2. Emma Makes a Plan

TWO

EMMA MAKES A PLAN

T he world fades away as the scent of lavender and eucalyptus envelops me. It takes a minute for the accumulated tension in my head and neck to release but after a deep tissue massage, every part of my body feels like jelly.

"This was a good idea," Rissa's voice floats from my left side.

We both opted for a Swedish massage. Now we’re just waiting on Sasha who is currently finishing up a mud wrap.

“It was actually Tank’s idea. But now I’m wondering why we don’t do this more often.”

“Who has time?" Rissa grumbles. "I spend all day running after Liam and Riley. Then all night running from Finn.”

I pause, unsure of how to respond. Oversharing is something I’m used to since my older sister Ivy has never had a filter. But having four sisters-in-law has taken gossip to a whole new level.

I know things. Personal things.

Things I don’t even want to know.

Like how Rissa is so self-conscious about her stretch marks that she is actively hiding her naked body from her husband. Or how Josie has been trying for a baby for years, including doing some really weird positions that are supposed to increase the chances (don’t ask, because I wish I hadn’t). Sasha doesn’t have kids yet so instead she regales us with tales of the public places her husband has convinced her to have sex.

The only one who doesn’t overshare on a regular basis is Luke’s wife, Seven. The poor girl probably thinks the rest of us are crazy but she does seem to enjoy hanging out when she can get away. I know it’s hard with a new baby at home.

“Honestly, I just needed to get out of the house. Tank has gotten completely out of control. Our living room has been taken over by a Christmas tree that might as well have its own zip code.”

Sasha’s voice comes from my right side. “Sounds like I got here right on time. All I heard was something about Tank being out of control?”

I lift the cucumber slice covering my right eye. “Your brother-in-law is trying to turn our house into an enchanted forest. I’m scared of what I’ll find when I go home. There will probably be a life-sized Santa and a team of reindeer on the roof.”

Sasha climbs onto the lounger next to me and curls her feet under her. Her long box braids are bundled on top of her head and her brown skin is glowing after her mud bath.

“Can you buy reindeer?” she asks.

“Who knows? But I can only hope not. Otherwise he’ll have them on a plane by tonight.”

“Is it really the decorations that are bothering you?” Rissa asks gently.

Silence stretches between us and for a moment, the only sounds are the soft trickle of water from the fountain behind us and the distant murmurs of other patrons. Finally, I take the other cucumber slice off. When I glance over, I see that Rissa has done the same. She’s watching me expectantly.

I sigh. "Sorry to be a downer. It’s just that every year, there’s more . More lights, more decorations, more gifts, more everything . It's overwhelming."

Sasha reaches over and grasps my hand. "It doesn’t have to be that way."

“I know. But Tank is so excited. He’s just trying to give us the best of everything but it’s starting to feel like nothing will ever be enough.”

“Have you talked to him about it?” Rissa asks.

“I tried when I saw that absolutely ridonculous tree, but I always end up feeling like I’m the Scrooge ruining his holiday fun. I don’t want to be the Scrooge. ”

“You’re not a Scrooge just because you don’t want a tree that takes over your living room,” Rissa assures me. “I’ve always loved Christmas and we never had a huge tree or even that many presents.”

"Exactly! Christmas used to be about being with family. Baking sugar cookies and wearing ugly sweaters.”

Memories of holidays past flash through my mind, Dad wearing the Santa hat that he found so funny and Mom making her famous hot cocoa. Grief rushes up, quick as a flash, to steal my breath. Just as quickly, I lock it down. There is nothing to be gained by thinking about what I’ve lost. All I want is to focus on the future.

Which is currently being taken over by the Ghost of Christmas Cash.

Sasha chuckles. "My mom still has all those god-awful homemade ornaments we made in school. She even used to make us go caroling. Obviously singing is my passion but there are only so many times you can sing Joy to the World before you want to scream.”

"That’s what Christmas should feel like," I whisper. "That’s what I miss. The simple things.”

“And nothing about our lives feels simple anymore.” Rissa smiles in understanding.

We all sit back but it’s a comfortable silence. The bond I have with my new sisters is so special partially because they are the only people who can understand what it’s like to be married to one of the Marshall brothers. Over the past five years, they have done incredible things with their newfound wealth including building two hospitals, starting a non-profit for cancer research and funding a school for science and technology. But as they have adjusted to their wealth, they have also been changed by it.

And not all of the changes are good.

Finally Sasha sits up. "Well, you’re not the only one tired of the excessive spending. Gabe bought a separate garage just for his car collection. It’s crazy!”

I wince since I’m pretty sure Gabe got the idea from Tank who already has a separate building to house his cars and motorcycles. “Weneed to remind them what holiday spirit is really about."

