"Hey cus," Ellis says, hugging Arianna while Liam loads her suitcases into the SUV.
"Let's get in, mom will get impatient," Arianna says opening the door for Ellis to climb in with her.
"Auntie Lizzie, thanks for picking me up," she says as she climbs into the vehicle.
"No problem sweetie. Ready for Christmas break?"
"Definitely!"
"What are you taking home? That bag was heavy, Ellie bear," Liam teases.
"Oh shut up, Willi," she replies to Liam.
"Hey you two. Get that teasing out now. I'm sure your mom won't want to hear that all break," Lizzie says.
"Yes, Auntie Lizzie," says Ellis.
"Sorry, El, Liz," Liam says.
"El, will Harriett be home for Christmas?"
"She went with her mom to Moline, Ohio to visit her Grandma last week. She didn't have finals in her dance courses. She'll be in Seattle late tonight," Ellis answers.
"I'm not sneaking you out."
"Mom knows, so I'm assuming Dad knows. But we need to be careful as she's not out to her mom."
"What about her dad?" Arianna asks.
"Uncle Jackson knows she's interested in girls, we plan to tell him we are dating this week. She wants to tell him in person. So both of you please keep our secret."
"We will, El."
"Hey kids. Got much luggage?" Cormac asks as he greets the three in hugs as they arrive at the baggage carousel.
"El is bringing everything back from New York," Liam teases.
"I have some reading to do. My textbooks are in there," she responds.
"You really plan to study over Christmas break?" Arianna says.
"Yes. Organic Chemistry sucks," she responds.
"I'm sure one of us can help you study. Bailey and Zo are already here," Cormac responds.
"I talked to Austin last night. He was sad he's not coming. But he did just finish a tumour resection on a 2 year old," Liam said.
"I know. You know what Residency is like. 2nd year, and he's happy at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. Does he get time off to dine with your grandparents?" Cormac inquires.
"Yes, he's eating with them Christmas Eve and taking them to church."
"Have you been to see them recently?"
"We went in September, but we have so much family on the East Coast," he replies.
"How's the Shepherd clan?"
"Everyone is good. A couple of cousins have gotten married this fall. Auntie Kathleen just retired from the hospital and they've moved to Albany this fall."
"And your parents?"
"Mom and dad are in negotiation to move their practice. They want us to join them. We'll see," Arianna says.
"I still have 2 years in my contract. I'm mostly at the women's hospital, although I have to cover some shifts at the main NYPres hospital. I will finish my US licensing this year, but owe them another 18months for my contract," Liam says. Liam had lucked out and gotten a fellowship in high risk obstetrics and maternal medicine at Alexandra Cohen Hospital for Women and Newborns.
"Is all going well?" Cormac asks.
"Yes. Loving the work," he replies.
"Except the weeks where we are opposite schedules all is well," Arianna adds.
"I totally hate those weeks too, although we have so many fewer of them with our current positions. El, how was last term?" Cormac commiserates and switches to checking on Ellis who is studying at Columbia.
"Good. Got all As. But other than organic chem it's all easy. With 4 siblings who have all done pre-med courses its not difficult," she says.
"Not too much partying then?" he teases.
"Ahhh Dad! No partying, just weekly trips to Princeton for a dance class." He loves that Ellis calls him Dad. She was five when he'd started dating her mom and she'd never known her dad so she'd quickly started calling him Dad. She and Liam had become fast buddies and she mimicked everything he did and had chosen Columbia because Liam was going to be in New York City.
"Amazing that you were able to do that. Are you able to do another course next term at Princeton?"
"A three hour Friday afternoon course in New Jersey. Then I stay overnight with Harriett," she replies.
"Is Harriett back in Seattle for Christmas? Jackson said she was in Ohio with her mom," he says.
"She gets in late tonight. What are the plans tonight?" Ellis asks.
"Finish decorating the tree, then family dinner followed by the twin's show," Cormac answers.
"So Liam and Arianna, you are staying at Link and Amelia's. Hope that is OK?" Cormac asks as they arrive in the neighbourhood.
"Definitely. Much rather the guest room at Amelia's than an air mattress at home," Liam says.
"No fair," Ellis adds.
"El, you have the attic with Zola. Bailey is in the office," Cormac says.
"But…."
"If you want to complain I could put you with one of the twins."
"No, I'll share with Zo," she says defeated.
"Is Auntie Meredith home?" Arianna asks.
"No, she's supervising a number of surgeries today."
"Oh no! She's going to be grumpy tonight. OR time but no cutting unless someone screwed up," Liam says.
"True, you know her well. So if you two want to come over about 5 we will be making dinner then," Cormac says as they unload the car. He parked in the back lane between the two homes. Link and Amelia had purchased the house behind Meredith's and moved into it the year Liam graduated highschool.
"Thanks Dad," Liam says as he grabs Arianna's hand as they head through the gate that was rarely ever closed between the two houses.
