordinary light bulb in it's socket. Ray saw 4 huge black lights that were mounted on the wall strategically, and he even saw a strobe light sitting on her stereo which was sitting on her dresser. The windows were tinted and when Anabel clapped her hands twice, the Christmas lights came on. Ray saw an old keyboard on its stand next to the closet and in front of it was a swivel chair that hung from the ceiling and had no legs (so he figured, it must be kinda like a hammock.) Ray then saw that there was an old amplifier in the corner and he saw several Gibson guitars and a bass lying either in their stands or, in the bass guitar's case, lying in a fluffy white chair waiting to be played. In the corner, opposite the door, there was a desk that had polka dots painted on it. On the desk sat a lap top and an old scrapbook, that Ray supposed that Anabel had made when she was younger. Anabel walked over to her stereo and turned it on to a local rock station and let the music play softly. She then walked over to what looked like several different colored shower curtains that were sewn together to reveal her bed. Mounted on the wall above her bed was an acoustic guitar, with yet another, smaller, black light waiting to be turned on. Her queen size bed had a zebra comforter with huge blue, green and orange pillows and smaller pink, black and white pillows. There were two black pillows stacked in front of the others, one said "punk" in white letters and the other said "rock" in the same white letters. He could barely make out the sheet sets underneath it, but he saw that it was black and white checkers. The bed skirt was solid black, however, with no visible designs.
"I'm surprised your mom let you decorate your room like this," Ray said as he took in the room.
"My mom doesn't come up here. I don't think she's ever been up here," Anabel said as she laid down on the bed and motioned for Ray to join her.
As he laid down next to her, he asked her, "Why is your room up here?"
"I wasn't expected by my parents. They wanted 7 children. But when I was born, I slept in my parents room until I could sleep through the night without crying. After I could, they put me up here. At first it was really feminine. Then, as I got older and my style changed, this is what happened." Anabel explained.
"It's very…unique." Ray said as he searched for the right word.
"I know. The rest of my family had their own style. Chris was always into the military so his room was always in the green camouflage kind of thing. Mary Jane was into the very preppy kinda thing so her room was always pink. Joey was sporty, so his room had tons of sports things. Matt was into planes, so he had all the model planes and stuff like that in his room. Savvy was very school spirit, so her room was decorated with the old megaphones and things from school. Georgia was very into the human body so she has all of these pictures of the anatomy in her room. Eric didn't really have a style, so he just kept his room white with posters of his favorite stars and musicians. I'm the only one to be really eclectic about my style."
"So if no one comes up here, how come there's no dust?" Ray asked.
"Lisa, the maid, comes up here to dust. I've been begging my mom to send me my guitars and stuff, but she won't. I don't think she likes the fact that I write and play music." Anabel answered.
"So nobody comes up here?" Ray asked suggestively as he removed Anabel's coat from her shoulders.
"Lock the door, Barnett."
Ray did as he was told and then went back to the bed. Anabel and Ray stripped each other in a hazardous frenzy and, as soon as they were naked, Anabel backed away from Ray long enough to close the curtains that went around 2 sides of the bed. She then went back to ravish her lover.
Scarcely 20 minutes later, there was a knock on her door. Ray and Anabel froze.
"Anabel, descendent. Le déjeuner est prêt." Mrs. Walker said through the door. Anabel, come down. Lunch is ready.
"Soyez là dans une minute, maman," Anabel shouted over the music. Be there in a minute, mom.
They heard her departing footsteps and the door at the end of the stairs close.
She looked up at Ray and smiled. He did the same.
"Did I say stop, Barnett?" she asked in a sultry tone.
20 minutes later
Showered and changed, Ray and Anabel made their way downstairs to the dining room, where the grown ups were gathered for lunch. As she entered, there was an uproar from her brothers, sisters and her father. They all came around to hug her and kiss her on the cheek.
"Anabel, it's so good to see you!" was heard more than once.
"Who's this?" Savvy asked her little sister about the hottie that followed her into the dining room.
"Oh, this is my boyfriend, Ray Barnett," Anabel said as Ray stuck his hand out to shake theirs.
"Please, sit down," Mr. Walker said to Anabel and Ray as he motioned to the two empty seats next to him.
As they ate the lunch of ham, stuffing, several kinds of vegetables, rolls and biscuits, they made small talk. Mrs. Walker, who looked at Ray like he was an insect of the worst kind, made subtle comments to or about Ray that just avoided being rude.
