Work Text:
Melissa hurriedly tucked her phone away as she heard Janine and Jacob murmuring around the corner. She attempted to look casual, feigning interest in a bulletin board plastered with colorful posters.
"Melissa, just the person we wanted to see!" Janine smiled.
Melissa sighed inwardly, realizing there was no escaping them. She liked both of them, she really did, but having an extra group of students attached to her classroom and the holiday season has burnt her out.
"What was that thing you were talking to Barbara about?" Janine tried to recall the exact words used, "the uh...the... the night of the fish!" she spit out.
Jacob butted in, "yeah, the thing you invited Barbara to".
Melissa's cheeks flushed slightly. "Oh, that... um... That's just an Italian Christmas thing".
"Is it really seven fishes? That seems like a lot" Jacob continued.
"No, it's just an uneven number of fishes. It's a Christmas Eve celebration. Usually just involves a lot of food and wine" She tries to explain.
"Awe, well that sounds like fun. It's nice that your family gets together for Christmas Eve...I'll probably just sit at my apartment on Christmas Eve and eat some left over Chinese food. My mom is away with her boyfriend for the holiday and I just paid her rent so I couldn't afford to join them" Janine explained quickly, not intentionally trying to make Melissa feel bad.
Jacob interjected "yeah, Zach is going caroling with his family, so I'll be alone too".
Melissa bit her lip, weighing her options. She genuinely felt bad for the two of them, but she also hates mixing her professional and personal life. She prefers to leave her personal life and the problems that come along with it at the front entrance of the school, or else it opens another Panera's box of problems.
Melissa tries to smile, her eye twitches, "why don't you come over Christmas Eve" she spit out.
"Really?!" Janine beamed, excited to see Melissa around her family. Watching her with Kristin Marie was already a trip, she couldn't image an 30 plus people just like that.
"Yeah, I don't see why not. Don't bring anything, just yourselves"
Jacob and Janine look at each other, overly excited, "yay! This is going to be fun" Janine said.
As Janine and Jacob strolled away, excited about their newfound plans, Melissa pulled out her phone and began typing out a message to Barbara, already dreading the inevitable response.
During lunch break Barbara stormed into Melissa's classroom, ready to how Janine and Jacob weaseled their way into Melissas dinner.
"Girl now what happened?" Barbara spit out immediately.
Melissa rolls her eyes, she's really not sure what happened, "they overheard us talking about it and they started talking about their sad little plans and it just happened".
Barbara laughs, "you think they can handle the schemmenti craziness?"
Melissa doesn't even think, she's confident, "absolutely not".
The day of the dinner has come and Melissa is STRESSED. She's all over the kitchen. Different family members are bringing dishes, but she's making a majority of it. God forbid she doesn't make extra and Kristin Marie walks in with her disgusting gnocchi.
Christmas Eve has always stressed Melissa out. Not only having to cook, but also wrapping gifts, making sure there's enough space for everyone, making sure the house is perfectly clean.
Truth be told, Melissa isn't as close to her family as most Italian families. She always felt like she was the one who had to clean up everyones messes, she took the blame for a lot too. All responsibilities fell onto her shoulders. However, Melissa being Melissa, she still liked to take care of everyone.
Everyone started showing up right on time. Siblings, cousins, close family friends, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, you name it. Melissa ran around greeting people and then ran back into the kitchen to keep cooking.
Janine and Jacob knock on the door. They can hear the commotion going on inside. A man, Joey, around Janine and Jacobs ages opens the door and lets them in.
The house is full and lively. It's warm and loving. There's laughter and loud conversations. The entire Schemmenti family under one roof. Janine was excited to get to know everyone.
"Thank you for letting us in. I'm Janine and this is Jacob. We work with Melissa" Janine explains.
"I'm Joey. No problem. Enjoy, everyone here is super friendly. They might talk your ears off though" The tall, dark haired boy explains.
"I'm going to go see if I can find Barbara" Janine says, excusing herself.
"Oh, she won't be here for a little bit. Ms. Howard usually comes after Christmas Eve mass" Joe explained.
"That checks out" Jacob nods.
Joey excuses himself and goes back to talking to the other men in the Schemmenti family.
