Thank you to everybody who read the last chapter. You are so wonderful. I hope you're enjoying all the new material. I'm having a lot of fun writing it. I realize I missed working with these characters after spending the year since finishing the original story focusing on Star Trek and Marvel stories.
Chapter 73: Gingerbread People, Candy Canes, and Spiked Hot Chocolate
Evening December 21, 2008
"Why did I let you talk me into being your buffer at all your meet the family events?" Penelope asked as they walked up the street to Aunt Claudia's house. Unfortunately, they had to park two blocks over because they arrived late. Even Taylor was wondering why she was here. But she knew Zack and Ryan needed as much support as possible so that she would be there.
"Because you adore Aunt Claudia's macaroni and cheese. She sent us home with all of the leftovers last time." Zack remarked.
"Because you have an actual kitchen, unlike Chad and Sharpay at the time. That's not an issue currently."
"I saw the kitchen Friday, and I feel like it's worse than Zack's. I didn't think that would be possible. It's why I ordered pizza." Ryan added.
"Just say you hate my apartment, which is why you have me staying at your house." It's more like keeping Penelope away from Malick, but they're not talking about that elephant.
"To help with packing. Everything has to be ready to go to charity or in storage by the 27th now."
"That's weird. Isn't it easier to sell a house if it still has furniture?" Taylor asked.
"It's been on the market since June and no bites. So I think dad is planning something else." Ryan shrugged. "Also, I don't want you at your apartment because Malick knows that Penelope is there. So I think it's in both your best interest not to be there." Never mind, Ryan did mention that elephant.
"I can't stay at your house forever. Even you can't stay there after the 27th. Where are you going?" Penelope asked.
"We have a couple of options. There's always a hotel. Kim owns like six in the metro. Also, at the party Friday, we've been invited to stay at Taylor's parents' house."
"Nope." Taylor is not ready for quality time with her parents, even if she wants more time with Jason. She's also annoyed that Ryan mentioned this for the first time in front of Penelope.
"Vanessa also said you could stay at their house." Of course, she did. Taylor couldn't help but sigh.
"That's also a no. I am not ready for that much time with my biological mom."
"I realize that, but she won't be there. They're spending Christmas in the San Francisco Metro." Ryan explained.
"That is still a no because they might come back early. I'll see if we can stay at my stepsister's house. She will have space for us, especially with Jack moving into the house next door." Taylor would rather be at Kim's house than at a hotel anyway.
"I completely understand not wanting to stay with your parents. I'm not ready for a long-term meet the parents encounter."
"Smart," Zack added.
"However, they did invite us to brunch on the 24th. Vanessa won't be there because she'll already be with Kim. Alexis really wants us to come. She just sent me another text message." Ryan held up his phone for her to see. Taylor is not even surprised that her mom is using Ryan as an intermediary.
"I already know about it. Jason asked me to come." Practically begged would be a more accurate description.
"So that obviously means we're going?"
"Yes, for Jason. I can't ghost him too."
"I know." Just as they made it to Aunt Claudia's front door, Ryan placed an arm around her.
"OK, let's get in there. I want some macaroni and cheese. Hurry up and ring the doorbell. I'm not doing it this time," Penelope remarked.
"She better not make me cook again," Taylor complained.
"You should know that Claudia had you in the kitchen with her cooking to keep you away from Charles. You're his type," Ryan confessed just before ringing the bell himself.
"Barely legal with a pulse is his type. Too late. He had already propositioned me months before Thanksgiving. I regret not punching him in the testicles." Taylor added.
"I thought my sperm donor was a piece of shit, but Charles is so much worse. I am so sorry." Penelope placed an arm around Zack.
"I'm planning never to meet the guy," Zack remarked just as the door opened.
"There you are." Zack was quickly enveloped in a hug by his aunt. "I'm so glad you could be here. I'm also delighted you brought your boyfriend." Taylor smirked at that. She heard about the mixup at Thanksgiving from Amanda.