"So what kind of work do you do, Mr. Barnett. Selling newspapers, or apples or something of a similar nature?" Mrs. Walker asked.
"Actually, I'm a doctor. Like Anabel." Ray said politely.
"Oh, really? I never would of guessed." Mrs. Walker replied rudely.
"Yeah, maman. Ray's also in a band. He's such a great musician." Anabel replied excitedly.
"I expected as much." Mrs. Walker said snootily.
"So how did you two meet?" Mary Jane wanted to know.
"We actually work together, Mary Jane. It was my first day at County, and Ray, thinking he was 'it and a bag of chips,' as our friend, Abby, has said, walked up to me, introduced himself, and said my name was pretty. I didn't like him, at first, so I walked away. Then, later, after my shift was over, he asked me out for coffee. I told him 'no,' because I had to go pick up Tobias and Logan. Though, of course, I didn't tell him about them until they had an allergic reaction to some strawberries that I was going to indulge myself in."
"Why did you wait so long to tell him," Georgia asked.
"I didn't exactly tell him. I had to bring Tobias and Logan into the ER, and Ray took care of Tobias," she explained.
"So, when exactly did you decide that you were going to sleep with my daughter, Mr. Barnett?" Mrs. Walker asked.
Anabel, who was in the process of chewing on a piece of ham, started choking so hard, that Ray had to slap her on the back to get her to stop.
Once Anabel had swallowed the ham, and after she took a drink of her milk, she said loudly, "Maman!"
Mrs. Walker just looked at her daughter as if she had said nothing wrong.
"Excuse me," Anabel said as she got up from the table, stormed out of the room, ran up the stairs, and then they heard the first door slam, followed by the second one, though it was softer than the first.
"Excuse me," Ray said as he ran after Anabel.
"Are you happy, maman?" Joey asked as he leaned back into his chair with his arms folded across his chest.
"Anabel?" Ray asked as he knocked on the door at the top of the stairs.
Anabel didn't reply, but instead got up, unlocked the door, and opened it.
She walked back to her bed, and laid down there. Ray followed her, making sure to shut and lock the door behind him.
"Hey, what's the matter?" he asked her as he spooned behind her and rested his right arm across her waist.
"Nothing," she said, burying her head deeper into her pillow.
"Anabel, please," Ray said.
Anabel turned over to face Ray. "It's my mom! I can't believe she was so rude to you! And to ask you the question about us sleeping together is totally unacceptable. I'm sorry. I didn't think she was---"
Whatever else Anabel was going to say was killed off with Ray's kiss.
"Anabel, trust me, alright. It's fine. In fact, I kinda expected it. She doesn't think I'm good enough for you. I get that, alright. All parents think that about their kids' other half."
"But, still, Ray---" she began.
"But nothing. No matter what I do, I will never be good enough for you, according to your mom. Sometimes, I think to myself that I'm not good enough for you."
"You are. You are perfect for me." Anabel said and she kissed Ray again.
"Sleep. You're tired." Ray said as he rolled onto his back and Anabel curled up next to him, resting her head on his chest.
"Yeah, because of you," Anabel said softly as she drifted off to sleep. Ray fell asleep soon after.
December 24, 2004
9:00 AM
"Merry Christmas Eve, Anabel," Ray said as she woke up the next morning.
After they fell asleep, they didn't wake up. Not for dinner, or for anybody or anything for that matter. They were exhausted.
"Merry Christmas Eve day, Ray," Anabel corrected as she stretched next to him.
"So how do you want to celebrate? Shower? Wake-up sex? Breakfast in bed?" Ray asked.
"I just want to lie here, all day, just like this. Is that ok, too?" Anabel asked.
"Whatever you want, baby" he answered.
"Mmm, try bébé, instead of baby. I've been called petite bébé all my life, so try bébé, since I'm no longer petite." she said.
"Bébé," he whispered to her. "So, what are you going to call me?" he wondered.
"Amoureux," she whispered after a moment of silent thought.
"What does that mean?" Ray asked.
"Lover." Anabel answered.
They fell back asleep, whispering the pet names that they now had for each other.
Noon
"Anabel, Ray," came a voice through the door. It belonged to Savannah, "Savvy" as she was known to by friends and family.
"What?" Anabel called out from her peaceful slumber.
