CHAPTER 4 - VEGEMITE AND SPIDERS OH MY!

Elizabeth's face lit up with a broad grin as she stepped into her sister's warm and cozy home, her eyes dancing over the extravagant Christmas decorations surrounding her. Julie had a flair for the festive, transforming every nook and cranny into a winter wonderland. In her whimsical world, nothing was too small to adorn with holiday cheer—even the toilet paper holder in their shared bathroom during their childhood was subject to her enthusiastic decorating. Each bedroom boasted its own themed Christmas tree, and the foyer, kitchen, family room, and formal dining room gleamed with shimmering ornaments and twinkling lights, creating an enchanting atmosphere.

As Elizabeth strolled into the kitchen, a chuckle escaped her lips at the sight of the cabinet doors meticulously wrapped in holiday paper. "Nice to see things haven't changed a bit," she remarked playfully, glancing around at the festive chaos around her. Curiosity piqued, she leaned in closer to inspect the wrapping on the cabinets. "Um… is Santa's sleigh being pulled by white... bears? Wait, no, they're kangaroos!"

"They certainly are," Nathan interjected, his voice teasing as he raised an eyebrow. "It's inspired by the popular Australian Christmas song 'Six White Boomers.'"

"Boomers?" she echoed, perplexed. "In America, that term refers to the older generation from the Baby Boomer era. Are they old kangaroos or something? I can't believe you're serious about this."

Nathan chuckled heartily, shaking his head and gesturing towards the paper. "Absolutely serious. There is a Christmas song called 'Six White Boomers.'"

"Really!" Elizabeth crossed her arms and glanced at Scott, her brow raised in skepticism.

"It's true, Lizzie," Scott confirmed with a grin. "The song was written back in the 1960s. In it, early one Christmas Day, Santa found a lost baby kangaroo and had the joey hop on the sleigh. They didn't get far before Santa stopped upon hearing a noise and unharnessed his reindeer. Then suddenly, six white boomers who had been racing Santa while on his Australian run appeared. So, Santa had them pull the sleigh instead. The term 'boomer' is Aussie slang for a male kangaroo."

"I see," Elizabeth replied, her curiosity growing. "But why would he unhook the reindeer?"

"Because they simply can't handle the Australian heat," Nathan said, as though the answer was self-evident. He noticed her doubtful expression and added, "Today is pleasantly mild, but trust me, you'll feel the true summer heat before your visit is over. The worst days are when it rains, or the humidity kicks in, making it feel sweltering. Wait until you experience that."

"Hey, Elizabeth, speaking of experiences! I've got something here you've got to try," Scott called out, pulling out a jar from the pantry. She could see he was struggling to keep a straight face, but she caught Nathan's mischievous grin before he tried covering it by taking a sip of his coffee.

Looking at her brother-in-law suspiciously, she took the jar from him and eyed it curiously. Taking a sniff, she held it away from her and asked, "What is it?"

"Vegemite! It's like a rite of passage for anyone visiting Australia." Scott encouraged pushing the jar closer to her.

"You did say you wanted to experience all Australia has to offer, remember?" Nathan prodded when he saw her hesitancy.

She'd heard about Vegemite but had never tried it. "Well, I'm not one to shy away from new experiences," she declared with a chuckle, her American accent making the word 'experience' sound even more adventurous.

Nathan laughed as he handed her a piece of toast from the toaster. "Oh, you're in for a treat—or a shock."

"Or both," Scott chimed in, winking as he handed her a knife.

"So, do I butter my toast and then spread it?" Elizabeth asked as she looked around for the butter. "It looks a bit like apple butter, so I assume you use it like jelly?"

Elizabeth watched as Scott spread a thin layer on his toast. "That's how Aussies do it," he explained. "But hey, if you want an authentic experience," he gestured for her to proceed.

Taking the jar, Elizabeth, with a bit too much enthusiasm, scooped out a generous amount of the dark, yeasty spread and slathered it onto her toast. She ignored the widening eyes of Nathan and Scott, who exchanged knowing looks.

Nathan couldn't contain himself. "Whoa, easy there, Elizabeth! That's not Nutella!"

"Here goes nothing," she said, lifting the toast to her lips with a broad smile.

When the Vegemite hit her taste buds, Elizabeth's expression transformed from curiosity to comical shock. Her eyes widened, her nose wrinkled, and she seemed to be trying to decide whether to spit or swallow. She settled for a very slow, very deliberate chew.

