Holiday Hockey Tale The Icebreaker's Impasse (By Ivory Row) novel Chapter 108

Luci

“Hi.” I step closer to Vince and Catalina. She turns immediately and her eyes light up. They wear Jessica and Roger Rabbit masks if I’m not mistaken. “I’m…”

Immediately she has me engulfed in a hug. “Luceeeee.” Her beautiful Spanish accent comes through immediately. “I have been so ready to meet you since Vee came home and told me all about that hijo de puta, Maxass.”

I can’t help but laugh at her nickname for him. “Now, dulce dama, I want to thank you soooo much for all the ideas for Celestina and Leandra. I am not good at that type of thing in any way. I’m the tea party, dress up costume mamá.”

“You’re very welcome. This is Easton.” I introduce him as he steps up behind me.

“Yes, Vee gave me everyone’s names. You need to meet some more brunettes, Luci. It’s like a blonde entourage.” She gives me a wide smile. “I saw you on tv too, with the football team before we knew you. I wanted to march there and kick them all in the balls. Even that b***h, the wife. She definitely had balls because she had no brains.” I hear Sydney laughing next to me. She already met Catalina.

Vince shakes his head. “She’s intense. Tell her when you need breathing room and she won’t take offense, Luci.”

“I’m sorry about what’s coming.” I sincerely apologize to them both.

Catalina snorts. “Don’t be. If she steps out of line, she will lose a tooth or two. Messing with your little one. Nothing gets me more fired up than messing with los bebes.”

Vince gives me a lopsided grin. “Keeps life interesting.”

Two more people move in as Vince pulls Catalina away to meet others.

“Luci, this is our coach, Matt and his wife, Jade.” I shake their hands. They are Fred and Daphne from Scooby Doo.

“Nice to finally meet you, Luci.” Matt says with a smile.

Mrs. Isabelle and Mr. Logan are laughing with Baker and Mr. Jason. They make their way over to us and hug Easton and I. Mrs. Isabelle’s searching gaze sweeps over me. “You are happy sweetie. I love to see it. Maybe prod my daughter a bit. And my son. The romance rascals need some business.” She winks before they step away.

Cole and Barrett come running. “Mommy, can we make a hat?”

“And a confetti blaster. Like a big one, Luci?”

“Yes. Go finish your dinner first and we’ll make both.” I point to their plates they abandoned. They nod and run back over. Grandpappy moves to sit with them along with Banning. Marco leans on the wall behind their table. A reminder that while this is a party, we have an unwanted guest coming later.

“Maybe Kylie can come help Banning with Barrett’s arts and craft time.” Easton whispers in my ear.

“Instigator.”

“Not yet. It’s coming though. For now though, photo booth. You need something other than me with a rabbit to frame.”

I laugh. We end up visiting it again after Cole finishes his dinner. He laughs so hard as we make funny faces in the last of the pictures. I won’t let anyone spoil his night.

“Go grab Barrett and let’s make confetti blasters. You know you are going to have to outdo your uncles.” I point to Kingston and Becker making some kind of cannons.

As we are about to go make hats and guns, Becker leans down and whispers into Barrett’s ear.

Banning comes to join us. To no one’s surprise except Banning, Kylie moves in to join us laughing. I stare at her mask for a minute and Sydney whispers in my ear. “Jem and the Holograms.” I nod recognizing it now. The light pink color with a little silver fringe on the edges and two big distinct reddish pink star shapes on each side. “Good thing we all watched 80’s cartoon DVDs.” She whispers. “Now who put Barrett up to fetching Miss Jem?”

“I can’t imagine who….” I say as I stare at Becker who sticks his tongue out at me and then moves away with his confetti cannon.

“Got any new year resolutions, Syd?” I ask as I catch Jackson staring at her.

“You know we don’t believe in those.” She scoffs at me and continues to decorate her hat. Stormi comes to join us. The guys have taken over the confetti blaster project with Kylie helping the boys decorate them.

“I find myself believing in a lot of things lately. Maybe yours should be ‘find your star and follow it home‘ hmm?‘ I squeeze her arm and Stormi leans in behind me, laughing in my ear.

“Is star a code word for the IceWall?‘ She whispers so Syd doesn’t hear me.

“Synonym.” I joke and she laughs. I don’t mention that she might have her own stargazer.

“How are you doing tonight, Luci Lou?” Syd asks me and I see Banning and Stormi both staring at my face.

“I’m alright so far. This is much better than how I usually spend tonight. Much happier and lighter.” I reassure them.

Mr. Jason joins us and looks over our hats. “Hi Octopus Prime.” I say with a grin and he laughs.

“I mean it almost fits. Those two are having a blast. I think we will make this a new tradition.

Maybe go more elaborate and add fun costumes. Doing ok, Luci?”

“Yes thank you for the no alcohol.” I tell him, very touched he would do that.

“Not a problem, sweetheart. I know today cannot be easy for you. You are very tenacious Luci.”

He hugs me for a minute before wandering away to go talk to Dean Rogers, who I didn’t even realize was here. Before long, he gets everyone’s attention. “Since it’s getting late for those closest to four feet tall, we will award the best hats and let our two smallest rascals tell us confused tall people who they are and set off their confetti blasters.”

Cole, Barrett and Kylie win for best hats. Cole steps up “I’m Bumblebee the car robot.”

Barrett follows him “I’m a ninja turtle….which one am I, Luci?” I whisper in his ear and he smiles. “Leonardo.” Everyone applauds for them and they set off their guns, showering themselves in confetti pieces.

“Ten minutes and then bedtime you two,” I tell them and they nod obediently before running off to see if they can get Grandpappy to give them another cupcake. He crouches down to talk to them before lifting them in his arms with a big grin. Barrett seems to have an honorary grandfather already. All around us, everyone is laughing and I close my eyes to let that image take root in my memories. Two familiar arms wrap around me. “Luci, are you alright? Too much?” Easton whispers in my ear.

I shake my head before opening my eyes. “A better memory to hold onto.”

“I don’t want to get rid of you but it’s time for you to take the boys. Syd and Stormi are going to go with you.”

I grip his shoulders. ‘Promise me to be careful.”

“I will. I’m going to have lots of help.

Barrett

“Barrett Look! Cole stops running. I run into him.

“Sorry Cole.”

“S’okay. Look. Over there.” He points his finger and I look.

“I knew it.” I clap my hands.

“Luci said we have to wait. She will tell us when we help them.” Cole scrunches his nose up like I do when Dad tells me no.

I smile. “Luci said we had to wait for candles. She didn’t say we can’t help them.”

He smiles. “They need tons and bunches of help. That’s what Daddy and Uncle Becker said. I heard them.’

“Uncle Becker can help us. We’ll ask him.” I tell Cole. “Will Baker let us have more chips?”

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