Chapter One-Hundred Ninety-One: Douglass the Talking Christmas Tree

Chapter 191

Douglass the Talking Christmas Tree

Tristan gazed out his window, deep in thought about the events that took place two days earlier. He wore a light-purple pressed shirt, a dark-purple tie, a black waistcoat, black pants, and black sheer socks. So many thoughts ran through his mind. How did Deimos know I was there? How did he defeat Dougal so effortlessly? Why are my powers going out of control? What is wrong with me? He wondered.

He heard someone knock at his door. Tristan turned to see his brother standing at the door. He wore a white button-down shirt, a green sweater vest, dark green pants, and black socks. He entered his bedroom with a cup of tea.

Bastien: “I made you some tea. It’s the proper thing to do when you’re upset.”

He said genially and handed him the cup on a saucer. Tristan thanked him and blew on it. Bastien sat by him.

Bastien: “What’s wrong?”

Tristan sipped his tea.

Tristan: “Where do I begin? I don’t want to burden you with my quandaries.”

Bastien smiled.

Bastien: “You would be doing no such thing.”

Tristan flashed him a smile and took another sip of tea. He didn’t think Bastien could help him with his issues.

He glanced out the window to see the driveway outlined in white lights as well as silhouettes of Santa’s sleigh being pulled by reindeer outlined in red, green, and white lights.

Tristan: “I see you’re decorating for Christmas early.”

Bastien nodded.

Bastien: “I love Christmas… Come see the house!”

He took Tristan’s hand. Tristan set his cup and saucer on the table by his sofa and exited the room.

Evergreen foliage with white lights and red ribbons adorned the railings of the pedway and the balustrade on the stairway. The 20-foot-tall Christmas tree stood before the tall window in the living room. Gold and red garland adorned it with various decorations, red ornaments, multicolored lights, a red skirt trimmed in white, and a gold star on top. White lights outlined the large window.

The fireplace was adorned with evergreen boughs, pine cones, white lights, red ribbon, and stockings bearing each family member’s name in gold. There were stockings for Tristan, Sébastien, Victor, Honorine, Gustave, Oliver, Francis, and Kyle. Hanging above the fireplace was a wreath with a giant red ribbon and white lights. Standing on each side of the fireplace were Santa statues—foliage with lights and red ribbon wrapped around the columns.

Bastien led Tristan outside to see the château’s roof outlined with white icicles, and each window outlined with white lights. The window above the front door had a large wreath with white lights and a red ribbon, and a wreath with white lights and a red ribbon hung on the door. Tristan marveled at the decor.

Tristan: “This is lovely, Bastien! You went above and beyond.”

He smiled. Bastien smiled tightly.

Bastien: “Thank you, Tristan. Father said I have creative freedom to do whatever I want in this place, and I hope he likes it.”

Tristan nodded.

Tristan: “He will.”

He said genially.

They went back inside, and Bastien went to the kitchen to take the ginger dough out of the fridge to roll. Victor entered the kitchen and beamed with delight. He wore a cream button-down shirt with the sleeves rolled to his elbows, a brown vest, bell-bottom jeans, and flip-flops.

Victor: “It looks so amazing, Bastien, and it smells good in here, too.”

He put his arms around his son.

Victor: “It’s nice to see my son take after the Trémaux side more than the Beaumont side.”

He muttered. Hurt flickered on Tristan’s face, and he embraced himself. He went to the mudroom, put his black wingtip Oxfords on his feet, and marched to his car. Bastien knit his eyebrows and cupped his mouth.

Bastien: “Father, why do you do that? You know that upsets him.”

He chided him gently. Victor wrenched from him, and his bottom lip trembled.

Victor: “I can’t say anything without you or Tristan snapping at me!”

He cried and stormed away. Bastien bowed his head and wrapped himself in his arms.

~

When the sun set, Jordi was walking to Madelyn’s house. He wore a blue button-down shirt, jeans, a dark blue sports jacket, and black zip-up boots. The houses were decorated for Christmas with strings of lights, wooden standees of Santa, his elves, Mrs. Claus, and the reindeer, along with silhouettes of Christmas figures outlined in multicolored lights. He walked down the driveway of Madelyn’s house.

