McRollers-you're the best!

On Two Fronts (1/2)

When Carrie and John's rental pulled up in front of Nonna's house, more snow was falling, adding to the several inches already on the ground. As soon as John put the car in park, Carrie leaned over and hit the horn before hopping out.

The front door swung open and she called, "We're here! Let the excitement begin!" as the kids flew out to hug her.

"Aunt Carrie! Uncle John! You're here!" Angie flung herself into her godmother's arms as DJ hugged John. "It's snowing again and the Lion King was so fun, and Ashae's here at a hotel down the street. They're comin' here for dinner tonight. And I got a shirt and socks with Felix on them and Nonna's making manicotti for dinner later…" She stopped to breathe.

"Let's let them inside, baby girl," Catherine said and she came up behind the kids. As soon as they stepped into the foyer, she pulled her best friend into a hug.

"Hey, you two," Steve greeted them with a smile. "I hope you're hungry, Nonna's making a snack that can feed the seventh fleet…"

"Good to see you guys," Danny said, taking their coats, then waving to the living room. "Welcome to the madness that is a Williams family holiday."

Nonna bustled out from the kitchen, drying her hands on a dishtowel. "Carrie, John! Bellissimi! Come in, come in, you must be starving."

Steve raised his brow in a 'What did I tell you?' expression.

"Nonna, you shouldn't have gone to any trouble," John protested, but the smiling grandma only waved him off with a dismissive "Nonsense, young man, you've been on a plane for hours, that's not real food."

"Thanks, Nonna," Carrie wrapped her in a hug. "I'm not shy to admit," she tossed Steve a look when he bark laughed. "I'm starving."

"Atta girl, say hello to everyone and get settled, then we'll have some nice antipasto." She turned towards Steve. "Put their bag in the sewing room, please, nipote," she directed, ushering them into the living room where they greeted everyone else with hugs.

Angie hopped into Carrie's lap as soon as she sat down. "You're wearing our present!" She beamed at the sweatshirt that read: Aunt. Godmother. Legend.

"It's perfect. And true." She smirked. "I couldn't wait to wear it. I may sleep in it."

"Honestly, we would have been fine in a hotel," John told Danny as they made their way to the dining room for Nonna's pre-dinner antipasto spread. "We love Nonna but we don't want to be a burden…"

"No such thing as a burden when it comes to family," Nonna said from a few feet behind him. "And the sewing room is empty since Grace and Kendra decided to sleep downstairs."

John spun around. "I didn't see you there, Nonna."

"I assumed as much." Nonna raised one eyebrow slightly. "If you had, you wouldn't have been saying such silly things." She pointed to the table. "Grab yourself a little something to hold you over until dinner."

John looked at the table in wide-eyed wonder. "This isn't dinner?"

Steve barked a laugh. "I've been telling him about your legendary spreads since our first visit." He picked up a plate. "He thought I was exaggerating."

"I understand there's going to be a moonlight snowball battle tonight." Nonna patted John's arm. "You need to build up your strength."

"…and my brother kept the secret…" Mary teased after Grace recounted hearing about Cody and Jess' engagement.

"We can maybe be flower girls," Angie said as she popped an olive in her mouth. "Like Joanie was at Mommy and Daddy's wedding."

"My flower girl dress was the prettiest dress I ever wore," Joan sighed dreamily.

"Even prettier than your Elsa dress at Disney World?" Aaron asked.

Joan pursed her lips and thought for a few seconds then said, "Yes."

"Wow." Aaron grinned. "That's high praise."

"If they're having flower girls," Catherine reminded her.

"If they're having flower girls. And they don't have a dog, so maybe they can have Cammie and Felix…"

Carrie snorted a laugh. "Only you, gorgeous. And I'd have totally had a flower goat if I knew it was a thing…"

"Don't encourage her," Steve laughed. "Although if you want to do a renew your vows ceremony, I'm sure that could be arranged."

"I'm all for a vow renewal," Carrie said. "As long as I get a second honeymoon to go along with it."

"Three days and two nights in New York in the middle of a snowstorm doesn't count?" Danny teased.

Carrie snorted. "Not even close."

"You know Steve and my brother are going to arrange it so they're on the same team," Angela said as she sat in the corner of the living room with Carrie and John, strategizing for the night's snowball battle.

"Of course they are," Carrie said. "Steve's every bit as fit as he was in his SEAL days and Danny's no slouch either, so we have to accept we can't match them on the physical side of things."

"Hey! What about me?" John asked.

Carrie patted his knee. "They have you outnumbered. You won't stand a chance."

"Maybe I'll just ask to be on their team," John huffed.

"You could do that." Carrie nodded. "But the nights around here are pretty cold with no one to snuggle up to."

John leaned forward, elbows on knees. "You're absolutely right."

Carrie kissed his cheek. "My favorite three little words."

"So how do we win?" Angela asked. "Because I really want to win."

"We fight on multiple fronts. We use the extensive knowledge we've gathered in all our years of knowing Steve and Danny to get inside their heads," Carrie said. "We push every button they have."

"I know where all of Danny's are." Angela smiled slyly. "I installed half of them."

"Excellent." Carrie rubbed her hands together. "While they're throwing snowballs we'll be lobbing missiles of a different kind."

"No, I'm sure. It won't be a problem at all," Catherine said into the phone. "Steve and Danny will come and pick you up. Text me the flight information then just hold tight. They'll be there as fast as they can."

"What's wrong?" Gabby asked.

A ding from Catherine's phone indicated the requested information had arrived. "There's a blizzard covering most of the middle of the country, including Chicago," she said as she began to scroll, searching for information.

"Oo-k," Gabby said, slightly confused at what that had to do with them.

"Sorry." Catherine looked up and smiled. "Lots of flights destined for that part of the country are being diverted to JFK because it can handle the extra traffic. Including the flight Michael and his family are on."

DJ's ears perked up. "Michael and his family are coming to New York?"

"Looks that way," Steve said as he and Danny donned their coats and prepared to make an airport run. "At least for a night or so until they can get to Chicago."

"I'm sending them the information for the hotel where Ashae and her parents are staying," Catherine said.

"Can I go to the airport with you?" DJ asked.

Steve smiled. "Get your coat."

"Before you take them to the hotel, bring them here for a nice filling dinner," Nonna said. "The adorable Ashae and her family are joining us. We'll eat buffet style."

"Are you sure?" Steve asked. "Michael has two sisters. That makes five extra people."

"Excellent!" Nonna radiated happiness. "We'll put the leaves in the table. And I need to make more manicotti." As she headed for the kitchen, thrilled with the idea of more mouths to feed, Catherine heard her say, "And maybe some eggplant parm."

TBC

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