Northernhay comes into view faster than I have expected or wanted it. Slightly on edge, I push through the piled-up snow on the footpath and follow Mason on the steps leading towards the front door.
I am hopeful that Ava won't be here, but I know there is a good chance she is and also a good chance that sparks will fly with me being present. After all, she was the one that started the rumours about me and Mason a few years back. So, her intuition is on point.
" Enid," Mason calls the moment we step inside, and I allow myself to take in my surroundings which haven't changed much, surprisingly.
Except that it is a lot louder than it usually was, more joyful I want to say, hearing a booming laughter coming from the kitchen.
I glance at Mason, and he smiles at me but for some reason, I feel like I've fallen into a trap.
" Ashley, Thaddeus, and Will have dropped by for a quick visit and bring the gifts. Ashley is spending Christmas with his sister. Thaddeus and Will with their family, " That made sense, and a whole lotta of information than I wasn't expecting.
Nodding, I make my way through the corridor and into the kitchen. When I step inside, Enid gasps, squeals and jumps to her feet sprinting towards me like a spring chicken. Certainly, something she shouldn't be able to do considering her age.
She engulfs me in a bear hug, and I swear, I hear her sniff me, or is she sniffling? I don't know because when I pulled away she didn't seem to be teary-eyed. But she seems over the moon happy, her eyes a little glassy. Which means she has had one or two glasses of wine. My eyes drift to the empty bottles of wine on the table, maybe more than two.
" I'm so glad, you came home," Enid grabs my arm and pulls me fully inside the kitchen.
Ashley stands and pulls me into a hug, I'm not exactly his biggest fan, so I give him a small pat on the back.
" I'm glad to see you," He says as he pulls away smiling, and turns to look at Mason who was leaning against the door jamb watching the whole scene unfolding.
Next was Thaddeus, who just hugged me, and decided it a good idea to give a piece of his mind," Listen here little missy," He begins sternly, " I don't know what the heck happened but we are family whether we are blood-related or not. What you did was incredibly stupid," Thanks. " But just so you know, if you ever get into trouble again, I will personally find you and spank you," I wince at his choice of words and everyone around the table clears their throats, uncomfortable. Mason pushes off the door jamb and stops next to us, we both turn to look at Mason who looks far from happy.
" Sorry," Thaddeus rubs the back of his head, " It's a habit that I picked up as a big brother," I wince, and I see Will glare at her brother from the corner of my eye.
" No offence, Thaddeus but I think Lily is a bit passed that age, don't you think?" Mason asks Thaddeus but looks at me for an answer.
Thaddeus laughs," I don't know, " He says in mirth," From where I stand she seems perfectly ripe," I think my face is on fire at this point because I feel hot, flushed, and on the verge of fainting a second time in a day.
" Amen to that," Ashley chimes in and raises his glass, and I realise that they are all drunk.
Mason sighs," I think you should switch the wine for water, all of you," He looks a bit uneasy just as I am. Enid settles back in her seat and I notice that she is a bit tipsy as well. No wonder she wasn't all tears, and extra cheerful.
" Hi Will," I say the moment everyone has decided to stop making innuendos.
" Hey girl," She slurrs a bit and kisses my cheek, " I agree with Thaddeus on this one though, but I would like to be the one handing out the punishment," She winks at me and leans back in her chair. She is more than tipsy. At this point, I decide not to take any of them seriously.
Mason takes a seat on my right, pours himself a glass of wine, and fills up another one for me.
" Thank you," I say uncomfortable with the audience, and glance at Enid who is nursing her glass of wine looking around the table.
" When you came in we were speaking of Will's newest acquisition," Thaddeus begins and sticks his tongue at his sister. Will laughs and gives him the middle finger, but I'm also curious what Will has bought.
" Which is?" Mason presses for more answers, and I lean forward on the table waiting, impatiently.
" As a Christmas gift, Will has bought Enid a pony," Thaddeus smirks. Mason pales but seems amused by the thought of it.
Enid claps cheerfully, excited with her present, and Ashley is laughing his ass off.
" You need to take it back," Mason points at Will, who shakes her head as a no.
" No, can't do. You're stuck with a poney in your back garden. I do suggest you make room for it in your bed because I have a feeling you'll have more fun with the pony than with Ava. Here's to the happy couple," Will raises her glass, and Mason scrubs his face with both hands, exasperated.
" But it's my pony," Enid chimes in, outraged that she has to share the pony.
" He will need it more," Ashley points towards Mason who settles to watching the whole ordeal, looking defeated. I wonder if he has become the punch line to all of their jokes because he has decided to marry Ava.
" Maybe we should think of other things to get that will help Mason substitute his poor taste in women," Thaddeus puts his thinking face on, while Ashley raises a hand like he is in school.
" Ooh, Ooh. I know. I know. How about we get him a mistress? That will make up for it, wouldn't it?" I want the ground to open up and swallow me whole right then and there.
" What do you think Lily?" Ashley asks, and once again I find that my face is hot, and I'm pretty sure my skin is melting away.
" I..I...," I stammer like a fool, " It's not my place to say," I squeeze out after a few attempts.
" She still blushes, even after all this time," Ashley hums," Isn't she adorable," He croons, and I want to hide under the table because I know I'm a shade brighter than a beetroot.
" Can we just leave my upcoming nuptials out of this conversation," Mason says pleadingly and sighs when Thaddeus and Ashley shake their heads as a no.
" Not a chance in hell. After all, this is one of the stupidest things you have done since Sedlouy. So, you'll have to forgive me for making the most out of the worst situation," Will chimes in slurring a bit more than when I walked into the room while Mason looks beyond exasperated.
" Fine. Get it out of your system. You still have to attend the wedding," He says bitterly and I find myself taken a little aback at the tone. Does he not want to marry Ava?
" Get it out of my system?" Thaddeus chuckles, " How much time do I have? Because it might take a few decades to get it out of my system," He slurs a bit, spittle flying towards Mason, who wipes his face disgusted. And I can't help but giggle under my breath.