"Come down. Lunch is ready. And nobody has seen the two of you since yesterday's lunch. Tobias and Logan are worried that you left of something."
"Okay, we're coming," she called out.
"Ray," Anabel whispered.
"What?" he asked in his sleep.
"Come on. Get up." she pressed.
"Why?" he asked.
"I'm hungry," she said.
"Okay."
Today went better than yesterday. Mrs. Walker didn't make any comments that just barely avoided being rude. Everybody was happy that Anabel had finally come out of her room, so there was no point in being rude.
As they sat down for dinner that night, Mr. Walker made conversation.
"So, Anabel, how's your music going?" he asked curiously.
"Good. I'm going to take my keyboard and my guitars with me when I leave though," she replied.
"Why?" Mrs. Walker asked her daughter.
"Because I need them to write songs."
"Anyway, what I was thinking, Anabel, that since you're the only one in the family that isn't tone deaf, maybe you could play the piano and sing Christmas songs for us." Mr. Walker continued.
"Yeah, sure, daddy." she replied.
In the music room, Anabel sat at the piano and started to play as everyone, her parents, brothers, sisters, their spouses, nieces and nephews, and Ray, Logan and Tobias sat down to listen to her play and sing.
She started out with her favorite.
O Holy Night
The stars are brightly shining
It is the night of our dear Savior's birth
Long lay the world in sin and error pining
Till he appeared
And the soul felt it's worth
The thrill of hope
The weary world rejoices
For yonder brinks a new and glorious morn
Fall on your knees
O hear the angel voices
O night divine
O night when Christ was born
O night divine
O night, o night divine
O Holy Night
The stars are brightly shining
It is the night of our dear Savior's birth
Long lay the world
In sin and error-pining
Till he appeared
And the soul felt it's worth
The thrill of hope
The weary world rejoices
For yonder brinks
A new and glorious morn
Fall on your knees
O hear the angel voices
O night divine
O night when Christ was born
O night divine
O night, o night divine
When she had finished, everyone had at least one tear in their eye. Anabel found that she had this effect on people when she sang Christmas songs. Chris always said it was because she had such a powerful voice when it came to those songs.
"Play 'Away in a Manger,' Aunt Anabel," asked her 3-year-old niece, Susie.
Without even a second thought, she launched into the song.
Away in a manger
No crib for a bed
The little Lord Jesus
Lay down his sweet head
The stars in the sky
Look down where lay
The little Lord Jesus
Asleep in the hay
The cattle are lowing
The poor baby wakes
But little Lord Jesus
No crying he makes
I love thee Lord Jesus
Look down from the sky
And stay by my cradle
Till morning is nigh
Away in a manger
No crib for a bed
The little Lord Jesus
Lay down his sweet head
The stars in the heavens
Look down where he lay
The little Lord Jesus
Asleep on the hay
Away in a manger
No crib for a bed
The little Lord Jesus
Lay down his sweet head
I love thee Lord Jesus
Look down from the sky
And stay by my cradle
Till morning is nigh
Stay by my cradle
Till morning is nigh
Once again, as she finished the song, someone else requested a song.
"Play 'O Come all ye Faithful,' Aunt Anabel," asked her 13 year-old nephew, John.
She flung herself into the song.
O come all ye faithful
Joyful and triumphant
O come ye, o come ye
To Bethlehem
Come and behold him
Born the King of angels
O come let us adore him
O come let us adore him
O come let us adore him
Christ the lord
Sing, choirs of angels
Sing in exultation
O sing, all ye citizens
Of heaven above
Glory to God
Glory in the highest
Oh come let us adore him
O come let us adore him
O come let us adore him
Christ the Lord
O come all ye faithful
Joyful and triumphant
O come ye, o come ye
To Bethlehem
Come and behold him
Born the King of angels
O come let us adore him
O come let us adore him
O come let us adore him
Christ the Lord
"Okay, my voice is kinda tired so one more and then it's to bed for me." she said.
"Why?" moaned the younger children.
"Because Santa won't come if everyone stays up all night." Anabel explained.
"Play my favorite, Anabel," Mrs. Walker requested.
