Chapter 3.2 Christmas Cheer.

As the days slowly proceed, Zander gets into a steady routine of gardening, sleep, cook, shower and a whole lot of gardening



He now has a steady flow of produce and goes to the store to sell the stuff he has made.



Sometimes there are other things that need his attention; it is a good distraction nonetheless, since all he can think about is Ana these days, but he does not have the courage to talk to her about it.



Learning some more cooking skills is always a plus when he gets to see Ana's face light up when she takes the first bite of something new. Zander: "dangnamit".



Ana goes out to try to make some more coin; she really wants to help Zander get the house built.  Its rather squishy with the two of them, and no bedrooms.



Zander had enough of plodding around the house, so back to the river it was.  There is something soothing about the feel of the ocean breeze, breathing on your face, and the soothing sound of the rustling trees with the steady sound of the waves behind you.



Yep, Ana has officially gone nuts.  Walking around at night in a towel?



This looks like a rather relaxing place to sit and eat ice cream at 2am.



Woohooo FISHEEEY!



Everything is starting to get to Ana, she is starting to lose it.  Her sister had another baby named Coy, and she has never been invited over once to meet them, unless by her father or Tegan brings them over.  The money situation is getting harder and harder.  This place is like a ghost town, and no one is wondering around when Ana is out playing.  "Maybe I need to pick a new time to play, or change my style of music." Ana thinks to herself.  But her heart is set on Jazz and Country.  It is late, and she knows she needs to stop this nonsense.



So . . . . . .  She goes on a cleaning riot.



Until Zander gets home from his fishing expedition, then she has a shower and settles on the new couch they just acquired.

Zander: "Did you hear about the "symphony, that is" coming to town?"
Ana: "Not really, I have had my mind on other things lately, I think my head is about to explode."
Zander: "Oh Ana, whats up?"
Ana: "Nothing new really, just this stuff with Rue.  We used to be close once, its like she is dead and been replaced with a robot or something, she is just so alien and rude.  I should be able to talk to her but I can't, every time I try she just walks away.  What else can I do Zander?  I never get to see Rodrigo, and now that she has had Coy, I feel even further away from my family.   I am just lost in this, that I have to try so hard to keep everyone happy.



Zander:  "Maybe you should try fishing, it helps me empty my head when I am lost."
Ana: "I had a feeling that this is not the kind of stuff that is fixed by fishing hun,  thanks for trying though."
Zander:  "Have you tried the opposite approach, getting nasty with her.  She may or may not respect you a little more after that.  I have seen a few people like that, they are so kind and caring that people just walk over them, but when they finally stand up for themselves, everyone backs down a bit."
Ana: -sigh- "I guess that is one option. -silent pause- I guess I should sort out all the Christmas decorations for tomorrow.  Remember the family is coming over for dinner."
Zander:  "Yes mam, would you like a hand?"
Ana: Grins at Zander "Are you trying to get a beating boy?"
Zander: Giggling as he stands up and walks to the hallway door.  "Night then petal."
Ana: "Night Zee."
Needless to say, Ana finally got to bed at 6 am.



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And along come Christmas morning.  The two had decided not to do presents, as they both decided that it would be better to save all the money and put it towards the house.  So Zander made pancakes and they sat down together and had a carefree conversation about stupid crap.  Zander could see that Ana was tired and wondered what time she actually made it to bed.  They cleaned up and proceeded to the living room.



Ana: "Zander what did we decide? I can't believe you would to this to me."
Zander: "Well, it is more of a gift for the both of us."





Ana then produced a feeding bowl for a pet, then out from behind the couch ran the cutest little puppy.
Welcome to the family Lady Muck.



After that the morning was a rush to get ready and cleaned up, meanwhile Lady Muck just followed the two around happily.  Everyone seemed to turn up at once, which seems to be the way these days.



Vance and Jordan wanted to get straight into making the dinner, it is traditional that they cook.  Plus they don't trust any of their children's cooking, except Rue's but she is preoccupied with the baby.



Rue likes to keep a firm eye on everything anyway.



Conversation starts brewing while the other lot are in the kitchen.  Jade tells Tegan about a new art school opening up in Queenstown.  Tegan is very interesting in this plan her sister has concocted for her.  The school art program is only giving her so much.  Jarabi seems to like the plan as well.  He things it is great his sister in-laws know what they want out of life.  Rod couldn't careless after ear wagging, and continues playing with the puppy behind the couch.  He wishes he could have one of his own.



Once dinner is served, topics change onto other things.  Jordan starts talking about they new found 3 eye fish they found in the sewers, the people who found the fish handed it into the science facility to see what would cause such things.  Jordan warns her family to keep safe around the water ways.



