"So what did you get Britney for Christmas?" Madison asked Kerri as they were setting gifts under the tree.
"Well since Britney is into the porcelain dolls that Lynne gives her every year, so I went all out and got the rare Christmas doll from 1865!" Kerri said.
"She is going to love your gift. I got her a locket from FAO Schwartz. It has our picture in of the hearts when we where really young, then on the other side it has a picture taken a few weeks before Britney left for college. I hope she likes it." Madison asked.
"It's from FAO Schwartz she will. I just wonder what Justin is getting her. He usually tries to outdo his gift form the previous year." Kerri asked.
"You're his sister. You should know. Doesn't he mention that kind of stuff to you?" Madison asked.
"No, he really doesn't. We don't really talk much since he went away to college. I think we are drifting apart. Now that he has Britney around with him, he barely even knows I exist." Kerri said.
"Kerri! You're his sister for crying out loud. I doubt that he would or even could ever forget you." Madison said.
"Well, Britney is your sister. Does she talk to you?" Kerri asked.
"Yeah, sometimes. The first time she called after mom dropped her off at school we talked for what seemed like hours. But we drifted apart. Britney always talks about her roommate Brooke who is always blow drying her hair every morning to purposely wake Britney up." Madison asked.
"You know more about your sister than I do my brother." Kerri said.
"Tell him that you want to go out and see a movie or something for some quality brother-sister time." Madison suggested.
"Yeah, but Britney will be there. You know, for being best friends they sure are around each other a lot. I know they are really close, but sometimes I see them eyeing each other from across the room." Kerri said.
"No way. I never saw that. What ever gave you idea of they're being than friendship between them two?" Madison asked.
"Well just the other day I walked into the kitchen and they were standing very close to each other while supposedly doing the dishes." Kerri said.
"Yeah, and your point?" Madison asked.
"Justin looked like he was about to kiss her or they just kissed." Kerri said.
"You are making way too much out of this Kerri. I think you want them together and are trying to find every way you can to see that they are in love." Madison said.
"Fine then don't believe me. You'll just be the last one to know." Kerri said.
"Hey, I found Britney's gift to Justin. Hmm, I wonder what it could be." Madison asked shaking it.
"Well, it's really small I wonder if it's condoms." Kerri said kind of loud.
"Keep your voice down Kerri. Just because we, or I mean you suspect something doesn't mean you have to let the whole family in on it." Madison said.
"Wait a minute, you said 'we'. So you aren't denying that there is something there." Kerri said.
"So what if there is more than friendship between the two of them, it's not our business to pry. I don't see why you are so interested in them two anyway. Before you couldn't care if they were even in the house much less seeing each other as more than friends." Madison said.
"But it would be kind of cute though. Friends turning into lovers." Kerri said with a smile.
"I don't see why they don't tell everyone about their feelings." Madison asked.
"Because for the simple fact they have people like you nosing around in what they do all the time as is. Having something to go by would be even worse." Kerri said.
"Haha! Very funny. Help me hang this popcorn." Madison said.
"I can't believe you still string popcorn around the Christmas tree. That has to be the oldest tradition in the book." Kerri said.
"What's wrong with being consistent?" Madison asked.
"Nothing. I was just saying how everyone does it." Madison asked.
"The tree looks beautiful. Thank you girls." Lynne said smiling at it.
"I'm glad I could help Lynne." Kerri said.
"Yeah, me too mom." Madison said hugging her.
"Laura Lynn, I thought you and Britney would be chatting up a storm by this hour." Lynn said.
"We were. But then Justin came in and Britney and him had some things to discuss so I gave them their privacy." Laura Lynn said.
"Well, while you're down here, want to participate in a card game. Maybe you can help me beat Paul over here." Lynn said smiling at her husband.
"Sure Lynn. Deal me in." Laura Lynn said. They were playing Gin Rummy, which Laura Lynn was a pro at from spending time with Lynne practicing after she got out from school.
"Laura Lynn, what did Justin and Britney have to talk about?" Lynn asked.
"Oh, I don't know." Laura Lynn said.