The mansion was decorated in a clashing of different tastes with colourful lights along the porch, clashing with the black plastic gravestones that read “RIP Christmas” on them. There was a giant inflatable duck on the lawn with a Christmas hat beside it. When Jordi rang the doorbell, a plastic skeleton with a Santa hat drooped down at him, chanting “Happy Halloween” with Madelyn’s voice over “Halloween” with “Christmas.”

He heard footsteps approaching the door as Madelyn greeted him, dressed in a crimson crushed-velvet dress with a pointed pixie hood. The corset featured black lace interwoven down the center, with lace trim around the hem. She wore red glitter eyeshadow with mistletoe pieces on either side of her eyes, resembling lashes. She resembled a festive take on Little Red Riding Hood.

Madelyn: “Ho ho ho, hello Jordi!”

She greeted him with a hug. Jordi hugged her back.

Jordi: “Hello! This is decorated nicely!”

He beamed. He examined his surroundings and smiled at the duck.

Madelyn: “Thank you! That’s my snowduck!”

She exclaimed. Jordi nodded.

Jordi: “And you, my dear, look very lovely!”

He purred.

Madelyn: “Thank you! You look dapper as always!”

She beamed at him, standing on her tiptoes to kiss his cheek. Jordi chuckled and reddened a bit.

Jordi: “Thank you!”

He hooked his thumbs into his jeans.

Jordi: “Would you like to come with me to the Pink Flamingo Mall so I can show you off?”

He shot her a fingerbang.

Madelyn: “I’d be delighted!”

She beamed widely and fingerbanged him back, linking her arm with his.

Jordi walked with her down the driveway and onto the street, looking at the lit-up houses. The two finally arrived at his home. There was a wooden stand with snowmen and a Santa, reading “¡Feliz Navidad!” and adorned with pine boughs and red ribbon. Standing on each side of the sign were wooden buckets with small Christmas trees with multicolored lights. Multicolored lights outlined the roof, and in each window, candy canes, Santa Claus, Christmas Trees, and reindeer. Madelyn beamed at the decorations and their beautiful colors.

There was a wreath on the door with “¡Bienvenidos!” written in gold with a red ribbon on top.

Jordi: “Want to come in and grab some of Henrietta’s cookies or muffins?”

He nodded to the door. Madelyn’s eyes lit up, and she nodded.

Madelyn: “Ooh, yes, please!”

She exclaimed.

Jordi opened the door for her. The waft of freshly-baked gingerbread pervaded the house. Henritetta was in the kitchen rolling the ginger dough.

Henrietta: “Hello, Jordi! I made a batch of sugar cookies and peppermint muffins, so please help yourself to whatever you want!”

She sang. There were plates of sugar cookies shaped like Santa, Christmas trees, candy canes, and snowmen, with frosting, and a plate of muffins with red and green dots.

Henrietta: “And I made you M&Ms Magic Bars and pecan snickerdoodles!”

She smiled. Jordi’s eyes lit up. Madelyn smiled.

Madelyn: “Ooh, those sound nice!”

Jordi: “My favorite! Where are they?”

He looked around and saw his grandfather on the couch watching game shows and eating a pecan snickerdoodle. Madelyn turned to the old man on the couch surrounded by snickerdoodle crumbs.

Madelyn: “Oh, is that your grandfather? Uh, I think he ate your snickerdoodles…”

She said awkwardly.

Abraham: “Yep, I did. Here, I left you this.”

He handed Jordi two plates with crumbs on them and laughed. Jordi took them and angrily placed them into the sink. Madelyn frowned.

Abraham: “Are you gonna cry, baby?”

He laughed. Jordi’s right eye twitched.

Madelyn: “Hey! Why are you being mean to him?”

She frowned at him, taken aback.

Abraham: “Pfft, I am not being mean. I’m being honest.”

He waved his hand dismissively at her.

Madelyn: “No, that’s not honesty! Honesty would be saying that you’re a big meanie and a cookie thief!”

She poked her tongue out at him. Abraham gaped at her.

Jordi turned to Madelyn with a big smile.

Jordi: “Let’s go to the mall and have dinner after!”

Madelyn turned to him and smiled.

Madelyn: “All right!”

She beamed.

