Christmas dinner

“Come in! We are happy to have you over.”

Aunt Christina gave Nastya three kisses and immediately after that, Inge did the same thing. Although Nastya knew this was a custom, I could see it was still overwhelming for her. She was lucky we only had a small family. I remember Lise complaining that in her family you easily lost 10 minutes making the rounds when you arrived.

Aunt Christina took a moment to look at me and said “I love what you did with your make-up. That is something new Who taught you?”

I almost replied “Lise,” but I was just in time to change my answer into “I looked something up online.”

“Well, it looks lovely on you.”

“You sure put in the effort for your date.” Inge teased.

I wanted to protest that this wasn’t a date. We had just gone out as friends. Why do psychologists always need to sexualize everything? Probably something Freudian on their own part…

“Did the two of you have fun at the Christmas market?” Aunt Christina then asked.

I wanted to reply but Inge cut me off.

“Seeing those beautiful necklaces, I think they had a lot of fun.” She said teasingly.

I wanted to say it wasn’t like that. That it was just something shared between friends, but Nastya’s face looked completely red like she got caught with something and I was pretty sure I was blushing too.

“D-Don’t tease my guest like that.”

Inge laughed knowingly at Aunt Christina before she apologized. I just knew she was not sorry at all, but I could see that Nastya started to relax again, so I guess I should let it go for now. I did not want Nastya to feel uncomfortable. I could see that Aunt Christina and Inge were sharing an inside joke but I was a little afraid to ask.

Aunt Christina had given everyone a glass of champagne to start the evening off, and although we were all talking about everything and nothing at the same time, I could feel that Nastya was still really nervous, so I let my hand slide over her back, and when she looked at me, I whispered, calm down, they are nice people. No need to be nervous.”

But for some reason, I felt that my little gesture had made her even more nervous.

The evening progressed slowly, and I did my best to spend as much attention on Nastya as I could to make sure she felt welcome. I could see that made her happy, but at the same time, I could see that I still could not get her relaxed at all.

After dinner, it was time to exchange gifts. So Nastya and I got the bag with all the trinkets we bought at the Christmas market for both of them, but before we could give them, Aunt Christina asked for silence so she could start by giving me my gift. As she was bringing over my gift she said in a solemn voice.

“Since you are stepping into your father’s shoes next week, I thought you should have this. I am certain he would have wanted you to use this.”

Surprised at her tone I slowly opened the box and found a director’s baton. It was basically the exact same thing as the one I was using, only this one had my surname engraved at the bottom. I recognized this baton immediately.

“This is…”

Aunt Christina nodded happily. “When I found it in the attic, I just knew I should give this to you for your first concert.”

My eyes could not leave the item. I felt strangely attracted to it. Carefully I lifted it out of the box. Although it was the same baton, it felt completely different to hold this one. It was a strange feeling, but the closest for me to describe it was that I felt that I was meant to hold this baton.

“I also play my father’s violin. So next week will be a reunion.” She put her hand on my shoulder and looked over my shoulder at me.

I looked at Nastya. I could see that she really found some importance in that fact and was looking at the baton like it was some sort of sacred artifact and to be honest, I felt the same. Not long ago I would have rejected this item and would not have wanted anything to do with it, but now it felt like I had gotten something precious.

“And for Nastya, I also found something in the attic.” Aunt Christina then said mysteriously and handed over a small, gift-wrapped box.

Nastya looked at her questioningly, and when it was finally open, and she looked at the gift I could see her look up in disbelief. I could see and feel that she was really happy with the gift.

It was a picture of both of us with her dad in Disneyland Paris.

“That must be the oldest picture of the two of you together.” Aunt Christina said, but I could see that Nastya looked like a weight had been lifted from her shoulders.

“I was right back then. You look prettier with a smile.”

Nastya looked at me and blushed a little.

“Don’t mind us but I did not know you were such a natural at this. And here I was worrying.”

“At what?” I asked perplexed.

“See, a natural,” Inge said to Aunt Christina who was giggling. Those two seemed to be having a lot of inside jokes going on today.

Now it was our turn to give our gifts. Aunt Christina seemed surprised that I had gotten her a gift since I had never done that since the accident. She made a special opening on one of the cupboards and put the wine bottle candle there. “I am going to treasure this gift.” I felt myself going through the floor from embarrassment. It was such a stupid gift after all. If I had known she was going to eternalize it with a story attached, I would have bought her something more fitting… But while I was feeling ashamed, Nastya took my hand and gave it a little squeeze. She looked happy that Aunt Christina was so happy with the gift she had picked out with me, which made the uncomfortable feelings of shame slowly leave me.

