The Library Book

#40 - Deck the Halls

Chapter 40 - Deck the Halls
published: Wednesday, 29 July 2020

sorry for not updating last week :( was swamped and had some writer's block

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'Chaos' was the only word that could be used to describe the Chase household at Christmastime. Spending it in two different homes only made things more complicated.

"Do you have everything with you?" Helen shouted as she hustled Matthew and Bobby towards the entrance, each boy bundled up in layers of scarves, coats and sweaters to combat the snow. Their suitcases were lugged along the ground, bashing into the walls as they went. "Anyone forgotten anything?"

"No!" Matthew said enthusiastically. Bobby rolled his eyes.

"Okay, I love you!" Helen said, yanking both of her sons towards her and giving them tight hugs and kisses on the foreheads, to which Bobby replied disdainfully, "Ew, Mum."

"Oh, please," Helen scoffed. "No one's here to see you be embarrassed. You don't have any excuses."

"Wait!" Annabeth's yells echoed down the stairwell as she thundered down the steps, a box wrapped in silver balanced precariously in her arms. "Give this to Dad for me, okay?"

Bobby shot her a thumbs-up as the present fell into his arms, blocking his face from view.

"Don't die or anything," Annabeth told her brothers as they mobbed her with hugs that forced her to stagger back. "Love you two."

"Love you," they mumbled. There was a wistful moment of silence before the commotion returned, and Matthew nearly tripped down the front step and took a tumble.

"I'm fine, I'm fine!" he called back as he stumbled to the taxi, Bobby at his heels as they loaded their trunks into the boot.

Annabeth stood by Helen's side, leaning against the doorframe and waving at her brothers until they were out of sight, dispersing exhaust the only evidence of their presence.

Once the boys were out of the residence, an eerie, calm silence settled over the house.

"Feels weird," Annabeth noted. "It's like I've gone deaf." She turned to Helen, grinning, only to see her stepmother staring at the road. "What?"

"You can still go, you know," Helen told her. "It's not too late. You could pack your suitcase and be there for Christmas tomorrow."

Annabeth waved a hand dismissively. "Hey, I made my decision to spend Christmas here. You're here. My friends are here. I already spent Thanksgiving with Dad. Besides," she shrugged. "Couldn't leave you alone on Christmas."

Helen smiled, her shoulders visibly relaxing. It was barely dawn, but once morning properly arrived, Annabeth was freshened up, dressed in a red corduroy skirt and a stripy, long-sleeved shirt that practically screamed "Christmas".

She was bouncing on the balls of her feet expectantly when the doorbell rang an hour before noon. Annabeth raced to the door and flung it open with a beaming smile.

"Merry Christmas!" Piper exclaimed, smiling madly and carrying three tote bags filled to the brim with presents. She flung her arms around Annabeth excitedly, and they waddled mid-hug into the living room, laughing giddily.

Leo stood behind Piper, arms crossed. "I feel very left out right now." Annabeth skipped over to Leo, giving him a hug too.

"Thanks for coming," Annabeth said gratefully. "Just put your gifts under the tree. Bags can go on the couch."