ddsdsfDecember 24, 2008
Three Miles From Ben's House; 8:55 pm
"I told you we were going to be late!" Natalie exclaimed.
"Well, if you don't mind bending the law a bit," Frank began, "I can get there right on the dot."
His wife gave him a disapproving look before sighing. "Maybe we should just call it off…" Frank could see his daughter stiffen in the rearview mirror. This isn't the first time his wife had tried to back out of this since their daughter asked to have Christmas at his brother's. It's been a couple of years since they spent the holidays together. They spent the last few with Natalie's parents, but it's been much longer since they actually took the time to visit.
It's not that he has a nad relationship with his brother. They used to meet up for drinks once a month when work wasn't hounding them. No, he knows that the real reason is that their family get-togethers would always end in fighting. Whether it was the kids or the wives, some kind of disagreement would ensue. But ever since Ben and Gwen came back, there hasn't been a single fight outside of the kids playful teasing.
It didn't take long for him to pull into his brother's driveway. The house was more modest than his own, but he knew that Carl had spent years improving every nook and cranny of this place. He says he'll have the perfect home by retirement, but Sandra swears that he will always find some new project that needs working on.
He was so caught up in his thoughts that he didn't realize that the girls were staring at him. "Are we really going to do this?" Natalie said, still unsure. One look at the little girl in the back seat was all he needed to know that they all needed this. He gave his wife a quick nod then got out of the car. With another deep sigh, Natalie exited the vehicle with Gwen following in toe. Before they could even ring the doorbell, a little brown bear came barreling out the front door.
"FINALLY!" the little bear yelled, "It took you forever to get here!" After composing from the initial shock, it became obvious that this little bear was an ever rambunctious Ben Tennyson. He was about to drag his cousin into the house when he stopped to look at her. "Why are you in a dress?"
"What does it matter what I wear!?" A bewildered Gwen Tennyson yelled back. "More importantly, what are YOU wearing!?"
Ben was about to scream something back when he was pulled into a hug from Mamma bear. "They're pajamas, silly," She said with a big smile. "And don't you look cute!" Sandra pushed the little cub to the side before pulling the girl into another bear hug. Frank noted that this whole exchange looked like some bizarre performance of red-headed Goldilocks when Papa bear joined the stage.
"Frank. Lily. It's great to see you." Carl gave his brother a warm hug before shaking hands with Natalie. Now free from Mamma bear's clutches, the kids escaped into the corner where a video game was set up on the living room TV. He could tell that his wife didn't approve but didn't have time to scold the kids before being dragged into helping with dinner at the promise of wine.
Frank didn't realize he was still standing in the doorway until his brother motioned him to take a seat. "So, what's with the getup?" He asked.
"Gotta do what it takes to keep the Mrs. happy." Carl motioned to the clothes Natalie picked out just for this occasion. It wasn't as extravagant as what he has to wear when he visits the in-laws, but he can agree that this was too much for dinner with his brother. He could tell that Gwen hated it, but kept quiet. Probably afraid that if she spoke up, then her mother would cancel the whole thing. The fact that he could hear genuine laughter coming from the kitchen was his sign that he could relax tonight.
The two sat, making idle chatter watching the two kids fight on Ben's new game. Ben had begged to have his gift early just so he could have more time to play with Gwen, but he wasn't going to admit to her. Sandra called out that dinner was almost ready, and Ben was practically dragged to the bathroom when Natalie told them to wash up.
"Dad called," Carl said softly. "The RV is having some problems, and he's gonna be late." Frank didn't try to hide the scowl on his face. "You've been checking your watch since you got here. Trust me. He'll come."
"You give him too much credit." Frank turned to make his wat for the dining room when he felt a hand on his shoulder.
"Things are different now, Frank. He's trying when it comes to these kids." He motioned to the two kids arguing in the bathroom. "Ever since they were born, he's been there every step of the way. And thanks to that trip, they've been closer than ever. You have to appreciate that much at least." They all knew it was true. The only reason they here tonight was for the kids. With a quick nod, they joined their wives in the dining room, who look like they've already downed a few glasses. They were both giggling like school girls. Something he hadn't seen his wife do in years. If Max could bring the family together like this, then maybe he is worth giving a chance.
At least that's how he felt two hours ago. It was almost midnight, and the old man still hasn't shown up. All eyes were on the clock, which was minutes away from striking twelve, but everyone kept taking side glances at the front door. Even the two kids waiting patiently by the tree kept whispering to each other, "Where's Grandpa?" It broke his heart, seeing these kids make that face because it was the same face that his brother made waiting for their father to come home.
The chime of the grandfather clock filled the house, but still, no one moved. "Come on now," Frank spoke up, "those presents aren't going to open themselves." He put on the smile he spent decades perfecting. The kind of smile that showed no weakness. Gwen turned to her mother, who gave her a reassuring nod before carefully undoing each fold of the wrapping paper. Ben, on the other hand, kept his eyes glued to the front door. It was Carl's turn to be the adult in this situation, but even he still had too much faith in that old man. Frank let out a long sigh preparing himself for the fight that will soon ensue. "Ben, you need to understand." Carl was the first to turn away at those words. "You're grandfather-"
"He'll come," Ben said without a hint of uncertainty, "he always does." No one knew what to say to that bold statement, but Gwen was the first to move. Setting her half-opened present aside, she placed her hand on her cousin's knee but remained silent.
"Frank, let's just give him a little longer," Sandra spoke up, "he said he was going to be late." He didn't know what to do. He turned to his wife for some kind of support, but she just averted her eyes, taking another sip of her wine. He spent the greater part of his adolescence watching his family suffer from waiting for that man. He refuses to let these kids go through that too.
