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

[petit_poete]

Jehan grinned and nodded. "Joyeux Noel," he replied, stifling a chuckle. "And good afternoon. Did you have a pleasant morning?" Truly, he was happy for his friend, and hadn't minded greeting the morn of the holiday alone, for Henri's sake.

[jaimemieux]

“I did, in fact,” Combeferre answered, ducking his head with a laugh. He cleared his throat and shrugged a little. “Truly, though, my apologies for abandoning you. I do have a gift for you waiting at the apartment."

[petit_poete]

Jehan shook his head emphatically and held up a hand. "Don't you dare apologize for any such thing," he scolded, doing his best to look stern. "We will exchange our gifts later, and that is perfectly fine. There is nothing to apologize for." He nodded as if that was all settled.

[jaimemieux]

“Very well, very well,” Combeferre chuckled and ducked his head. “But in any case, I am glad you are here.”

He looked around the room and shook his head a little. “Strange, isn’t it? Not to be at the Musain?"

[petit_poete]

"Strange indeed," Jehan agreed with just a hint of melancholy. What he wouldn't give to join his friends and share a bottle of wine, whether at the Musain or some café here. The place didn't matter so much as what--who it symbolized.

[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.