Silent night
Holy night
All is calm, all is bright
Round yon mother
Virgin and child
Holy infant, so tender and mild
Sleep in heavenly peace
Sleep in heavenly peace
Silent night
Holy night
Shepards quake at the sight
Glory streams from heaven above
Heavenly hosts sing Alleluia
Christ the Savior is born
Christ the Savior is born
Silent night
Holy night
All is calm, all is bright
Round yon virgin
Mother and child
Holy infant, so tender and mild
Sleep in heavenly peace
Sleep in heavenly peace
Sleep in heavenly peace
As she played the last notes on the song, she yawned and when she played the last note, gently closed the lid to the piano over it. She stood up and everyone clapped. Anabel did an over exaggerated bow to everyone and said good night. Ray said good night to everyone and then followed her upstairs to her room.
Midnight:
"So is this what Christmas is all about?" Ray asked as he held a ragged-breathing, sweaty Anabel.
"Kinda," she replied. "This is what it's about to my family."
"I've never really had a Christmas like this," Ray said.
"What kind of Christmas' do you have?" she asked.
"We spend one day with each other and then say good-bye the next day," he said simply.
"Oh….Ray?" Anabel asked.
"Hmm?" he answered.
"What was your sister like?" she wondered.
"What?" Ray asked as his eyes flew open at the question.
"You don't have to tell me if you don't want to talk about it," she said quickly.
"No, it's okay. I was just shocked." he answered.
"So what was she like?" Anabel wondered again.
"Very beautiful. Strong, quiet, happy. She loved life. She was so smart! She started taking college level courses when she was 11th grade in high school. She was funny, too. She could make anyone laugh. Even my 'dear' aunt Lucille. Aunt Lucille, I guess she's your mother's equivalent in my family. (chuckle) Anyway, she wanted to be a veterinarian. She had this real affinity for animals." Ray paused.
"What was her name?" Anabel asked.
"Sarah."
"How did it feel when you found out that she died?" she pried.
"What is this? My own therapy session." Ray asked in an amused tone.
"I was just wondering."
"How do you think I felt? I felt horrible. Like it was my fault or something. As the older brother, I think it was in the handbook that they gave us. You have to protect your little siblings." he babbled.
"I wouldn't know. I'm the youngest, remember? Chris left for college when I was 2, and then joined the Marines when I was 4. I've never been super-super-super close to anyone in my family. I mean, I still love them and all and we call each other every once in a while, but we don't have that kind of bond where we call each other everyday and stuff."
"I guess I never talked about Sarah's death because of that. Because we were super close. Even though we were 7 years apart. I've always been able to protect her, you know? Like from bullies, and scaring her boyfriends, and from my friends who thought they might try to sleep with her. But the one moment that she needed me to protect her, I wasn't there. It's my fault she's dead." Ray admitted in a slightly raised voice.
Anabel chuckled slightly, though it was against her better judgment.
"What's so funny?" he asked, toning his voice down to a whisper again.
"You. Luka. You sound like him. Blaming yourself for a death that you had no control over. Ray, there's nothing you could of done to save her. She didn't deserve to die, yes, that's true. But blaming yourself for her death and thinking of all of these 'if only I had done…' scenarios in your head isn't going to bring her back. Or make you feel better. The only thing that'll do is drive you to an early grave. And me insane in the process." Anabel explained.
"I guess. But, I still…"
"No buts, Ray." she said and she kissed him again.
"Okay, no buts." he relented and pushed himself over her again, making sure to grab a condom in the process.
December 25, 2005
7:00 AM
"Aunt Anabel! Aunt Anabel! Wake up! Santa came!" shouted Anabel's three-year-old niece, Jessica.
Jessica was running up the stairs, opened the door to Anabel's room, and pushed back the canopy.
Ray and Anabel were snuggled tightly into each other, and naked, not that anyone that young could really tell.
Anabel was glued to Ray's left side, his left arm under her body and wrapped around her waist. Her head and her upper-half of her body was half-way on his chest. Ray's other arm was laying across his chest, gently holding Anabel's left hand. Ray's head was facing towards Anabel and was gently kissing the top of her head.
Jessica climbed up on the bed, which wasn't difficult considering the bed sat on the floor and not in a frame. She jumped on the bed and continued shouting, "Aunt Anabel! Aunt Anabel! Wake up! Santa came!"
When Anabel finally cracked open an eye and saw her happy and energetic, a little too happy and energetic she thought, niece, she finally managed to say, "What is it?"
"Santa came!" Jessica repeated. "We're all waiting for you and Mr. Ray so we can open presents."
"Okay, just stop shouting!" Anabel demanded. "Go downstairs and tell everyone we'll be down in a minute. And close the door on your way out."
