Chapter 6

"I know, I know," said Joanna, rushing in, dragging a wheelie case behind her and trying to unwrap her scarf from around her neck as her mother ushered her into the kitchen and away from the cold awaiting at the front door. It was now way gone midnight and Claire and Greg had waited up along with Greg's mother and father, whilst everyone else had scurried off to bed hours ago.

Joanna looked good, thought Greg, having unwrapped herself of several layers of warm clothing worn in an attempt to keep out the Eastern chill. Greg knew that Joanna had actually gained a little weight that year - about ten pounds or so - given that she had already told him so much over the phone about six months ago. But now in her current form, Joanna looked leaner than ever, having clearly dropped that ten pounds and more judging by the size of her tiny, pencil-thin, waist. Clearly the Californian air and possibly some of their lengthy workouts out too had toned Joanna's waistline and probably suited her busy legal lifestyle out there.

"Wow," said Joanna, having parted from Greg's welcome home embrace. "It's like being hugged by a brown bear."

"Try sleeping next to it." Claire joked, poking Greg's stomach in its side, before rolling her eyes at Joanna and offering up her open arms to drag Joanna into a 'nice-to-meet-you' 'potential-sister-in-law' kinda hug.

"I bet he's a snorer too." Joanna giggled, right back at Claire, before adding. "Although it's so great to meet you Claire, at last. I've heard so many good things."

"I have my moments," replied Claire, with a knowing grin, before they all sat back down around the kitchen table and began to catch up again that night, as Greg's mother fixed them all a few more platefuls of pre-prepared Christmas treats for all to enjoy before bed.

Claire excused herself after about a good half hour or so, and bid everyone a good night, so that the Darlington family could finally catch up again now that they were all finally back together again in the same room. Claire had been given a plateful of holiday cookies and milk to take up with her up the rickety old staircase towards the attic room that she and Greg had been put up in for the rest of the week. She figured Greg would probably make light work of the cookies on her plate, once he joined her in bed, so she added a few more to her plate for good measure before she left.

Greg's appetite had certainly been growing larger again those past few weeks. Claire had actually had to stop several times more than planned on the ride over from her folks place, just in order to satisfy Greg's cravings, which seemed to come and go as he pleased. It seemed that all it took these days was a neon burger sign or two before Greg's large stomach was already rumbling for more.

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Back down in the kitchen, Greg had offered to clear up in order to spare his mother the work, as the family - at last - had now begun to make their way towards their respective beds for the evening. Greg's offer was however a little empty, as it was predominantly an excuse for him to help himself to a few more Christmas treats in an empty kitchen before joining Claire in the bed. She would no doubt be sat up there, bolt upright, waiting for a full report of what he had ate after she left.

Greg stood by the kitchen sink, and contemplated for a moment that Joanna hadn't commented on his rather obvious weight gain again that year. He looked out the window, into the back yard, and thought about that, as he picked up another heavy pan and started to scrub.

"That is a wide load washing up." Joanna slapped Greg's back jokingly, having snuck back down into the kitchen to grab her forgotten wheelie case.

"Did you miss me big brother?" Joanna asked further of Greg, and attempted her own good natured bear hug of her brother's back, whilst he was still stood up by the sink.

"Hah! I guess so," replied Greg, in answer to Joanna's question, and glancing down over his shoulder at his little sis.

"It's sure good to see you again though." Joanna patted Greg's belly lovingly, and buried her face into his warm back.

"Sure is gupp," said Greg, in reference to his sister's childhood pet name, short for 'guppy'.

"Another plateful huh?" Joanna spied, with a friendly chuckle, the waiting plate piled high that Greg had set out to one side.

"Christmas, right?" Greg offered.

"Christmas." Joanna confirmed, patting Greg's belly knowingly.

"Just save some for Santa big guy." Joanna kissed Greg's cheek before letting him go and wheeled her case out the door.

"Will do." Greg shouted as quietly as he could after her.

"Sure, sure." Came Joanna's loud whisper from the hallway, followed by another quiet giggle as she went.

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