by JN Welsh
Elle nodded. “Since my parents moved to Florida. Maybe ten years. It’s the way they bring us all together, once a year. Though my mom is from the islands and my dad is from the south, my parents really do love the traditional snowy holiday season and always provide that for the family. Of course, the season is sprinkled with Caribbean flair from my mom’s side and southern traditions from my dad’s side. So, there’s always lots of food, liquor, music, dancing, and overall loud carrying-on.”
Cole thought about his parents and the way they globetrotted for their missionary work. He didn’t have this history of holiday traditions, and he wondered what effect being here would have on him. Over the past few years, he had celebrated Christmas alone. Now, even if voluntary, he was thrust into a family dynamic he didn’t quite know how to navigate.
“Hey, I know I gave you a lot of information about my family.” Elle’s voice penetrated his thoughts. “We’re pretty big so don’t feel like you have to remember everyone’s name. They’ll understand. It took Holly’s husband, Spencer, two years just to get this part of the family straight.”
“I’m sure as we start spending time together, the names will be easier to recall.” He worked on unpacking his clothes.
The sound of a bell ringing permeated through the house.
He stopped in the middle of unpacking. “Is that a dinner bell?”
Elle sighed. “Yup. Dinner, brunch, breakfast, lunch, drinks, and snacks. If someone makes something for the house to share, they’ll ring the bell.”
She cleaned up in the bathroom with the door ajar and he was once again reminded of the role he played for her.
She washed her face. “Brunch will test us, so be ready.” Elle talked out of either side of her mouth as her fingers worked moisturizer into her face. She gave her hair a quick pick and light pat. Her hair had shrunk tremendously after her shower at the inn and he was awed by how different each style transformed her, enjoying each one.
He followed her downstairs.
Brunch was served buffet style. Holiday tunes played in the background. A spread with everything from bacon, eggs, and pancakes, to roti, plantains, dumplings, and avocado was laid out for them.
“Don’t be shy, Cole,” her mother encouraged. “The women in our family are fine cooks and bakers.”
He was hungry enough to eat his own hand. “Want some, sweetness?” he asked Elle, a tong full of sausage poised over her plate.
“Yes, please.”
He was aware of the eyes on him as he tended to Elle. He was starting to understand the pressure she felt, and he hadn’t even been there an hour.
They settled into their seats at the extended table and the inquisition began.
“So, how’d you guys meet?” Shandra asked from the head of the table.
“You tell it, honey.” Elle immediately threw him off his game. She complained about being called ‘honey,’ but it rolled off her tongue when she used it as an endearment for him.
He cleared his throat. “We met at a bar. Elle was out with some work friends and—” he paused and smiled at her “—so was I.”
Elle coughed, and he patted her back. “You okay, sweetness?”
“Food went down the wrong pipe.” Her hoarse words were barely audible, and she chugged water.
“We shared a bottle of wine and the sparks flew when we realized we had a lot in common.”
“Like what?” Jasper chewed his food with an open mouth for everyone to see.
“We both love the movie The Big Blue because it inspires us and we both know how important family is, even when they’re far away.” He spoke all true words. “Not to mention we both share some pet peeves, like when people chew with their mouths open. You know, things like that.”
The table laughed but Jasper blushed. “Hilarious.”
“I keep telling you about that, Jasper.” Elle pointed her fork in his direction.
“You love me anyway.” Jasper shoved more food in his mouth.
“Obviously.”
“How did you and Scarlett meet?” Cole referenced the fair woman with dyed red hair.
“School. We were both in the same English Lit class.”
“He wooed me with poetry.” Scarlett spoke of Jasper, yet her eyes continued to land on him. What may not have been obvious to others was obvious to him. The woman was flirting hard-core.
Cole didn’t read much into it because if he knew anything, he knew women and Scarlett’s flirt appeared, for now, to be harmless. He also was the newcomer with all eyes on him and Elle.