Scott laughed, "You've just done what every tourist does. More is not always merrier, especially with Vegemite. But I love your enthusiasm for trying something new."

Trying to maintain her composure, Elizabeth managed a small, strained smile. "It's... interesting," she said, her voice betraying the assault on her senses. She reached for her coffee, taking a large gulp to wash down the intense flavor. Sticking out her tongue as if it would help remove the taste, she shook her head. "It must be an acquired taste. One I'm not remotely interested in acquiring. Sorry, guys."

Nathan, leaning against the counter with a smirk, offered, "Here, let me show you how it's done."

He took a piece of toast, spread a whisper-thin layer of Vegemite, and then topped it with a slice of cheese. "Now try this."

"I don't think so, Obi-wan," Elizabeth said, shaking her head. "I can't see anything making that palatable."

When she hesitated, Nathan smiled, saying, "Trust me."

Elizabeth, still slightly traumatized, cautiously accepted the toast. This time, the taste was far more palatable. "Oh, that's...a little better," she admitted, finishing the piece he had given her.

Still chuckling, Scott said, "You've officially been initiated into Aussie culture. Vegemite will never take you by surprise again."

"You are right. It won't because it's not an experience I will repeat." Elizabeth said, giving a little shudder to the memory of her first taste. "I mean, I'm sure I have tasted worse stuff, though I'm struggling to recall anything. I think I will stick with peanut butter and jelly or butter on my toast."

The three erupted into laughter, the warm, joyful sound reverberating through the sunlit kitchen. Nathan eagerly queued up "Six White Boomers," the lively melody filling the air with festive cheer. Meanwhile, Scott deftly whisked eggs in a bowl as he prepared a hearty breakfast for the three of them. The scent of toasted bread wafted through the room, mingling with the tantalizing aroma of cooked eggs. As they enjoyed their meal, playful banter flowed easily, each tease punctuated by bright smiles, creating an atmosphere brimming with camaraderie. Elizabeth felt a flutter of excitement; she could hardly wait to share her delightful story with Rosemary and entertained the thought of having her try it herself.

"Well, if you two don't mind, I think I'll go unpack before Julie gets home. I also need to let Rosie know I made it." Elizabeth said, her voice carrying a hint of eagerness. "It was lovely meeting you, Nathan."

"It was a pleasure meeting you too, Lizbeth," Nathan replied, a warm smile spreading across his face. Scott watched closely, a knowing smirk tugging at the corners of his mouth as he noticed the way Nathan's gaze lingered on Elizabeth as she slipped out of the kitchen, a thoughtful expression clouding his features.

As Elizabeth stepped into the cozy guest room Julie had prepared, she felt a swell of gratitude. The room was spacious and bathed in soft, natural light. A delightful nook, adorned with delicate floral wallpaper, framed a picturesque view of a blooming garden outside, where colorful flowers danced in the gentle breeze. Thankfully, the room was free from the usual overwhelming chaos of Christmas décor—a relief to Elizabeth as she envisioned her ideal retreat. Julie's favorite time of year was Christmas, and she always decorated every spare space she saw.

Elizabeth had always been the meticulous planner in her family, her mind a whirlwind of checklists. So, when she finally arrived at her sister Julie's inviting home for a much-needed escape from her bustling life, she envisioned a flawless getaway. With her checklist firmly in mind—unpack, unwind, and soak in some cherished family time—she felt ready for whatever lay ahead. Yet, as is often the case with life's surprises, the universe had other plans.

Determined to settle in, Elizabeth began unpacking her belongings. She spotted her phone resting in her bag and decided it was time to plug it in. Kneeling beside the nightstand, she reached for the outlet, her fingers brushing against the cool surface. No sooner had she inserted the charger than she realized that it was not responding. A faint memory flickered in her mind, reminding her of a button she had to press to activate the outlet.

As her hand ventured behind the nightstand to find it, her fingers unexpectedly brushed against something furry—definitely not part of the electrical setup. The sensation sent a jolt of panic through her, and before she could comprehend what she had touched, a piercing scream erupted from her lips. It was a primal sound that could alarm the dead or summon the living from several houses down.

