Chapter 26

Christmas was approaching fast, and nothing about the group’s image had gotten better.  Rumors were spreading like wildfire about how the group was destroying itself.

Nick found it was getting harder to protect his daughter from the public.  Although Liz did much of the everyday stuff with Katie, it was ultimately Nick’s job to protect her from the spying eyes of the press.  Katie, being a year and half old, was becoming quite a little terror around everyone.

Kevin found it hard to deal with Dee and the everyday stresses it put on her life.  Her career in fashion design was dwindling because of the bad press from the Boys.  Although none of the problems were directly her fault, the way things were going with her husband sure made it hard to get customers.  However, Kevin and Dee were finding it much more fun doing “other things” to keep their minds off of work.

Howie and Kat somehow made the best of the situation.  They were still able to have fun and enjoy their days without too much fighting.  The two of them spent more and more time talking about the future and what they wanted.  It was quite evident to those around them that Howie was looking to ask Kat to marry him.  But, he wanted it to be just right…and with the way things were going, he didn’t think it was.

Brian and Leighanne were trying their hardest to start that “little family” that they wanted.  Both of them were quite anxious to have a child.  Brian thought that it would bring stability to their lives together and felt that no matter what was happening with the group, he and Leighanne would “work” on it.

But of course, despite how hard he tried, AJ still was in the worst slump of his life.  Not only were the holidays nearing, but his lawsuit.  He missed Brianna terribly and made sure everyone knew it.  If he wasn’t off sulking in a corner, he was throwing something across the room at them.  His frustrations were getting the better of him, and no matter what anyone did, it didn’t help.

*** *** ***

“AJ, look dude…Christmas is only two weeks away…and we are fighting like cats and dogs!  I am NOT going to let things ruin the holidays for us.” Brian sulked.

“Yeah…and we need to hurry up and draw names…we only have a few more days for shopping and I don’t want to get the slim pickins out there.” Nick fussed.

“Well, fine.  You all draw names, but this year I am out.  It’s not like I want to celebrate Christmas anyway.  I mean, with Brianna gone and stuff, what do I have left?” AJ sighed and left the room.

“Man, we gotta do something…or this is going to be one miserable holiday.” Howie said, frustrated.

Nick, Brian and Howie sat around Nick’s living room, while the girls were in the kitchen coming up with some strange dinner that would probably make the guys up-chuck.  Kevin and Dee decided to have a quiet night out on the town, while the others rented some Blockbuster movies and ate whatever the girls decided to make.

After about an hour in the kitchen with much giggling, the girls placed their dishes on the table, and summoned the guys over for a night they would never forget.

“What in the world do you call that???” Nick fussed, looking down at the mountain of “stuff” on the platters.

“That is what you call a powdered donut, pancake surprise!” Kat giggled.

“Yeah Nick, we thought everyone needed a good laugh, so we made everyone’s favorite ‘SouthPark’ dinner.  Hey, if Cartman can eat it, so can you!” Liz laughed as the girls left the room to get more food.

“Dude, are you gonna touch that stuff?”  Brian asked nervously.

“Naw man, it might take our hands off if we try to touch it.” Howie said lightly.

“Look, it’s good!” Nick said, stuffing the powdery mess in his mouth.

Little did the guys know that Liz, Kat, and Leighanne were around the corner with the video camera.  They watched in silent fits of laughter while Brian, Howie and Nick made complete fools of themselves.  The three of them were having fun until AJ walked into the room.

“You all are idiots.  You are actually eating this shit?!  I just wasted two hours of my precious time waiting for dinner and this is the crap they decide to feed us?!” AJ yelled as the other three sat with powdered sugar all over their faces.

“Dudth, ah tink tey ah twying ta haf fun wit usth.” Nick sputtered as bits of the donuts and pancakes flew from his mouth.

“Yeah, actually, we were trying to make you all laugh for once.  It has been such a long time since we have heard laughter around here.” Liz spoke up as she rounded the corner.

AJ stood there in silence.  He was embarrassed by what he said.  He had never meant to hurt the girls feelings, but ultimately he did.

“Don’t worry guys, we have your REAL food.  Go wash your faces, and then we can eat dinner.” Kat suggested as Leighanne and Liz cleared the table for dinner.

After about five minutes, the table was spread with turkey, ham, deviled eggs, gravy, potatoes, green bean casserole, cranberry sauce, corn, stuffing, and all the deserts they could eat.   They all sat down for a quiet meal, the laughter gone as usual, and then made their way home for the night.
 

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