Jordi led her outside to his car and opened the door for her. Madelyn thanked him and left with him.

~

The taxi pulled up in front of the Donati manor. Ivy was inside. She wore a bodycon black dress with a lace neckline, angel sleeves, and black criss-cross sandals. Her jaw dropped to see men piling her furniture, including her moonhole canopy bed, on the lawn. She got out of the taxi with her groceries in her hand.

Ivy: “What the Hell?! What are you doing with my stuff?!”

Blair stepped out with stitches on his face. He wore a Spiderman shirt, blue shorts, white knee socks, and sneakers.

Blair: “Getting it out, Ivy. I don’t need you anymore, since Ashley is moving in and we’re sleeping together.”

He beamed.

Blair: “So you can take your junk and this piece of crap.”

He shoved Samson out of the house in his stroller. Ivy rushed down the driveway to catch him.

Blair: “And get out of my life.”

He smiled.

Ivy: “Samson is NOT a piece of crap! Nothing of mine is!”

She cried.

Blair: “Samson was a gift from that fat thing, Celeste! So I don’t want him. He’s yours.”

He scoffed. Ivy held Samson close and patted his back.

Sylvia stepped out.

Sylvia: “Blair, shouldn’t you wait for her to get a place of her own before tossing her out?”

Blair: “Sylvia, I don’t want Ashley to get jealous, but Ashley has nothing to be jealous of. I don’t want to make things awkward for them.”

He smiled. Sylvia gave him a dubious look. Ashley emerged from the kitchen, holding Stella.

Ashley: “Jealous of what? What’s going on?!”

They exclaimed. Ivy held Samson in her arms as he meowed.

Blair: “Ashley, don’t worry, okay? I’m getting rid of this Ivy and her crap.”

He smiled. Sylvia heaved a deep sigh.

Ashley: “Oh? Did she break up with you? Where’s she going to go? What about Samson? He’s not crap!”

They exclaimed.

Sylvia: “Blair, I want nothing more than for your happiness, but don’t you think this is cruel and unusual? Ivy did nothing to warrant this, and Samson certainly didn’t.”

She chided him.

Ashley: “...Blair cruel and unusual?”

Their voice trailed off with a bitter laugh.

Blair: “Ashley, Samson was a gift from that fat thing, Celeste. I don’t want him. I am done with Ivy because you and I are in love.”

He grinned.

Ashley: “...Uhh, Celeste isn’t fat? WHAT?! How could you throw a kitty away like that, Blair?! Uhh, but where’s she going to go, and that’s a lie…”

Their voice trailed off.

Blair: “Ashley, don’t worry your pretty head about none of that! We have a thing to do at the Pink Flamingo Mall, so get in the car and don’t make me wait.”

He teased. Ashley drew a breath and shook their head.

Ashley: “Great. What thing are you going to make me do now?”

Ivy buried her face in Samson and cried as he meowed. She was going to milk this for all it was worth and read Blair’s mind, knowing he was going to do it, but not when.

Sylvia: “Ivy, Demetrio, and I can give you a voucher for the Noble Monarch Hotel while you wait to get a place.”

Ivy: “Oh, I would love that. I need a nice bed to cry myself to sleep.”

Sylvia: “I see. It’s pet-friendly. Samson will be more than welcome.”

Ashley smiled.

Ashley: “Oh, that’s good! I’m glad to hear that!”

Blair: “WHAT ARE YOU DOING, SYLVIA?! SHE DOESN’T NEED THAT!”

He cried and stomped his feet.

Sylvia: “Blair, you told me you would be happy if you got Ashley.”

She frowned. Ashley stared off into space. He doesn’t really have me, and he will never be happy, they thought. Yeah, right, nothing will make that cretin happy, Ivy thought. She cried into Samson.

Blair: “STOP HELPING USELESS PEOPLE, SYLVIA! GRANDPA AND GRANDMA DID THAT TO THAT FAT PIG, JORDI!”

He caterwauled. Ashley frowned at Blair.

Ashley: “Stop being MEAN, Blair! Jordi is my friend, and he’s not a fat pig!”

They scolded him. In a way, they envied Ivy for Blair being done with her and wished he would do the same to them.

Blair knocked down the reindeer on the lawn and stomped on the garden. Ashley cupped their mouth.