"What if we did something different this year?" Rissa suggests. “Like give them a budget?”

“That’s brilliant.” I grin as the idea takes hold. “There’s no way we can keep them from spoiling the kids, but if we tell them they can only spend a certain amount on their gift for us, that should keep things partially under control. I’m thinking a hundred dollars should work.”

Sasha looks skeptical. “I love the idea, but do you really think the guys will go for it?"

“I vote we don’t give them a choice,” Rissa says.

"Convincing the guys will be a challenge," I admit. “I'm going to text Josie and Seven. If we’re going to have a chance, we’ll all need to be on board.”

Emma

I’m here with Sasha and Rissa. We all feel the guys have been out of control with their spending lately.

Josie

I hear that. Did I tell you that Zack bought another McLaren?

Emma

I don’t even know what that is.

Seven

Isn’t that a car?

Josie

A car that costs more than most houses.

Emma

Oh wow. So how do you guys feel about giving the guys a Christmas budget?

Josie

LOL

Emma

Seriously! Maybe $100? They need to remember what Christmas is really about.

Seven

We should also limit it to just one. Otherwise they’ll buy us fifty gifts.

Emma

Good point.

Seven

Not sure it’ll work but I’m in.

Josie

Me too. I just wish I could see Tank’s face when you tell him

I turn back to Sasha and Rissa. “They’re in. One gift. One hundred dollars.”

"We'll need to present a united front," Rissa says. "We can't waver or they'll just steamroll right over us. We’ll all wake up Christmas morning with matching Ferraris or something."

I nod. “Agreed. It’s long past time for us to stage an intervention. This Christmas is when we finally bring the Marshall brothers back to their blue-collar roots.”

"And if they resist?" Sasha's tone is playful but it’s obvious she’s truly worried about whether this will work.

“They can try. But if we don’t back down, they’ll fall in line.” Rissa replies with a smile. “Now it’s time to take bets on which husband will crack first."

Sasha laughs. “I’ve got a hundred that says Gabe will secretly buy another car and try to pretend we already owned it."

Rissa shakes her head. “Finn will probably call it an investment or an opportunity . His heart is in the right place though.”

We try to stifle the sound of our laughter as one of the spa attendants comes in with more towels. I lean over so my voice doesn’t carry quite so far. The last thing we need is one of the employees selling a story to the tabloids. It doesn’t even matter if they actually overhear much because that has never stopped the rags from writing about us before. If they don’t have actual information, they’ll just make something up.

“Okay so Budget Christmas is a go. Let’s see how long it takes before one of them breaks. I give Tank until Christmas Eve before he's ordering a diamond encrusted star to go on top of that ridiculous tree.”

Later that night, I am feeling completely relaxed as I stand at the window looking out at the fading sunset. I watch as Maxi drags Tank by the hand to yet another bush. Apparently this one isn’t perfect either because she shakes her head. I recognize that mulish expression even from here. When she looks over to the window, I raise my hand and wave.

They're on a mission, a very important one according to Maxi, to spread reindeer food in the perfect spot.

Meanwhile, I’m warm and cozy inside drinking a cup of tea.

I snicker watching as Tank kneels down to examine something Maxi found on the ground. She has probably changed her mind about where to put the reindeer food ten times already, but Tank just goes with it. She really has him wrapped around her little finger and he has an endless well of patience where she is concerned.

A fact I’m especially grateful for today since I need a little time alone to write an email to everyone about our new Christmas budget.

I retrieve my laptop from the home office and get comfortable on the couch. I open my email program and then type “Dear Family.”

Then I stare at the blinking cursor.

“Does that sound too formal? Maybe I don’t need a greeting.” I delete the “Dear Family” and then type “Hey everyone!”

I tap my fingers against the keys as I try to figure out what to write next.

“The girls and I were at the spa today,”

“It occurred to me that maybe we were”

“I think this year we might do something different,”

After several attempts that all sound terrible, I delete the whole thing and sigh. This is harder than I thought it would be. This message isn’t just to convey the “rules” but to get across the spirit of what we want this Christmas to be about. Family. Not money and gifts. I wish I knew how to say that without sounding like I’m lecturing everyone.

Finally, I just start writing. It won’t be perfect but hopefully my intent will come through and everyone will understand where I’m coming from.

Subject: The real meaning of Christmas

To: The Marshall Husbands

I hope everyone is doing well. Sorry for the mass email but all of us girls have decided to try something different for Christmas this year. We want to challenge you to buy us only one gift for Christmas. The budget is $100.

I've been thinking a lot about what makes this time of year so special. It's not about the gifts but the time we get to spend with the ones we love.

Which is why Tank and I can’t wait for you to join us in celebrating our first Christmas in our new house!

Lots of love,

Emma

P.S. This also applies to you, Tank!