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Andy cursed very loudly at the sudden snowstorm that came out of nowhere.
"Booker," Quynh said. "I'll call you back in five minutes."
Quynh ended the call before she wrapped her arms around Andy from behind.
"We're still going to have a fun night," Quynh said. "I know it."
"Yeah, yeah," Andy replied, irritated. "I better get the potatoes I promised."
Andy was almost out of the living room when she turned around and saw the hurt on Quynh's face. Quickly, Andy walked back and caressed Quynh's face.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to snap at you," Andy said. "I had just looked forward to roasting an animal on the grill."
"I know it's a proud family tradition, but even your ancestors sometimes had to change things because of the weather," Quynh replied. "And we're still going to have a fun night. I know it. Even though we're missing two."
Booker was still in France because of a family situation, while Nile was still abroad with the military in Japan.
"You're right as always," Andy said. "Be back in ten minutes. Do you need anything other than potatoes? I'm only going outside once today."
"No," Quynh replied. "Be careful you don't slip on the ice."
Andy promised, and after a kiss, she left. When Andy returned to the building, she bumped into Nicky.
"Be careful, Andromache," Joe joked. "Nicky is carrying baklava."
"Better protect him then," Andy replied. "Or should I carry the baklava for you?"
"No. I'm not letting you alone with baklava again," Nicky replied. "Joe, please remember the rest of the food."
"On it," Joe replied. "And look, Andy has just volunteered to help me, so why don't you go inside?"
Nicky nodded and walked inside.
"Al-Kaysani," Andy said. "What are you up to?"
"I wanted to ask if you think we could borrow your parents' place in London," Joe replied. "I want to surprise Nicky with a Valentine's trip to Europe."
"I don't see any problems with that," Andy replied. "I'll ask my folks tomorrow."
"Thanks," Joe replied. "Let's get inside. It's too cold for my taste."
When Joe and Andy came inside, Nicky and Quynh talked with Nile over Skype.
"I so wished I could be there tonight," Nile said. "I so miss Andy's mead."
"You're about the only one," Quynh joked. "Beside Booker."
They all laughed.
"Look who's finally here," Nicky said, turning the iPad. "Say hi to Nile. She got a tattoo in Tokyo."
"After she talked with Andy," Quynh added. "Who recommended a place."
"I wasn't about to let her get tattooed in a back alley," Andy replied. "Did Wang take good care of you, Nile?"
Nile looked away with a smile that said it all.
"Young Lady," Andy said. "When I said you should talk with Wang about the tattoo, I didn't mean you should sleep with him. And even..."
Joe placed his hands on Andy's shoulders.
"Come, Andy," Joe said. "We got places to be. Talk to you tomorrow, Nile. Then I'll show you my Christmas train."
"Can't wait, Joe," Nile replied. "See you."
Joe steered Andy out of the kitchen into the living room under heavy protest.
"Andy," Joe said. "Nile is just like you were at her age. Let her make her own mistakes and learn from them."
"Yeah, that might be; I had just hoped she was wiser than me," Andy replied. "We both know Wang."
"Wang is a decent man," Joe replied. "He'll take good care of Nile."
Andy let out a loud groan before she hit the boxing ball hard in the corner.
"I see Andy has calmed down," Nicky said. "Could we ask you for some help with the food? I promise there's baklava as a reward."
It was a tradition that they cooked together whenever they were together.
"Joe," Nicky said when he hit Joe over the finger with the pot spoon. "Stay out of the sauce."
"But, Babe," Joe replied. "It tastes so good."
"Thanks," Nicky replied. "Instead of eating the sauce, help Quynh with the bird."
Joe kissed Nicky on the cheek before he helped Quynh.
"I still want to roast something on the grill," Andy said. "It's tradition."
"The oven got a grill program," Quynh replied. "You can use that instead of standing out in the snow and get another round of the flu."
Andy looked surprised at Quynh before she looked at the oven.
"Really?" Andy asked. "You can grill in the oven?"
"Yes, thanks to Nicky. He recommended getting an oven that could do it," Quynh replied. "I can show you."
Quynh showed Andy how she could use the oven.
"You know what," Joe whispered to Nicky with a grin. "I hope it turns out better than with the microwave oven."
"Joe," Nicky whispered back with a smile. "Behave."
Andy looked at them.
"Why do I have the feeling you're talking about me?" Andy wanted to know. "Or am I wrong?"
"I have no idea what you're talking about," Joe replied. "Nicky, what do you say to this potato?"
When it became dark, they sat down to eat.
"This is your spot tonight, Book," Quyhn said as she placed the iPad on the table by making it lean up against a stack of books. "Thanks for joining us."
"You're welcome," Booker replied. "I have to say the food looks better than what my Sister is cooking."
"Don't let her hear that," Nicky replied. "When you get home, I promise to cook the chicken dish you love."
"Oh, you're a lifesaver, Nicky," Booker replied. "That chicken dish got me through Uni."
Andy then stood up.
"Nile couldn't be here because of a shift, but she is back home this summer," Andy said. "And by that time, I hope we can all sit at the same table and share a meal like we always have done."
They all agreed to that wish.
