BJ placed a helping of mashed potatoes on her plate. "Thanks, Mom. I'm really excited about it! And if this goes well, the director is interested in suggesting me for a production in Europe."
Nick piled stacks of bread slices upon his plate. "What kind of production?"
"A modern intreptration of Shakespeare's 'Taming of the Shrew'."
"So, they want you to play a shrew?" Aaron asked.
BJ laughed. "Not exactly."
Mr.Carter adjusted his napkin. "Are you sure you want to travel all the way to Europe? I mean, why not check out jobs in Florida?"
"Daddy, that's more for the music industry, I just want to focus on acting."
Mrs.Carter sliced the turkey breast. "Angel, are you coming on tour with Aaron this winter?"
Angel shook her head. "Nah. I'm just going to school and staying here with Daddy."
"But we'll be sure to check a couple of the shows," Aaron's father assured him.
"Oh, I know, Dad." The thirteen-year-old glanced up from his plate. "So, how are we celebrating Christmas?"
"Well, we'll open up the gifts we got each other tomorrow morning which is Christmas Eve, since BJ will be flying back that evening." Mrs.Carter's tone was immediately saddened.
BJ sighed. "Maybe I could catch a flight out in the afternoon on Christmas Day."
Her mother shook her head. "Don't be silly, you'll be exhuasted by the 26th for your rehearshal."
The eighteen-year-old smiled. "Well, I might as well make the best of my time while I am here. Angel, you wanna' go do some last minute Christmas shopping after dinner?" The blonde gave her sister a special wink. She had known of Angel's Christmas 'surprise' and wanted to spend some quality time with her for 'girl talk.'
The teen's brown eyes shimmered. "Awesome!"
Mrs.Carter raised an eyebrow. "And you, Leslie? It's not normal for you to pass up shopping with your diva-like quailities."
Leslie shrugged ignoring her meal. "No thanks, I think, Angel and BJ should use the time together."
Her older sister frowned. "Les, you know you're always welcomed."
"Yeah, I know."
Nick cleared his throat. "While you and Angel go shopping, the rest of us- Carter brats could go practice some stuff in the studio."
Aaron wrinkled his nose. "No way! It's Christmas, the last thing I wanna' do is work!"
"Okay, you don't have to go, brat. Leslie?"
"Um, no thanks. Could we watch a movie or something instead?"
Mr.Carter lowered his brow examining his daughter's features.
Leslie smiled. "I'm fine, Daddy! Chill out."