In a heartbeat, Nathan and Scott burst through the door, their expressions a mix of concern and readiness for action. "What's wrong? What happened?" Scott inquired, his gaze darting around the room, searching for any signs of danger.

However, Nathan's attention was immediately drawn to Elizabeth, whose face was a canvas of fear and confusion, and he quickly followed her trembling gaze. "Are you hurt?" he asked, his voice a soothing balm amidst the turmoil, filled with urgency and a touch of protective instinct.

Words eluded Elizabeth as she pointed, a finger quivering and unsteady, toward the nightstand. "There's… something… behind…"

At that moment, as if perfectly timed to validate her distress, a large huntsman spider emerged from its dark refuge, its long legs stretching dramatically as it advanced into the open. In the instant their eyes met, the spider looked just as startled as Elizabeth felt.

"It's... it's… a spider!" she managed to stammer, her voice catching in her throat.

Nathan, trying to suppress a chuckle, stepped forward, a teasing grin forming on his face. "Oh, that's just our native Huntsman Spider. They are not dangerous, just big."

As if responding to Elizabeth's terror, the spider moved closer. Her reflexes kicked in, and she leaped into Nathan's arms, scrambling up him like a tree, driven more by the instinct to escape than any romantic impulse. Caught off guard, Nathan staggered back but quickly steadied himself, cradling her with surprised strength.

"Well, hello there," Nathan remarked, amusement lacing his voice. Elizabeth was too frightened to notice.

Scott exchanged a knowing look with Nathan before approaching with a box in hand, ready to contain the eight-legged intruder. "Oh, that's just Mr. Fluffy. He's a regular around here. Keeps the place clear of other bugs," he explained in a lighthearted tone reminiscent of how one might speak to a child about a beloved pet.

"Mr. Fluffy?" Elizabeth squeaked, her pitch still elevated from fright. "That thing has a name?"

"He does," Scott replied, maintaining his playful demeanor. "Lili named it."

"I'll take your word for it. But can you please get rid of that thing?" she pleaded, still buried against Nathan's chest, her heart racing.

"You're safe now," Nathan reassured calmly. "Scott has Mr. Fluffy secure in the box."

Elizabeth couldn't help but snort. "More like Mr. Nightmare."

"I'll take him outside," Scott offered a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Don't worry; he's more afraid of you than you are of him."

"I doubt that," Elizabeth muttered, still peering at him from the safety of Nathan's warm embrace.

"Want another look before I…" Scott teased as he pretended to reach for the box lid, his eyes sparkling with mischief.

Feeling slightly embarrassed yet still rattled, Elizabeth quickly responded, "No, thank you. I've seen enough of Mr. Fluffy."

"Consider it an initiation into country living, Australia-style," Scott chuckled as he headed toward the door. Turning back, he shot Nathan a playful look. "You can put her down now, Nathan. As you said, she is safe now." With a wink, he disappeared from the room.

Now acutely aware of Nathan's closeness and the warmth radiating between them, Elizabeth blushed furiously as he gently set her down. "I'm sorry for that," she murmured, a tinge of warmth creeping into her cheeks.

"It's certainly not how I imagined our next… encounter," Nathan replied, a playful spark evident in his eyes. "But I'm not complaining."

The absurdity of the situation suddenly washed over Elizabeth, and she couldn't help but laugh. "If that's the worst thing that happens, I suppose I'll survive."

Nathan laughed along with her, the tension dissolving in lightness. This time, he assisted her in plugging in her phone correctly, their hands brushing together in the process. The simple touch sparked an unexpected electricity that caused them to pause, their gazes lingering just a fraction longer than necessary.

"Looks like everything's working now," Nathan said softly, his voice imbued with something more profound than mere kindness.

"Appears so," Elizabeth responded, her tone unexpectedly warm. "Thank you for being my knight in shining armor," she added with a nervous laugh, trying to regain her composure. "I guess I owe you one for that heroic rescue."

Nathan grinned widely, his eyes bright with amusement. "Well, how about you let me take you out for coffee sometime? Consider it a thank you for saving you from the terror of Mr. Fluffy."

A genuine smile blossomed on Elizabeth's face. "Deal. But only if we can find a café that guarantees no spiders."

"I can make that happen, " Nathan said with a crooked grin. See you soon." Then he was gone, leaving Elizabeth standing there looking dazed, suddenly beginning to think she should send a thank you card to Mr. Fluffy.