"I had to be here because I'm also Sharpay's brother." And Chad's sort of ex-boyfriend, but let's not mention that here.
"I'm glad you could come all the same." She said, walking over to Ryan to hug him as well. "I've been waiting to meet you for a while. We're all going to be family one way or another soon." That was true.
"Taylor, I am thankful you could be here," That's when Aunt Claudia hugged her. She reacted well Tuesday to discovering that Ryan was dating her nephew and her simultaneously. That's when she invited them to this early Christmas dinner. "I promise I won't force you into the kitchen this time."
"Because Charles won't be here," Taylor mumbled under her breath.
"I've only invited family members that I actually like. You should know your little brother is already in there decorating gingerbread with Carolyn." Taylor was surprised to hear that.
"My brother is here?"
"I know you want to spend time with him but want to avoid your parents, so I asked Chad to bring him along," Ryan explained.
"I never say no to more help in my kitchen. Jason is such a sweet boy."
"Also, unlike me, he's good at it. He always helps dad out. My father is a chef and nutritionist." Taylor explained.
"He doesn't teach, does he? Carolyn was working with Sharpay earlier, and we had some problems. Jack had to buy blank store-bought gingerbread. We didn't have time to make another batch."
"Sorry, neither Sharpay nor I have any kitchen skills. We weren't allowed in the kitchen." Ryan explained with an apologetic tilt of his head.
"It's not your fault Darby was so awful," Taylor said as she went to the kitchen voluntarily. She knew that Ryan would take care of Zack, and Penelope would watch over them. "Show me these gingerbread people you are decorating," Taylor came upon her brother and Sharpay. Sharpay may not be able to cook, but she can decorate. Her cookie people were all wearing designer evening gowns. It was adorable.
"You came." Jason quickly wrapped her in a hug.
"I wasn't going to let Zack and Ryan be here alone."
"Most of the vultures won't be here," Sharpay remarked.
"Most?" Taylor asked.
"We expect the infamous Aunt Esther to show up in time for the spiral ham and a few of Charles's half brothers. Even though this was moved to the 21st, and none of them were invited," Sharpay explained.
"Kimberly and Sharpay generously gave me and my BFF a trip to Acapulco for Christmas. We leave tomorrow, which is why we're doing this tonight." Claudia explained.
"I gave you a Christmas without either of your sisters. I feel like you need a break after the last couple of weeks."
"Which right now is priceless." Claudia sighed in exhaustion. "Sometimes, I don't know how we grew up in the same house. There are not that happy with me because I'm supporting Chad and Tiffany instead of Charles."
"I don't know either. We do appreciate the support." Sharpay smiled at Claudia.
"No more talk of evil family members. Taylor, grab some royal icing. You can help me design a tuxedo for Ginger Ryan." Sharpay pointed to a gingerbread person that already had yellow royal icing hair. That definitely looks like a gingerbread Ryan. That made her smirk.
"You don't have to. I know you're not a kitchen person." Jason told her.
"There's nothing I would rather do than decorate gingerbread people with my little brother."
XXXX
A few hours later.
BFF Troy: So how did a very Danforth Christmas go? Do I need to wire bail money?
Chad: Thankfully, no. I didn't punch anybody. So definitely an improvement over Thanksgiving. It helped that Nanna Danforth did not show up.
BFF Troy: Which is good because I know Tiffany was there. She sent Kim pictures. Was there actual karaoke?
Chad: Yes. Aunt Claudia killed it. I blamed it on all those years of choir.
Chad: And the spiked hot chocolate. I was allowed two glasses before mom switched me to the virginal stuff.
BFF Troy: This should not surprise me. Did anything else happen?
Chad: As predicted, Aunt Esther crashed despite not being invited.
BFF Troy: What did you do?
Chad: I did nothing. Ryan kissed me under the mistletoe because she started going after Sharpay. She left quickly after that.
BFF Troy: Full tongue? Did she leave voluntarily?
