A crisp wind blew through the wooded backyard causing needles to fall from the surrounding trees. Natalie drew her coat around her tighter and double checked that Erik was still wearing his scarf. They'd been playing in the backyard for the past hour and while Natalie felt like she was chilled to the bone, Erik showed no signs of discomfort. Diana was sleeping in her stroller a few feet away bundled up in heavy blankets. Edgar and Antha were in the house, hopefully talking or resting. Natalie had insisted on taking the kids for a walk and giving the couple a little time on their own.
"Natalie, I found a pine cone" announced Erik.
"Great, why don't we collect a bunch and we can make wreath with them for your mum" said Natalie.
"Are you going to be here for Christmas?" asked Erik.
"Yes, I'll be here" said Natalie. "Will you?"
Erik just looked at her quizzically and went back to collecting his treasures. Natalie just chuckled to herself and walked over to check on Diana. The baby was awake and looking around at her change of scenery. Deciding that it was the perfect time for a walk she called Erik over and they took a stroll around the neighborhood. Baby Diana cooed happily as she looked at her new surroundings. Erik commented on the Christmas decorations that adorned the neighborhood. As dusk began to fall Natalie turned their little parade around and as they passed by the houses the Christmas lights were turned on and little animation pieces came to life. The walk back took a lot longer because Erik insisted on studying each houses set up. When they finally returned Natalie noticed there was a new car in the driveway.
"Uncle Sig is here" announced Erik as he tore off towards his house.
"Watch the driveways" yelled Natalie.
Erik slowed to a trot and skirted the edge of the driveway before disappearing into the house. Natalie followed after him pushing Diana over the threshold and into the house, still in her stroller.
Sig was almost tackled by his nephew as he pulled a soda out of the fridge. He set the can on the counter and pulled his nephew into a fierce hug. Erik gripped Sig's neck and dropped his head to his shoulder. In a moment his eyes were drifting closed and in the next he was fast asleep. Natalie appeared in the kitchen a few minutes later carrying his baby niece.
"Hi" she said quietly.
"What did you do to him?" asked Sig.
"Drugged him with fresh air" said Natalie with a smile. "Why don't you lay him down on the couch and take Diana so I can finish making dinner."
"Sure, whatever I can do to help" said Sig.
Sig laid Erik down on the couch and his eyes didn't even flutter. With Diana in his arms he helped keep Natalie company in the kitchen.
"How's Edgar's back?" asked Sig.
"Not good" said Natalie. "But he's not my biggest concern."
"What do you mean?" asked Sig.
"Antha is really struggling" said Natalie. "She needs more help and she wants Edgar to help her."
Sig looked down at the baby in his arms and then over his shoulder to the sleeping boy on the couch. He had no idea how much work was involved in carrying for children and keeping up a house. His mother had done it and while it seemed like she was completely able to handle whatever devilish things he and his brothers got up to, he wasn't really able to recall how. Edgar had already told him he didn't plan to keep fishing forever and Sig supposed this was as good a time as any to let him retire. Then selfish Sig took over informing him that it wasn't fair that Edgar would get to live off the boats profits while he and Norman continued to risk their lives each season. Natalie stared at Sig's changing expression, wondering what thoughts were flickering through his mind. Deciding it wasn't her place to ask she focused on getting dinner on the table.
Spilling the pasta into a large serving dish Natalie ladled the sauce over the top and then added the cheese. Sig managed to set the table using his free hand and then went to find Edgar and Antha. He returned a few minutes later blushing beet red. Natalie was about to ask him if he was ok when a glowing Antha waltzed into the room.
"What a difference a nap makes" commented Natalie.
"Thanks, you are an absolute lifesaver" said Antha.
"Anytime" said Natalie, giving her friend a hug.
"Would you like a glass of wine?" asked Natalie.
"Just a small one" said Antha. "And not until after I nurse Di."
"Not a problem" said Natalie.
Edgar walked into the room and gingerly removed Diana from Sig's arms. He gave the little girl a gentle snuggle and then settled her into the crook of his arm.
"Are you sure it's safe to hold her like that?" asked Sig.
"Trust me, she's tucked in tight" said Edgar.
"He carries her around like that all the time" said Antha.
"Yep, I can even fold a load of laundry holding her like this" boasted Edgar.
"I can't imagine that the corners are all squared" quipped Natalie.
"What's a squared corner?" asked Edgar.
"You just proved my point" said Natalie.