"He's not coming!" Frank screamed. All eyes were on him now—all except the little cub's who didn't even blink. "I know you think your grandpa's some kind of hero, but he's not. He's-"
"Ho ho ho!" Said the jolly voice from the doorway.
"Grandpa!" The boy was across the room before the rest could process what just happened. "I knew you'd make it." Everyone turned to look at the big man. He was wearing the iconic red suit and had let his beard grow out to complete the look. Gwen got up and ran over to hug her grandfather too, but Frank could see the hurt in her little girl's eyes as she passed him. Carl and Sandra went over to greet him, leaving Frank and Natalie on the couch.
"Your hair's a mess, Frank," Natalie tried to pat down the stray hairs, "I'm not going to tell you to let the past go, but don't drag the kids into it." With another sip of wine, she went to give her greetings next.
The next hour seemed to go on without a hitch. The kids opened their gifts, and the adults exchanged what little gifts they had for each other. Gwen even gave out some small gifts she made while Ben grumbled about how kids aren't supposed to give gifts. An hour had passed when Sandra pulled out the last two gifts. She handed the small identical boxes to the kids. Ben eagerly tore his open while Gwen neatly unwrapped hers. Inside were two matching phones. Frank looked at the woman, puzzled.
"Since you two have been so close lately and that your birthdays are coming up," Sandra began, "Lily and I think you're old enough to handle having your own cell phones."
"And they're Nokias, so I'll be surprised if you manage to destroy these, Gwendolyn." Natalie eyed her daughter, who managed to destroy or lose too many cell phones during their Summer trip. Thankfully Max was nice enough to cover the price for their replacements, but even Frank is skeptical about giving her another phone at this point.
"Um, about our birthday…" Gwen said softly.
"We want to share a birthday party!" Ben shouted out, causing his aunt to almost spit out her wine.
"Are you serious!?" Natalie said almost in a screech. The alcohol clearing having gotten to her. "That's-"
"A great idea!" Sandra said, cutting her sister-in-law off. The two women eyed each other for a moment. "I'm sure Gwen has had her party all planned out already so if she doesn't mind us having our party at your house as well,"
"May as well throw out the whole damn planner." Natalie said under her breath."
"It's settled then. We'll be there Saturday." The two kids ran over, giving the two women big hugs, which helped to soften the red-headed woman's frustration, but another glass of wine seemed to help her completely forget about it.
Time flew by, and it was already passed three in the morning. Frank got up from the kitchen table he had dozed off on and walked into the living room. The kids had passed out on the floor playing another one of Ben's new games. Natalie and Sandra were sound asleep in each other's arms with an empty wine bottle lying on the carpet. The front door opened, catching his attention.
"Hadn't seen Lily drink that much since before the kids were born," Carl spoke up from the doorway.
"Do you mind if we use your guest room? I think I drank too much too."
"Reminds me of our college days." Carl let out a chuckle while grabbing a blanket from the closet. "Probably best you leave the kids there, though." Frank looked at his little girl and felt a tinge of guilt for letting her sleep on the floor. "She spent a whole Summer in an RV. I'm sure she's slept in weirder places." After draping the blanket over the sleeping kids, Carl went to help his wife up to their bedroom. "Dad is outside working on the Rust Bucket. You should talk to him." Frank looked out the window and could his old man working away under the hood. He could occasionally make out his breath visible in the cold night. He put on his coat and stepped out.
It was freezing out. He should be in bed with his wife, but he decided to continue down the path. "Thought you were heading to bed, son," Max said without looking up from whatever he was working on. He could see that his hands were turning blue but continued to keep at it.
"You're going to catch your death if you stay out here, Max." The old man paused for a moment, realizing who was speaking to him but soon continued at it.
"I heard what you said earlier," Max said in a hush, "I know that my word isn't much, but I really was trying to get here on time. The battery died, and while trying to jump-start that, I found a heap of other problems with this old girl." He motioned to different parts that Frank didn't understand. Cars were Carl's department, which explains why he was out here earlier. "Since all the stores are going to be closed, I'm trying to fix what I can now."
Frank felt a cold speck land on his cheek. Looking up, he could see that it was starting to snow. "Come inside. You're too old to be doing this."
"I just need to get this battery working, and I'll be fine in the RV," Max said, trying to sound reassuring.
"Max, please!" He was no longer trying to hide his worry any longer. "Just come inside you; can work on it another time."
"I guess you're right," Max shut the lid and walked over to his son, "It's not like I have anywhere else to be." He gave him a big smile, but Frank could tell that there was something else behind those eyes.
Frank handed him a blanket. Picking up his wife wasn't as easy as it used to be, but he prides himself in still being able to. He made his way to the guest room but stopped to look back at the old man. "Merry Christman, Max."
Max looked at his son for a moment then gave another big smile. "Merry Christmas, Frank."
AN: So after a bad break up, a month of therapy, a week of vacation/quarantine, and another month of being "essential" I'm back. Seems like the universe really doesn't want me to work on this story but I digress. I'm going to try and get back to working on a weekly or at least bi-weekly upload schedule but with how much I've been working it's hard to sit down and write on my few days off. This chapter is a lot different than the previous ones but I felt like looking at it from one of the adult's perspective and it turned into (in my opinion) a really good chapter. I appreciate everyone that's still following this story and I'll definitely get back to present Ben and Gwen next chapter. Hopefully, I can get it out soon.
