It wasn't how Nicky had intended to spend her Christmas Eve night, but now that she was on her way to church she realized that there was nowhere else she would rather be. She wasn't exactly comfortable sitting squished into the back of Lourdes' old car with Gloria's two sons, but she was enjoying the surprising twists that Christmas had brought her. The inclusivity and togetherness that Red had given not only to Nicky, but to Gloria's family, and even Klara to a degree, made Nicky so grateful to have the amazing mother that she now did.
Nicky leaned forward to rest her chin on the side of the passenger seat where Red sat. Stretching her arm out to wrap around the front, Nicky sighed contentedly when she was rewarded by a warm squeeze as Red intertwined their fingers. Without a single doubt in her mind, Nicky could say that this woman loved her. It made her unafraid to share Red, even when she wanted all the attention for herself. Red had reclaimed ever aspect of Nicky's life for her and caused her heart to swell with gratitude whenever she remembered where she had once been in contrast to where she now was. It seemed incredibly fitting to conclude the day with church. She might have pretended to moan about attending with Red, who's only prerogative in attending was to embrace Gloria's family customs, but for Nicky attendance went much deeper.
Although she was hardly a religious person, Nicky knew that there was a God. She had faith because she needed to have faith. She wouldn't have made it this far without it. Unlike Red, for whom the tribulations of life seemed to have reduced belief in the spiritual world down to almost nothingness; the pain in Nicky's past had only strengthened her resolve to believe. She conversed fairly frequently and informally with the greater power she was positive was there. During the loneliest times in her life she had felt like God was her only friend. A secret friend that wasn't chatty but who would listen whenever she needed somebody to talk to. This happened less frequently now because Nicky was surrounded by love and people who wanted to hear her. She felt like her most consistent prayer had been answered at last. As a child, Nicky had regularly prayed that her family would become how she had always imagined a family to be like. The Nichols' clan may not have changed but the way the brokenness in Nicky's life had led her to where she was today, assured Nicky that prayers worked, even if not in the way one expected.
"I guess this is the best we can do," Lourdes sighed, as she parked the car in a narrow spot in the back row of the parking lot. Everyone reached to unbuckle their seatbelts, eager to escape the stifling confines of the cramped car. Red gave Nicky's hand a final squeeze before letting her go.
"We could have just walked from Vasily's," Julio told his aunt, "I doubt it would have made much difference."
"Well, we're here now," Lourdes replied, opening her door and stepping out of the car. Nicky, Benny, and Red followed suit and Nicky held her door open so that Julio could slide out after her. As soon as Julio stood up his ringtone was heard.
"No phones!" Lourdes scolded him, "we're about to enter into the house of God. Keep that in the car, young man!" She shut the driver's door with a clang and gave her great-nephew a stern look.
"It's mom," Julio answered shortly, as he pushed the button to accept the call.
Lourdes nodded understandingly, even though it annoyed her that Gloria would call them now. Apparently, she had been gone for so long that she didn't even remember that this time on Christmas Eve was the same time they had always gone to mass every year. Unless she did remember and had called them a few minutes prior just so that she could feel like she was part of it with them, that she still had a place in their family traditions.
"Hey, mom!" Julio said enthusiastically into the phone once he had gotten through the prison automated message.
Blinking, Lourdes scratched the brim of her nose before beckoning Julio to talk as he walked. Mass would begin in a few minutes and she didn't want them to be late. Lourdes glanced over at Benny and patted his arm noncommittally before turning to walk towards the church.
"Hey, Gloria!" Nicky called enthusiastically into the phone leaning towards Julio's ear.
"Yeah, that was Nicky," Julio said into the phone, shoving Nicky away with a wry grin. Nicky chuckled and skidded away from his hand, rushing towards Red who was walking partly away from the rest of the group. Nicky noticed that her hand was tightly gripped around the cell phone she had pulled out of her pocket.
"She's coming to church with us," Julio was saying into the phone while they walked, "yeah, she's here too." He cupped the phone and looked over at Red, "do you want to talk to mom?"