Blair: “MY DAY IS RUINED! I WILL NEVER BE HAPPY!”

He cried and stormed inside the house. Ivy hid her smile beneath Samson’s fur. Just as predictable, Blair, she thought.

Sylvia sighed and handed Ivy the voucher.

Ivy: “And would you have my furniture sent to a storage unit?”

She sobbed.

Sylvia: “Of course. I am sorry about this, Ivy. I will be speaking to him about this.”

That won’t do any good, Ivy thought. Ashley frowned with a dubious sigh.

A taxi rolled up. The cab driver stepped out, folded the stroller, and Ivy climbed in with Samson and her groceries. Sylvia and Ashley watched the cab driver close the door, get in, and drive away.

Sylvia: “I’m sorry about this, Ashley. He’s having a bad day.”

She offered.

Ashley: “He’s having a bad day every day and makes every day a bad day!”

They pouted and marched off. Sylvia watched them go and sighed, dreading that Ashley might leave Blair.

~

Fabien heard the ding on his Bungle Server. He went and saw a message from Blair.

BlairDonati: This day is the worst. I kick Ivy out so Ashley will feel comfortable, and Sylvia gives her and that fat cat free money. I tell her she’s doing what my grandparents did with that fat cow, Jordi. She didn’t listen. She didn’t care. No one cares. I could cry, but I can’t shed a single tear. I was going to take Ashley to the Pink Flamingo Mall for a big announcement, but Ivy ruined it.

Fabien burst out laughing.

BlairDonati: AUUUUUUUUUUGGGGGHHHH!! Sylvia is telling me to have empathy! This day is the worst!

BlairDonati: I could go to the mall and get Ashley a new wardrobe. The one they have now is out of style. The 70s died.

Fabien howled with laughter.

Fabien: “Oh my God, Blair, never change!”

He cackled. Celeste entered his room, and Fabien smirked at her.

Fabien: “Wanna go to the mall?”

Celeste: “Sure!”

She beamed.

~

Blair gaped at Ashley.

Blair: “Hey, honey, let’s go to the mall and not let Ivy and Sylvia give vouchers to useless people and fat pieces of crap ruin our day.”

He smiled.

Ashley: “My day is already ruined…”

They muttered under their breath, staring off into space.

Blair: “I’ll get you a new wardrobe. Your clothes are out of style.”

He laughed. Ashley tilted their head and gaped at him.

Ashley: “Uhh, have you like… looked in the mirror, Blair?”

They gestured to his gaudy clothes.

Blair: “Yes, why do you ask?”

He rose from his seat.

Ashley: “Aren’t your clothes a little outta style? I’ve seen 10-year-old kids wearing that same shirt before, hahah!”

They scratched their head.

Blair: “Yeah, but it’s not something someone from the 70s wore!”

He laughed.

Ashley: “Uhh, what’s wrong with that?”

They tilted their head.

Blair: “It looks weird, and maybe you would be happier in newer, better clothes!”

He beamed.

Ashley: “Oh? But I like my clothes… and Lazaros bought them for me the way I like…”

They sighed and started to tear up with a smile as they thought of him.

Blair: “Anyway, I’m hungry. Let’s go to Voyage Burger, then to the mall for my big announcement!”

He nodded. Ashley knit their eyebrows and shuddered when they thought of Makayla forcing them to eat that stuff.

Ashley: “Oh, I don’t like Voyage Burger, and Lazaros would be really upset if I ate there, haha.”

Blair frowned.

Ashley: “...Big Announcement?”

They swallowed hard, full of dread.

Blair: “Lazaros is the past, Ashley, and if you bring him up again, he will be in the past, too! ‘Cause he will be dead!”

He hissed. Ashley knit their eyebrows.

Ashley: “Y-You’re so cruel!”

They trembled and embraced themself.

Blair: “No, I’m not! You take that back now!”

He ordered.

Ashley: “Then don’t be cruel if you don’t want people to say you’re cruel when you are! Be nice!”

They cried.

Blair: “Maybe you will be happy when I make that announcement then.”

He huffed.

Blair: “You don’t have to tell me what to do, you know!”

He cried. Ashley tilted their head.

Ashley: “Huh? But you’re telling me what to do!”

