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‘You’re Invited!’
Fuck. Those words would usually be a wonderful thing and a welcome distraction from the stresses of life and the holiday season, but this was different.
“What am I even supposed to bring? Do we have to bring eight gifts? Or would that only be if we were staying the whole holiday long? Can I bring cookies, or is that too much of a Christmas thing? What about-?”
“Frank. Calm the fuck down.”
He turns next to himself to find Mikey giving him the most impatient but loving look. An expression that only he can pull off so easily.
“But-”
“But nothing. We’re supposed to be relaxing right now, and you’ve been worrying about this all day. It’s just a party.”
“Yeah, but it’s a Hanukkah party! I don’t know what the rules are for that! I went to fuckin’ Catholic school! I know shit all about what’s allowed for Hanukkah!”
“Wasn’t Jesus Jewish?”
“Shut up!” He tries to be angry, but his fiancé does have a way of making him see the funny side of his issues.
Mikey gives a slight smirk, and eases himself up out of his chair.
“Well, if you’re not going to chill out, then we might as well save the rest of this for later.” He turns off the massage function of his lounge chair and Frank’s, offering a hand to help him up.
“For now, why don’t we figure this out together?”
Frank grins. He’s so lucky to be engaged to this man.
—
“Hey guys! So glad you made it!”
Joe is smiling wide as he greets them at his door, stepping aside to let them in.
“Thought Frank might chicken out,” he jokes.
“Hah, he almost did, but I talked him down. And I may have had other ways of convincing him…”
“Okay, I’ll stop you right there, Mikes. I know you’ve got game, but now is not the time.”
Frank laughs and elbows Joe. “Thanks. I totally wasn’t going to chicken out by the way. Just didn’t know what exactly to do.”
They follow Joe inside to see Pete in the living room, while they passed by Andy setting things out on the dining table.
“Is this it? No Patrick?”
“Yeah, he had already let me know ahead of time that he had family stuff going on. That’s why I made sure this wasn’t on the first night, but if you’re busy, you’re busy,” Joe shrugs.
“Wait, fuck, Mikey, is that why Ray said he would be out of town for the holidays? I thought it was weird that he wouldn’t be nearby even with his family there…”
“Huh, yeah, probably. Good for him. I know he’s been trying to make headway with Patrick’s family. Guess this is his lucky moment.” He claps his hands together once. “Anyhow, is that food I smell?”
Andy sticks his head into the living room at that and nods. “Yep, I was just about to say! The sun has set and it’s time to eat!”
Everyone happily piles into the dining room and takes their seats, Frank and Andy bumping fists and laughing about having their own separate container of vegan sour cream for the latkes.
—
“Okay, okay, we get it! Just because you won the most gelt it doesn’t make you ‘King of Chanukah,’ dipshit. That’s not even a real thing!”
“Whatever, you’re just jealous because I beat you and I’m not even Jewish.”
“No, Pete. I’m annoyed because you’re being a little shit. Now I don’t even want to give you your gift.” Joe pouts, but quickly breaks into a smile.
“A present? For meeee?! Aw, JoeTroh, you shouldn’t have! Now gimme!”
Frank leans into Mikey as they watch the scene, whispering to him. “Hey, thanks for making me come here. This has been really fun.”
“‘Course, hon. You know I couldn’t let you miss out on time with everyone, no matter how bad the worries had their hold of you.” He plants a kiss on his temple and grins as Pete starts dancing around in his new hooded blanket, claiming that the menorah design on top is ‘proof that he’s the king!’ Despite Joe’s protests before Andy hushes him with a gentle hug from behind.
Pete tries to join in the moment to tackle them, throwing all three into a fit of laughter and play-fighting.
“Hey, speaking of time with everyone, did Gee ever say why he couldn’t make it?”
“Oh, yeah, I forgot to tell you, he’s gonna be here tomorrow. He had a project run long and couldn’t travel with us, for the party, but he said he’d come later anyway, and Joe said they’d be happy to have us all as company for the week if we were willing.”
“Oh yeah, I heard the last part before, but I didn’t realize that was extended for him. That’s awesome!”
“Hey lovebirds! Get over here and join the fun! Or I’ll sic Pete on you!”
“Yeah, yeah, hold your horses, hypocrite!” Mikey smirks as he watches Andy flush slightly when he realizes he’s been called out.
“Guess we should make the most of this. Not such a scary-different party after all, huh, Frankie?”
“You said it.”
—