Chad: Stage kiss but not that Esther could tell because she started having heart palpitations and was quickly dragged out of there by one of my uncles. I hope she tells Charles.
BFF Troy: I will keep all comments about your strange dynamic with Ryan to myself. It is none of my business as long as Sharpay is cool with it.
Chad: I think it might've been her idea. They did their twins' silent communication thing. I understood only half of it. The next thing I know, Ryan is bending me back over a chair as he kisses me, which was still enjoyable even if it was a stage kiss.
BFF Troy: Why didn't Ryan kiss his boyfriend?
Chad: It wouldn't have the same impact since he was just one of my basketball team friends. We're not telling her Zack is also her nephew.
BFF Troy: Why?
Chad: If we tell Esther, she will tell Nanna Danforth, and Nana Danforth will tell Charles, or at a minimum, she will tell the attorneys.
BFF Troy: He's over 18, so I doubt Charles would want to be involved even if he did know. Also, I hate to tell you this, but you know your mom had to pay Charles a lot in child support just for you to live with him.
Chad: I'm well aware Charles only ever wants anything to do with me because of the money. I only know now that she had to pay a ridiculous amount in child support to keep me in Albuquerque because she loves me so much. Of course, mom had to pay Charles so much because Lucy wouldn't let me live with you guys. Maria and Teresa are mad at my mom because they would've taken me in. So is Claudia because she found out last night. I could've stayed with her as well.
BFF Troy: This is just another reason why I hate Lucy.
Chad: Is she still trying to get you to come for Christmas?
BFF Troy: Yep. Apparently, if I don't spend Christmas with her, Lucy will take everything from dad, including the house.
Chad: I'm sure the IRS will take all the joint assets.
BFF Troy: She proved she was serious by having my dad's car repossessed in front of all his work colleagues.
Chad: Which was not a joint asset. Lucy really only cares about money, doesn't she? Your dad doesn't give a shit about that house if it means endangering your mental health. He doesn't want you anywhere near Lucy right now. You're his priority.
Chad: As much as I want to spend time with you, I don't want you to be anywhere near her. Your health and mental well-being will always come first. We're going to see each other in January anyway for basketball and the inauguration.
BFF Troy: I know.
Chad: Also, whatever Lucy takes from Jack, Kim will give it back to him. Does she realize who she's playing against? She's such a hateful woman.
BFF Troy: Not really, and Julie is no longer around to tell her. Even she doesn't want me to go over there. She's well aware that her sister is toxic.
Chad: What did she do to get Julie entirely on your side?
BFF Troy: Julie has always been Team Alex. Since Lucy said that Alex should have died in the car accident, Julie is not on her side.
Chad: Wow. Lucy is so fucked up.
BFF Troy: I think Lucy said something worse, but Aunt Julie won't tell me that part. She just hugged me and apologized for my mother being evil.
Chad: Julie is getting better, which is all you can hope for.
Chad: So more house shopping today?
BFF Troy: Thank you for the subject change.
BFF Troy: More like Christmas shopping. With everything going on I didn't get any presents. You're getting all your stuff after New Year when we get back. I promise separate birthday and Christmas presents. But you have Kim's Christmas presents in the meantime. She refuses to tell me what she got anybody, including my father.
Chad: I'm perfectly OK with anything as long as it's not basketball-related."
BFF Troy: Not even signed Magic Johnson memorabilia? There was a charity auction, and Kim said I could go nuts.
Chad: OK, signed basketball memorabilia is allowed, but that's it. Especially if the money goes to a good cause.
Chad: I'll also accept courtside tickets to a Lakers game in LA with hotel accommodations. Especially if you got it as a charity auction prize, the Warriors are also acceptable since it's your local team.
BFF Troy: I will keep that in mind.
BFF Troy: Jennifer told us to hold off on looking until Kim's father gets here or even until after Christmas. We put a bid on a house yesterday and lost it today. Because of that, I'm kind of done house shopping for a while.
Chad: I'm so sorry about that.