They cried.

Blair: “ ‘cause I’m the boss!”

He shot back. Ashley frowned at him and glared at him.

Blair: “Now get in my car, and we’re gonna eat and be happy!”

He grinned.

Ashley: “If you say so…”

They sighed bitterly. Nothing will ever make him happy, they thought.

~

At the Noble Monarch Hotel, Jaxon stepped out of his hotel room in his silk dragon robe and froze in his tracks when he saw Ivy come down the hallway with Samson in his stroller and the bellboy rolling in her luggage.

Ivy: “Nihao, Jiro! I’m your new neighbor. Blair kicked me out.”

She said, dangling her hotel keys. Jaxon drew an exasperated breath.

Jaxon: “Fuck this, I’m going to the mall.”

He huffed as he went back into his hotel room.

~

Jordi and Madelyn arrived at the Pink Flamingo Mall. It was fully decorated for Christmas, with red, green, and gold streamers arcing across the ceiling, golden bells hanging from the center, and red, green, and white lights in the store windows with “Merry Christmas” written in gold. Some stores had “¡Feliz Navidad!”, “Happy Hannukkah”, and other ways to wish someone a happy holiday.

The potted palm trees in the mall had strings of lights wrapped around the trunks.

Madelyn: “Ooh, it’s so sparkly and pretty!”

She remarked with awe. Jordi put his arm around her and kissed her head. She smiled up at him and nestled into him. Jordi beamed down at her.

Jordi: “Sure is!”

They walked past a wooden stand with holes cut for Santa, Mrs. Claus, the snowman, and the elves, so someone could put their head through and have their picture taken. Madelyn laughed with amusement and took his hand.

Madelyn: “Ooh, we should do that!”

She stood behind Mrs. Claus, slotting her face through the hole. Jordi laughed and shrugged. He went up beside her and put his head through the Santa Claus hole. Madelyn grinned widely for the camera, making goofy faces in the hole. The guy dressed as an elf snapped their pictures.

Jordi slid his head out and reached into his wallet to pay him.

Cameraman: “Photos will be ready in fifteen.”

He said to him. Jordi smiled and nodded.

Jordi: “I’ll be there to pick them up.”

He nodded and put his arm around Madelyn. Madelyn smiled up at him and kissed him. Jordi kissed her back.

Madelyn: “Thank you, Jordi!”

Jordi: “My pleasure!”

As they ventured down the mall, they came across a 50-foot tree adorned with decorations, and at its center a large, pale face with flabby lips and a bulbous nose. The sign by the tree said, “Meet Douglass, the talking Christmas tree!” Madelyn gaped at it and burst out laughing.

Madelyn: “What is THAT?!”

She exclaimed with amusement at the tacky face in the tree.

Douglass: “Hello, pretty lady! I’m Douglass, the talking Christmas tree! Leaf it to me to give you a Merry Christmas!”

He sang. As he spoke, his mouth moved in sync with the words, and his eyes moved to Madelyn and Jordi.

Madelyn: “Wow, pleasant-tree to meet you!”

She laughed with amusement. Jordi smiled at her, happy to see her happy.

Douglass: “I hope you and your boyfriend have a Merry Christmas, and don’t forget to say hi to Santa! Hehehehehe!”

Madelyn: “Yes, we will!”

She smiled and linked her arm with Jordi’s.

As she and Jordi left, he smiled down at her.

Jordi: “How was that?”

He asked her.

Madelyn: “I can’t believe they had such a thing of BEAUTY here in Pink Top!”

She laughed at the goofy tree.

Jordi: “Never a dull moment here.”

He winked.

Madelyn: “Not with you around.”

She winked back at him.

The two rode the escalator, and Jordi saw the “Cherry Bomb!” store, with lots of sales.

Jordi: “Do you want to go in…?”

He asked her, his face reddening. Madelyn’s eyes widened, and she swallowed hard.

Madelyn: “O-Oh, you wanna go into a sexy store with me, Jordi?!”

She teased and tickled his sides. Jordi laughed loudly and wiggled in her grasp.

Jordi: “WAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHA!”

Madelyn smiled at him and took his hand.

Madelyn: “Let’s go!”

