An Upstate Christmas

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Ch2: Quiz


Nick took a deep breath as he dropped the luggage in the room. Mandy sat down on the bottom bunk looking around the room taking in changes that her parents have done to her room. The soft pink walls with the lavender trim, she smiles to herself remembering painting the room with her dad when they moved there. The bunk beds were new as well as the hand drawings of princesses and fairies from her nieces.

"This is cozy." Nick said taking off his jacket.

"That's not funny." Mandy said Nick just turned and smiled at her. "Billy and Matthew did this on purpose. They always insist on staying home for the holidays when they only like an hour away."

"It's pretty gnarly outside. Your ma probably didn't want them driving out in this yuck." Nick said resting against the top bunk, looking down at Mandy.

"This is going to be a long week." Mandy teased, Nick reached down and grabbed her hands pulling her up into a hug.

"It's not going to be that bad." Nick whispered against her hair. "Besides I love Cinderella and um... Her friends?" Nick said confused.

"Well, if you really loved Cinderella you'd know that that isn't her." Mandy teased.

"Whatever..." Nick chuckled.

"Mandy, I got your plates ready for you." Elaine shouted from downstairs in the kitchen.

"Were coming." Mandy shouted back. Nick followed Mandy downstairs to her dining room. The dining room was set up like a pseudo interrogation room. Nick and Mandy took their designated seats while everyone else watched them.

It was late and everyone was tired, especially Nick and Mandy. The plates were filled with mashed potatoes, ham, and various salads. Nick took a seat and felt the stares of everyone bearing down on him. He was unsure what to do so he just looked down at his plate looking at the food.

"Thank you, mom, I'm starving." Mandy said taking a spoonful of the mashed potatoes.

"I figured you would need some real food in your stomachs." Elaine said drinking her coffee. "How is it?"

"Good." Mandy said.

"Delicious. Thank you." Nick said smiling. This was the first meal either of them have had in two days. Nick had to use all self control in the world so that he didn't wolf the food down.

They made little conversation while they ate, but Nick was able to witness the Griswold-ness of her family. But that was just the love that was in the room, as they cracked jokes at each other and teased each other and laughed. They talked about the unreal shenanigans that took place during the party and Nick struggled not to laugh. Once they were done Mandy leaned back in her seat and Nick stood and went to take her plate. That was the routine at their house. Nick was the neater of the two; he never let the dishes pile up and did a good job keeping the house clean. Mandy would joke and say that he'd make a great housewife someday.

Yes, it was the house as in their house. They had just recently moved in together after only a short time of dating. They had been dating for about sevenish months when he found out her lease was up and she had been spending just about all her time over there anyway so she moved in. They were initially worried it was too soon especially due with everything else going on but soon learned it was a great decision."Nick, take a seat." Eli said, Nick looked confused. Mandy grabbed her plate and took his and went to the kitchen. Nick slowly sat back down.

"So how long have you and Mandy been going together?" Billy asked.

"About 6 or 7 months... I think." Nick chuckled.

"Where'd you guys meet?" Matthew asked.

"Work... We've worked together for years."

"So why date now? Why, wait?" Matthew asked again. Nick swallowed with nervousness.

"I didn't want to rush into anything. We were friends." Nick stuttered.

"Friend zoned!" Matthew yelped startling Nick.

"Boys why don't you... Go away? So I can talk to Nick." Eli said immediately quieting the boys' laughter. They left the dining room do Nick and Eli could talk. "You know that's my baby girl, right?"

"Yes." Nick said.

"She tells me that you too live together, is that true?"

"Yes."

"Do you take care of her? I know her job sometimes can have its toll on her." Eli said.

"I know, but Mandy doesn't need anyone to take care of her. When there's a tough day at work we will talk about it, but I think that's for both of our mental psyche." Nick said hoping he didn't say too much but he had to be honest. If anything Mandy probably took care of him, Nick had never felt truly loved until he and Mandy started dating. Eli nodded appreciating Nick's honesty but wanting more.

"You said you've been dating for about 6 or 7 months but friends for a while? What changed?" Eli asked, Nick couldn't help but blush and feel embarrassed.

"I've always been smitten by your daughter." Nick said adjusting in his seat to accommodate his sore lower back. "After a couple rough days at work I was feeling down and Mandy made me feel better. She made me happy, so call me greedy but I didn't want to let go of that... Still don't. As cheesy as that sounds." Nick said trying to give a playful chuckle but the mood in the room was a little too serious for it. "I really do love your daughter." Nick said.

"If you hurt her, I'll kill you." Eli said looking Nick directly in the eyes.

"I would never even think about doing that." Nick said returning the look.

Meanwhile in the kitchen Mandy sat on the counter as her mother did the dishes giving her a full recap of the Christmas party that had taken places only hours before. Mandy looked at the clock it was two o'clock in the morning but you wouldn't be able to tell from inside the house.

"Everyone is going to come back for the New Years Eve party for a pseudo Christmas/New Year's party." Elaine said rinsing some dishes.

"As long as you make your homemade eggnog I couldn't be happier." Mandy said smiling.

"Of course." Elaine said smiling at her. Elaine already knew enough about Nick and Mandy because Mandy had kept we pretty informed along the journey. "What did you get each other for Christmas?"

"Nick got me this necklace." Mandy said showing her mom the silver chain necklace with a diamond pennant. "And he got me a north face, a giant's jersey since my other one was faded, and a pair of slippers. I got him a watch, one of those super duty phone protectors, pajamas, and slippers. We exchanged gifts before coming out here thinking that it could lighten our moods before flying."

"So how was coming out here? Were you able to get a flight out alright?"

"Nick was able to pull some strings and work a little magic. He got us a round trip on Christmas."

"Whoa."

"And after the shift we had... Let's just say I wouldn't have been surprised or even angry if he said that we couldn't come out." Mandy said looking reliving the events of her nightmarish shift.

"That bad?" Elaine said looking up at Mandy with empathy.

"No one should have to bury a loved one on Christmas, much less their child." Mandy said in a Trans. Just as she thought she was going to have to have a deep conversation with her mother, Nick emerged at the doorway.

"Is it alright if I come in ladies?" Nick asked yawning.

"So polite." Elaine whispered to Mandy. "Yes, you may Nick. I'm going to go to bed I'll see you both in the morning." Elaine said taking her husband and going off to bed.

"Ready to go to bed?" Nick asked yawning again. Nick helped her off the counter and hugged her.

"Yeah, come on sleepy head." Mandy said kissing him. They continued to kiss until they heard catcalls coming from the living room.

"Be easy on him Mandy! The poor man is tired!" Billy and Matthew yelled. Mandy and Nick blushed terribly before finally going to bed in the kids' room.


Please Review! What do you think? Trying to add some fluff!