Antha piled her plate with food and made one for Edgar and another for Erik who was just rousing from his nap. Sig and Natalie took their seats and served their own plates. Edgar poured the wine and then sat down with Diana still in his arms.
"Let's say grace" said Edgar.
Everyone bowed their heads and Edgar said the short prayer. Once the last word left his mouth everyone started eating.
"This is yummy" said Erik.
"Use your napkin sweetie" said Antha.
Edgar looked at her for a moment and the smiled wide.
"Why are you smiling?" asked Antha.
"Because, you haven't called him sweetie since I got home" said Edgar.
"I guess I'm feeling better" said Antha.
Natalie gave Sig a pointed look before taking a sip of her wine. Sig gave her a quizzical look before going back to eating. The rest of the meal passed with small talk and fussing over baby Diana.
Later that night Natalie and Antha sat out on the back porch huddled near a heater. Antha held a glass of wine in her hand as did Natalie, they were both yawning more than they were drinking.
"Thanks again for all the help with the kids" said Antha.
"Of course, I love those little angels" said Natalie.
"They are always angels for you, it seems they are the exact opposite for me" said Antha.
"It must be overwhelming" said Natalie. "I can't imagine how hard you have to work every day."
"I've been getting a lot of job offers and I can't take any of them because I can't get ten minutes to take a shower much less the hours I need to actually edit something" ranted Antha.
Natalie took a sip of her wine and encouraged Antha to do the same.
"I'll be honest, I think you need to go back to work" said Natalie seriously. "If you need Edgar to stay home then you have to tell him."
"The thing is, it's not the money, it's the pride" began Antha. "He doesn't want to let his family down. He wants to show he can pull his own for the family business. No matter what the cost."
Natalie pulled Antha onto her lap causing the wine glass to tumble out of her hand. Antha bent to pick it up.
"Leave it" said Natalie.
Antha dropped her head onto Natalie's shoulder and cried in great heaving sobs.
"Sometimes, I think I made a mistake" mumbled Antha into her shoulder. "I should have been more clear that I wanted to see each other on a daily basis. Not this few weeks between fishing seasons bullshit."
"Then tell him" said Natalie. "He does have two ears, they both work."
"I don't want to be the reason for a fight between brothers" said Antha.
"You come first to him, you and Erik and Diana. You are his family" said Natalie. "When he made his vows to you he promised you'd come first."
"I just don't want to cause problems" said Antha with a sniffle.
"You won't" came Edgar's voice from the doorway.
The girls hadn't even heard it open. Antha moved off of Natalie's lap and into Edgar's outstretched arms.
"We'll make it work" said Edgar. "I promise, you always come first."
"I don't want Sig to hate me" blubbered Antha.
"He won't" said Edgar. "If anything he'll hate me, but you are my family, you and the kids are my priority."
"Why don't you talk to him about it somewhere neutral" suggested Natalie. "You can use my house. Antha, you can come early and bring the kids if you want. I can make room so everyone can spend the night."
"That's really generous of you" said Edgar. "It will probably work out best if the kids are out of earshot."
"Consider it done" said Natalie. "When do you want to do it?"
"Sooner the better" said Edgar. "Sig, will have to hire another guy."
Antha looked away, more tears beginning to spill down her cheeks.
"I'm going to give the kids one last kiss and then I'm going to head home" said Natalie. "I'll make sure to take Sig with me."
"Thanks" said Edgar.
Natalie gave Antha a hug and a kiss on the cheek. She patted Edgar's shoulder and gave him a peck on the cheek before leaving.
A few days later Natalie flitted around her house like a doting housewife. She was wearing an apron, her hair in a tight ponytail and her cheeks dusted with flour. The house was cleaned and prepped for the big sit down. She'd set up a playroom/nursery on the far end of the house. Edgar had decided to tell the whole Northwestern crew at once. Natalie had bedrooms set up for everyone in the expectation that discussions would last late into the night. In order to keep everyone talking Natalie had a full selection of food and drinks available. She knew no one would go hungry or thirsty during the meeting. She wasn't sure how long it was going to take. Edgar had already mentioned there would be yelling which lead Natalie to wonder if the brothers would come to blows. Thinking on it she decided to put away some of her more valuable items. She was just setting a vase of flowers on the table when the doorbell rang. Taking a deep breath she brushed a few hairs out of her face and went to answer the door.
"Hi" said Natalie as Erik wrapped his arms around her legs.
"Thanks for doing this" said Edgar from behind Antha.
"Of course, anything to help my friends" said Natalie.