BFF Troy: It was a lovely house in the neighborhood I told you about a couple of days ago. Jennifer is hopeful things will be better after the 26. Apparently, many people put their houses on the market right after Christmas. Jay will see if he can find a few places for us that haven't officially gone up for sale yet.
Chad: It makes sense that they want to spend one last Christmas in their home.
BFF Troy: We're also considering getting a bit of a fixer-upper. I can stay in the garden hotel near Berkeley for a few weeks.
Chad: Maybe you should have held on to the dorm room until you were sure you would get a house.
BFF Troy: I didn't realize buying a house was this hard, even when you don't have a budget. Of course, it is difficult to buy something when there are just not enough houses.
Chad: I think it's because you need something so big. You just have to be the typical college student and live with all your friends.
BFF Troy: I hate you.
Chad: No, you don't.
XXXXX
Evening December 23, 2008
Outside of the Oakland airport
"Give grandma a hug. I miss you so much, baby." Of course, Vanessa would run over to Alex as soon as they arrived at their car.
"We've only been gone a week and a half. Even though you now look extra pregnant," Kim said as she grabbed Vanessa's bag and placed it in the trunk.
"Yes, but I hate when you're not there." She reached over to give a hug or the closest approximation to a hug that could be accomplished with the baby already poking out. "Oh, I'm aware I've already popped with baby pudding pop. I wonder if they got the conception date wrong. I didn't start showing until a month later the first time around." Weirdly Kim wonders if it's freeing for Vanessa to be able to talk about Taylor and her first pregnancy now. It's no longer a dirty secret. Although maybe just being pregnant again is helping.
"You're going to have your own baby to play with soon. You don't have to keep using mine." Kim smiled at her stepmom.
"Well, I need all the practice I can get." She said, trying to get Alex into his car seat but was stopped by Jay.
"Give your grandpa a hug." Of course, Alex quickly wrapped his arms around his grandfather. "I miss you, my sweet little boy." Jay also placed a kiss on Alex's head.
"OK, I've already got pictures," Kim said as she placed her phone back in her pocket. "As adorable as this is, it's cold. So let's get into the car. I did bring hot cocoa for Vanessa and coffee for dad."
"Thank you. I like the car." Vanessa said as she got Alex away from her husband and into his car seat. She was very good at doing that.
"It's very big." Of course, her father would say that.
"Well, I need something to pick up you and the baby sibling when you guys come to visit. You know, once we have a house over here." Kim sighed. After the last setback, Kim was almost ready to give up.
"Still nothing?" Her father asked as he put on his seatbelt.
"No," Kim sighed as she got in the driver's seat. "But I blame it on the realtor being an asshole. Not Jennifer, the other guy. Jennifer is lovely, but her boss is a dick who did not show us anything we want to live in.
"He keeps showing us places we hate, but that would give him a nice commission because we can afford it. Jennifer suggested that we wait until you get here so you can run interference." Kim looked at her fiancé when he said those words. She didn't know that. She just thought Troy wanted to focus on Christmas things for a couple of days to get his mind off of the witch.
"I thought Jennifer showed you something you liked?" Vanessa asked.
"Jennifer is good at what she does, and we thought we found something. We even made an offer, and somebody else grabbed it right from under us." Kim explained as she started to make her way into the holiday traffic of the airport.
"You could have Jennifer contact them," Jay suggested. "Most people would prefer your offer because you are paying all cash."
"Per Jennifer, that's actually how we lost my dream house. They thought we were some shady developer. It doesn't help that when they looked me up, they came across you, Mr. chief of the Evans group. Thankfully they didn't connect me to Beijing Gardens. That would've been worse." Kim was a little annoyed that she had lost the house she wanted because of her dad.
"I'm sorry about that. Although Jennifer is right, I can help you. I have some contacts even here. I'll see if I can find you something that's not on the market yet." Jay suggested.
"Thank you for offering to help. I don't want Troy to stay in a hotel for most of next semester." Although she is sure her boyfriend would love the room service.
