1970s: Merry Christmas
As the seventies are at their last year, Michael and Robin has decided it's time for them to get married. Having busy schedules focusing on their respective careers, they've opted for a simple city hall wedding with just the closest family as guests. Robin is in a simple white dress suit and Michael in a simple white jacket. It's a low key wedding, that fits into their hurried lives, where passion and fantasy - at the moment at least - is taking the backseat to building their careers.
Having connections at Copperdale City Hall, Robin's father has made sure they've been given access to the reception halls, where they can share a simple dinner. He holds a moving toast to his daughter, which Thomas follows up with a toast to his son and new daughter-in-law. They're good toasts, and both Michael and Robin are touched by the words.
As Michael and Robbin are getting married, Beth, Cathy and Brandon are busy visiting the local discotheque.
They dominate the dancefloor.
Especially Cathy is in her true element. But even so, Brandon cannot stop looking in Beth's direction. Cathy cannot pretend it doesn't bother her a least a little.
The next morning at breakfast things get worse, as Brandon randomly start flirting with Beth. She takes it in jest, but Cathy finds her jealous streak and chews him out over it.
Beth flees the scene, rather not putting her head into that hornets nest, bringing a book with her to the ongoing flee market on the street below. The act is fairly good, even if she's only half listening.
When Beth returns upstairs things have not gone better, but is over dinner going from bad to worse, as their neighbor stops by and Cathy learns that Brandon's wandering eye isn't limited to women. What he sees as harmless flirting and not a big deal, she sees as a serious breach of trust and boundaries. And with a man? That is simply too much for Cathy to handle and she promptly slaps him and storms out of the kitchen.
Beth catches up with her and checks up on her. "Maybe you need to figure out what you want out of each other," she suggests.
"I'm a romance consultant, I have to be able to make my own relationship work!" Cathy exclaims.
"Yeah but you also need to be on the same page. Seems like you're not right now," Beth says.
But Beth's warning falls on deaf ears as Brandon comes into the room, apologizing and swearing he wants her and only her. His pleading works. Cathy forgives him, as long as he promises not to flirt with others again. Brandon swears he won't, even if he doesn't whole heartedly agree that it's such a horrible thing to do for just a little bit of fun.
While the various couple struggle to find their balance between love, work and boundaries, life is actually moving forwards for Carl back in Del Sol Valley. Spending most of his time at the gym, he has made the team, been promoted from rookie to starter and is beginning to be recognised by strangers after a few good games, at least around the gym, and while he still struggles with fear of intimacy, he's definitely progressing.
At the gym he's also met Sonya, a B-lister celebrity who he has been mentoring in her exercise. He's still not sure if it's going anywhere, but there has been some flirting, and perhaps... one day. But whether that one day will come or not, he likes spending time with her, and (he won't deny it) looking at her.
Not that he has too much time to explore that further with holiday season starting. First Christmas Eve, which takes him to San Sequoia where Robin has prepared a feast to celebrate Michael's 30th birthday.
Robin has pulled out all the stops, not only because it is Michael's 30th birthday but because they have some news to share. Robin is pregnant. Michael, who has been dreaming of kids and a big happy family for years, says there isn't a better birthday present in the world. And while he might wish that their relationship had a bit more passion, the fact that they are finally starting a family is more than he could wish for.
Robin, on her end, wishes she was as happy about the baby as Michael is. It's not that she isn't, per say, but she is worried what it will do to her career, and her chances of making judge. It's hard enough as it is. The two of them see each other too seldom, are too tired when returning home from work, isn't as passionate as they used to be about each other, and now a baby? But she's decided to push those worries back. She knows how much Michael wants a baby, and between her parents and his parents and all his siblings being delighted with the news, who is she not to be? And Michael has assured her that he does not expect her to be some stay-at-home mom, like her own mother or his for that matter. Because that is something she will not do.
Next day is Christmas Day so the entire family, no matter where they live, make their way to Oasis Springs to celebrate Christmas at Thomas and Betty's place. Thomas and Anna have decorated the tree while Betty cooks dinner.
Having connections at Copperdale City Hall, Robin's father has made sure they've been given access to the reception halls, where they can share a simple dinner. He holds a moving toast to his daughter, which Thomas follows up with a toast to his son and new daughter-in-law. They're good toasts, and both Michael and Robin are touched by the words.
