Work Text:
“Can you make sure Patsy stays out of the kitchen?”
Joy ’s eyes blinked, her head turning to look at her father-in-law. “Say what?”
“And Todd as well?” Don said. The look on his face—
“You’re up to something, aren’t you?” Joy said.
“It’s a surprise, but if Patsy is in there cooking, it’s going to be a problem.”
“Well,” Joy shrugged her shoulders. “I did tell her last year that she doesn’t need to be a mom to everyone, so she might let me take over the cooking.”
“Good,” Don said, heading for the backdoor.
“Hold it!” Joy said. “Whatever you’re doing, Patsy’s not agreed to it, and I certainly can’t tell her that you want her not to cook.”
“Call it an early Christmas present so that she can enjoy spending some time with her baby,” Don said before disappearing through the door.
Joy let out a sigh just as Todd came in. She clapped her hands together. “So, to my fellow outlaw.”
“What is Don planning now?”
She grinned, putting on a fake smile. “Well,” she took a deep breath. “Actually, I was planning on taking over the cooking today so you two can spend time enjoying your first little one’s Christmas, even if it’s the tiniest.”
“You don’t have to,” Todd said.
“No. Believe me. Take it when you’ve got it. When they get older, it doesn’t have the same kind of magic,” Joy said.
“Alright. I’ll pass it on to Patsy.”
“No, you’ll tell Patsy to stay out of the kitchen! Trying to surprise people are otherwise useless,” Joy said. “And I don’t know what Don is planning. Just let it be a surprise and act surprised when you get in here.”
“Uh, okay,” Todd said before leaving.
Joy let out a sigh of relief before getting out the ingredients she would need for the meal the Quinn family had on that day. The door leading outside opened, and with it came Don with a box. “So, what is that?”
“You’ll be so surprised.”
“Surprised?” Sean said. “What’s going on?”
“Your dad is trying to surprise Patsy and Todd.”
“Why?” her husband asked.
“Why not,” Don said. “Come help me get the other box. And the tree.”
“Wait. What tree?” Joy said.
Sean shrugged, following Don out. They came back in with another box and a tree—smaller than the one that they decorated in the living room. “I’m not sure they’ll be surprised by another Christmas tree, dad.”
“Except it’s not a Christmas tree,” Don said, pointing at a corner. “Over there is perfect.”
Sean shrugged again before going over and putting the tree up when she and Sean ’s two oldest kids came in. “Hey. What’s going on.”
“Hey! You two can help us get this done faster,” Don said, motioning them over. “We’re going to surprise your Aunt Patsy, him and the newest addition to the Quinn family.”
“That means absolutely no blabbing the surprise!” Joy called out. “Whatever it is.”
“But why are we doing another Christmas tree?” their eldest asked.
“Another Christmas tree?” Don smiled. “Not another Christmas tree. See, the lights are blue.”
“And that’s different because?” their middle child said.
“Because it’s a Hanukkah tree, not a Christmas tree.”
“And why are we doing a Hanukka tree?” Donny said. “We’re not Jewish.”
“But your cousin is,” Joy said, smiling, continuing to cook.
“How can our cousin be….”
“Todd’s Jewish,” Sean Jr. said.
“Oh yeah. I forgot,” Donny said, diving into helping set up the tree. Joy thought it quite beautiful, and then—
Don went to the door. “Hey! Patsy! Todd! Breakfast is ready!”
“Oh, okay,” Patsy said, her usual smile still there.
“Shouldn’t you,” Joy say, thinking that having them close their eyes would be better, but it was too late.
Patsy and Todd ’s eyes went wide, looking at the Hanukka tree. Todd pointed. “Is that what I think it is?”
“I figured the Quinn family could have a new family tradition,” Don said.
“I like it,” Todd said, going for a hug, only to find himself in a headlock.