"That's okay," Red replied quickly, not bothering to turn around. Nicky widened her eyes behind Red's back in surprise. "Just tell her that I'll see her tomorrow."
Nicky quickened her pace to match step with Red and linked their arms, "is there something you would like to tell me?" she muttered under her breath.
"If Gloria had really wanted to speak with me she would have called me herself," Red said shortly, sounding hurt, "but she hasn't phoned me in days." She held up her phone for Nicky to see.
"She probably just knows you've been really busy with Christmas and family," Nicky said reasonably, "wanted to give you some space."
"She should know I don't want space," Red whispered irritably into Nicky's ear so that nobody else could hear, "did she say anything to you before you left?"
"No!" Nicky exclaimed loudly. Then she lowered her voice to a whisper, "except to say that she loved you, okay?"
Red scoffed and brushed her hair out of her face with her free hand, "if she loves me then why is she doing this to me?"
"I think she finds you especially cute when you get worked up," Nicky teased, "but she also probably doesn't even realize that she's doing it. It's only been two days, Ma."
"It feels longer," Red retorted. Nicky rolled her eyes and leaned her head against her mom's shoulder for a moment while they continued to proceed to the entrance of the church.
"I think you should at least say hello," Nicky said finally, raising her head.
"No," Red said stubbornly.
"She asked for you," Nicky pointed out.
"Only because Julio told her I was here," Red retorted, "she had to say that."
"Huh," Nicky sighed. She squinted and scratched the top of her head, deciding not to pursue the matter with Red any more. They'd be at visitation in less than twenty-four hours, Gloria could deal with talking Red down then.
Nicky kept her arm linked with her mother's and looked over her shoulder just in time to see Julio silently ask his brother if he wanted the phone. Benny shook his head no before walking ahead with his hands in his pockets. Nicky sucked her teeth, she was determined that Benny would come to see Gloria with them tomorrow, but even she had to admit that him refusing to even speak over the phone was not a very promising sign. Such a shame, because Nicky knew that buried behind all of Benny's prickliness was just a little boy who needed his mom. He was really hurting himself.
Red led Nicky towards the church doors with ever quickening steps that put enough distance between themselves and Julio so that they couldn't hear what was being said over the phone. It wasn't difficult to do though, Julio was walking deliberately slow so that he could speak to his mother for as long as possible. He knew once he reached the church that Lourdes would make him say goodbye.
"It's a beautiful church," Nicky said conversationally to Lourdes and Benny, as they waited on the steps for Julio to catch up. She looked up at the steeple, "nice bell."
"Gloria had the boys baptised in this church," Lourdes told her.
"Oh, yeah?" Nicky said interestingly, "nice." A silence fell over them and they all turned to watch Julio slowly making his way up the stairs. If Nicky had thought the younger boy had seemed happy before, it was nothing compared to the smile he could not erase off his face now for anything. He clearly adored his mother, even if they did still have their share of problems to work through.
"I'm going to the bathroom," Benny said to his aunt, "I'll see you inside."
"It's crowded," Lourdes called after him, sounding exasperated.
"I'll find you," Benny said dismissively, hurrying inside the church while his Tia stared after him.
"Wrap it up, Julio," Lourdes sighed, with a tired smile, "you'll see mom tomorrow."
Julio nodded obediently, "I have to go now, mom," he said reluctantly, "Tia says church is almost going to start." They couldn't hear what Gloria said in reply but it made her son laugh and glance sideways at Lourdes. It took him another minute before he actually ended the call.
"We'll be lucky if we get seats now," Lourdes said pointedly to him once he had silenced his phone and shoved it into his pocket.
"Mom, said you were going to complain about that, Tia," Julio smiled, "she also said if there aren't any seats left that you should spend the entire mass on your knees and offer the suffering up to God."
"She would say something like that wouldn't she," Lourdes scoffed, "such a brat."
"Where did Benny go?" Julio asked, as the four of them entered the church and walked down the aisle looking for seats.