"You could rent a place for a little while," Vanessa suggested. "That's what you did in Albuquerque."
"Which led to her buying the house and the one next door," Jay added.
"Does my dad know you bought him a house for Christmas yet?" On the threat of withholding sex, she had no choice but to tell Troy her plans for Christmas, including the house project.
"No." Kim smiled. "He thinks he's just paying rent in babysitting hours. Carolyn promises to get video when he opens his present."
"It's not the same, though," Troy said sadly. "I just wish we could be back there." If she weren't driving, she would hug Troy right now. He definitely needed a hug.
"Your father understands," Jay remarked from the back.
"He wants you safe, and it's better that you're not by Lucy. Being around her isn't good for you or anyone else." Vanessa told him.
"I wouldn't put it past her to use you just to mess with your father. You know this divorce has been contentious." Kim added.
"I just don't get why she's mad at him for moving on when she's been fucking around with a coworker for who knows how many years," Troy retorted.
"OK, first, five dollars to the Alex Bolton swear jar fun for charity." After the incident with Mercedes, they were trying to curse less in front of Alex, but she wondered if it was a lost cause.
"Sorry," Troy replied sheepishly.
"Second, the boy toy dumped her when he found out about Jack, and no one else in her family is talking to Lucy. They're all doing Christmas in Santa Fe without her," Kim explained.
"It says a lot about a person when their family rather hang out with the ex's family than you," Vanessa remarked.
"None of it good," Kim added.
"She'll probably crash."
"Jen promised to take care of all necessary restraining orders." She's been on the phone with all her lawyers the last few days. It said a lot about the state of her life when she was paying for lawyers at five different law firms in three states.
"The fact we have a lawyer that handles our restraining orders is just a bit much." Kim agreed with her fiancé.
"It was beneficial for the Penelope situation. Also, I was able to get Sharpay covered as being a relative of one of Penelope's friends who has been targeted." By targeted, she means breaking down Zack's door and essentially getting him evicted. Kim, Vince, and Penelope's legal team are working on the situation.
"I hate that Malick boy," Jay growled. Kim is sure Vince told him everything that went down. They were best friends.
"OK, no more talk of evil people." Vanessa interrupted. "We are going to have a good Christmas with each other. Then afterward, your dad will help you find a good house. Although you really might still want to consider renting."
"Vanessa is not wrong about that. If you weren't on such a tight timetable, you would have more options. Then whatever you buy you can renovate for your needs. Or have something built." Her father suggested. If they built something, it definitely would be what they needed. But Kim didn't want a new house. She wanted something with character. That's part of the reason why she hated most of the things the ass hole was showing her. They were all way too new.
"I'm not against spending next semester in a hotel," Troy told her.
"Because you won't have to make your bed." Kim joked.
"Also, room service," Troy added.
"You know there are family housing options at your university," Vanessa suggested.
"I'm sure they'll be better here than at the University of Manhattan because they barely have dorms, but no. I also don't want to take those away from somebody with fewer resources than us." Kim told her stepmom.
"I promise we'll find something one way or the other before we return to Albuquerque." Her father reassured her.
"Thank you."
"Now, let's enjoy our drinks and prepare for a good Christmas together." Kim appreciated Vanessa's sentiment.
XXXXX
A few hours later, back in Albuquerque.
"Why do I keep going with you to meet your new family members? Especially considering what happened at Claudia's house. I've never been this masochistic before." As they made their way to the pre-Christmas party at Jackie's new house, Penelope remarked to the group. Of the three occupants of the house, Penelope only knows Jackie. She worked with her at Junior acting camp last summer.
"Technically, these are Chad's aunt's, not mine," Zack explained as they continued their long trek to the house. This time they ended up parking three blocks away. Either everybody was having a Christmas party, or there would be way too many people at this thing. Penelope is starting to hate people.
"But they adopted us anyway, being our elder queers," Ryan added for him. "It's good for us to get to know others from the LGBTAQ community. Too bad other Zach and Chris couldn't be here. Chris and Mariah are like best friends."