The rest of the evening was very cozy, as we all sat in the living room and talked. Aunt Christina told us some embarrassing family stories. Well, I was the one getting embarrassed by all the stories from my childhood. She even got out a bloody picture book, since Nastya was so happy with the picture. Why was she doing this to me? But Aunt Christina did not seem to have any bad intentions. She seemed to be just going with the flow and I could see she and Nastya were having a good time at my expense. Her nervousness seemed to be over now that I was the one being embarrassed.

“It’s getting late. If you want, you can stay the night?” Aunt Christina suddenly asked Nastya.

“My grandfather would never allow it,” Nastya answered a bit dejectedly. I could see she was not making it up. I remembered how he was angry at me and Nastya for locking ourselves up in the same room in Flagey just because he knew I was a lesbian. He apologized afterward. But I could see him jumping to conclusions.

Aunt Christina and Inge started to laugh. “He told me it was okay though.” Aunt Christina said smugly.

That sounded a bit weird coming from Aleksei. “What were his exact words?”

“If she says she wants to stay, she can stay. She is old enough to make her own choices. It’s not like I could stop her anyway and I would not want her to resent me.”

“That does not really sound like Aleksei,” I answered. There is just no way he would not offend me along the way.

Aunt Christina looked surprised that I had seen through it and then said “Well, let’s not repeat everything that he said. It is Christmas after all, and these were his words after my heart-to-heart with him. I am sure he won’t be repeating any nonsense like that, and if he gives you a difficult time be sure to let me know, Nastya.” Aunt Christina was smiling, but I could feel the danger lurking underneath. Something told me that you really did not want to get on Aunt Christina’s bad side. I think I started to understand Frank a little more…

Nastya was holding her palm against her forehead to hide the embarrassment. “I can imagine what he said. We had a fight about me coming here this morning.” She confessed a bit shy. Something told me she left her house this morning in the same way as the first time we met. Shouting angrily. The Aleksei effect was still strong…

“Well, that does not matter anymore. After my talk with him, it is all up to you now. Do you wanna stay over.”

Nastya looked at me trying to figure out what I thought about it.

“Friends should have slumber parties,” I answered. “You’d be the first to stay over in this room.”

“But I did not bring an overnight bag,” Nastya said a bit apologetic. I could see she was wavering and wanted to stay over but was still not sure if she really should.

“We’re all women here. I am sure we will be able to work something out.” Aunt Christina answered.

“I’ll give you something of mine to wear. I think we are about the same size…” I immediately added, doing my best to convince her.

"I-I guess I could stay then."

+++++++

After washing up and preparing an inflatable mattress in my room, Nastya entered my room in the negligée that I lent her. For a second, I had trouble taking my eyes off her. We were about the same size so how come that skirt came up so high on her body? My eyes fell on her chest. I could see she was not wearing a bra underneath because her nipples were poking through.

I quickly shook my head and touched my own small breasts in a reflex. As to compare.

Nastya was clearly waiting for me to say something.

“That nightie does a completely different thing for you than it does for me.” I blabbered out.

Nastya smiled. It seemed like she had taken my flustered state as a compliment. I quickly shook my head. I had a friend staying over. I should not think about her that way. I have Lise after all.

Before bedtime, Nastya came lying next to me in my bed as we did so often at school, and we talked for a bit more. I slowly felt myself become drowsy. I felt comfortable and protected and just let go. I felt a hand slowly caressing my head and a kiss on my forehead.

“Night night, Fleure”

+++++++

Rosalinde’s POV

Lise was crying again while she lay in my lap. I could feel she was hurt by this whole situation. I was a bit irked that Fleure still stirred so many feelings in her, and at the same time, I felt happy that she was seeking comfort with me. Why were my feelings so complicated on this matter? I know I should not get too attached to her. Not if I wanted my plans to succeed.

But she had done well. Seeing Fleure fall asleep in Nastya's arms had just been a little too much for her, but we both knew that this was what needed to happen. I was lightly caressing her head. I used my magic to ease her pain, even though I knew that would force me to deal with those feelings myself.

“There there. You did well. I am here for you.”

I needed her to stick with it until the end. We were almost done.

Lise grabbed me closer and said, “I am so happy I have you.”

I felt a hot surge flow through me while she said that. Don’t go saying stuff like that. You are making this harder on me, you know.

I patted her head and let her indulge in the hug she was giving me. I could feel she was really getting strength out of connecting with me. Which made me feel warm inside.

“Stop it! If you are going to get weird thoughts again, we are stopping!”