Page 34 of Christmas Chaos
RORY: The whole parent thing. Are you worried about being like your dad? Making the same mistakes?
TABI: I don’t have the same issues. I hope I’m more like him and less like me. He’s stubborn but he’s a good dad. A bit of a worrier, but I’m kind of off the rails sometimes. Trust me, all parents make mistakes and you’re not going to be like yours. It’s our job to fuck our kids up in a whole new way.
RORY: How can you be so sure you’ll do it differently?
TABI: Because I’m self-aware enough to stop repeating the same patterns, and I’ve got Bax. And anyway, we’ve got a whole nature vs nurture thing going if we even get to adopt kids since they won’t be from my junk.
TABI: You’re really worried you’ll be like your parents?
RORY: Sometimes, yes.
TABI: Zoe’s parents are cool, right? They tolerate you?
RORY: Yeah, they’re lovely.
TABI: Do Zoe’s friends like you?
RORY: They seem to.
TABI: Do you think Zoe would have married you if you were like your dad?
RORY: No fucking way.
TABI: And do you think Zoe would let you behave like your dad?
RORY: Okay, okay, I get it.
TABI: I’m always right. Just ask Bax.
RORY: Thanks. I just can’t believe I’m going to have a kid. It’s the scariest thing I’ve ever done.
TABI: You’ve got this. If you can cope with Brad Bauer as a stepfather, then you can cope with anything. He’s kind of ridic.
RORY: NOT MY STEPFATHER!
TABI: Lol. You’re so easy to wind up.
TABI: Christmas with Bauer’s friends still happening?
RORY: Yes. We’ve got a couple of weeks to turn the castle into the bloodyDownton AbbeyChristmas special and it’s not going well.
TABI: Not enough sheep intestines or blood pudding to go around?
RORY: Mistletoe shortage and we underestimated how long it would take to decorate the castle the way they want it.
TABI: Well at least you’ve got the Christmas lights sorted. Those massive schlongs in the garden look real fancy. Want some wine to impress them?
RORY: Sigh. Yes. Send loads. If they’re drunk, perhaps they’ll think it’s perfect.
December 10th
35 weeks + 2
DUNCAN: There’s only one cracker left in the box.
RORY: On my way.
Entering the back door of the castle at a run, Rory leapt up the stairs. This latest message from Duncan told him things were extremely suboptimal in his wife’s world. He could hear the anguish in her voice carrying down the corridor as he strode towards the estate office door. God only knew how she’d react when she saw what was in his jacket pocket.