She ushered the family into the house and immediately plucked Diana from Antha's tired arms.
"Erik, I got some new stuff and set up a special toy room for you" said Natalie with a playful smile.
"Can I see?" asked Erik.
"Of course" said Natalie. "Lets go now."
"Can I?" asked Erik to his mother.
"Yep, have a good time" said Antha gratefully.
"Why don't I get Diana settled, she looks ready for a nap" suggested Natalie.
"She needs one, desperately" said Antha.
"There's some snacks in the living room and drinks in the kitchen" said Natalie over her shoulder as she disappeared down the hallway.
Natalie found Edgar and Antha cuddled on the couch when she returned from the playroom. She set down a video monitor in front of Antha who gawked at it for a moment before smiling.
"Just in case we don't hear her" explained Natalie.
"What is she sleeping in?" asked Edgar.
"It's a rocking mini crib" said Natalie defensively. "It came highly recommended."
"It's really cool" said Edgar.
"Is Erik having fun in the playroom?" asked Antha.
"Yep, he has a new train table to play with" said Natalie.
"I've got to check it out" announced Edgar.
"It's down the hall" said Natalie.
"I'll find it" said Edgar as he bounded down the hallway.
"We're never going to see him until the guys arrive" said Antha with a smile. "He loves trains, I think he likes them more than Erik."
"Just a big kid at heart" said Natalie.
"It's been really nice having him home" said Antha quietly.
"Well it seems like you're going to have him home a lot more now" said Natalie.
"I hope so" said Antha. "We've talked about me taking more jobs, I think with the help I'll be able to take a few smaller ones to start that then more as the kids get older."
"Are you guys going to move?" asked Natalie.
"We shouldn't have to, I mean I did most of my work from home before anyway" said Antha. "I mean we could, I'm just renting my house in LA. But I think Edgar wants to be here, close to family."
"Of course" said Natalie. "I'd be sad if you took my little buddy Erik so far away."
"He'd miss you too" said Antha. "He missed you while you and Edgar were up north. Asked about you almost as much as he asked for daddy."
"You're sweet" said Natalie.
"It's true" said Antha. "I missed everyone. It's hard being apart. Like part of my soul was missing."
"I can't imagine how hard it is" said Natalie sympathetically.
"The worst part, is that I know what he's doing. How he's risking his life. How at any moment something terribly could happen and he wouldn't be coming home" said Antha, her eyes filling with tears.
Natalie sat back and listened. She couldn't think of anything to say. The doorbell rang and Natalie got up quickly to answer it.
Jake and Nick were the first to arrive. They both marveled at how well Natalie was looking. She gave them a quick tour and they both disappeared into the playroom to play with Erik. A few minutes later Sig arrived. He didn't even bother knocking, merely opened the door, walked through to the kitchen, and helped himself to a beer before finding Antha and Natalie in the living room.
"Ah, here are the co-conspirators" said Sig.
Antha smiled and Natalie got up and Sig swept her into his arms, giving her a searing kiss. Antha smirked at their brief exchange, wondering if perhaps she wouldn't be a lone wife for long.
"Get a room" muttered Edgar from the doorway.
"I know where one's available" said Natalie with a smirk.
Sig turned and clapped his brother in a hug. Before noticing Jake and Nick standing behind him. Greetings were exchanged before the doorbell rang again. Natalie admitted Norman and Matt, steering both into the living room.
"Hey" said Sig. "Grab a beer."
"Thanks man" said Matt. "Is this your new house?"
"No, it's Natalie's" said Sig.
"This place is amazing" said Matt. "When's the tour?"
"I guess it could be right now" offered Natalie. "Follow me."
Natalie took them through the house, pointing out the rooms that the guys could use if they chose to spend the night. Each bed had a pair of new pajamas laid on them, because while Natalie had room for everyone, she had failed to mention such arrangements to Sig. The group finished out the tour back in the living room, where Natalie insisted on getting everyone something to drink before disappearing into the kitchen to put the finishing touches on dinner. Antha was tempted to join her but then decided to stay with Edgar just in case he needed some encouragement.
The discussion began over dinner, Edgar announced his intentions and the whole room erupted. Natalie sat at the kitchen island listening to the whole conversation, when she leaned forward she could see the guys sitting around the table. At one point she thought about going in to take away the plates and offer something else to drink but when the voices got loud she changed her mind. Antha walked in holding the monitor and said she was going to get the kids changed for bed. Natalie nodded in response, deciding she would stay just incase someone got out of hand. A few minutes later Sig was yelling at the top of his lungs. Deciding this was the type of out of hand behavior that needed an intervention, she got up and entered the fray.
