Page 80 of Dirty Politics

“It’s his night to shine,” James said with a wink.

Viv totted around the room - squealing at the shiny boxes and ribbons. MarryMe followed behind her sniffing as he went.

Liv enjoyed watching everyone open their presents. Will bounced Viv on his knee, and MarryMe playfully growled and pounced around.

After gifts were exchanged and Vivi went down for a nap, Eli stood up and clinked a glass.

“We’re snowed in this year, and everyone knows what that means,” he said, grinning from ear to ear.

“Christmas Lava!” Juno squealed.

Liv looked around the room in confusion.

“We play this game that’s part drinking game/part trivia game/part floor is lava every year we get snowed in.”

“Ah...will this be as exciting as the wood chopping?” she asked, her eyes twinkling.

“A different kind of exciting,” he said.

“Are there teams?” she asked.

“Yes,” he said. “Here draw a straw.”

Liv held up her straw. It was long. Brooklyn and Keene had the same size.

“Nice,” Keene said, high-fiving Brooklyn.

Will was paired up with James and Zadie.

“Oh, the elders are together,” Juno said. “I’m not sure if this is fair.”

“The straws have declared it to be,” Will said. “There’s no questioning the wisdom of the straws.”

Declan, Juno, and Eli made the last team.

“Elizabeth, are you not playing?” Liv asked.

“I’m the judge and the trivia reader,” she said.

Liv looked around in wonder as all of the siblings began to move furniture around and climb on top.

“So, is this the floor is lava part?” Liv asked.

“Exactly,” Will said, pulling her up on the coffee table.

“What do you want to drink?” Juno said. “It doesn’t have to be alcoholic if you don’t want.”

“Umm...” Liv said, looking around at everyone else. “How about Wassail?”

“Perfect,” Juno wandered off to collect more drink orders.

“So, is someone going to explain the rules?” Liv said.

“First there are trivia questions,” Eli said. “They are presidential themed for obvious reasons.”

Liv nodded. “Makes sense.”

“If you miss your question, you have to jump to another spot without landing in the lava,” Keene said.

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