The moment the door closed, Ray opened his eyes. Anabel looked at him and put on a mock anger expression.
"You were pretending to be asleep the whole time, weren't you?"
"Yeah." he answered simply. "Is it always like this in your house at Christmas?"
"Yeah."
"Well, then. Let's not keep the kid's waiting."
"You mean, let's not keep you waiting." Anabel laughed as she kissed Ray lightly before she got up to go to the small bathroom in the corner of her room, which held a stall shower.
"You coming?" she asked Ray, just before she got to the bathroom door.
"Yes, ma'am."
7:15 AM
With no time for fun in the shower, Anabel and Ray just took a quick one together and in less than 10 minutes were downstairs and in the living room, which held a 12 foot tree and was decorated beautifully.
Anabel's entire family, minus her brother Chris, who was still in Iraq, was sitting in room, waiting for them.
Ray then looked at Anabel and whispered, "I didn't realize your family was so big."
"We are ready to open presents, if you would please sit down." Mrs. Walker said coldly, mostly towards Ray.
Anabel and Ray found a seat behind Tobias and Logan, who were sitting in front of the small loveseat that was placed in front of the picture window for the holiday season.
Mr. Walker, who sitting in a chair right next to the tree, reached behind him and pulled out the first present, which was a large, about 5 feet tall, but kind of thin, box, and read, "To Judy. From Santa."
"That's Judy, Mary Jane's youngest daughter." Anabel whispered.
Ray watched as a little girl of about 8 get up from her place and go over to Mr. Walker. She gave him a small kiss on the cheek, as he helped to push her present in front of everybody and he laid it down for her. Everybody watched as she unwrapped it and as she gave out a shriek of joy.
"What is it?" Mary Jane asked her young daughter.
"It's a kitchen, mama. Santa brought me a kitchen." Judy exclaimed.
Mary Jane walked over to her daughter and explained to everyone, "One of those pretend kitchens with the microwave, stove, sink, fan, and phone."
"That's a lovely gift, Judy. Isn't it Ray?" Anabel said to her niece.
"Yes, it is." Ray agreed.
Mary Jane lifted the box up and pushed it up against a wall so it was out of the way.
Mr. Walker, reached down and grabbed another present.
"To Michael. Love Santa."
Once again, Ray watched as a woman holding a baby, whom he assumed was Michael, go up and get the present from Mr. Walker. She, like Judy, kissed him on the cheek before she took it.
"The woman is Alexandra, she's Chris' wife. The baby is Michael. He's about 4 months old. Product of the last time Chris was here." Anabel whispered to Ray.
"So how long does it take for all of the presents to be handed out?" Ray asked in a whisper.
"Usually about 2 or 2 ½ hours. Maybe 3." she answered honestly.
"Three hours!" he exclaimed in a whisper.
"Yeah, well, I have a big family. These aren't even all the presents. These are the presents from Santa. The ones from each other are in the other room."
"Good God. Why did I agree to come along? If I had known that I would be sitting in a room for three hours, I wouldn't have agreed to come." he whispered as he rolled his eyes.
"Yes, you would of. Because I still have to hold up my end of the bargain." she said suggestively.
"If you two are done conversing, we would like to get on with opening the presents." Mrs. Walker said coldly, once again, mostly towards Ray.
With presents done, finally at 10:00, Ray and Anabel, instead of going back up to her room, decided to spend Christmas morning with Logan and Tobias, who had gotten a lot of new presents for Christmas. They built with the Lego's that had been given to Tobias, and played with the Monopoly Junior game that had been one of Logan's presents from his grandmother.
Dinner was celebrated with more than anyone could eat in one sitting, and once again mild conversation was made. They talked about nothing in particular, and Mrs. Walker, once again, avoided saying anything to Ray.
By the time everyone had eaten and everyone had had a shower, or a bath in the younger kids case, it was almost 11, and everyone was tired.
3:00 AM
"Tell me more about your family," Ray asked Anabel while they were lying in bed.
"Mmm, what do you want to know?" she asked right back.
"Just anything."