Jacob stands next to Janine as they observe everything, "do you think Melissa is any different with her family than how she is with everyone at work?"
"It's going to be interesting to see. It seems like they all know Barbra" she said.
"I mean, they have worked together for a really long time" Jacob thinks.
Kristin Marie clocks Jacob and Janine from across the room. She makes her way over., "well well well...Look who it is".
Janine smiles, "Hi Kristin Marie, this is Jacob"
Kristin Marie looks at Jacob, "yeah I've met him before".
There's an awkward silence. Kristin Marie looks at them, she tries to be welcoming, but she is incredibly off-putting, "well... welcome. Make yourselves comfortable". She gives them one more look before walking off.
Another man walks through the front door, a woman follows behind him, he holds up a bottle of vodka and everyone looks at him, "where's my ex wife?!" He jokingly says loudly.
Another man looks at him, "get the fuck outta here, Joe" he jokes.
Joe goes around greeting people.
Jacob looks at Janine, "interesting that Melissa's ex husband and his girlfriend are here."
Janine nods, "it looks like he gets along with everyone."
Joey goes to walk by, Janine stops him, "hey, do you know where Melissa is? I want to see if she needs any help" she explains.
"She's in the kitchen" he says, pointing towards the kitchen entryway.
Janine and Jacob walk into the kitchen to see Melissa who is alone, working on the finishing touches of some dishes. Her hair is up as she runs around the kitchen.
"Is there anything we can help with?" Janine asks.
Melissa shakes her head, "not that I can think of, thank you though. I'm glad you came, everyone being nice and friendly out there?"
"Everyone has been really nice and welcoming" Jacob says while snooping around Melissa's kitchen.
Their moment was interrupted when a young woman rushes into the kitchen, Joey quickly following behind.
"Mom! Joey shoved me into the side of the table and one of the wine glasses fell off and broke, and I'm pretty sure I have a bruise" the young woman says.
"Don't be a snitch" Joey looks at his sister.
"I'm not taking the blame for the broken glass" she says.
Janine and Jacob look at each other, silently lose their minds.
"I didn't mean to push her that hard. It's not my fault she flung into the table" Joey looks at Melissa.
Joey walked out of the room, annoyed.
"Show me where you hit the table" Melissa demands.
Emilia turns around and slightly lifts her shirt, to reveal a bruised lower back.
"I'm going to kill him" Melissa says as she looks at the bruise.
"Brother-sister relationships" Janine says with an awkward laugh.
Melissa turns to her, "you have a brother?"
"No...Hey, I didn't know you had kids" Janine says.
"What are you, the fucking census?" Melissa replies.
"No, I just...I thought we knew things about each other." Janine woefully says.
For a moment Melissa feels guilty. She just doesn't like bringing her personal life into her work life, "I have two. Joey is the oldest, Emilia is the youngest. Joey worked at my cousin Rocco's restaurant and now he's in the fire training academy. Emmy's in law school." she says.
Melissa forgets about about the food in the oven. She jumps as she remembers, "Shit!"
Melissa opens the stove and grabs the food out quickly. She is visibly stressed and at her wits-ends. Emilia walks back into the kitchen and notices Melissa taking a moment. She hugs Melissa, and looks at her, "the foods going to be perfect. Stop stressing it and just enjoy tonight". Melissa holds on to her for an extra few seconds, she smells her daughters hair, calming down.
"I didn't notice until you were side by side, but you two look like twins...Minus her dark hair" Jacob says to Melissa.
Melissa smiles, "her fathers genetics didn't even try".
"Emmy, right?...I'm Janine and this is Jacob...We work with your mom" Janine explains.
Emilia nods and smiles, "It's nice to meet you, I've heard so much".
Janine looks at her, and doesn't know what to say, "like good or...?"
Barbara enters the kitchen, in her Sunday best. As she puts her purse on the kitchen island she looks at Melissa, she's ready to help, "Alright, what can I do?
Melissa looks relieved, "oh thank God. Kill my kids and get everyone out of my house" Melissa jokes.
Barbara looks at Emilia, a slightly threatening look, "child, what did you do?"
"I'm an angel who has never done anything wrong. It was Joey's fault" Emilia says.
Barbara smiles and lovingly caresses Emilia's cheek "you are an angel, my dear".