Everyone else seems to not take any notice.  Ana wonders if Rue is actually going to sit beside her, and she does, but she is very quiet.  Not even the typical Rue snide comments come out.  Ana considers asking her if she is sick, but bites her tongue.



After dinner everyone settles down in the living room to watch the christmas movies, while Ana hands out the gifts.  Jarabi can stop talking about the telescope he got for christmas.



After all the gifts were handed out,  Ana heads outside to get some quiet time.  It has been a long day, and she has not had much sleep.  She lets out a big yawn.



Rue: "Mind if I join you?"
Ana: "Um, I guess."



They both sit there in silence for a moment.  Ana is worried, she is unsure what stunt her sister is going to pull this time.  She never is, but it is Christmas and she doesn't want to add to the state of her current stress.



Rue: "So, I have been to see a councilor.  Jarabi suggest I go, or he was going to leave me."
Ana:  "What?"  She stared at her sister not knowing what to say.
Rue:  "We talked about a lot of things, a lot of my problems that cause me to snap.  Poor Jarabi has warn a lot of my guilt over the way I have treated you Ana.  I am here to start with saying sorry.  I am sorry I have put you through all this shit, I am sorry for being a controlling bitch and attacking you for no reason all this time.



Ana:  "Why now? Why not five years ago?  Why couldn't I get to know that you were pregnant?  I knew you were though Rue, I could feel it.  Call it twins intuition or what ever.   I just want to know why you been treating me like crap all these years."
Rue: "One word, Jealousy.   I felt for so long that you were the favorite.  You sang with a sweet surrender, your songs were better then mine, I watched the way Dad melted when you played.  I never seen him do that for me Ana.  The boys would always swoon over you and the girls always laughed at your jokes.  I had a constant battle for attention.  I now know it was no ones fault.  I was seeing things that were not real."



Ana:  "So what is happening now?  How are they helping you get through all this?
Rue:  "They have me going to counseling sessions and on anti depressants.  I am initially going to counseling 3 times a week, and as I progress it will be cut down.  I just, I realize how important family is now.  My boys need you and Mum and Dad are not going to be around forever.  I am just so sorry Ana, one day I  hope you have it in your heart to forgive me."



Ana: "The second you decided to speak to me I forgive you.  I am so sorry you had to deal with this alone for so long.  I had no idea, I guess we don't have the twins intuition after all.  If you never need my help or support Rue, I am here for you.  Just don't abuse me, or there will be hell to pay!" she said with a smile on her face.



Rue: "Right, its getting late and I need to get these boys home.  I love you sis, never forget that."
Ana: "I love you too, Lets take the kids out to the park one day huh?"
Rue: she smiles at Ana with a glitter in her eye.  "Of course, just call me."
They gave each other a big warm hug before Rue set off to fetch her family.



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It was a such a lovely day, but Ana was glad it was over.  It had taken a lot out of her.  But some pressure had been lifted from her shoulders today, and she felt mildly happy.
She stood in the arch, feeling giddy.  She was so unsure what this feeling was.  She pushed the feeling to the side.
Ana: "So how was your first Malkier Chirstmas Zee?"



Zander turned to Ana and looked her in the eyes and smiled.
Zander: "It was so pleasant, the best christmas I have ever had.  Thank you so much for sharing it with you.  That was the best gift of all.
Ana: "Well you are apart of our family now, so live to deal with it. . . . . . . "
Then her stomach started to flutter and her eyes glazed over as she stared at Zander.  She stood there for a long moment before she followed Zander to the newly built bedroom.



She had known how he felt all this time, just not the intensity of it.  Her head suddenly went foggy and the jitters intensified.
Ana: "You know what, there is one more gift I would like to share with you Zee..."
Zander: "And wh-. . . . . . . "



Ana cut off Zander.
Ana: "Just shut up for once."





So Merry Christmas to you all, I am sure you all got spoilt.  I hope I got this end before Christmas ends for you all.



I also think it is time I update you all in whats happening in my Legacy for the challenge right?

So, for Ana  Her Obsession is cleaning, because it makes sense.  It is in her blood.  Guitar is level 6 and piano is level 5.  LTW is hit movie composer, so I better get that show on the road.  She is level 4 of the music Career which is Band Manager.  It is easy enough to keep the friends with her band members, since it is pretty much her whole family.


For Zander, His obsession is fixing things, also makes sense since he can make money fishing and gardening.
His LTW is The perfect garden, I guess we are getting close lol.  Just joking, we are far off.  Gardening is at level 6, fishing is at level 4 and handiness is nearly at level 3.


The next chapter might take a while, as I want to write a plot for this gen, so it is more readable for all you guys instead of mumble jumble.  I shall also get some one to edit it from now on, because I am crap at grammar and spelling.

xx Love Kayla.