Christmas Lunch

[adifferentlife]

The best way to celebrate any holiday is to share it with people that one care's about, Sybil is sure of that. It's why she's organised this, a luncheon for any and all that she's friends with. It's not something she's done before, and it feels very adult to be hosting a party within her own home. It's not something she ever imagined doing in such a small space, or without a staff to support her, or even before she was married with her own home, but those aren't things that are considerations here.

Instead she's let everyone know when to come and to bring something to share with the others. She's ordered in the main part of the meal, a roasted turkey instead of a goose and a roast of lamb as well. There's champagne and wine, and she has the record player Kaine gave her in the corner playing christmas carols by Bing Crosby. There's a small tree of real pine with strings of beads strung through its boughs and little elecric lights twinkling. Henri has helped her to decorate and do the cooking that she's tried, even if most of the cookies she made needed to be thrown our they were so burnt.

Once people start to arrive she relaxes, allowing herself a glass of wine once she's sure everything is in order and things are going well. At some point there is nothing else she can do, other than talk to her guests; her friends. It's nothing like a Christmas at Downton, but her second one here in Darrow and it feels like the Christmas it's supposed to be.

Comments

[jaimemieux]

Combeferre shook his head a little to rid himself of the brief melancholy. "Apologies. I do not mean to bring such a pall over the celebration." Still, he could not help but wonder if the next year would bring more friends, or if he and Jehan would find themselves the only ones. "Can I get you anything?"

[petit_poete]

"No, it's quite all right. I'm thinking about them, too." Jehan sighed and straightened, determined not to let their shared wistfulness spoil such a lovely gathering.

He picked up his wineglass, swallowing the last of it. "I wouldn't say no to more wine, if you don't mind."

[jaimemieux]

"Then more wine you shall have." With a dip of his head he took Prouvaire's wine glass, and went to seek further refreshment for them both. Combeferre missed his friends terribly, but there was enough joy in this room to keep any shred of melancholy at bay.