Janine turns to Jacob, "did everyone know about this?"
Dinner is ready and everyone is at the table, drinking wine and eating. Barbara sits in between Janine and Jacob, across from Melissa and her two kids. Everyone is chatting.
From across the table, Joe looks at Melissa, "hey, lis, thanks for inviting us tonight. The food is great. You killed it, you always do".
Melissa awkwardly smiles and nods, "thanks Joe."
"Where's that boyfriend of yours?" Joe continues.
"Don't ruin a good night" Melissa continued with a warning tone.
"I wouldn't dare, I'm here for the kids".
Melissa gently moves her hand, stirring the wine in her glass, she bites her tongue.
Joey looks at Joe, "that's a first".
Attention is now on Joe, Melissa, and Joey.
"Alright, let's not do this tonight. Let's try to set a new record and not have any fights during Christmas Eve dinner" Melissa says.
"Joey was just being honest" Emilia enters the argument.
Melissa looks at Emilia, "I'm glad, but tonight is not the night".
"In fairness, we don't ever see him, so it's not like Joey picked this night on purpose" Emilia continued.
"Em, I said we're not doing this tonight" Melissa warns her.
Emilia rolls her eyes and gives up the discussion.
Joe laughs, and looks at Melissa again, "watching you two is like watching you argue with yourself in a mirror".
Everyone goes back to their conversations, pretending nothing happened. Janine watches Melissa, who is very affectionate and loving with her kids. She's has rarely seen this side of her. At work she has a suit of armor on, but at home, she's relaxed and loving. It's an interesting dynamic.
Janine leans in to Barbara, "how long did you know about Melissa's secret life?"
Barbara looks at Janine, "secret life?"
"Yeah, her kids" Janine continued.
Barbara understands now, she nods, "oh, it's never been a secret".
"No one knew"
"Well, we keep our home lives and school lives separate. You know about Taylor because she came to visit...And about Gina because we were talking about the gifted program" Barbara continues.
Janine looks hurt, like she has been left out of a lot.
"It has nothing to do with you. We're just...old school. We don't talk about our home lives a lot. Melissa is a very private person...When have you known her to offer up information?" Barbara tells Janine.
Janine sighs and nods. She still feels like she's been left out of a lot.
Jacob on the other hand, still shocked, but is having a great time with the wine and food. He is talking to Melissa's cousins.
"So, when did you find out about Melissa's home life?" Janine asked.
Barbara nods and smiles, reminiscing, "way back when...When I use to dress like you"
Janine takes slight offense, not knowing what Barbara meant by that.
"I was at Abbott most of my career. Melissa came a few years after me. She came to take over a classroom in January, when a teacher quit. This small, light brown haired, aggressive woman came in to the teachers lounge for the first time. This is back when she use to hide her red hair. I didn't think I was going to like her, but we sat and chatted for a little bit. We became work-friends. She was married and already had Joey by the time she came to Abbott. Around April she told me she was pregnant and was having a girl. She was terrified and asked me for advice since I already had my two. That's when we became life friends, and the rest is history." Barbara finishes.
"That's really beautiful" Janine says.
"She's my best friend. She's Taylor and Gina's aunt. I'm Emilia's God-mother. I know it's obvious Melissa is protective of me, but I'm just as protective...I just show it differently" Barbara smiles.
"I hope some day I get to have a friendship like that"
Barbara nods, "you will, sweetheart".
Joey gets Emilia's attention, and they both lean back, to talk behind Melissa.
"What?" Emilia whispers.
"Kristin Marie has had a lot of wine and is starting her shit" Joey whispers back.
"What is she saying?"
Joey looks back to make sure Kristin Marie isn't looking at him, "she's trying to talk about mom's gnocchi. I think she's trying to get back at mom....Just keep your ears open. It's easier if you say something to her because you're a girl".
Emilia nods and goes back to eating her dinner. She is quiet, listening to all the conversations around her.
Conversations go on for a while. People talking about work, the good old days, football, etc.
Dessert is on the table. Arguments are free-flowing. Jacob can't tell whose arguing and whose just talking loudly. People are slowly making their way out, allowing Melissa to start relaxing.
