Now the calendar's just one page

 

Deano thought he might have been in a bad way. Especially, when he heard the news from Caitlin about the baby on the way. He'd dropped a can of black-eyed peas Cajun Style on his toe, the moment she told him. He was hobbling around now. Stiff in places, he was sure a twenty-something-year-old shouldn't know about. It had been a bad couple of days ago and his toe was infected. He knew he should be at his happiest. He wanted to be, but these little things got the best of him.

If that wasn't all, he found out accidentally, that the Eddie next door was Roman's Eddie. Which lead to the accidental dinner with Eddie, Roman, Paulie, and LaLa at the nearby Red Robin.

"Oh, god..what were we thinking," Deano now thought about the eve before Christmas Eve.

"Well, we couldn't NOT GO," Caitlin said after a sneeze or two.

"But it was so crowded," Deano winced hard. They'd all gathered together eager to see each other, but could hardly hear each other.

"We'd gone without power for almost a day," she reminded him of the wild windstorm and how they'd had plenty of solitude to think about the months ahead. "Besides, I'm glad I could tell LaLa." It was like an added bonus surprise to see LaLa with Paulie. Of course, they both looked at each other wondering how LaLa and Roman were really doing.

They were bushing their teeth now, getting ready to go to Mario's.

"But you told LaLa before you even told your dad the news. I thought..I thought this was your Christmas gift to him," Deano looked woeful with the notion that Caitlin had made her choices, and now was the choice to stay home. Her father might get sick if they were around him.

"I got him a Cabella's gift card," she squinted back. She had all the presents covered. They were going to spend Christmas with her family. "I'm still in shock that Eddie's friend is with LaLa."

"Well, LaLa was pretty shocked that you're gonna be a baby momma?" Hadn't anything registered with Caitlin about this news?

Mario's first guest was Bren. "Am I too early?" She wanted to know. She brought a cheese ball for an army and plenty of sausage and crackers to get them through the new year. Of course, his dad was happy to see her. He was full of twenty-questions and more.

Mario just wanted to have a quiet day. And then Rico was even happier to see her. It was as if Bren was already family.

"Oh, I work with her at the grocery store," Rico smiled and said she was the sister he never had. Mario did his best to grit a smile (had he already forgotten Cailtin?). 

After all, Teegan went to Andi's and Levi didn't celebrate Christmas so he went to visit an old professor he had back when he was an early art major.

Finally, Caitlin and Deano showed up along with Megan and Cori and her grandparents. It was definitely a houseful.

"Oh, it's Bren!" Megan sounded as if she was a long-lost friend of their circle. She gave her a hug. "I thought you were moving to Seattle."

"Seattle? Who told you that?" Bren only laughed. 

"Um, wasn't it that guy named Gonzo?" Megan gave Caitlin a funny look who was in the middle of chowing down on the cheeseball that she had to remember Bren, didn't she? Caitlin only shrugged "Look, I'm eating for two, you know." And then Caitlin's dad almost fainted. Was it true, about the baby? Caitlin looked at him as if he better get used to the idea and he only smiled back as if it were all his inspiration, but all Mario could think of was the guy Megan mentioned to Bren. Suddenly, he was a little jealous.

Bren only cleared her throat. Mario thought the name was odd. No way could he ask. not even about what his sister was talking about. He was after all the host to the Christmas dinner. It was time to play a trivia game before they ate and opened presents later.

Frankie was certain he was the odd man out. Even if he did slightly know Roman. But then again, maybe the guy named Eddie was worse off. It wasn't every day a son brought home his boyfriend.

"Oh, it'll be fine," Bea kept smiling as she poured him another glass of wine. Of course, she never spoke of their Thanksgiving together.  Actually, he'd never seen her smile so much. But then again, he was in the state of shock that she'd asked him home for Christmas. Luckily, her ex didn't show up. 

Although, they'd signed papers and that was over. So at least, Frankie felt a little better about being with Bea's family. And they were accepting. They all seemed to be happy for Bea. Frankie wasn't so sure about Roman.

For the longest, he kept Eddie company. He felt as if Eddie was brave. He'd be here until the end, even if no one was really talking to him. Roman, of course, was being his cheerful self. He at least stayed close to Eddie as if to shield him from any negativity that might come his way.

Naturally, the dinner was amazing with turkey and ham and so many sides. Of course, the homemade bread was the best. Everyone was stuffed by the end.

And just when Frankie thought this whole dinner was done. He was surprised, but company showed up for Bea. It was a youngster named Drew. And when she embraced him he knew Drew had to be family.