The Dance

*32*

Emma hung up the call, glared at Prince, and said, 'You don't tell me someone is a friend closer than a brother and then leave him hanging on Christmas Day! I am ticked at you, husband!'

Prince puffed up his chest and said, 'I don't really think it's your place to tell me how to treat my friends and employees, Emma.'

'Well, if it isn't my place as your wife, then I guess it's no one's place, and that is ridiculous. Kirk means the world to you, and that means he is important to me, too. I wish you'd asked me.'

'Fair enough. I didn't want to impose on your family traditions, and neither did Kirk.'

'Didn't we say we were going to talk things through, rather than make assumptions and jump to conclusions?'

'Yeah, we did, but you made Christmas sound like a big family deal, and I wasn't sure how things were going to go. I didn't want to mess it up.'

'Okay, but one of the things we're doing now is blending things together. You have family and friends, I do too, and we need to figure out how to make all this work. You went over and above in Hawaii including my family, so I think it's okay for me to give Kirk some breakfast on Christmas day. Besides, he had to babysit this cat for two days, didn't he?'

'True. But he likes cats!'

'I don't care. He deserves some sweet rolls!'

'Naw, baby, not your sweet rolls! They're too good to share.'

'Nope, you have to share.' Emma and Prince grinned at each other.

Mya interrupted, 'Um, did we just witness your first fight?'

Emma and Prince looked at each other and burst out laughing. 'Yep, I do believe you did!' Prince replied, giving Emma a hug. 'Am I forgiven?'

'Of course. Any man who will give me a cat for Christmas is forgiven everything. But please, no more assumptions of how I'll react to this or that. No more thinking that your personal life isn't as important as mine. Just let's talk from now on.'

'I'll try. It doesn't come naturally to me. I see your point about your quiet Christmas celebration, though. This is much more fun than hanging out alone, even if I had spent the day working. I still don't agree with it all theologically, but I'm willing to compromise.'

Kirk came over, and was given a hug by Emma and some Christmas breakfast.

'Oh, goodness, Emma! I've never tasted cinnamon rolls this good in my life! Did you make these?'

'Yes, I did, Kirk. My mom taught me how to make them.'

'Mom, you know Dad said you took those way further than Grandma ever did,' interrupted Marti.

'And Kirk, I don't know if I'll ever let you have another one. They might be too good for you,' smirked Prince, looking smugly at Emma.

'Ha! Kirk, I'll make you your own pan later today. These are meant for important people, and you got the last one since someone I know was just a little piggy about them,' Emma responded, mock glaring at Prince. 'You are definitely important enough for your own pan of sweet rolls.'

After he finished his breakfast, he had two pieces of information to share.

'P, I got a call from your manager this morning. Anita Baker's manager called, and she's caught the flu. She's booked for 3 nights at an arena in Connecticut, and was wondering if you'd be willing and available to cover for her. She figures her fans wouldn't be too disappointed if it's you and your crew.'

'Well, who do you think we can get for the shows?'

'I made some phone calls and texts, and everyone who performed with you in Portugal is available. How does that sound?'