“Did I hear my name?” My beautiful mom looks amazing in her red Christmas sweater and long black skirt, and even her fuzzy bunny slippers don’t seem to ruin the outfit.

“Yeah, Bridget said she was coming to help you, but unless that means going upstairs and making a phone call, she forgot,” I say dryly.

“For gosh sakes, Alex, let everyone in. Are you trying to heat the outdoors?” Mom pulls us in and Jeff follows right behind us.

Dad shakes his head, and the white bobble thing on the top of his hat jumps around. “FYI, I was admiring Drew’s car and the snow.”

“Oh my goodness, look at all of these presents.” Mom says. “Let’s get them under the tree. I have to hurry back into the kitchen. Your grandmothers are in there by themselves. Dora, you come with me. I need to have you there just in case we need a referee. Alex, take Jeff and Drew into the living room, and make sure you wake up Dad. He’s had a long enough nap. Dinner is going to be a little late. It seems the turducken needs more time than the roast. Oh, I forgot hugs.”

She motions for Jeff to lean down and gives him a big hug and then motions for Drew and gives him the same. My heart jumps a little at the look on Drew’s face when my mom hugs him. He even closes his eyes.

“Now, off you men go and leave the cooking to us. That doesn’t mean you won’t get out of doing dishes though.” She pivots and I follow her into the oddly quiet kitchen.

Grandma stands at the stove stirring something, and Grandmother is sitting at the kitchen table peeling potatoes. The kitchen smells lovely and my stomach growls, letting me know it didn’t have breakfast this morning.

Grandmother looks at me sternly. “I heard that, young lady. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day.”

“I was too busy wrapping presents, but I usually do eat breakfast.” A lecture on Christmas Day is just what I need.

“A body is a machine that will not work if not properly maintained,” she continues. Oh brother. How many times have I heard this in my life? A times million at least. “When I was your age, I ate a nutritional meal three times a day. Not like you youngsters who drink those power drinks and eat doughnuts. I swear, our country is in trouble with the shape of the youth today.”

It’s best to not say anything and just let her rant. I hope when I’m her age—okay, if I make it to her age—I will not act anything like the woman peeling potatoes in front of me.

“Merry Christmas, sweetheart.” Grandma grabs me in a hug and smacks a kiss on my cheek. Then she turns to her adversary. “Take the stick out. It’s Christmas for Pete’s sake.” And with that, she goes back to the stove with a wide smile on her face. I look at my mom, who’s trying to keep a straight face, but fails to as she opens the refrigerator pretending to look for something.

Yes, it’s a typical start to Christmas. Love, family, and comments about my grandmother’s stick…what more could I ask for?

“So, Dora, only Drew could make it? Where’s his family at this time of year? Are they Jewish? Do they know he’s queer?”

Grandma doesn’t even take a breath, and I’m left wondering if I should answer or let her grill him herself. In light of the holiday I decide to answer her questions. “His parents are divorced and are off with their new families, and his sister is visiting her boyfriend’s family in Spain. Yes, the country Spain. No, they’re not Jewish, and finally, he’s not gay.”

“As usual, your insensitivity is spot on,” Grandmother says. “Wait, what? He’s not gay? I only allowed you to live there under the assumption they were all gay. I think we need to discuss this.”

Allow me to live with them? For all that is holy, I don’t need her permission. But I keep my mouth shut and look to my mom, who has finally come out of the fridge empty-handed but in control of her emotions.

“Beatrice, Dora is an adult, and she has her own little apartment within their loft. I think she’s sensible and levelheaded.” Good ol’ Mom always comes through for me.

“Yeah, Beatrice, butt out. Our Dora is not looking for some eye candy, who may or may not be gay,” Grandma adds.

“If she had gone to finishing school, this wouldn’t have happened. She would have graduated by now, and we’d be planning a society wedding. She would most definitely not be living in sin with three men. I can assure you of that.”

Should I keep my mouth shut, or should I blast away? It’s a family holiday, so I bite my tongue. I’m getting tired of her attitude toward me though. I guess I’ll be a wimp and let it slide like I always do.

“Beatrice,” my mom says in a shocked voice. “She is not living in sin. That would mean she’s sleeping with one of them, and …” My mom’s face is full of anger.

“Mother, you apologize to Dora.” Dad snuck by us and is now standing in front of Grandmother. His face is flushed and as he puts an arm around my mom.

“I just meant that we would have never thought of—”

“I know what you meant, and I don’t like it. So apologize right now.” His tone is stern and Grandmother’s eyes widen as she realizes her mistake.

“Dora, sweetheart, you know what I meant. I have only your best interests at heart. I’m sorry if what I said was inappropriate.” She sniffles at the end, and I swear I see tears glistening in her eyes.

“You’re forgiven, Grandmother.” I lean down, side hug her and place a kiss on her cheek. Deep down, I know she means well.

“Turducken’s done!” Grandma says, opening the oven and pulling out the roasting dish.

“Dora, you go out and entertain Jeff and Drew. We’ll handle this.” My mom shoos me out of the kitchen before I can say another word.

The door shuts behind me, and I spy Drew standing in the foyer with a huge grin on his face.

“Tell me you didn’t hear all that.”

“I’m afraid I did. Jeff got a phone call, so I stepped out to give him some privacy. I couldn’t help but hear how sinful you are. I can’t believe you didn’t tell me before we let you move in with us.”

He laughs and I join in. I move closer and he startles me when he takes hold of my arm and pulls me toward him. My heart misses a beat, and then it starts racing, thumping so loudly he must hear it. With his other hand, he points up to the ceiling and I see not one, but several pieces of mistletoe hanging above us.

“I’m afraid I’m going to have to kiss you. Those are the rules.” I’m almost drooling at the sexy look he’s giving me. It’s also making my palms sweat.

“Would that be considered sinful? I’m already branded, so what the heck?” I giggle as I see his eyes widen at my statement, and I pull down his head and plant a loud kiss on his cheek. He pulls back and smiles wickedly.

“You call that a sinful kiss? Let me show you sin.” He grasps my arms, holding them firmly while pulling me close.

“Oh my.” A voice sounds behind me just as his lips are planted on mine. We break apart quickly and I turn to see both matriarchs standing there, one with a grin plastered on her face and the other one a deep frown.

“I see you two have found the mistletoe. I made your granddad put that up when we got here this morning. So glad you two are making good use of it,” Grandma says, dragging my grandmother into the dining room behind her.

The doorbell rings. I move to the door and shiver as a blast of cold air greets me when I open it. Julie and Kevin are standing on the step, their hands full of presents.

“Hey, Dora, are we late?” Julie asks, pushing past me, dumping her presents into my arms. Kevin follows, kissing my cheek, and Taylor suddenly appears, grabbing the presents from me before leading Kevin into the living room toward the highly festive Christmas tree.

“I’m starved, and it looks like people are being seated. Hurry up, Kevin.” Julie fails to wait for him and makes a beeline to the dining room. “Holy shit, it smells delish in here.”