"Well, as you can tell, I don't get along with my mother. But I do get along with my dad. My mother is kinda paranoid, thinking that people should talk to her only in French. It pisses her off when people talk to her in English. She has never liked any of my boyfriends, and thinks that I can't make any decisions for myself. She believes that I should marry someone rich, like one of her 60-year-old friends, so she can be rich also. I don't think that she even loves my dad. I think she only married him for his money. As you can tell, my father is really laid back. He comes from a rich, bohemian family. So he's fun and everyone's favorite grandparent. He thinks that I can make my own decisions and that I should be free to express my individuality. But I think he's scared of my mom. Chris, he's my oldest brother, and a Marine. I think he could break you in half if he tried hard enough. I don't really know him. It's like one of those things that you hear about your entire life, but you don't know if it's true. You know?"
"Not really." Ray answered with a smile.
"Anyway, I grew up hearing about him, and I mostly heard from him through the mail. Last year, he got away for Christmas and we sat down and talked about a lot of things. Logan and Tobias love him, he even sent them presents on their birthday, remember?"
"Yeah, I remember."
Anabel moaned as Ray gently stroked her back, and she snuggled closer to him.
"Mary Jane, whose real name is Mary, we just all call her Mary Jane because her middle name is Jane. She's the real preppy kind. She's the lawyer, though. Mom was so proud of her. Ugh! She's got her own law firm in Boston. I think she likes you though. She's a complainer, and I haven't heard her complain all Christmas. Joey is a paleontologist. He's on a dig in Arizona right now, looking for a something or another. Tommy was in school with him. They were buddies. Now they aren't because Tommy's attention, or lack thereof, towards Tobias and Logan." she explained.
"Wait. Tommy was Joey's friend?" Ray asked.
"Yeah. Trust me, Joey wasn't too happy when he found out I was sleeping with his friend. He was angry when he found out that I was pregnant, but was pissed when Tommy left. Ever since, he's called every few months to check up on me. He's really the only one who does. Because if I gave my number to every member of my family, I wouldn't get my work done, at all, because they would call me all the time. Anyway, Matt's the pediatrician. He's got his own practice in Seattle. Dad was happy that Matt chose to work with little kids. Mom wishes he would make a better career choice. It's like she's foreseen her future, or her ideal future, that is, and wishes that we hadn't done half the things that we have done in our lives. Mom hoped that Matt would be an astronaut and work at NASA. Ha!" Anabel paused to catch her breath.
"Sounds like your family is…complicated." Ray chose his words carefully.
"Yeah, it is." Anabel laughed.
"So, go on. We've gotten through Matt." Ray encouraged.
"Anyway, Savannah or 'Savvy' as we all call her and Georgia are twins. As you can tell, twins are common in my family. Savvy is a Oriental Diplomat. She can speak English, French, Korean, Japanese and Mandarin. She's always been interested in languages, and started to learn Japanese in 6th grade. Korean was her high school language and Mandarin was her choice language in college. She works for the government and just got back from assignment in Japan. Georgia, on the other hand, became a dentist. She's in her third year of residency in San Antonio. After that, she's going to open her own practice. I guess my brothers and sisters like to use my parents money. I hated it though. So I got some 'starting out' money and left Louisiana. Went to Chicago, started working at County, met you. And you know the rest of the story. Oh yeah, Eric. He's a linguist, specializing in dead languages. Ancient Egyptian, Celt, that sorta thing. He works in Washington, D.C., too. I think they think he's a fool, though."
"Well, everyone is entitled to their own opinion. So what was it like? Growing up with money?" Ray wanted to know.
"Not as grand as you might think. As I said, my mom is a freak. Plus, with me being up in my room a lot, I guess I kinda missed what was happening with the family. My mother tried to discourage me from learning guitar and other music instruments she deemed 'inappropriate' so my childhood was filled with rules. I wasn't planned. My mother wanted seven children. Ya know, 'lucky number seven.' So she was embarrassed of me. All my life she has. I've gotten used to it, though. She puts on this charade of the loving mother when in front of other people. Like when we first arrived, Logan and Tobias were there so she acted like she actually cared about me. It sucked. Basically, yeah." Anabel explained.
"Well, you don't have to worry about it." Ray then noticed, for the first time, a scar on her wrist.
"What happened here?" he asked as he picked up her hand to look at the scar more closely. It wasn't deep, and it didn't touch the artery, but Ray knew what it was.