"As you know, it's a tradition when we celebrate the Winter Solstice together," Andy said. "That we all bring a candle and light it together as a way to celebrate that the light is returning once again."
They each placed their candle in a candle holder and lit it. Even Booker did it. When all the candles were lit, Andy turned off the light.
"Let's eat," Andy said. "Do you have something to eat, Book?"
"Yes," Booker replied. "My Sister's stew."
Booker held up the plate.
"I couldn't get mead," Booker said. "So, I'm drinking red wine."
"So are we," Quynh replied. "Andy decided to save the mead for next year since Joe still isn't allowed to drink it. Not after what happened a decade ago."
Joe looked down at his plate while he blushed.
"It's not like Joe isn't allowed to drink mead," Nicky said. "He just made a promise to his Mother."
"As I recall it, Joe also made the same promise to you, Nicky," Quynh said. "After he, Andy, and Booker...."
"Guys?" Joe asked. "Can't we not talk about it tonight? Tonight, we're celebrating the light is returning."
Nicky kissed Joe on the cheek.
"Sure," Nicky said. "We'll tell Nile the story once she is home again."
Before Joe could say anything, Booker disappeared from the screen.
"Book?" Quynh asked. "Are you there?"
It took a couple of minutes before Booker called again.
"Sorry, guys," Booker said. "I have to leave. My Nan..."
"Go. We understand," Nicky replied. "Call us if we can help with anything."
"Promise," Booker replied. "Have fun tonight."
Booker ended the call.
"You should know," Andy said. "Quynh and I are flying out to Booker tomorrow. That stubborn French idiot won't admit it, but he could use his friends. And once that is done, we'll fly out to Nile together with Booker."
"We're not returning home without our friends," Quynh added. "So, could you look after our place?"
"Of course," Nicky replied. "I wish we could come with you, but I don't have a valid passport."
Andy placed a hand over Nicky's.
"Nicky, listen," Andy said. "I know you want to take care of us all, but leave it to me and Quynh for once. We want you to celebrate Christmas with the lovesick fool you're married to."
Quynh placed a hand over Nicky's other hand.
"We got it," Quynh said. "Because we learned from the best."
"And we promise you," Andy added. "If we need help, you're the first we'll call."
"Okay," Nicky replied. "But I'm planning on renewing my passport tomorrow, so we can help you if needed."
"More than fine, Kiddo," Andy replied before she looked at Joe. "And you, Al-Kaysani, your only job is to make sure Nicky gets the best possible Christmas after everything he has been through."
"On it, Boss," Joe replied, placing an arm around Nicky's shoulders. "I got big plans."
Joe kissed Nicky before they all hugged.
"Is there still time for games?" Nicky wanted to know. "I have missed playing Mario Kart."
"So have I," Andy replied. "And while we play, we can eat baklava."
Quynh looked at Joe and Andy.
"I want to remind you two about one thing," Quynh said. "No dirty tricks while we play Mario Kart."
Joe and Andy promised. A promise that only lasted until Nicky and Quynh decided they needed a break. It didn't take long before Joe and Nicky started to accuse each other of cheating. Ten minutes later, Nicky and Quynh decided to call the night. After a lot of hugs and a promise, that Joe and Nicky would drive Andy and Quynh to the airport tomorrow, Joe and Nicky drove home. During the drive, Nicky looked out of the window.
"Nicky?" Joe asked. "Are you okay with leaving it all to Andy and Quynh?"
"Don't get me wrong, but for once, yes. I'm still struggling with being robbed, so I don't mind having one thing less to worry about at the moment," Nicky replied. "Am I a terrible person for thinking that?"
It made Joe pull over the car. Then Joe took Nicky's face between his hands. There were tears in Nicky's eyes.
"Listen to me, Love," Joe said. "Your friends and I'll never think of you being a terrible person. You have been through something you shouldn't. And we all want you to take the time you need to recover. We'll support you."
Nicky buried his face in Joe's jacket and started to cry. Joe held Nicky tight.
"When Christmas is over. We're going to find a psychiatrist for you," Joe said. "Does that sound like a plan?"
"Yes, I would very much like that," Nicky replied as he looked out of the back window. "Joe, why is there a police car behind us?"
Joe looked at the police car and then at the police officer who knocked on the window. Joe rolled the window down.
"Evening," The police officer said. "Why have you stopped in a no-parking zone? And why is your passenger crying? Are you okay, Sir?"
"Yes, we're married," Nicky replied. "I think it was my fault."
"No, it wasn't," Joe replied as he found his driver's licence. "Listen. My husband was robbed a couple of weeks ago and needed a hug. I thought pulling over was better than stopping in the middle of the road. I didn't notice the no-parking zone."
The police officer looked at the driver's licence before he looked at Joe.
"Get going," The police officer said. "And Merry Christmas."
Joe took his driver's licence before they wished the police officer a Merry Christmas.
"Let's get going," Joe said as he got the car going. "What do you say that we pick up some ice cream?"
"I would love that," Nicky replied. "And thanks for listening to me."
"Always," Joe replied. "Love you."
"Love you too," Nicky replied. "Do you think we also could pick up some whipped cream? I got an idea what we can use it for."
Joe gave Nicky a wicked smile as a reply. It made them both laugh.