She beamed, leading him into the store. Jordi reddened and entered with her.

He inhaled sharply, gazing at the edible underwear, the body oils, the lotions, the lubricants, the BDSM tools, the tickling tools, and sex toys. Madelyn picked up the edible underwear.

Madelyn: “Ooh, delicious!”

She teased and winked at him. Jordi blushed.

Jordi: “Oh, you want to eat that off me?”

He rubbed the back of his head. Madelyn blushed and laughed.

Madelyn: “Maaaaaaybe!”

She teased and winked. Jordi reddened and hid his boner with his jacket.

Jordi: “Do you want to get it?”

He asked her in a breathy voice. Madelyn bit her lip.

Madelyn: “Yes… and what would you like to get?”

She pressed her fingers together.

Jordi pursed his lips and took a deep breath. He held up a bottle of clit stimulator and chuckled. Madelyn reddened with widened eyes.

Madelyn: “Oooh. What does that do?”

She asked breathlessly. Jordi paused and gazed at her, a bit surprised and yet not that she didn’t know about this. He cleared his throat.

Jordi: “Okay, so I would apply it to your clitoris, and it would make it more sensitive. Therefore, you would… achieve an orgasm quicker when I give you oral.”

He explained slowly. Madelyn covered her face with a big smile and red face.

Madelyn: “Oh my… wow!”

She giggled.

Madelyn: “...Y-You’d do that to me?!”

She swallowed hard. Jordi’s breathing hitched, and he nodded.

Jordi: “Of course!”

Madelyn swallowed hard with arousal and closed her eyes over.

Madelyn: “I-I think we should get our purchase…”

Her voice quavered. Jordi smiled and nodded.

He took the bottle of clit stimulator and the edible underwear to the counter to pay for them. The cashier rang them up, and Jordi whipped out his wallet, handing them cash when they quoted him the total. The cashier placed them in a bag and gave it to him.

Jordi: “Thanks, have a nice day.”

He nodded and left the store.

Madelyn: “Have a nice day!”

She fanned her face, flustered.

They ran into Tristan, who walked out of the bookstore with a bag in his hand. He chuckled.

Tristan: “Well, hello, you two.”

Madelyn reddened in her tracks as they emerged from Cherry Bomb and ran into Tristan.

Madelyn: “Oh, hello, Tristan!”

She laughed.

Jordi: “Hey, Tristan.”

He flushed red. Tristan chuckled and cleared his throat.

Tristan: “Get anything nice?”

He teased.

Madelyn: “We sure did!”

She teased and winked at Jordi. Jordi reddened.

Jordi: “What she said… What about you?”

Tristan nodded and held up a book titled “Mutation by Robin Cook.”

Tristan: “I love his books. They’re usually sci-fi medical horrors written by an actual medical doctor. I never studied medicine, but I find this topic fascinating, nonetheless.”

He explained.

Madelyn: “Oh, you guys sure love your books!”

She smiled at them. Tristan smiled.

Tristan: “Yes, we both love reading. I even gave Jordi some of my books. I have too many.”

He laughed.

Jordi: “It’s true!”

Madelyn: “Oh, how nice!”

She smiled.

Jordi: “So, ah, Tristan, Madelyn, and I are going to get something to eat at one of the restaurants in the mall. Do you want to join us?”

He asked him. Tristan smiled and nodded.

Tristan: “I’d be delighted.”

Jordi: “How does Brickhouse Bart’s sound?”

Tristan: “Sounds good to me.”

Jordi smiled, and he led the way. Madelyn smiled and went along with them.

Madelyn: “Ooh, great idea! Now I can get to know your bestie!”

She beamed.

~

Deimos was in Lazaros’ house. Deimos wore a denim vest, an Ozzy Osbourne sleeveless shirt, torn jeans, and cowboy boots. Lazaros was in his white silk pajamas, watching videos he recorded of feeding Ashley.

Lazaros: “What did I do wrong, Deimos? Why did Ashley leave me for Blair? I said I forgave them for throwing up my food.”

He wept. Deimos drew a long breath.

Deimos: “I don’t know what to tell you. Find someone else.”

Lazaros: “No one put me on a pedestal as Ashley did.”

He sobbed. Deimos looked away. I guess I shouldn’t mention the Donati Christmas Gala, he thought.