“How long have you guys been dating? Elle never mentioned it and she tells me everything.” Holly frowned at her best cousin.
“Six months,” Elle answered.
“Four months,” Cole responded simultaneously.
“Well, officially four months but we first met at the bar six months ago,” Elle corrected.
“But I was in New York six months ago. Why didn’t you say anything?” Holly asked.
“It was after you left,” Elle clarified and brought a glass of orange juice up to her mouth and kept it there for a long time. Beads of sweat rose on her hairline.
“Elle mentioned you and Spencer will be in New York for the New Year,” Cole deflected by addressing both Holly and her husband.
“Yeah, we should know in a few days if our schedules work out,” Spencer responded, and Cole didn’t miss the doubt in the man’s brows.
“We should have dinner.” Cole hoped it was enough to put Holly’s suspicions and that part of the conversation to rest.
“Cole knows all the great spots,” Elle added.
“Finally we’ll be able to double date. I thought the day would never come.” Holly raised her arms to the sky in praise.
Elle hung her head.
“The right man just never showed up.” Cole held Elle’s hand and kissed it as he gazed into her eyes. “Until now.”
“What do you do for a living, young man?” Elle’s father, Terence asked.
“I own a psychology consulting business. I support doctors with patient education on various platforms.”
“Cole’s very talented, Dad. He’s helped many people over the years and now has built up an impressive list of clients to start his own business.”
Now it was his turn to choke. She made the list of clients she judged him for sound like gold.
“It was hard work, but it’s time to put my skills to different use.”
“I respect hard-workers. Both Shan and I worked hard for what we have, and we encourage our children to do the same. It’s good to know you hold a similar work ethic.”
“Yes, sir.”
“How’s your business, Elle?” Spencer inquired. “Last we spoke you needed two big clients to match your income, so you could quit the firm.”
“I had to spend money recently so…I may have to stay six more months or so, but it was worth it.” Elle deadpanned to him.
Cole was floored. She spent that money on hiring him—for this. He had given her a hefty discount and he wondered what exactly she was giving up to get her family off her back.
CHAPTER EIGHT
The family had organized some activities. Hiking, skiing, sledding, Olympic site tours, and ice-skating on Mirror Lake, to name a few. The kids wanted Elle to go sledding with them and Cole agreed to accompany their group. Several of her family members tagged along, agreeing to meet up in a few hours.
Elle and Cole escaped back to the room after brunch.
“Honey?” Cole leaned against the door.
“I don’t know it just came so natural. I said it nicely. You only use it when you’re being arrogant. It works for me.”
“Right.” His features flattened in disapproval.
“I didn’t mean to throw you off, but that went well, right?”
“I think they bought it. We did meet at a bar and everything except for the timeframe and falling in love was true.”
“Exactly.” She swallowed and before she let her thought
s over analyze his statement, she changed the subject. “Are you sure you want to go sledding? These kids are going to work us until our fingers and toes are frozen solid.”
“I’m down.” His voice was muffled by the extra thermal he pulled over his head. “Plus, it’ll be fun.”
“Okay, but don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
The pilgrimage to the big hill was an arduous fifteen-minute trek. Over the years, their family had received recommendations from other vacationing families and a few of the locals. The big hill was one of them. It was a nice sledding alternative to tubing on Whiteface Mountain and its Olympic courses. Her family would save that for skiing later in the week.
A mini-van filled with kids and adults bypassed those who decided to rough it in the snow. Holly tackled the trail with her and Cole, happy for the reprieve from the twins.
“Thank God Spencer drove the twins in the car. I haven’t walked this hill in years. It’s brutal.” Holly puffed air. “I thought I was getting a break.”
“You are. Once they get up there, Spencer’s going to have to do all the work to get the kids on the sledding course.” The uphill walk also challenged Elle’s lungs, but she was in better shape.
“He’s a smart man. He can figure out what to do when they pee in their snowsuits.” Her cousin wheezed.
Cole and Elle laughed.
