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Chapter 2

How the Christmas Cookie crumbles

Tris' POV

I pull tightly on the sheet, tucking it between the mattress and the box spring. I brush my right hand over the bed making sure to get all the wrinkles out. I continue making the bed, laying out the comforter and placing the thousands of pillows that Mother insisted each room have. "Anything to make the Guests feel more at home," She said. I sigh as I stand back making sure the bed looks perfect before turning and dusting the rest of the room. I check on the bathroom one last time making sure the fold on the toilet paper roll is just right and all the towels are in place. This room has to look perfect. I vacuumed the room last, closing the door behind me and writing "Mr. Eaton" on the small chalkboard on the door.

I stand back once again, hearing the chaos from below as some of our guests arrive and while our current guests begin to enjoy the breakfast buffet Mother has served. We have eight suites our guests can stay in on the second floor of the resort. My parents and I stay in the two rooms just off of the kitchen on the first floor. For larger families or parties, we have ten, four bedroom and two bath cabins surrounding the main resort. My brother Caleb and his wife Susan, who are practically newlyweds, just got married six months ago stay in one of the cabins for privacy.

I know just like Caleb, life didn't pan out like we all thought it would. Sure we knew eventually we would have to deal with the resort. Mom and dad can't live forever. We just didn't think that day would come so soon. Caleb was just finishing up his Masters and I had just started my first semester in college when we got the call from Mom. Dad had taken a nasty fall getting the Christmas decorations out of storage. It was nothing serious, thank god, but he ended up injuring his back pretty badly. The Doctors said that the recovery time should have been six months, but it's taken years. With the resort more than they could handle, Caleb and I had no choice but to move back home and help out. Caleb helps out with the maintenance side of things, while I help out with cleaning the resort. My father does most of the lighter work of things, while mother does most of the baking and cooking. But more often than most, I find myself in and out of the kitchen helping Mother. I don't mind, my love for food has me intrigued to learn new and older recipes from the resort. Of course that was before I learned what my father did.

I check on the room next door, making sure all is well for Uriah and Marlene's room. I smile, seeing his room is nothing but perfect for them to arrive in. From the bed already drawn, to the waiting Dauntless cake on the small coffee table with two plates and forks and a serving knife. I shake my head, smiling at the thought of Uriah and his cake. No one, not even snow, could get in the way of that.

I've known Zeke and Uriah since we were all kids. Their parents started coming out here even before they were born, making it a yearly tradition to spend Christmas with us. It's been great having them here every year. When I was just a child, I remember being able to play with them, while having no responsibilities or a care in the world. We would spend the day skiing, running around the cabins outside, playing hide and seek, watching The Santa Clause when it got too cold to go outside. My father, who would sit in the rocking chair next to the fireplace on Christmas Eve as he read the story, Twas the night before Christmas for all the Guests.

Now Zeke, who is a year older than I am, is married with three kids of his own. Three wonderful children, two girls and a ten month old baby boy. Although he and his family only come out once a year, we keep in touch, sending emails and pictures back and forth. He always insists on staying in the same Cabin that he and his family always did year after year when they came out when he and Uriah were kids. Hana, Zeke, Shauna and the kids stay in the cabin.

Unlike Zeke, Uriah chooses to stay in the main resort in one of the smaller suites when he comes out. I think it's just too hard to stay in a cabin filled with so many memories after their father passed away from cancer a few years back. Like most of our guests, they always come back year after year. In fact, we tend to be fully booked from the beginning of November till well into February. I'm sure that most of the Guests don't come for just the ski slopes. There's

just something magical that happens out here this time of the year. I can't explain it, but I've seen it.

It all started when my father was a kid himself. It was his father's idea to build the resort. Everyone thought he was crazy, that it would never work out. But he didn't let that stop him. Instead he bought the land with nothing but hopes and dreams. It took him years to finally build the resort and a few years later till it was finally profitable. It wasn't until my father took over the place that he added on the ten cabins for larger parties and families. I hate the thought that he so easily and selfishly just gave all of this up. Like in the end it all didn't mean one damn thing to him.

I rush down the stairs, stashing my small caddy of cleaning products behind the stairs. I lock the small closet, making sure it's nice and secure. Wouldn't want any little ones getting in and getting hurt, that's for sure.

I smile brightly as I can, pushing past them as I greet them all hello and welcome. I try to keep the smile on my face, not letting the anger, disappointment, and hurt show on my face. It was a request my Mother made from us. To not spoil our last Christmas here with bad news to our guests that we have grown to love and care about as if they were our own true relatives.

I finally make it through the swinging door of our kitchen, sighing at the relief of not having to pretend anymore now that I am behind closed doors. I glance at my Mother, who seems more tired than usual. My Father who is sitting down in a bar stool taking directions from my mother on how to make the welcome baskets for each room and cabin.

"Need any help?" I offer.

"No. I think we have it covered." My father says, not bothering to even look up. It's been something that we both have been doing ever since he and mother broke the news to Caleb and I about the resort. While Caleb was both thrilled and relieved by the news, I, on the other hand, wasn't thrilled. Not one little bit. I made that well known to both my parents that night. I said things that although were not a lie, still shouldn't have been said out loud. My father and I have barely spoken or looked at each other ever since.

I still hear my mother's words when she tries to explain my father's actions, "Your father is being a little selfish these days." I was surprised by her explanation of course. My father, selfish? He has never been selfish a day in his life. I couldn't understand why he had to start now.