As Michael and Robbin are getting married, Beth, Cathy and Brandon are busy visiting the local discotheque.
They dominate the dancefloor.
Especially Cathy is in her true element. But even so, Brandon cannot stop looking in Beth's direction. Cathy cannot pretend it doesn't bother her a least a little.
The next morning at breakfast things get worse, as Brandon randomly start flirting with Beth. She takes it in jest, but Cathy finds her jealous streak and chews him out over it.
Beth flees the scene, rather not putting her head into that hornets nest, bringing a book with her to the ongoing flee market on the street below. The act is fairly good, even if she's only half listening.
When Beth returns upstairs things have not gone better, but is over dinner going from bad to worse, as their neighbor stops by and Cathy learns that Brandon's wandering eye isn't limited to women. What he sees as harmless flirting and not a big deal, she sees as a serious breach of trust and boundaries. And with a man? That is simply too much for Cathy to handle and she promptly slaps him and storms out of the kitchen.
Beth catches up with her and checks up on her. "Maybe you need to figure out what you want out of each other," she suggests.
"I'm a romance consultant, I have to be able to make my own relationship work!" Cathy exclaims.
"Yeah but you also need to be on the same page. Seems like you're not right now," Beth says.
But Beth's warning falls on deaf ears as Brandon comes into the room, apologizing and swearing he wants her and only her. His pleading works. Cathy forgives him, as long as he promises not to flirt with others again. Brandon swears he won't, even if he doesn't whole heartedly agree that it's such a horrible thing to do for just a little bit of fun.
While the various couple struggle to find their balance between love, work and boundaries, life is actually moving forwards for Carl back in Del Sol Valley. Spending most of his time at the gym, he has made the team, been promoted from rookie to starter and is beginning to be recognised by strangers after a few good games, at least around the gym, and while he still struggles with fear of intimacy, he's definitely progressing.
At the gym he's also met Sonya, a B-lister celebrity who he has been mentoring in her exercise. He's still not sure if it's going anywhere, but there has been some flirting, and perhaps... one day. But whether that one day will come or not, he likes spending time with her, and (he won't deny it) looking at her.
Not that he has too much time to explore that further with holiday season starting. First Christmas Eve, which takes him to San Sequoia where Robin has prepared a feast to celebrate Michael's 30th birthday.
Robin has pulled out all the stops, not only because it is Michael's 30th birthday but because they have some news to share. Robin is pregnant. Michael, who has been dreaming of kids and a big happy family for years, says there isn't a better birthday present in the world. And while he might wish that their relationship had a bit more passion, the fact that they are finally starting a family is more than he could wish for.
Robin, on her end, wishes she was as happy about the baby as Michael is. It's not that she isn't, per say, but she is worried what it will do to her career, and her chances of making judge. It's hard enough as it is. The two of them see each other too seldom, are too tired when returning home from work, isn't as passionate as they used to be about each other, and now a baby? But she's decided to push those worries back. She knows how much Michael wants a baby, and between her parents and his parents and all his siblings being delighted with the news, who is she not to be? And Michael has assured her that he does not expect her to be some stay-at-home mom, like her own mother or his for that matter. Because that is something she will not do.
Next day is Christmas Day so the entire family, no matter where they live, make their way to Oasis Springs to celebrate Christmas at Thomas and Betty's place. Thomas and Anna have decorated the tree while Betty cooks dinner.
And when the guest arrives the house is spotless, and shimmering with Christmas lights.
Betty calls everyone to dinner. As usual not everyone fits around the table, so they spread out around the room.
Betty calls everyone to dinner. As usual not everyone fits around the table, so they spread out around the room.
After dinner they gather around the Christmas tree to exchange presents.
Susan has gone all out in a new Christmassy outfit.
But it's Abby who makes the best impression of Father Christmas.
All in all it's a great night. Susan is happy Ken hasn't told anyone about Tony (who she keeps trying not to think about). Michael is just happy to be at home. Carl is finally feeling strong enough to deal with these large gatherings again and as for the rest they are just happy to have good food and good company for the night. Tomorrow is a day for food comas, resting and driving home, and then it's time for New Years celebration. Another decade is soon coming to an end, and celebrations are sure to be spectacular.
Comments
Post a Comment