Holly wasn’t holding back how hard a time she was having with the hill. “Why aren’t you breathless like me, Elle?”
Elle scoffed at her cousin’s accusatory question. “I do cardio. After you had the twins, I told you not to let your exercise lapse for too long. You’re naturally thin, not naturally healthy.”
“You too, Cole. I picked the healthiest people to trek this hill with.” Holly stopped with hands on hips, then on knees.
Cole chuckled. “It’s good exercise. I can carry you on my back it you like.”
“No-no. You’re not her personal horse. She needs the exercise.” Elle held up a hand in protest. “Besides, if Cole is carrying anyone, he’s carrying me.”
“Possessive, much?” Holly smiled. “Come on, cuz. Let him carry me for a little bit. Spencer’s my one and only but to be carried by this hunk of a man may be my only chance to ever have this experience. That is unless you marry him, in which case, I’ll wait.”
“Jeez,” Elle huffed. “We’re almost there, Holly. Quit your whining and keep moving.”
“She’s so mean.” Holly pointed at her.
“You’ll feel accomplished once you make it up,” Elle encouraged.
“So, Cole, have you been sledding before?” Holly asked.
“I’ve done it a few times, but mostly tobogganing. I spent some of my younger years in some pretty cold places.”
“Do you have brothers and sisters?”
“No, I’m an only child,” he explained to Holly.
Elle already knew he was an only child, but she waited to see what other information he’d divulge that he might not have told her.
Holly continued. “Cousins, aunts, uncles?”
“I have them, but I haven’t seen or spent time with them since I was a kid. At that time my parents focused more on what others didn’t have,” he responded.
“Any family traditions for the holidays?” Holly asked.
“No. My parents really felt like global citizens and when I moved back to New York for college, family holiday traditions were nonexistent. We celebrated special occasions when my grandparents were alive. My grandparents kind of forced the holiday celebrations a bit, which I liked. But that tradition died with them and was replaced with service.”
The women slowed their pace and stared at Cole. For Elle and Holly, this time of year brought great joy during the family gatherings. But it also served as a reminder for those family members no longer with them. That Cole didn't have family heightened this loss.
“That’s noble.” Holly’s statement filled with sadness and Elle knew her cousin was emotional.
“What?” Cole asked, confused by their reaction.
Elle recovered first. “Sorry, Cole, it’s nothing.” She brushed it off.
“We just have such a big family that sometimes…well … we know how important family is, especially when you lose them,” Holly added and gave her a sheepish smile.
Elle tried to smile but it faltered every time. She wished Holly hadn’t tried to explain. Elle was sure even though it wasn’t her cousin’s intention, the statement might make Cole feel judged—pitied even—and this wasn’t about him.
“You don’t miss what you don’t have. I’m just happy to be here with you all.” Cole smiled, and he appeared not to have taken offense to their solemn shift in mood.
She was sure the words were true for him but for her family, they couldn’t be more wrong. Elle halted the in-memoriam reel that started to play because climbing up the big hill to sled with the kids wasn’t the time to reminisce.
Cole cleared his throat. “Is everything okay? You guys—”
“Oh, the weather outside is frightful…” Holly busted out with the first line of Let it Snow at the top of her lungs and continued her breathless singing until both Elle and Cole joined in with their humorous rendition.
Elle was glad the mood reverted back to festive. She hugged her singing cousin and whispered in her ear. “You’re the best cuz.”
The sledding course was epic with the kids already barreling down the hill. Spencer and her parents cheered on the twins while Jasper and Scarlett cuddled by a tree. The older kids zoomed by with their Go Pro cameras, capturing the moments. Elle, Cole, and Holly joined Spencer and her parents for a bit before they retrieved their sleds, joining the rest of the family on the hill.