"How do you know this much? I dated Chad for a year and didn't know this much." Penelope will keep her mouth shut and not point out to Taylor that she didn't know Chad was queer during their relationship. She liked Taylor and did not want to rub that in.
"Chad and Sharpay sent me the family flashcards. I studied up with Liz at lunch. She will also be here and added additional details about the people she's met. Which was actually a lot."
Jack and Carolyn were there this afternoon to pick up the furniture. This did give Penelope a chance to talk to Jack about what was expected of her next semester. Because he's never taught an acting class before, he will be leaning on her a lot. But Penelope was looking forward to the challenge. It will help her get ready for her student teaching during junior year.
"I think Liz has adopted you as well. We are invited to a very Santa Fe Christmas. In case things get way too crazy over here.'"
"If Vince blows us off for work, as usual, we will head off to Santa Fe." Ryan sounded as if he was confident that would happen.
"Or we can all just order Chinese," Penelope suggested. Penelope would like to be around fewer people.
"Does your dad actually celebrate Christmas? I know he was raised Jewish." Taylor asked.
"Yes, for us and because Darby wouldn't let him celebrate Hanukkah or any other holy day. Daniel mentioned that he does have a menorah in his apartment this year. He even lit the first candle Sunday, so he is obviously observing this year," Ryan explained.
"Darby being gone has been a good thing. You are finally free of her." Zack remarked as he placed an arm around Ryan.
"It is definitely for the best. You would hate dealing with Christmas at the club. Nothing like a grand party where your parents ignore you the entire time. Last year Sharpay and I spent most of the time drinking on the roof." Again that doesn't surprise Penelope.
"Sounds like what Zack and I usually do at Christmas at his grandmother's house. Zack, I hope this family side is better than the other side."
"You like Aunt Claudia."
"Yes, but then Aunt Esther showed up in ruined Christmas, well, that Christmas party anyway." Although the sight of Ryan and Chad kissing was enjoyable. Aunt Esther calling both of them various homophobic slurs was not.
"I wouldn't say it was ruined. We had a good time after Esther left. I'm happy to have an aunt that can now beat you at karaoke," Zack joked.
"This is definitely the less chaotic side. Besides, the main Suarez gathering is tomorrow. I was promised the branch of the family responsible for the Darby video would not be allowed anywhere near the place. Aunt Mariah has friends enforcing." Ryan explained.
"Hopefully, the same friends that kept Malick's friends from destroying evidence." Yep, that happened. No, Penelope does not want to talk about it.
"Same friends," Ryan reassured.
"Jackie will be here, and I know you like her. She could use an extra friendly face." Taylor added.
"This is her first Christmas with the side of the family too. She just moved in with her aunt a couple weeks ago. You met Teresa already during the final exams at East high Thursday." Penelope was about to tell Ryan he was wrong, but then it came to her.
"She brought Jackie flowers, right?"
"Yep," Ryan confirmed.
"OK, you're right. This will not be that horrible, I hope. Although you're going to the main Suarez event by yourself." Penelope told Zack because Penelope would not risk running into the assholes who harassed her all the time back in high school.
"Actually, you and I are having Chinese alone," Zack told her.
"Why?" Penelope asked, genuinely confused. She knows Zack was invited. She was there when Carolyn invited him.
"Chad feels I'm not ready yet for a full Suarez family gathering," Zack explained.
"None of us really are," Ryan added. "Besides, we felt that you two could use some quality best friend time. Taylor and I will take Jason driving around looking at Christmas decorations. We will probably grab burgers sometime along the way." Ryan explained their plan.
"Then Jason is supposed to stay over to do a very Evans Christmas in the morning. We even received matching PJs to wear. I think your sister did that before her credit card was taken away." Taylor commented.
"If Vince shows up," Ryan said in a way that told Penelope that Vince rarely shows up for these sorts of things. Penelope is very familiar with that type of absentee parent.
