Martha sat in an armchair, pouting, watching as the party moved around her. Kids laughed and played, and the adults engaged in lighthearted conversation. Her son's lavish beach house was alight in Christmas decorations and smells of good food filled every room. She'd been ordered to sit the second she'd arrived, forcing everyone else to come to her to say hello.
They were treating her as though she was made of glass.
She didn't understand why everyone was making such a fuss! It was just a bad cold! And a quick five-day stay at the hospital. She was fine. They needn't use kid gloves on her. Sure, she wasn't as spry as she once was, and a slight case of arthritis had made it harder to use her hands, but she was fine.
It was Christmas Eve, after all! She deserved to have a bit of fun!
"Here, I brought you a drink. I think it might help," Deacon says, setting the glass on the table beside her. He offers her a smile and a squeeze on the arm.
"Darling! Thank you!" Martha cheers. She knew she always liked him.
Deacon laughs, bright and loud. "My papaw had a drink every day until the day he died. He said it made him feel like a man even with everyone frettin' over him."
"I don't need to be fretted over. I'm fine," she waves him off.
"I know that. But my wife and father-in-law seem to think otherwise. How 'bout we make a deal? You let them fret over you and I'll keep the drinks comin'?"
"Deal," Martha says over another drink.
The two slap five, and then when he's invited to a pool game in the basement, Deacon leaves with a wink.
Her eldest granddaughter returns to her sentient spot close to her; offering assistance every time Martha so much as moves.
"Grandma Great! Come see our gingerbread house! Harrison says he and Louie won, but I think we did!" Hayley's bright cheer seems to help Martha out of her funk and with a hand on her carved wooden cane, and, reluctantly, letting Alexis help her stand, she slowly goes over to the kitchen table to see what her great-grandchildren had been up to.
"Look, Grandma Great! We put the swirly mints on the side like windows!" Emilia points.
"Well, look at that! How pretty!" Martha admiers.
"Look at this one! We made a ninja lair! The elves are secretly ninjas, see?' Simon announces, the spokesperson for his team of cousins.
"You're the judge, Grandma Great! You have to look at them all and tell us who won!" Hayley tells her, hanging off her arm.
"Well, that is certainly a big responsibility. I don't know if I can do that," Martha says.
"Oh, but you have to! None of the other grown-ups will do it."
"Well, then you all need to go. If I am the judge, then I need to do my work in peace. Go," she shoos them off, listening to their conversations and giggles as they troop down to the basement playroom. She studies the houses, each covered in frosting and candy, and makes her decisions before returning to her chair.
"You sent them downstairs so we could talk in peace for a while, huh?" Danielle asks, picking up on her grandma's plan.
"I may have done that," Martha smiles. "We needed a moment of quiet."
"Smart move," Dani smiles, clinking glasses with the family matriarch.
"Grandma Great? Are you done yet?" Macey asks with a whine as she leans on the arm of the chair thirty minutes later.
"Yes, my darling. I've made my decision." Martha says, patting the girl's face. Macey cheers and runs off to call for her cousins who come up the stairs in a stampede of feet and voices.
"Alright! Everyone needs to be quiet so we can hear what Grandma Great has to say," Miyana's voice booms above the kids and they shush each other and fall quiet.
All eyes are on her, and though she was once the center of every party she attended, this attention makes Martha nervous.
"Well," she starts, leaning back in her chair. "You all did a wonderful job! And I loved looking at everything you made. But, I did make a decision, and before I reveal the winner, I want you to promise me you won't be upset, okay?"
"We promise! Tell us!" Jaycee says.
"Yeah, tell us!" Emilia and Henry cheer.
"I declare," Martha says, pausing for dramatic effect. "That this year's gingerbread house contest winner is Simon, Henry, and Bodhi with their Ninja house!"
The boys scream and cheer and slap five with each other, and the girls, though they are disappointed, congratulate them.
An hour later, when he goes to bring Martha another drink, Deacon finds her fast asleep in her chair. He sets the cup down and slowly walks away. 'Damn, all that judging must have worn her out,' he thinks.
A/N: Thank you guys for reading! I appreciate all your comments and love. Hope your Christmas is warm and lovely, and if you don't celebrate then I hope you have a good week!
According to my Official FLM Timeline, this is Martha's last Christmas with the family. I feel like this was a great one to have.