Elle was glad Cole hadn’t further questioned her and Holly’s mood shift. Though his story was sad, the mention of his grandparents triggered memories Elle wasn’t prepared for. One of the traits she was beginning to appreciate about him was he didn’t press every issue, but when he did, he didn’t let up until he got the answers he wanted. So far, the unspoken boundaries set on the information they shared had been complementary, but it was only a matter of time before it wasn’t.
“Race you down.” Cole shot off, hooting and hollering down the rolling hills before he slowed at the bottom.
“Wait.” Elle jumped onto her sled to follow him, exhilarated from the ride. She met him below.
He hugged her and snuggled. “They’re watching us.”
She enjoyed his embrace even if it was for show and then pushed him away and ran up the hill.
“Race you up. Let’s see what you got.” She booked it as fast as possible, but Cole caught her and dragged her down, rolling with her in the snow, breathless and panting.
“They’re probably expecting us to kiss.” His lips descended on hers before she was able to respond.
“Mmm.” She moaned and then grabbed some snow and mushed it in his face. Her gleeful shriek carried over the grounds.
“Oh, bad move.” With helicopter arms Cole shoveled snow on top of her.
“Surrender, I surrender!” She sputtered snow from her mouth and blew melting snow from her nose.
He staggered to standing and helped her up. When they arrived at the top, whistles and coos erupted from her family.
“You two are so cute.” Her mother applauded.
“Eww, you guys were kissing.” Karen’s tiny voice was filled with the disgust of her youth.
Elle gathered her up in her arms. “You want to ride down with me?”
“Yeah.” Karen ran to the sled.
Karen was her ticket to avoid any further commentary from her family.
After a few more runs, Elle asked the little ones, “You guys want to ride down on the big hill with us?”
“Yeah,” the kids cheered.
Cole eyed her as she interacted with the children and in a moment, she was self-conscious about her parental skills. She secured Karen’s light purple pom-pom hat on the girl’s head. He had been attentive
and patient with her young cousins and she wondered if he wanted any kids of his own.
Jasper jogged over when he saw them. “Thought you slow pokes would never make it up here. You guys are getting old.”
“Somebody shut him up.” Holly threw a snowball at Jasper.
“Right?” Elle agreed. “Holly and I went sledding last year.”
“Yeah but you didn’t take the big hill. You did those little rolls you just finished.” Jasper pointed to where they had just come from.
“This is quite the hill.” Cole moved over to her. “You sure about this?”
“The doubt wounds me.” Elle clutched the left side of her chest.
“I’m just sayin’. It’s been a minute,” Jasper chided. “When’s the last time you rode the big hill anyway? It’s treacherous to novices.”
“Excuse me?” She put her hand on her hips. “I taught you how to ride this big hill, young Padawan, remember?”
“I was like twelve. This shit gets scarier the older you get,” Jasper confessed.
“I got this. Watch and learn. Again. C’mon Holly.” Elle grabbed her sled and motioned Karen to follow her.
“Oh, we’re doing this? Together?” Holly’s doubt irritated her. “I mean…I have kids.”
Jasper snickered, and Cole chuckled.
“Just come on.” Elle charged onward and Holly followed.
“Okay, but I’m taking Donny,” Holly held her hand out to her nephew.
“Cool.” Donny ran to Holly’s side.
Elle didn’t know where the need to prove her sledding abilities came from. It wasn’t like she had some ongoing rivalry with Jasper or any of her family members. She didn’t even feel like she had to impress Cole, but somehow the doubt in her family’s eyes rattled her. Maybe it was all the doubt from the past few years about her relationship status or maybe it was the stress of the con she and Cole were in the midst of executing. Perhaps, it was a sudden need to live life to the fullest. Whatever it was she was conquering the big hill.
She and Holly maneuvered themselves onto the sleigh, with Karen in her lap and little Donny in Holly’s lap.
“Give us a good push,” Elle instructed Cole and Jasper. Not only did they give a push but added an extra hoist that sent their sleds flying down the hill. She and Karen moseyed along, and then they picked up speed and Elle no longer heard the family’s cheers.