~

Tristan, Madelyn, and Jordi entered one of the restaurants in the mall called “Brickhouse Bart’s”, which was a restaurant with brick walls, tables, and booths. Jordi led them to a booth sitting by Madelyn, and Tristan sat across from them. Tristan withdrew his gold case, took out a cigarette, and lit it. Jordi followed suit, getting his pack of cigarettes out, and lit one up.

Tristan: “So, Madelyn, how are you settling in your new home? Did you get a new furnace?”

He asked her.

Madelyn: “I’m one settled petal! Nah, we haven’t gotten around to that yet.”

She explained, fiddling with the sugar packets on the table. Tristan smiled at her.

Jordi: “I’ll be getting one for her and paying for the installation.”

He interjected. Tristan turned to him.

Tristan: “That’s very kind of you.”

He smiled. Madelyn’s eyes widened, and she placed her hand on his.

Madelyn: “Aww, you’re so sweet! You don’t have to do that, Jordi! You’ve already done so much for me!”

She smiled at him. He grasped her hand.

Jordi: “But I insist on doing it! You need to keep warm during those cold nights.”

He smiled at her.

Madelyn: “You already keep me warm on the cold nights.”

She smiled and winked at him, kissing his cheek. Jordi smiled, and his cheeks flushed red.

Tristan: “That is sweet, but allow him to take care of you, Madelyn. Jordi loves helping others.”

He reassured her.

Tristan: “And it would also warm his heart.”

He said genially.

Madelyn: “Oh, well, if it will also make him happy too, that’s good!”

She smiled at him.

Jordi: “Of course, it would!”

The server approached them.

Server: “Hello, welcome to Brickhouse Bart’s! What will you three have to drink, and will this be on one bill?”

He asked.

Jordi: “Yes, I’m paying. I’ll have a beer.”

Tristan: “Thank you, Jordi.”

He turned to the server.

Tristan: “I do like the Christmas cocktails. How about a Christmas cosmopolitan?”

He smiled.

Madelyn: “Thank you, Jordi! Ooh, can I get one of those, too, please?”

She smiled.

Jordi: “Which one?”

He asked, looking at the Christmas cocktails.

Madelyn: “Hmm, how about that one, but in a mocktail?”

She gestured to the green-and-red drink with a sugar-rimmed glass and a candy cane.

Server: “Yes, we can make it virgin. What did you three want to eat?”

Jordi: “I’ll have the Apple City Striploin done rare with mushroom, onions, and brussels sprouts.”

He nodded.

Tristan: “A double bacon cheeseburger with everything on it but tomatoes and extra pickles. I’d like a side of fries with mushroom gravy.”

Madelyn: “I’ll get the beef and mushroom burger with curly fries, please!”

She added. The server smiled and left them.

Tristan: “You don’t drink, Madelyn?”

He asked her as he inhaled a drag.

Madelyn: “Nah…”

Her voice trailed off with a bitter laugh as she thought of Makayla drinking too much on their dates and making a fool out of herself.

Tristan: “Why is that if you don’t mind me asking?”

Madelyn: “Have you ever been with or known someone who turned you off something because you saw how much of an ass it made them, and you didn’t want to be like that?”

She asked him. Tristan cleared his throat.

Tristan: “While this didn’t make him an ass per se because he was always one, watching him eat certain things turned me off of them, so yes, I do.”

He nodded and thought back to his and Dougal’s last encounter at the Belloni manor. Madelyn pulled a face.

Madelyn: “I get what you mean.”

She shuddered.

Madelyn: “The short end of it is that I don’t need alcohol, and people become cringy assholes on it.”

She explained.

Jordi: “Do I become one?”

He asked, knitting his eyebrows.

Madelyn: “No? You don’t drink every day and get drunk, Jordi!”

She assured him. Jordi breathed a sigh of relief.

Jordi: “Thanks, I do try. I have to work every day, and I can’t afford to take time off to get drunk.”

He explained.

Madelyn: “You don’t need to get drunk, Jordi.”

She assured him. Jordi smiled at her.

Jordi: “I’m glad to hear that.”

Tristan: “Jordi, rest assured, if this is who I think she’s speaking of, you’re nothing like her.”

