I'm still on fractions

“Hey, no stepsister of mine is mediocre, come on now. Not to mention someone who made a whole human and bounces back like this.” He motioned with his hands up and down, glad that she was out, “Also it’s karaoke, not showtime at the Apollo. I promise you won’t regret it, it’s a Cameron James guarantee.” 

“I beg to differ. I pail in comparison to your other stepsisters. You’re too kind, Cam. Hard work and a year really helps someone bounce back.” She smiled, grabbing his hand to pull him into a proper hug. “You do remember i’m married to a musician right? There is just no karaoke in our house. I guess I could do one song. I’m holding you to this so call guarantee, Cameron James.”

“Is this the only alternative? I feel like that is sort of unfair to you to not be able to enjoy things entirely because of that. You could just forget the hot chocolate and go the tear route though? Maybe? I don’t know, I might just be rambling at this point”

“There’s probably more I just haven’t explored them all since i’m recently lactose intolerant. I could never forget hot chocolate. It’s the greatest thing too ever exist ever...besides otters.”

“Yeah I’ve always thought my parents are a bit superhuman. They’re like on a whole new level of chill and amazing.” His smile widened as she introduced herself and he did a little bow in place of a handshake. “Tree Addams, that’s a hell of a name. Everyone is just walking around here with these crazy ass, cool ass names. I’m Jeremy Vern. I suppose the cool part of my name is my middle one, Miguel, it’s after my dad and uncle’s pet goat. Sentimental, I know. Hey, anytime, I tend to pop up when people need me.” 

“They sound pretty cool. they must be superhuman if they’re on that level of cool.” Tree giggled, doing a curtsey herself and shaking jeremy’s hand. “It’s short for Theresa! My dad named all his kids after horror or scary movie characters. I just happened to be named after Tree from happy death day. The only who didn’t get one is my sister Margaux who’s named after his dead pet moth but it’s still cool! Everyone here has pretty unique names. I think Jeremy is a great name. I’ve never met a jeremy before. Okay, yeah, you get extra points for being named after a goat. That’s awesome and super sweet. That must be your superpower then, huh? popping up when people need you.”

“Milk substitute genius, that would look pretty snazzy on a business cards and a resume if I had one. Nah, many people have been wronged by almond milk, until they find oat or soy or just no milk but I get the sweetness factor for sure. My parents are vegan so I’m pretty well versed in alternatives.”

“I think this is a sign you should make one. The world needs to know these things. Oh! My sister’s vegetarian. Not quite vegan but she exclusively drinks coconut and rice milk. I might have to get her on the oat train now thanks to you. Your parents be superhumans. At least that’s how I view vegans.” she smiled, hoping a little bit on her toes. “I’m Tree by the way. Tree Addams it’s nice to meet you. Thanks for the life-saving tips again.”

“It’s almost like you don’t know me at all.” Margaux told Casper with a flip of her head. “Yeah, I don’t think I can agree with this coming between my Christmas in New York year in and year out. I can’t believe I’m missing out on waking up to the view of Central Park on Christmas day this year.” Margaux sighed.

“I like to think I know you a little.” Casper gave her sister a soft smile before tucking a piece of hair behind the younger girl’s ear. “I couldn’t agree with you more. I think some of my favorite Christmases were spent in New York. Just think next year you’ll most likely be in New York waking up to that beautiful view you love. Tonight however you get to be in this elegant outfit of yours enjoying the sights of rosewood in the company of family. besides the few tiffs we’ve seen, I think this can be considered a successful night.”

“It’s cause you should’ve gone with oat milk. It basically tastes like oatmel and it doesn’t dilute it too much. Almond milk is way too overpowering. It’s definitely a pain but I’m telling you, oat milk is the key.”

“Oat milk of course! You, sir, are a milk substitute genius. Here i’ve been suffering from almond milk like a dumb dumb when there were other alternatives. You’ve just saved many future hot cocoas.”

“I would argue that we’re in our prime, actually,” Alejandro replied with a smirk as Jack slept in his arms despite the party raging on around them. “I don’t think so, I mean I’m pretty sure if someone tried to give Lupe a card she’d just throw it away so why even bother?” He laughed as he thought about that scenario, Lupe having created enough of a reputation that most people just left her alone. “I’m just glad no one gave either of us a card, imagine that?” He leaned in and kissed her softly, pulling away only to lean in for another one. “You look stunning tonight, Mrs. Molina.”

Casper wrinkled her nose, her chin rested in the palm of her hand as she playfully pondered what Alejandro said. “Let’s see...you’re a success rockstar creating stunning music, I got my first big girl job with my degree as an environmental consultant, we have a beautiful son and we’re happily married. I think you’re right about the whole being in our prime thing.” she smiled, her fingers running through the wild mess of curls her son possed. “Little things like that is exactly why Lupe is my favorite.” she laughed along. Casper had always admired her sister-in law’s fire. She didn’t take bullshit from anyone. Her resilience and strength was something casper wished she was on the same level as. “I can’t even imagine getting one of those. I mean you, of course, I could see. who wouldn’t want to have a chance to kiss you? You’re incredibly handsome. the only person I could think i’d be paired up with is that one guy I kissed like three years ago. I might be boring for saying this but i’m happy to stay out of these reindeer games.” Casper had nothing but absolute faith in her partner. If the day ever came that they were thrown into rosewood’s antics there wasn’t a single thought of insecurity or doubt when it came to Alejandro. still, she was happy people left them alone and allowed them to live in their little bubble of bliss. Casper all to happily kissed her husband back, kissing him once more when he leaned in again. “Thank you, Mr. Molina. You look dashing yourself.”

“See, this is why I like when Hubey spends time with us,” Mae teased and leaned into him, smiling as they both watched Patton and Austin making a fool of themselves around the party. “It’s only fair, I mean it’s his birthday and I’m pretty sure your brother showed up at the house at like midnight and October almost hit him over the head. And yeah! I am fun at parties I’m just..selective about how I spend my time at parties. Aka I dont get blackout anymore and try to fuck someone’s dad I thought that was an improvement, Mr. Simon.” It was something she would only say in the presence of her brother and someone like Hubert who she had known all her life or else she kept the past to herself and in the past. 

“Okay both of you just want to be against me, it’s cool, it’s cool.” He rolled his eyes though he too was grateful that Mae was no longer the party animal she used to be, the weed had definitely mellowed her out. “Oh you’re going to win, is that right?” He raised an eyebrow, a cheeky grin on his face as he reached out to pinch Hubert’s cheek. “You’re so fucking cute but you’re wrong. And I’m only slightly offended no one has matched us yet.”

“Sounds like something both my siblings would do. Then again, October doesn’t need an excuse to hit Patton over the head.” He smiled, having nothing but love for his older siblings. “I think Mae has made excellent improvement and you shouldn’t judge her for wanting to relax and kick back a few Ahadi special gummies,” Hubert replied. His reply was all in good fun to mess with simon but there was also a truth behind it. Hubert was proud of how far Mae had come. As long as she was happy she could spend any party the way she wanted to - as long as she was safe of course. “Of course we do. Mae and I here make an excellent team when it comes to being against you.” he pressed a quick kiss to mae’s head, after unraveling himself from her so he could walk over to Simon. He grabbed the boy’s face between one of his hands so he could place a quick kiss to his lips. “i’m never wrong. Also, I don’t need a piece of paper to do that.”