"Washroom," Lourdes answered, "he said he'd find us and be back soon. He better hope for his sake that he does."
"There are some spots," Nicky pointed to the front row, "anyone feel like pondering with me why front row concert seats are always the first to sell out but in church everyone tries to sit as far back as they can?"
"Because nobody wants the priest looking down their nose at you the entire time," Julio whispered back, as he slid into the pew next to Lourdes. Nicky sat down beside him.
"You wouldn't feel like Father was watching you the entire time if you and your brother would stay quiet for more than two minutes during the mass," Lourdes said to Julio, as she opened up the Catholic missal so that she could follow along with the readings.
"How do you think Daisy is?" Nicky asked turning to Red who was sitting on her right side. She pressed their shoulders together.
"Oh, she's fine, honey," Red smiled, "Yuri will take good care of her. I'm glad you love her so much though."
"How could I not?" Nicky replied, "she's adorable."
"Just like you," Red said, tucking a strand of Nicky's hair behind her ear. Nicky's cheeks flushed under the doting attention. It was nice to have Red's eyes just on her for a few minutes. Things had been so hectic since she had gotten home. It was to be expected, but Nicky hadn't really prepared herself for it. And, although she had enjoyed everybody today, a part of her was just looking forward to hopefully having some time alone with Red tonight. She had to admit to herself that she felt a little cheated so far.
The lector walked up to the podium to welcome everybody and announce the opening hymn. "Where is that boy?" Lourdes griped, "it's about to start! Is he planning to walk down the aisle with the priest?"
"It's okay," Nicky reassured her, craning her neck to look towards the back of the church, "I see him." She raised her arm and waved at him, which caught Benny's eye but also the attention of several other parishioners. Nicky didn't care though.
"Just in time," Nicky said, leaning forward and resting her hand on Red's leg, "you don't want to know what your Tia was going to do to you if the priest had walked down the aisle before you."
"I'm used to threats," Benny told Nicky with a smirk. He stood in the aisle beside their pew but was hesitant to sit down because the only seat available was right next to Red. It made him feel like God was laughing at him. Before he could make up his mind about what he wanted to do however, the organ began playing and Benny sat down quickly in the seat beside Red, not about to get run over by altar servers just to make a point.
Red would kill her if she knew, but Nicky had deliberately tried to manipulate the seating arrangement so that Benny would be incapable of pretending like she didn't exist. Benny had set himself up by walking away as they were about to go in and thus ensuring that he would be forced to take the end seat. Nicky smirked as she stared determinedly at the altar. They didn't need to speak or bond by any means, but if Benny could understand that nothing bad would happen to him by just sitting beside Red, then maybe he would relent to come with them tomorrow.
Nicky sat quietly through the mass and allowed her mind to drift in and out of focus. Her shoulder still pressed against Red's as though they were one person. She couldn't stop thinking about what she would be doing right at this moment a couple of days ago when she was still a prisoner. Most likely she'd be with Alex or some other girl she'd picked up at dinner. Then she'd have gone in search of Gloria to say goodnight. Breathing a collected sigh, Nicky stared at the cross hanging on the wall and silently prayed that Gloria was doing okay. She'd have been losing it if she had been left behind alone in there. She bristled and glanced sideways at Benny.
He was sitting up straight and watching the proceedings of the mass as he had probably been taught to do from birth. It surprised Nicky to see him take this so seriously when he didn't seem to abide by many other rules and expectations set for him. Maybe he just knew that Lourdes would not tolerate disrespect in here, or perhaps he had faith of his own—he looked reflective enough.
As the mass proceeded on Nicky began to feel sleepy. It had been a long day for her and she laid her head down on Red's shoulder for a rest. Red scoffed a little at her tired girl but placed a supportive hand on the back of Nicky's head and scratched her lightly through her hair. Nicky murmured appreciatively. It always felt so good when Red played with her hair.
"Whenever I fell asleep in church, my mom would pinch me really hard," Julio said to Red as he squeezed by them to reach the aisle.