"When I was 15, I slit my wrists." Anabel said. "It was stupid. I know it was. But my mom just finally got to me, ya know. I went into the kitchen…grabbed a steak knife…and cut myself. My dad found me. He took me to the hospital, and they put me in the psych ward for three days. I got out after my dad promised the doctor that I would go to see a therapist. Which I did, for a while. He diagnosed it as: me needing to spend more time with my family. Yeah, right. Anyway, my dad called my mom on the way home from the hospital, told her where I'd been. I don't think she even knew I was gone. When I got home, mom pulled me into the study. I think dad thought she just wanted to make sure that I was ok. But she didn't. She yelled at me, saying that 'Walker's don't get sick' and stuff like that. She slapped me… and then left like she hadn't done anything wrong. That was the first time she ever hit me. It wasn't the last. She slapped me when I asked her about coming to my high school graduation, and when she found out that I was pregnant and at least once every Christmas." Anabel recalled her life, hesitantly.
"And yet, you still come every Christmas." Ray pointed out.
"Kinda like me trying to live up to what I think she would want me to be. Me trying to show her what I've done with my life in the past year. Is that wrong?" Anabel asked.
"No, no. It's not wrong. Don't worry about her. I'll protect you." he said cockily.
"I'm sure you will." Anabel laughed.
"Sleep. We've talked enough, for tonight." Ray whispered.
"You're right." Anabel established and burrowed herself nearer to Ray.
Ray kissed the top of her head and said, "Good night, Anabel."
"Good night, Ray." she whispered back.
December 26, 2004
The morning after Christmas, unfortunately, didn't go as well as Christmas morning had.
Anabel and Ray made their way down stairs, their flight was going to leave that night and this was their last day to spend with her family. As they entered the family room, where the grown ups had gathered to chat, Ray wrapped his arm around her waist and tightened it when he saw Mrs. Walker looking at them. They sat on the loveseat, and started to whisper to each other over little things that made no importance to anyone but them.
"Ray, Anabel, why don't you join our conversation?" Mrs. Walker said pointedly.
"About what, maman?" Anabel asked.
"About you and Ray, of course." she said.
"Anabel, we weren't talking about you," Mary Jane said.
"We are now," Mrs. Walker demanded.
"What would you like to know, maman?" Anabel asked.
"Laissez-moi dire ce que juge je que je dois dire. Je ne peux pas vous croire. D'abord, vous êtes allé au loin et avez eu un bébé en dehors de de mariage avec un homme que vous avez à peine connu. Puis, vous le compensez légèrement en devenant un docteur. Maintenant, vous le jetez tout loin encore en raison de lui. Un aucun bon, culbuteur, qui ne commence pas même à répondre à mes espérances." Mrs. Walker said snootily. Let me say what I feel I must say. I can't believe you. First, you went off and had a baby outside of marriage with a man you hardly knew. Then, you slightly make up for it by becoming a doctor. Now, you are throwing it all away again because of him. A no good, rocker, who doesn't even begin to meet my expectations.
"Ne dites pas cela au sujet du Ray! Vous ne pouvez pas me croire? Selon vous, tout que j'ai fait toute ma vie est vous embarrasse. Comme, il est mon long but ou quelque chose de la vie. Bien, conjecture ce qui, maman? Elle n'est pas. Je ne peux pas vous croire! Vous savez, pour une fois que je pensais que mon petit ami serait mon choix. Non un qui a dû rencontrer votre approbation." Anabel hollered at her mother as she stood up and started to walk out of the room. Don't say that about Ray! You can't believe me! According to you, all I've done all my life is embarrass you. Like, it's my life long goal or something. Well, guess what, mom? It's not. I can't believe you! You know, for once I thought that my boyfriend would be my choice. Not one that had to meet your approval.
"Anabel, pas vous marchent loin de moi tandis que je vous parle!" Mrs. Walker bellowed to her daughter. Anabel, don't you walk away from me while I'm talking to you!
"Go to hell!" Anabel shouted as they heard her climbing the stairs.
"Logan, Tobias! Pack your things! We're leaving!"
"Anabel! Wait!" Ray yelled after her.
She didn't wait, though, and Ray ran all the way up to her room before she would even talk to him.
"What was that about?" he asked as he saw Anabel packing their bags.
"We're leaving, Ray. Logan, Tobias and me. We're leaving. If you wanna stay and be scorned at by my mother, you're more than welcome to." she said without stopping packing the bag.
"Ok, first off. I'm not staying here by myself. Secondly, I'm not letting you or the kids go anywhere by yourself. Thirdly, what the hell happened down there?" he pointed out and asked.
