Part 4
They'd successfully dragged the tree in the house and set it up in the living area. It was even half decorated. Sara sat, with Jason in front of her helping him tie string onto the pine cones he'd collected. "Your mom's going to be so proud of these Dude" Sara offered as she showed him how a knot was tied. Not that he was taking much notice.
"I wants to hang them one on" he explained as he pointed to the pile that had already been done.
"Okay then… here jump up" She helped him to his feet, then handed him two. "Put these ones on next to all the stars."
He gave a nod before stumbling to the tree with excitement. As he ran back and forth with the encouragement of the brunette – Lindsey shuffled in and fell down next to Sara. "So what times mom back tomorrow?"
"God knows…I'll give her a call later"
Lindsey just nodded, "So … how long do we have to pretend we're doing the tree and not avoiding the kitchen?"
"As long as I keep that kid entertained and you keep going out and getting me beer and food" Sara laughed. Handing Jason another pine cone – "What's for dinner?"
"Salad again by the looks of it…with some fries"
Sara nodded, "Sounds good…"
"Yeah…so what did they think of the tree?"
"Lilly decided it was too big… Nancy said it was drooping from the heat of the fire so I had to move it. Did you expect any less?"
"Well, I think its great…so…"
"Well that's all that matters" Sara laughed. Reaching for her beer and taking a swig –
"Yup"
"LOOKS!" Jason squealed in delight. "I gots it done" He ran back at Sara at a speed and jumped into her lap. "You likes?"
"I like" Sara nodded with a smiled, "But I think Lindsey needs to put the angel on the top…" The brunette handed the teenager the gold dressed angel. "Here ya go"
"Thanks" Lindsey stood up and reached up to put the angel on the top.
"And there it is…complete… ready for Christmas"
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"Hey Nancy" Sara hadn't wanted to be forced into small talk but the kids had gone off to bed. Well, Jason had – Lindsey was on the phone to a friend - so here Sara was trying to kill time.
"Sara…" Nancy said looking up from the paper she was reading. "Need another beer?" she asked, with a slight smile. "Because I think we are all out"
Sara didn't bother to respond, not at first but then she couldn't help it. "You have a problem Nancy…with…me drinking or… me smoking or any thing?" She crossed her arms over her chest and waited for a reply.
"Why would I have a problem? You're a big girl - I'm not here to mother you!"
"Fine, whatever" Sara shook her head in disbelief, an let out a laugh. She couldn't even be bothered to continue this. She took a bottle of water from the fridge, then offered another last look to the sister of the woman she loved, remembering Catherine, and remembering that was the reason she was putting up with this.
After a few moments Nancy spoke again, "So when is my lovely sister back?"
"Tomorrow, early I hope!" Sara explained.
"Bit insensitive to force her out on the work trip at Christmas when she's got the kids, don't you think? I mean… couldn't Gil have sent you or the guys who don't have the family to look out for."
"First of Nancy, we all maxed out on out Conferences- 3 a year, we did our quota. Secondly, I have a family, a family I love very much and wouldn't give up for the world. You acting like this, trying to push me away – its not going to work. Save your breath and change the record. If Catherine was going to listen to your crap she would have by now! Got me…"
Nancy just smirked, and then looked down at the paper, "There not your kids Sara… remember that. Jason will start asking about his Dad."
"Yeah, and when he does we'll explain it to him. Until then, let me explain it to you…his dad was a cheating bastard who ripped Catherine's heart out her chest and jumped all over it. He was a no good alcoholic who beat her around the house when things got too much. He never deserved someone as great as Catherine." Sara was now menacingly close to Nancy. "You think she was better off with him…better off than she is with me – check the hospital records. Three broken ribs, a broken wrist, black eyes and a cracked eye socket will disagree with you!"
"That's enough you to, Nancy go cool off." Lilly demanded as she walked into the argument between the two.
"Forget it…you stay" Sara shot at the other women, "I'm out of here"
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