"She's had a busy last couple of days," Red defended Nicky.
"Where is he going?" Nicky murmured groggily, "is it time to go yet?"
"Not yet," Red replied, placing a kiss on the top of Nicky's head, "They lined up for communion. It should be done soon though, probably."
"Huh," Nicky mumbled incoherently.
"It really is beautiful in here, I must say," Red said as her eyes glossed over the Christmas trees, nativity scene, and paintings that adorned the walls, "I haven't been inside a church in probably twenty years."
"Any particular reason?" Nicky asked with her head still resting on Red's shoulder.
"It just never felt like anybody was listening," Red admitted quietly, "even when I really wanted to believe that somebody was." She sighed and she and Nicky both craned their necks to see Lourdes and Julio walk back into the pew and kneel. "Where is your brother?" Red asked Julio.
Julio shrugged, "he went to the back, I think he went to get some air."
Red nodded and her nails dug into the base of Nicky's scalp, "I think I'm going to get some air myself," Red said quietly in Nicky's ear as she gently nudged Nicky off of her.
"Why?" asked Nicky suspiciously, straightening up as Red got to her feet.
"Because I'm very persistent," Red replied strongly in her thick accent. Nicky breathed out a laugh and her eyes were twinkling as she shook her head side to side. Persistent was an understatement when it came to Red, as far as she was concerned.
"Hi," Red said heavily, as she approached Benny who was leaning against the wall. He hadn't gone far and she didn't need to go outside after all. He flinched when he noticed her approaching but recovered quickly displaying an expressionless face with raised eyebrows "I guess this is almost done, huh?"
"Yeah…." Benny said awkwardly, giving her a deep side eye.
"Why did you decide to come stand back here by yourself?" Red asked him in a gentle tone. She could have kicked herself for asking a question that could only be guaranteed to insult her, but it had slipped out of her mouth impulsively.
"Because I wanted to be alone," Benny said pointedly, glaring daggers at Red who did not react to his words or gaze.
"I surmised as much," Red replied, "I'll leave you alone in a few minutes if you wish, I just wanted to talk to you first."
"That would be a waste of time," Benny groaned, rubbing his palm over his forehead as though she had given him a bad headache.
"Because you don't want to hear what I have to say?" Red asked him, raising her eyebrows. She was not looking at him, she was staring straight towards the front of the church with her back pressed flat against the wall. She felt like it would be easier for Benny to speak with her if he didn't need to look her in the eye. She was trying to keep her body language unconfrontational. She was attempting to remain unemotional, as Nicky had advised.
"Because there is nothing that you could say that will change anything," Benny said in a clipped tone. He crossed his arms in defiance and looked down at the ground.
"I don't expect to change anything, Benny," Red said in a steady voice, "I'm sure it's all been said to you before. I really just want you to be happy."
"If you really wanted me to be happy you would leave me alone," Benny grunted.
"Do you really want to be left alone?" Red asked, turning her head to look at him finally.
"Yes!" Benny said, a little too loudly as the people in the back row turned to look over at them. Red waited until everyone looked away before she spoke.
"Well, if you're sure then I will leave you alone," she said softly, "but not before you take this from me." She reached into her purse and pulled out the unopened envelope that held his ticket to the concert his brother and him were to go to together.
"No," Benny said stubbornly, shaking his head in irritation, "I already said I didn't want it. You think if you buy me an expensive present that it will make things alright between us, but it won't."
"I understand," Red said calmly, "it doesn't change anything. I still want you to have it."
"No," Benny said again, heaving a deep and annoyed sigh, "because I'm not going to let you hold it over my head what an ungrateful jerk I am if I take it and then don't start kissing up to you like my brother does."