"We don't need him. We'll do our own thing without him. You already took care of catering, right?" Taylor said, trying to be reassuring.
"Carolyn already did that. Also, we were instructed not to move the furniture out of the living room yet." Ryan explained.
"Then we will have a good day with or without Vince Evans," Taylor remarked just as they arrived at the house. Penelope was happy to report that none of the Suarez boys that went to West high were there.
XXXXX
Boyfriend Jack: Just so you know, I've received my third shovel talk of the evening.
Carolyn: Which brother? They should know by now that I can take care of myself.
Boyfriend Jack: Actually, this was from your sister-in-law Guadalupe.
Boyfriend Jack: She deeply regrets never making good on her threat to cutoff Charles's dick after that time he made a pass at her. She says she won't make the same mistake twice. Also, I better not fuck it up. At least that's what I think she said. I really need to work on my Spanish.
Carolyn: That sounds like something she would say, but we will definitely help you work on your Spanish.
Boyfriend Jack: How's it going in the kitchen? Do you need help?
Carolyn: You just want to avoid getting more death threats.
Boyfriend Jack: I'm glad that there are so protective of you, but I really wish they would've done more two, Charles. Then maybe everybody wouldn't be fawning over a super pregnant Tiffany.
Carolyn: Did anybody offer to have Charles taken care of for her?
Boyfriend Jack: You taught me never to put stuff like that in writing. I felt like the shovel talk is an exemption because nobody actually means that.
Boyfriend Jack: Usually.
Carolyn: Good boyfriend.
XXXX
"Look, I made chocolate chip cookies all on my own," Sharpay told her boyfriend and Jackie as she brought out a giant plate of fresh chocolate chip cookies. So far, her very first's Suarez Christmas party was going well. There was definitely less crying than anything involving her old family. Also, Liz brought her a bunch of presents she can't wait to open Thursday morning.
"You made cookies on your own?" Jackie asked dubiously. She heard about the brownie fire Friday.
"OK, Carolyn helped, but they're edible."
"I don't see any eggshells this time," Chad said as he took a tentative bite.
"You're sleeping on the couch. Seriously I'm getting better. Nothing caught on fire this time. Also, your mom taught me the importance of cracking eggs over an empty bowl."
"I've seen your apartment. That's essentially the other side of the room." She got to see the place Wednesday when she went with Sharpay to pick up a couple of things before heading to the mansion for breakup therapy and performance planning.
"OK, these are actually good. You deserve a kiss." Chad said as he leaned over to kiss her. Jackie thought it was sweet.
"They really turned out OK?" Sharpay asked, almost skeptical of her own abilities.
"Yes, they are," Chad reassured. That's when Jackie grabbed one.
"There are so good I'm even going to take some over to Tiffany." Tiffany was currently sitting on the couch swapping pregnancy stories with Aunt Guadalupe.
"I'm glad you brought Tiffany because she did bring me more Christmas gifts, but why is she here without Kerri?" Jackie asked.
She was surprised to see Kerri's cousin here without Kerri. Kerri was invited before everything blew up. Technically, Jackie never took back the invitation because she wanted as much emotional support as possible. Thankfully this side of the family wasn't pure chaos.
"Because Kerri didn't think you were ready for her to be here. Although she did send her present via Tiffany." Sharpay answered. "I am supposed to let you know upfront you are allowed to burn it. Kerri said that herself." Jackie couldn't help but laugh at that.
"I won't." After almost a week, she is in a much better place regarding her BFF getting the guy.
"Tiffany wasn't actually even planning to come herself despite the invitation. However, we have to leave for a Lamaze class in about an hour. My mom realized we could spend more time here if Tiffany came with us." Chad explained. "Their best friends now, so of course, she agreed." Jackie felt it best not to comment about Carolyn becoming friends with the other woman.
"We also didn't want to leave her alone," Sharpay added.
"Let me guess, her aunt is working again?" Jackie asked, but she already knew the answer.
"Of course, she is. Everybody else has families, so she's covering." Jackie could feel the sarcasm in Sharpay's voice.