"My mom has decided that she can't believe me. That I went off and had a baby outside of marriage on purpose and then slightly made up for it by becoming a doctor. Now, I'm supposedly ruining it by being with you. Someone who doesn't meet her expectations! I told her that it's not my life long goal to embarrass her, and that for once I thought that my boyfriend would be my choice, not hers! God, she makes me so angry!" Anabel enlightened him furiously as she began stalking around the room.
"Ok, ok. Anabel, calm down! Calm down." Ray said as he grabbed her arms and sat her gently on the bed.
"What?" she questioned in a much gentler voice than she was using.
"Your mom, she does not control your life. She doesn't control Logan's or Tobias' either. Your mom has no say whatsoever in your life about anything. Do I make you happy?" he wanted to know.
Anabel looked at him stunned for a second at his sudden change in topics. But answered, "Yes."
"From what you've told me, all your life your mother hasn't paid attention to you. Now she does, because you're happy. You wanna leave? Fine. Let's go. You, Logan and Tobias are the only three things in my life that are important to me. I don't care about your mother. I wanna keep seeing you, so that's what I'm gonna do. To hell with her if she thinks she's gonna keep us apart."
"We sound like a couple of teenagers." Anabel smiled.
"We act like a couple of teenagers," Ray said as he kissed her gently on her lips.
"I don't wanna stay here anymore. Let's leave."
"Do you wanna come back anytime soon?" he inquired.
"Not in particularly."
"Then, in that case, pack what you can't live without. We're busting outta this joint," Ray said toughly.
"See if they can push our tickets up to an earlier flight. I'll pack."
30 minutes later, Anabel had all of her clothes packed, even the ones that she had left in her closet when she had moved out. She had her keyboard, her guitars and the CD's she had forgotten when she left all put in their cases. All in all, she had more than what they were going to allow on the plane.
"I guess we need to drive up, huh?" Ray asked as he looked around at Anabel.
"Yeah, I'm thinking about taking everything out of this room and taking it up to Chicago with me." Anabel said.
"And put it where?" I've seen your room. It's already full." he wondered.
"So I'll redo my room. I like this room better anyway. I'll sell the green stuff to a thrift store or whatever. I'll put my green desk and computer in the twin's playroom, leave the mattress and box-spring here, and put it up in my room. You know what? Why am I arguing about this with you? It's not like you live with me!" she argued.
"I spend every night in your apartment. That's about as close as you get to living together without actually living together as you can get."
"Well, they couldn't bump up our flight anyway."
"And we can call Kerry and tell her we'll be late." Anabel agreed.
"We can rent a car from Enterprise or whatever and drop it off up there." Ray found himself agreeing.
"You want me to call Enterprise?" he asked.
"Yeah. Get a big car though, I'm taking everything. Ask for one with foldable seats." Anabel said as Ray picked up the portable phone again and started dialing information.
45 minutes later, with everything packed in boxes and a car waiting for them in the driveway, Ray and Anabel lugged everything down two flights of stairs to the door. In under 15 minutes, the car was packed, with the remarkable help of the stow-and-go seats and Anabel started making her good-byes to everyone.
"Bye, Mary Jane." she said as she hugged her eldest sister.
"Have a good trip." Mary Jane offered her sister.
"Bye, Joey."
"Tell him to drive safe." Joey warned.
"Bye, Matt."
"You shouldn't of listened to mom. But I can understand why you did." Matt said as he hugged his youngest sister.
"Bye, Savvy."
"Know this. I liked him." she said as they both laughed.
"Bye, Georgia."
"You chose a good one." Georgia commented.
"Bye, Eric."
"Be careful."
"I will. Bye, daddy."
"Bye, pumpkin. And ditto on everything they said. I love you."
"Love you, too."
With that Anabel got in the van, buckled her seatbelt as Ray started the car and backed out of the driveway.
With a final honk of the horn, the van disappeared out of the Walker's sight.
When the car was out of sight, they all turned to Mrs. Walker, who had been standing in the doorway, and said, "I hope your happy!"
LONG CHAPTER! 19 PAGES! JUST SO YOU KNOW, THERE WILL BE ONE MORE CHAPTER WITH FRENCH IN IT. BUT ONLY LIKE 18 SENTENCES, NOT HALF OF THE STORY. HOPE YOU ENJOYED IT.
Merci - Thank you
Maman - Mom
Bébé - Baby
Petite - Little