"I don't think you're a jerk," Red told him, still holding the card loosely in her hand. She decided to ignore his comment about Julio. "I think you have a lot of pain and you're trying to spare yourself from anymore of it. That's a very wise thing to do. Everyone needs to process things in their own way, but you need to know that you have many people, myself included, who care deeply for you. I didn't buy you a concert ticket because I think you're stupid enough to accept me if I give you a bribe." Red looked up into Benny's face which was still impassively stony. She took it as a positive sign that he hadn't walked away or told her to shut up yet.
"You can do whatever you want, Benny," Red pressed on, "you can go to the concert with your brother like I hope you will, you can give it away, sell it, or throw it out. Do whatever you need to do, but please just take it because it is yours. Benny, please?"
The recessional hymn had begun as the priest led to way up the aisle and ended the Christmas service. People were beginning to crowd into the back, where Red and Benny were, in their rush to get out the doors. Red paid the congregation no mind as she continued to look up at Benny with her blue eyes shining with utmost sincerity. If Benny still refuted her efforts, then Red would have to accept that this was a battle that could never be won.
After a moment of deep contemplation, Benny nodded his head and took the envelope from Red's hand, "I'll go with my brother," he said quietly, looking down at the card he was holding gingerly with both of his hands, "thank you."
Relief poured over Red and she tried not to show it. "Do you want to wait for the others outside?" Red asked him, "I don't think we'll be able to see them in this crowd."
Benny nodded again and wordlessly led the way out the church doors. He walked quickly to keep some intentional distance between them, but Red didn't mind. Her heart was feeling so unburdened at the moment and she was nervous about saying or doing something that would change his mind. She took her cell phone out of her coat pocket and saw that the only message for her was from Yuri letting her know that he had dropped by her place with Daisy, had gotten her settled, and walked Duke around the block before heading to his own apartment for the night. Red shoved the phone back into her pocket and her euphoric mood was impacted by a resounding sadness instigated by Gloria's silence. Whatever Nicky said, Red would not accept that Gloria was keeping distance because she wanted to give her time to settle Nicky. Gloria had to have known that Red would be driving herself crazy from the lack of phone calls. It ignited an anxiety that sat in the pit of her stomach and that she hadn't been able to ignore ever since Gloria had called her son but not her. Red felt abandoned.
"There you guys are!" Nicky called enthusiastically, "we've been looking for you!" She walked merrily over to them, with Lourdes and Julio close behind.
Red smiled brightly as Nicky hurried towards them with her curls bouncing, "we thought it would be easier to find everyone outside," she said. When Nicky got close enough, Red placed a hand on her back and ran it in a circle over the fabric of Nicky's coat.
"Good, we're all here," Lourdes said, "shall we make our way to the car? No sense standing out here in the cold."
"Actually, Lourdes," said Red, "I think Nicky and I will walk from here. It's not too far to our place."
"You think?" Nicky said skeptically. She wondered why she always got roped into these sorts of things. It was cold outside and dark.
"We can look at the Christmas lights while we walk," Red told her.
"I guess," Nicky conceded, "although I could see them just fine from the car."
"Well then," Lourdes said, "we will see the two of you in the morning. I'll pick you up around nine?"
"That works," said Nicky quickly, before Red could suggest they leave even sooner than that. There was no real need, they wouldn't get more time with Gloria just by showing up early, and Nicky wanted to sleep in a little.
"See you all in the morning," Nicky added. She purposefully spoke as though Benny had already confirmed that he was coming. Maybe he wouldn't, but at least he would know it was expected and wanted of him. She had noticed the card he was holding in his hand and though the sight of that made her very happy, she hoped his aunt and brother would have enough sense not to comment or draw attention to it. Accepting Red's gift could not have been an easy thing for him to do, but Nicky was pretty positive he was feeling good about his choice.
A few minutes later, after saying their goodbyes, Red and Nicky were walking arm and arm down the street that ran adjacent to the one they lived on. "Are you tired?" asked Red.
"No," said Nicky, "I got a second wind after my power nap in church. That guy's voice has magical abilities. I bet he could have put me to sleep even if I was standing up." She laughed.
"Silly girl," Red smiled, "you were supposed to be praying."
