"Uncle Zac!" an excited Maddy opened the front door.
"Hey, kiddo! Can I come in?"
She giggled. "Of course." She shut the door. "Daddy's not home right now, and Mommy's in the kitchen."
With the success of Thanksgiving, Tay and Laura decided to throw a New Year's party. I walked to the kitchen and stood in the doorway. "Is it safe for me to come in?"
"Hail the conquering graduate! Of course it's safe! Why wouldn't it be? Now get your ass in here and help your sister-in-law."
"I hope you have good homeowner's. Most do their best to keep me OUT of the kitchen."
"Don't tell me it's because you can't cook! Seems I remember a particular morning when you made bacon and eggs."
"Tay ACTUALLY let you EAT that!?!"
A thoughtful expression appeared on Laura's face. "Come to think of it, we only had the bacon."
"That and each other. Speaking of older brother number two, Maddy tells me he's out."
Laura shot me A LOOK, definately for the 'had' remark. But she's cool. Oh yeah, and she'll get even when I least suspect it. "Yeah, he's running an errand for me."
"Man! First Ike, now Tay. What is it about you and Rebecca that has those two dorks so whipped?"
"Great sex. Now fill the ice bucket," Laura said, not missing a beat. "Oh, and the answer to your next question is women talk."
"I didn't say a word."
"I know what you were thinking."
"You do?"
"Yup, which is why when Taylor rings the doorbell you're gonna answer it."
"Aww! Do I have to?" I jokingly whined.
"Uh-huh... it's that or to bed without dessert."
"What's for dessert?"
Laura laughed. "Well, when you open the door you'll find out." She began to laugh louder and harder.
"You're evil. You know that?"
"Comes with the second X chromosome."
I shook my head.
Laura looked at her watch. "Zac, will you get that?"
"Get what?"
Ding-Dong.
"That."
I walked to the front door and looked out the peep-hole. I gasped at the sight. "Touchdown! You win, Laura!"
Ding-Dong.
"Zac! Open the door already!" my sister-in-law shouted from the kitchen, supressing laughter.
I opened the door.
"Zac?"
I smiled. "Happy New Year... Amanda Jean."
"Oh my God, Zac!"
AJ and I embraced in the doorway. I couldn't believe she was here. But now that she was, I wasn't letting go.
"As touching as this reunion is, can we take it inside, please? Right now the only thing colder than me is the cheesecake in the freezer Maddy sold for Girl Scouts," said Tay impatiently.
I led the way into the foyer. "Cheesecake? I thought Girl Scouts sold cookies."
Taylor shrugged. "New century, new product. What the hell do I know? AJ, I'm gonna put your suitcase in the guestroom."
"Oh, no you don't!" I shouted before the host could move a muscle. "Just leave it right there by the door. You don't want to stay here, AJ."
"Oh, no?" She smiled flirtatiously. "Then where do I want to stay?"
"With me."
"Seriously Zac, thanks, but I don't want to put you out or anything."
"Hehehe..."
"Shut up, Taylor!"
AJ put a hand on my shoulder. "I'll take care of this," she whispered in my ear. She faced my older brother. "If I were you, I'd be more careful. You wouldn't want Zac to slip any info to me."
"Like what?" challenged the fool.
"Oh, I don't know." AJ shrugged. "Some interesting Tay tibits, embarrassing moments, photos, etc.," she said casually.
"People wouldn't run anything like that."
"Who said anything about People?"
"You're bluffing."
"Tsk, tsk, tsk. Didn't your mamma teach you not to play with fire?"
Laura suddenly appeared in the foyer. "Let it go, Tay. You'll never win. TRUST ME on that one."
AJ smiled angelically.
"But..." the fool began to protest.
"In the kitchen. NOW," ordered Laura.
Tail tucked, my whipped dork-of-a-brother followed his wife to the kitchen. AJ look surprised by Tay's obedience.
"Great sex, or so I'm told."
"Oh, that would explain it." The Grecian beauty giggled. "Nice place they got here."
"All you've seen is the foyer."
"Will you do me the honors of giving the grand tour then?"
"Sure."
"Stop right where you are!" AJ shouted when I reached the entrance of the living room.
I turned around. "What?"
She walked towards me, grinning from ear to ear. "Look up."
I did. I was standing under the mistletoe. I looked at her and smiled.
"Happy New Year, Zac." AJ delivered a gentle kiss to my lips.