"Actually, Beatrice, I could really use your help." Caleb says, announcing himself at the back door. "Susan is busy checking guests in and I am behind on deliveries and cabin four needs plunging." He explains. "Would you be able to go into town and get Mr. Eaton for me?" He asks. 'His flight lands in…. One hour."

Pick up the man that bought everything that I have ever known my whole life. My eyes widen for a moment at the thought of having to sit longer than a minute with him… but I nod my head silently agreeing. I know that Caleb has his hands full, I should be selfless and lend him a hand.

"Thanks, Beatrice. I appreciate it." He says, taking two baskets per hand and makes his way back out the back door that he came through.

"Now, Beatrice, we are expecting Marcus Eaton. He is the head of Eaton's Enterprises. It's important that you treat him with the utmost respect," My father begins.

" only make a good first impression, once." My mother chimes in.

"Now, Mr. Eaton is an older man… about my age. He is tall, with gray hair and slightly out of shape." My father says, describing him. "Now, you remember to be on your best behavior." My father finishes, pointing a finger in my direction.

"I guess I probably should go get cleaned up and changed," I say, my lips flattening into a straight line. I rock on my heels before turning and heading back out the way I came. I take a deep calming breath as I make my way through the crowd and back up the stairs. I may not want this deal to go through, but I also wouldn't want to upset my mother more than she already has been. I know this all hasn't been easy on her. I hear the words that she has told me from time and time again, "You can only make a good first impression once."

I change as fast as I can. Letting my hair down for the first time in what feels like forever. I scratch my scalp, sighing at the relief it brings me. I snap out of my delight, reminding myself to hurry. I pull on the first pair of jeans I find. I dig through my closet pulling down a tank top and pull it over my head as I look for a sweater. The high is 35 today, it's only going to get colder as the night approaches. I got my belt and thick leather jacket. I take a quick look at myself before running out the door. Well it's as good as it's going to get. I ran downstairs, pushing through more guests that just arrived. I hug a few of them, welcoming them back as I head out. Letting them know, I'll be back as soon as I can so we can catch up.

I jump behind the wheel of my black Toyota Rav4, I don't waste any time cranking up the heater and rubbing my hands together. I reach into my glove compartment and get out my driving gloves. I feel instant relief when they are in place. I sat back for a minute, making a silent wish that Mr Eaton's plane was delayed, or better yet he didn't make the flight.

I pulled up to what must be the world's smallest airport. I glance all around only catching the glimpse of a young man dressed in a long black wool coat and Johnny the airport caretaker. Johnny seems to be busing himself with shoveling snow off of the pathway. I take a second look at the man. I notice that although he fits some of the descriptions my father mentioned, he isn't old nor slightly out of shape. In fact I would say the total opposite. The man that stands stiffly in the cold is young, perhaps just a few years older than me. Although the large wool coat hides much of his body, I doubt a man like that could be out of shape at all. He is very tall, with short brown hair and broad shoulders.

I forget my speed, hitting the only filled pothole in the lot, sending a large frozen wave of water towards the man. I squeeze my eyes shut for a moment, cursing out loud at what I have just done. I hear the man let out his own line of curse words, as I put the car in park and climb out. I rush around the car in complete shock at the now soaked man.

"Oh wow. I'm so sorry…" I begin.

"Do you always drive like that?" The man blurts out rudely. His ocean blue eyes furious with me.

"Look, I said I'm sorry. Plus you really shouldn't be standing so close to the curb," I point out. What idiot stands so close to a curb, next to a large frozen puddle, no less.

"Oh, so it's my fault that you soaked me?" He shouts back.

"No. I didn't say that." I begin once again, I cut myself off, realizing that nothing that I say will soothe this man. I decide to move along, the man obviously needs a chill pill. "Hey Johnny." I greet, heading into the doors of the one small building in the airport.

"Hey, Tris." He greets.

I go in expecting to find a man that fits Mr. Eaton's description, I come up empty noticing that no one is in here but me. I see the settled plane out on the runway, the pilot seems to be walking off to smoke a cigarette. I turn on my heels heading back out the way I came. "Hey Johnny, did anyone come off of that plane?" I watch as Jonny's eyes widen as he points to the man that I soaked earlier. I sigh, frustrated at the situation. Of course, it would be him.

"You're not Mr. Eaton," I say, meaning to make it sound like a question, but it comes out as a statement instead.

"Tobias Eaton, Marcus Eaton's son." He replies. "You're not Andrew Prior."

"Tris Prior, Andrew Prior's daughter." I answer. For a second we both stand in awkward silence as we process just what we both just walked into. "I'll be driving you back to Prior Valley," I announce, gesturing to the car. I walk up to the backseat passenger door, opening it for him. I move around the car quickly, opening up the trunk so he can load his stuff in.

"Thanks." He says, grumpily as he lifts his suitcase and briefcase into the trunk and then jumps into the back seat as I close the trunk door. I glance at his door, raising my eyebrows annoyingly when I see that he refuses to at least close his own door. I finally gave up, walking to his side of the car and closed it for him. I wave goodbye to Johnny, who has been watching us in both shock and amusement. This is going to be so much fucking fun! I get into the driver's seat, taking a deep breath before placing the car in drive and reminding myself to drive just a little slower for Mr. Eaton's sake.

Revised by: FDFobsessed