"Like you were?" Nicky said sarcastically, peering up at Red beneath her lashes, "I'll have you know mom that I prayed plenty. First time I felt like talking to God in ages."
"That's good," Red said automatically, giving Nicky a squeeze. "Isn't the city beautiful tonight? I can't believe I lived so long without this."
"Me either," Nicky agreed, "but it makes me appreciate it more now. I always used to enjoy walking the streets at night on Christmas. I'd escape Marka and just go wandering around by myself. It's even more spectacular to be walking back to our home with you tonight." She sounded almost shy as she said it. She hoped Red understood how much this meant to her. Their togetherness was what made the night beautiful to Nicky.
"That's why I wanted to walk home with you," Red said, "I needed some time alone with you. I feel like I haven't been able to give you all the attention you deserve since you came home. It's been a crazy couple of days. They weren't too overwhelming for you, were they?" Red bit her lip and pulled Nicky closer with the arm she had wrapped around her waist.
"Of course not," Nicky quickly replied, putting Red's fears at ease. "These past two days have been the best days of my life. I like hanging out with everybody, even though I think they're all completely nuts."
Red laughed lightly and adjusted the collar of her coat so that it blocked her neck from the cold air, "I did my best to prepare the boys before you came home because I wanted everything to go smoothly for everyone. I didn't need to worry though. Watching you and your brothers today, I couldn't remember a time when you weren't there. I don't think they could either. We fit together, that's why this transition worked so well. It's meant to be."
"I think things went so well because we have a great mom who does an awesome job at making each of us feel loved," Nicky said, refusing to allow Red to not take credit for this goodness. A mother was the heart of the family and the love Red had for her children was undeniable. They were all different, but they were all hers. She bonded them together, had given them the gift of one another. They were very lucky kids.
"But, even if things hadn't gone as well as they have," Nicky proceeded to say, "that wouldn't mean that you were doing things wrong. Look at Benny, you've done everything you possibly can for him and he's damn lucky to have you in his life. That transition is nowhere close to smooth, but that doesn't mean it isn't meant to be also. It's still meant to be."
"Well, I guess I'll see tomorrow when I figure out why Gloria hasn't called me," said Red bitterly. Nicky did not respond, she knew any efforts to reassure her mom would be fruitless. As they neared their apartment building they saw that Yuri had turned the tree lights on and it glittered beautifully above them in the large picture window of their living room. It was a welcome sight to come home to and Nicky felt her heart swell with happiness.
"It looks nice, doesn't it?" asked Red, smiling at the look of unhidden joy on Nicky's face.
"Nice doesn't even begin to describe it, mom," Nicky answered, "I just can't stop feeling happy every time I remember that that is my home now."
"That's the way I feel every time I think about how I get to share it with you now," Red said.
"And the dogs," Nicky reminded her with twinkling eyes, "don't forget our dogs."
"How could I," Red scoffed as her shoulders lifted and she smiled, "they're part of the family."
"Do you think Yuri took good care of Daisy?" asked Nicky.
"He has two children," Red reminded Nicky, "I'm sure he can handle a dog for a couple of hours."
"Yeah, but Daisy requires special care," Nicky said protectively. They walked up the steps and did not release their hold on one another until they reached the front door and Red needed to get her key to let them in.
"They're going to scratch the paint," Red complained, as they listened to the scratching of paws on the other side of the door.
"They're just happy to see us," Nicky insisted. When Red finally unlocked the door, Nicky fell to her knees and was attacked by puppy kisses that made her giggle.
"Oh, Yuri," Red sighed happily as she removed her coat and boots, "look what he left."
"What?" asked Nicky, "all the leftovers? I told you and Lida that you made too much food."
"There's no such thing," Red told her, "but it's not that. This is for you."
Curious, Nicky got up off the floor and tromped over to Red still wearing her coat and slushy boots. The kitchen table was stacked with Tupperware containers of food that Lida must have sent with Yuri, as well as a shimmery blue gift bag that had a tag that announced it was for Nicky from her three brothers. Nicky peered into the bag and pulled out a box of chocolates and a pair of blue flannel pyjamas. She grinned, it touched her that the boys had obviously wanted to give her a present, even if they hadn't had the courage to give it to her in person.