By the end of the night Janine, Jacob, Barbara, Kristin Marie and her sons, and 2 cousins were left. Barbara always stayed late to help Melissa clean up and recap the night.
Kristin Marie looks at Melissa, she's ready to stir the pot, "Melissa, why does it taste like you used red potatoes for the gnocchi?"
Before Melissa has a chance to react, Emilia slams her hands down on to the table and stands up, "what did you just say?"
Kristin Marie rises from her chair, "you heard me. Maybe you should stick to the kids table conversation and let the adults talk"
"You want to talk like adults? Ok. Let's talk about your husbands goomar."
Kristin Marie looks at her, "say that to my face".
"I am"
Kristin Marie moves closer to Emilia.
"You're lucky I have all sons because if I had a daughter she would be on your ass right now" Kristin Marie whispers into her ear.
"What? You can't throw a punch without throwing out your back? Hit me" Emmy whispers back as she stands in front of Kristin Marie, with her arms crossed.
Melissa gets in between Kristin Marie and Emmy, "leave before I drag your ass across the floor in front of your kids" Melissa says sternly.
Kristin Marie looks at Melissa. She would never admit it, but she is afraid of her sister. She grabs her purse and motions to her family that they are leaving.
After a 30 minutes, Kristin Marie and her family were gone, as well as the cousins. Emmy and Joey cleared the table so Melissa could hang out with Barbara... And Janine and Jacob.
"Sorry about all that guys" Melissa says.
Barbara smiles, "this is the calmest it's been in years!"
Melissa laughs, "yeah, everyone was on their best behavior for you guys...Italians just can't help but fight"
"You guys are just very passionate people" Jacob says.
Melissa nods, it's true.
"Your kids are protective of you, it's sweet" Janine says.
"They are...They're good kids" Melissa says.
"Emmy has her mothers rage" Barbara says.
Melissa smiles proudly, "she does, I don't have to worry about her. Joey on the other hand..."
"Well, he is... you know" Barbara says.
"Yeah, a boy. No offense, Jacob" Melissa continues.
"None taken" Jacob quickly says.
Once the dishes were in the dishwasher, Joey and Emilia joined the 4 at the table.
"Ma, you know you don't have to invite dad for us. We are okay without him coming. I know you feel guilty, but it's not worth how uncomfortable he makes you" Joey says.
"Well next year he's not coming" Melissa says.
"What if, next year, we just go to a restaurant...without everyone" Emmy says.
Immediately Melissa fights the idea, "absolutely not!"
"No, listen, Aunt Barbara, Janine and Jacob can come...It'll just be the people you actually like" Emmy continues.
"Who's going to host if I don't do it?" Melissa asks.
"Who cares, at least then we don't have to see the bride of Chucky and her three gremlins, or listen to the dumbass conversations going on around us" Joey looks at Melissa.
"Alright, fine" Melissa gives in, "whose gonna tell the rest of the family?"
"Emmy will" Joey offers.
"No, why do I have to do it? It was your idea!" Emmy looks at Joey.
Joey looks at her, "Because, people are intimidated by you so they won't ask questions"
Emmy shoots him a look, "You just want to start the drama, you don't want to be in it".
Joey smiles, "actually, yeah."
Melissa looks at Barbara, Jacob, and Janine, "well, looks like you three have Christmas Eve plans for next year now".
Janine and Jacob smile. Barbara already knew she would be spending Christmas Eve with Melissa next year.
Janine looks at Joey and Emmy, "so, what's it like having Melissa as your mom?"
"She's strict and mean" Joey says as Melissa shoots him a look, "I'm just kidding, she's a good mom".
Emmy looks at Melissa and puts her arm lovingly on her shoulder, "she is...the toughest man I know".
Melissa smiles, "damn right I am".
The night continues with questions about Janine and Jacobs lives, stories about young Barbara and Melissa at Abbott, and laughs. The night comes to a slow and peaceful end.
Once the three are gone, Melissa shuts the door and smiles at her clean house. The night is over and she doesn't have to deal with her family for a while. The little family she made, and her found family, are much better than the one she had been given, and she was happy to know next year, they would all be together again.
Her calm moment of reflection was quickly ruined by the sound of glass hitting the ground.
"I'm going to kill you two" Melissa says as she angrily walks into the kitchen.