"Gentlemen" said Natalie as she walked into the room. "As many of you don't know I'm british and we have an after dinner tradition."
She was holding a large leather box which she promptly set on the table. The men stared at her, completely confused at why she was there and what she was talking about.
"Open it" she said, motioning to the box.
Nick reached forward and tipped the box open. Inside were rows of cigars. Natalie tossed a torch lighter and cigar cutter on the table.
"The only thing I ask is that you enjoy them outside on the patio" she said.
The guys looked dubiously out the windows.
"Don't worry it's heated" said Natalie assuredly.
She started setting out brandy and port glasses. The guys decided on brandy and she handed them each a cut crystal snifter before they headed outside. Antha arrived a moment later with a sleepy Erik in tow. The guys all wished him goodnight before Antha led him back to his room. Natalie followed her to help settling the baby down for the night. The girls returned to the kitchen, poured themselves a large glass of wine and headed outside.
The patio was basically a glassed in porch, there was a complicated air filtration system that could heat and cool the air as needed while at the same time keeping it smelling fresh. Natalie's father loved cigars and she always hated when he'd smoke them in the house, so the patio was built to appease them both. The crew eagerly cut and lit their cigars, settling into the comfortable chairs and putting their feet up on the table. Natalie and Antha arrived a few minutes later holding glasses of wine.
"Bug, this place is awesome" said Matt. "Who's is it?"
"It's mine" said Natalie simply.
"This is your house?" said Jake in surprise. "It's like a mansion."
"It's her house, lets move on" said Sig.
Natalie glanced at Sig across the table, he seemed nervous and angry. Jake settled into his seat, taking a large swig of his brandy.
"Let's cut the crap" began Sig. "The bottom line is that Edgar doesn't want to come back next season. I don't have enough time to find another person, so as of now we will have to work a four man deck. We've done it before and can do it again."
"Sig, seriously" said Nick. "We are all a lot older than when we did that for a whole season, it's different. We need a fifth man."
"I'm not going to hire some idiot off the dock" said Sig.
"Then don't" said Matt. "We already have someone who can do it."
"What the hell are you talking about?" asked Sig angrily.
"Bug" said Matt simply. "She was awesome on the boat, she could do it again."
"Why would she want to work for Edgar?" asked Sig.
"I don't need money" said Edgar. "Seriously, I just want my owners cut, that's it."
"Bug, would you do it?" asked Norman.
Natalie was caught off guard. She took a sip of her wine while she thought. Her eyes slipped over to where Edgar and Antha were sitting together. Antha's eyes pleaded with her, desperately hoping she'd say yes. Her mind thought back to her near death experience on the boat, the stabbing, the starvation and how Sig had treated her. She thought for a few moments more and decided that it was an emergency and she was never one to shy away from one of those.
"Sure" said Natalie.
A cheer went up from the crew, Edgar tipped her back and gave her a huge kiss on the lips. Then Jake danced her around the room, before passing her off to Nick and then Matt. Norman gave her a small hug.
"This party needs a more celebratory beverage" said Natalie. "Be right back."
She disappeared into the house and returned a few minutes later carrying a tray of champagne flutes and a bottle of champagne.
"Sig, will you do the honors?" asked Natalie.
"Of course" said Sig.
He plucked the bottle off the tray and studied it for a moment. He read and re-read the label a few times before breaking into a smile.
"Isn't this what James Bond drinks?" asked Sig with a smirk.
"The very same" said Natalie. "Every British citizen gets sent a case once a year, compliments of the Queen."
"I can't believe you're British" said Jake.
"Yes she is, you should hear her accent" said Sig.
"She doesn't have an accent" argued Matt.
"Oh she does" said Sig.
He launched into his Costa Rica adventure sparing no detail from the story. Natalie took the bottle from his hands and deftly opened it. She poured out the bubbly and then passed it out. Just before Sig could discuss their adventure into the rainforest she broke in.
"A toast" she announced. "To a successful season where everyone catches crabs."
Everyone erupted into hysterical laughter, immediately breaking the tension and making Sig forgot what he was saying. A while later Natalie collected the glasses and headed into the house. The rest of the guys followed her and they settled for drinking and laughing in front of the TV. Eventually Natalie showed the guys to their bedrooms, making sure they knew where the bathrooms were and setting a bottle of water and a small pack of ibuprofen on the nightstand.