"I thought Britney told you everything about her life." Lynn assumed.
"She sometimes does. But a lot of times I rather not her tell me because I respect giving Justin and Britney their privacy. Just because I'm her best friend doesn't mean I want to know everything." Laura Lynn said paying very close attention to her cards. Paul was eyeing both Lynn and Laura Lynn as he picked up a card.
"GIN!" Laura Lynn said happily. Lynn looked at her the cards placed on the table seeing if they were right. Lynn threw her cards on the table out of defeat of five games straight.
"I quit!" She said walking from the table.
"If you don't mind, I'm going to take a shower in turn in for the night Laura Lynn." Paul said standing up.
"Go right ahead Paul." Laura Lynn said.
"Hi Laura Lynn. What are you playing?" Beth asked sitting in Paul's chair.
"Cards. Do you want to play?" Laura Lynn asked.
"I don't know how to play." Beth replied.
"I can teach you. Let's start with crazy eights." Laura Lynn smiled.
"Okay. But why are they so crazy if it's only cards?" Beth asked and Laura Lynn just laughed.
"Well that's just the name of the game. None of the cards are crazy." Laura Lynn said. Beth picked up the cards that Laura Lynn had dealt her and just starred at them. Laura Lynn proceeded to teach Beth how to play. In just a half hour Beth was beating Laura Lynn like a pro.
"I'm telling Madison for not to play Bingo. You would win everyone's money." Laura Lynn said. Beth just laughed. Her laugh was a lot like Madison's. The innocent laugh with a devilish smile. Even though Beth was Madison's child, she still had Britney's blond hair and shiny smile.
"Anyone know where Madison or Kerri went? I need one of them to help me hang the angel up." Lynne said.
"I help you grandma!" Beth said running over to her.
"Elizabeth! What did I tell you about running in the house." Madison said.
"Madison, do you know where Kerri is?" Lynne asked her.
"Well I remember her saying something about talking with Britney about Christmas things. But other than that I have no clue where she could be." Madison said. Laura Lynn looked up from the cards and starred at Madison's face.
"Kerri went up to see Britney!" Laura Lynn asked frenzied.
"Yeah! Why the big fuss over it?" Madison asked.
"She can't go up there!" Laura Lynn said freaking out.
"Are you okay?" Lynne asked.
"Yeah, I'm fine. Couldn't be better." Laura Lynn said calming down even though her inside was about to explode if she didn't go up to the attic soon.
"Why are you so worried if Kerri went up to Britney or Justin's room?" Lynne asked.
"I'm not. Whoever said I was worried?" Laura Lynn asked her.
"Never mind. I want you to get a good sleep tonight." Lynne said sternly.
"Yes ma'am." Laura Lynn said heading up to the attic.
"Kerri! How long have you been standing there?" Justin asked putting his shirt back on.
"Long enough to witness what just happened." Kerri said.
"You saw nothing." Justin said.
"Justin I know what I saw. I saw you...and... her. I can't even think about it!" Kerri said.
"Wait! Kerri, come here please." Britney asked when she was descent.
"What?" Kerri asked annoyed.
"You won't tell anyone what you saw would you?" Britney asked.
"Why should I? This isn't something small. You were about to have sex in your mother's house!" Kerri said.
"Keep your voice down please. We don't want anyone to know." Britney said.
"Acting like that the whole world is soon going to know." Kerri said.
"Please. I'm begging you." Britney said holding her arm.
"All right." Kerri said.
"Thank you Kerri. I owe you big time for this one." Justin said.
"Yes, you do Justin." Kerri said walking away.
"Justin we can't let that happen again. Something has to be done." Britney said.
"Look the family is going out for Christmas dinner tomorrow night. We will have plenty of time together then." Justin said.
"Wouldn't it be kind of strange if we stay home instead of eating with the family on Christmas?" Britney said.
"If I don't get some time alone with you soon, I'm going to burst!" Justin whined.
"Me too. Alright, tomorrow night it is then." Britney said.
"Wait." Justin said when she was about to walk away. Justin gave Britney a big kiss on the lips.
Chapter 4
Chapter 6
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