He nodded. Madelyn gave him a look. How does he know that? She wondered

Jordi: “Oh, Makayla.”

He shifted his eyes.

Madelyn: “Bingo!”

Jordi: “So when one of the tower’s janitors, Chester, cleans hers and Craig’s condo, he takes out several bottles of vodka, beer cans, and empty fast food wrappers and containers.”

He explained with an awkward laugh.

Tristan: “Makayla is… quite the character.”

He drew a long breath.

Madelyn: “Haha, she sure is something!”

She laughed and shook her head.

Their server brought their drinks. Jordi’s beer was in a pilsner glass, Tristan had a candy cane on his martini glass, and Madelyn’s red and green drink had a crushed candy cane rim with a candy cane straw. Madelyn’s eyes sparkled with delight at the colors.

Madelyn: “Ooh, so pretty and colorful!”

She beamed and took a sip. Jordi smiled at her. He kissed her head and rubbed her back. Tristan sipped on his martini.

The three heard crying in the restaurant, and Tristan winced. Jordi laughed awkwardly.

Jordi: “Oh, great.”

He said dryly. The wailing filled the restaurant, and the voice said, “I WANT PIZZAAAAAAA!”

Tristan: “Some unfortunate parent brought their spoiled child to dinner.”

He said through clenched teeth. Madelyn laughed and shook her head. The crying grew louder, and they heard banging on the table.

They turned toward the commotion to see Blair wailing. Madelyn laughed at Blair, but the laughter died on her lips when she saw Ashley slink down in their seat, covering their ears, on the verge of crawling under the table in humiliation.

Tristan: “So, the crying came from a 22-year-old manchild.”

He raised his eyebrows.

Madelyn: “What’s Ashley doing with Blair?”

She pondered.

Jordi: “Oh, they’re dating Blair now.”

He rolled his eyes. Madelyn looked confused.

Madelyn: “...Why? Did Blair drug them or something?”

She gaped at them together.

Tristan: “I’m not sure it’s a drug he used…”

He cupped his chin.

Blair threw himself on the floor, flailing his arms and legs.

Blair: “I WANT MY PIZZA NOW! NOW! I’M HUNGRY! AAAAAAAAAAAAAAUUUUUUGGGGGHHHHH!!!”

He screamed at the top of his lungs.

Ashley: “...You only just ordered it five minutes ago. PLEASE stop screaming!”

They groaned and hissed at him, covering their ears. Blair wailed and kicked his legs.

Fabien stood over Blair, a camcorder in hand. He wore a Bart Simpson tank top, a green plaid shirt over it, jeans, and flip-flops. He cackled with laughter as he recorded everything. Ashley covered their face and slunk down under the table like an overwhelmed cat that wanted to crawl and hide away. The waitress came back to the table.

Waitress: “Mushroom pizza?”

Ashley perked up from under the table.

Ashley: “Yes, that’s mine!”

They said, bracing themselves for the tantrum to come.

Blair: “I didn’t order that! I wanted a MEAT LOVER’S PIZZA!”

He caterwauled. Ashley rolled their eyes.

Ashley: “...That’s because it’s mine.”

They sighed and started eating their pizza. Fabien howled with laughter.

Blair: “WHY DID YOURS COME FIRST?!”

He cried loudly.

Ashley: “Because it’s more simple… and because I’m not screaming at everyone…”

Their voice trailed off as they ate their pizza.

Blair angrily kicked the table and hurt himself.

Blair: “OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOWWWWWWWW!!!”

He cried and grabbed his foot. Ashley looked away and hid their mouth behind their pizza, trying not to laugh. Fabien laughed loudly as he recorded. Madelyn laughed at Blair.

Madelyn: “That poor table.”

Tristan: “Yes, Blair is something else…”

He muttered.

Ichiro sat at a nearby table, sipping on a coffee. He wore a black trenchcoat over a red pressed shirt, a black tie, black pants, and black cap-toe Oxfords. He studied Blair, Ashley, and Fabien. So this cretin is what is most precious to Fabien, he thought. And that… gender-confused overweight woman is charmed by Blair, he mused. Well, today is the day to say goodbye to Blair and break Fabien like I broke Jiro, he thought with a grin.