"Those are lovely," Red smiled, "and they picked them out themselves, you know."
"You didn't help them?" asked Nicky in surprise.
"No," Red replied, "and neither did Lida."
"That's nice of them," said Nicky quietly. She returned the gifts to the bag and began to pick around the food on the counter. Taking a large bite of Vatrushka, Nicky allowed its sweetness to fill her mouth. "I'm going to go put them on."
"We should have some hot chocolate," Red smiled, "would you like some?"
"Yeah," Nicky agreed. She went into Red's bedroom and changed into her new pyjamas. Then she plopped herself down on top of the neatly made violet comforter. Nicky stretched to turn on the lamp that was set on Red's bedside table and then leaned back against the thick fluffy pillows that were so unlike the paper-thin ones issued to them in prison.
"Daisy!" Nicky called, and the little dog came scampering into the room and jumped onto the bed. Duke was at her heel and leap onto the bed with equal enthusiasm. "Just look at you two," Nicky said as she scratched both dogs behind the ears, "I'm glad you're getting along so well."
Just then Red walked into the bedroom holding two mugs. She placed Nicky's hot chocolate on a coaster on the bedside table, "there you go, honey."
"Marshmallows," Nicky exclaimed, as she picked up her drink and took a sip.
"I guess I thought you hadn't already eaten enough sugar today," Red said dryly, placing her own mug down and walking over to her dresser.
"Mmmm, thanks," said Nicky, lowering her cup and revealing her frothy covered lips.
"Hmmm," Red breathed with a little laugh as she stood by her dresser with her eyes on Nicky.
"What?" asked Nicky, wiping the foam off of her lips with the back of her hand.
"You just look so especially cute right now," Red told her. She looked away and pulled out a pair of gray silk pajamas, "who knew the boys would have such good taste?"
Nicky snorted but looked pleased. She took another sip of her hot chocolate. "We should really get a tv in this room," she said, plucking a marshmallow off the top of her drink and popping it in her mouth.
"A television?" Red said skeptically, "I've never liked a television in the bedroom." Her back was to Nicky as she did up the buttons on the front of her silk top.
"I like a television for background noise," Nicky replied, "I always used to put something cheerful on and watch it in bed until I fell asleep as a kid."
"Well, my boys were only allowed to watch television in the living room after their homework was done," Red said. She pulled on her silk pajama bottoms and then picked up her mug of tea, "and if they couldn't fall asleep straight away they had little lights and they read quietly to themselves."
"Fine, be that way," Nicky rolled her eyes, and took another sip from her mug. "Julio told me Gloria only let them watch one hour of tv a day, so at least you weren't as strict as her."
"Get up for a second, honey," Red said, moving to her side of the bed, "I want to pull this blanket back so that we can get under the covers. Nicky got out of the bed and Red pulled the blankets back. Nicky took a last gulp of her hot chocolate and then laid down in the bed. Red slid into the bed beside her, but stayed seated as she took another sip of her tea.
"Is it bad if I'm too lazy to get up and brush my teeth after drinking that?" Nicky asked sleepily.
Red touched Nicky's cheek affectionately, "definitely," she replied, "but I'll let you get away with it tonight because you look so cute lying there and I don't want you to leave."
"Good," Nicky smiled, wiggling closer to Red. She kissed her thigh lovingly and was rewarded by Red gently caressing her hair with her available hand. "I love you," Nicky said spontaneously, rolling over so that she was lying on her back with her head in Red's lap.
Red smiled down at her, "I love you too, darling," she said back. She reached for Nicky's hand and held it tightly in her own, "and I always will." Despite all of the challenges this Christmas had sprung upon her, she knew she was very lucky to have Nicky in her life. Things were okay. Maybe there was a God.
Thanks for reading!