"So does she, but she always forgets about that," Jackie said bitterly. "This is why Kerri always came to my house for Christmas. She isn't home alone by herself, is she? Because I can handle her being here despite what you said earlier. I don't want her to be alone."
"I promise she isn't," Chad reassured.
"She is with Jimmie, isn't she?" Jackie asked. I'm a big girl; I can handle the truth.
"Actually, she's at Jason's house preparing for tomorrow's prevChristmas brunch. Jason invited her. She is also staying overnight." Sharpay told her.
"He invited her to be a buffer for tomorrow?" Jackie asked.
"Yes." Chad and Sharpay answered.
"Good choice. Kerri has served that role for me for many years. I'm kind of happy that nobody screaming right now. This is the most peaceful holiday I've had in a while." Sharpay gives her a sorrowful look.
"I know. I usually invited Kerri because they wouldn't start yelling at each other as long as she was there. They have to keep up appearances for the company."
Jackie now wonders if that's the real reason why Kelsi invited Natasha to spend Thanksgiving with them. Of course, it backfired spectacularly, but in hindsight, it was for the best. Jackie now knew she had no place in that family.
"I know that very well. I'm sure Darby is doing that right now at a very lava springs Christmas. I'm honestly glad we are banned for life from the club right now. The food is better here anyway." Sharpay commented as she grabbed a canopy from the nearby table.
"That's because Maria actually knows how to season food," Jackie remarked.
"Wait until tomorrow at Abuela's house. That's when it really gets crazy. This is essentially a dessert cooking party for tomorrow with appetizers. Although nobody's got arrested there since I was really little." Chad explained.
"So we're not going to eat all the pies and cakes?" Jackie asked.
"We might get to have one. But there's a reason there's currently five pies baking in the oven." Chad pointed out. "Sorry, I should've sent you my flashcards. I will send it to you tonight for tomorrow." Of course, Chad made flashcards.
"There are also many gingerbread and sugar cookies to still be baked. They're waiting on the counter to go in soon as the pies are done. Even with two ovens, we are still waiting."
"I think we're decorating those tomorrow at Abuela's house," Jackie commented.
"Why are we doing it here? How are we going to get all the stuff to her house?" Sharpay asked.
"Carefully. Besides, there's not enough space to do everything over there." Chad said just as a nether late arrival came through the door. He was carrying several bottles of wine. It took Jackie a moment to recognize who it was.
"Hey, is that your dad?" Jackie asked.
"Dad, you came?" Sharpay looked genuinely surprised to see him there. Although within seconds, she was wrapped in a hug. He almost dropped one of the bottles of wine, but Chad grabbed it.
"Of course, I did. Chad's mom invited me."
"And you accepted her invitation despite how bad Thanksgiving turned out? You're very brave. Although you were smart to bring alcohol." Chad commented. Even though she wasn't allowed to touch the spiked Rompope beyond the little taste she was given earlier, even Jackie appreciates the brilliance of having alcohol at this thing.
"I promised we would actually spend Christmas together this year, and I mean it," Mr. Evans told his daughter as he kissed her on the cheek.
"I'm glad. Here, try my cookies." Sharpay proudly grabbed her plate of cookies again from the table she placed them on
"They are actually edible," Chad reassured Mr. Evans.
"Just for that, you're going to Lamaze class without me so I can hang out with my dad," Sharpay smirked at Chad.
"That is not a punishment because I was going to suggest that anyway. Although do you think Zack will come with me?" Chad asked.
"I saw him kissing Ryan on the front porch earlier, so probably not." Mr. Evans answered.
"You're on your own, sweetie." Chad didn't seem to mind so much because Sharpay was kissing him.
This has definitely been an interesting pre-Christmas party. That's what Jackie's text to Jason said when she sent it a few minutes later with pictures attached. Jackie didn't send it to him because she knew he would share it with Kerri. Although she smiled anyway when he told her that's precisely what he did.
To be continued.