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Chapter 9

Cookie crumble and icing

Tris' POV

I think of the long list of chores that I have before me to still do. I turn down my last bed, checking for fresh towels as I leave the room, closing the door behind me. I sigh, as I hop down the stairs and head into the cleaning supply closet. One thing about this busy holiday season… There's never a moment to rest or think for that matter. Between keeping up with the long list of ever-growing chores, helping mom with all of the traditions and small touches for all of the guests and now having to babysit Tobias Eaton, I'm beyond exhausted.

Normally I love this time of the year, seeing old friends, the food and the small little traditions that make Christmas, Christmas. I always feel a ping in my heart when the season has passed, and all the decorations come down and the guests leave. But this year, with all that is happening around us… A part of me can't wait for it all to be over. Even if it is our last year. I frown every time I think that we won't have another Thanksgiving dinner here, or another reading of Twas the Night before Christmas, or how Saint Nicholas always leaves candy in our shoes that we leave outside the door for him. It breaks my heart to see this all come to an end. I always thought I would be married here, raise my family here, and grow old here. Just like my parents did. Sure, there is time that I do wish for more. For some excitement, a little adventure. But who doesn't?

I finally finished mopping the dining room and wiping all the tables and chairs down. I drag my tired body through the swinging door, only finding my mother and Hana laughing as they roll out what could only be the tenth roll of sugar cookies out. They both laugh, turning around to see me. They invited me to help, join them. Which I do without hesitation.

Another thing I love about Christmas… the cookies. Every year the day before Christmas Eve mom will make dozens and dozens of sugar cookies for our annual cookie decorating event. Every small detail is well planned out. The night before Mom makes dozens and dozens of cookies, spending hours and hours on her feet baking for the next day. Tomorrow morning, we will make every color frosting from scratch, along with every topping you could think of from all sorts of candies to even marshmallows. The options are endless to decorate, even edible markers are on the table. As if cookies and icings and all that candy isn't enough sugar for our guests, mom also offers hot cocoa or milk to go with them. Everyone is more than welcome to join in on the fun. After all, age is just a number, and you are the age you feel.

Like I said this time of the year is often exhausting, but up till now it has always been worth every ounce of trouble it takes.

I get to work, washing my hands and wrapping a spare apron around my waist. Mom points to me the recipe she is using. It's the same one that she has been using since she took over the kitchen from my grandma and the same recipe that she used in her time. It's the same recipe that I thought that I would one day use when I was in charge. One day that will now not come.

Tobias' POV

I push harder than I should on the damn pastry bag, it easily explodes in my hand causing frosting to combust all over me. Damn thing. This definitely looks easier than it is. I feel my blood boil again and again, as so many around me do this perfectly. Hell, even Zeke's kids are smiling, they are doing much better and need I say a neater job than I am.

"Need some help?" A voice asks me, I look up only to smile at Tris. She seems somewhere between giving me a smile and holding back a laugh at my amusement no less.

"I just… I'm having the hardest time," I admit. Who the hell's idea was this? Me, Tobias Eaton, decorating damn Christmas cookies.

"Here." Tris says, taking a seat next to me as she takes the bag out of my hand. She empties the frosting into another piping bag and hands me a wipe while she's at it. I watch as she twists the top of the piping bag closed, showing me how she did it. She instructs me to hold it closer to the center of the bag, squeezing little by little, then twisting the top as the bag empties. She continues to smile as she magically swipes the tip of the bag onto the cookie. I'm fascinated for the time being as she does this, amazed at how wonderful she is at so many things. She does her own cookie, then shows me each step. She presses her lips in a tight smile, handing me the piping bag, encouraging me to try again. She stands up, moving along to other guests that might need something or her help.

"She's great isn't she?" Zeke whispers in my ear. I straightened up in my seat, I was so lost in thought, I didn't realize he was sitting right next to me.

"Yes, she is." I admit without thinking. My eyes nearly pop out of my head, realizing what I just let slip.

"I guess, I don't need to tell you then how perfect she is." He points out.

"Shut up, Zeke," I mutter. He laughs as a response, knowing damn well he caught me.

"It helps that she is also good looking…" Zeke continues pressing on. "With a great ass."

"Really?" I ask, "I guess I should tell Shauna that one." I threaten, watching his eyes widen this time.

"You wouldn't dare," Zeke says, challenging me. He should know better after all of these years.

"Try me," I challenge him right back.

"You know, at least my toddlers decorate cookies better than your ass." He says, pointing out the obvious.

"Zeke, at this point a gorilla could do better than me," I point out, not ashamed to admit it.

I glance around the room, looking at so many smiling faces. I can see why Tris loves Christmas. It's nothing like the city, here all the eyes sparkle, and the smiles are true. Not to mention everyone seems ten times nicer than anyone does in the city. Maybe there is something in the air out here, or maybe it's the way they do Christmas, or perhaps it's something else.

My eyes land on Tris, her beautiful smile as she helps out the kids with their decorating. The way she is so happy and loving with everyone. She seems so at ease, so selfless to want to share this, all of this with so many.

I get back to filling in my cookie, a snowman, I remind myself what Tris said about doing the outline first and then filling in the center. I add a few eyes, an orange gummy for the nose and liquor ice for the scarf. I admit, I may be messy, and I have no idea what I am doing… but for the first time in a long time I feel like a kid again.

Revised by: FDFobsessed