The more you tease, the more I'm pleased

There is no more exciting time than the holiday season. The constant bustle, the euphoria of the preparations, the general jovial atmosphere that invited to rejoice.

The Christmas festivities were peaceful, even traditional. Family meal. Exchange of gifts. Nothing extravagant or excessively festive. Just a moment of communion, of sharing, a pleasant convivial moment. And that suited them very well.

In her youth, Tiana had never been very festive. Rather homebody, she went out very rarely, not to say never. And that hadn't changed much to this day. With one exception: she made a point of organizing a sumptuous reception on New Year's Eve, inviting her neighbors and acquaintances.

-My sweet, what are you doing sitting on the floor, surrounded by these scattered papers?

-These are sketches of invitations I'm going to send out. Actually, I've been racking my brains for almost two hours, without success. I just can't seem to find the right wording.

Ruddy rolled his eyes.

-You're making it too complicated. A simple bill saying "It is our great pleasure to invite you to our New Year's Eve dinner dance. Sincerely."

Tiana gave him a murderous look.

-This is exactly why I don't ask for your opinion.

Ruddy raised his hands in a gesture of peace.

-Okey okey. White flag. I'll let the artist work in peace. A thousand apologies for disturbing your thought bubble.

Halfway down the hallway, he heard her exclaim:

- Bring me back a glass of strawberry juice.

He smiled, amused, and hurried to the kitchen.

Back in the room a few minutes later, he found a very cheerful Tiana. All traces of nervousness had disappeared.

-The inspiration came back to you, I suppose. Smiling, she took the juice from his hands and drank a long sip.

-I'm sorry I yelled at you, honey.

-That's okay, sweetheart. I'm used to your creative hysteria.

She almost choked on the rest of her drink, half outraged and half amused.

-That's not very nice.

-It depends on what you want, ma'am. A truth that hurts, or a lie that pleases?

-I think I would prefer a truth that pleases.

-That's not an option, unfortunately.

-Too bad. This juice is really a treat, by the way.

-All credit to my excellent, excellent mother-in-law.

The ostensible sarcasm in Ruddy's voice earned him an exasperated sigh from Tiana, but she decided not to add anything. Much to Ruddy's chagrin, Tiana's mom had decided to extend her stay until the New Year; much to Tiana's delight; "One man's misfortune is another man's happiness," they say.

-So, tell me everything my sweet. How many people are we going to welcome at the 31st?

- About only thirty people.

- Only thirty or so, huh? Sweet euphemism.

-Don't make fun of me.

-Every year, it's always like this during this time. You put so much pressure on yourself for organization that you lose a pretty significant percentage of your weight. Luckily I'm here to lighten the mood a bit.

-The line between your definition of relaxation and annoyance is very thin as far as I can see.

Ruddy pretended to have a sad look and said :

-I'm going to miss your sense of humor a lot in the next few days.

As he spoke, he shook his head from side to side in despair. She suddenly burst out laughing, a soft, light laugh, unable to resist his teasing.

-You're right, honey. I'm putting too much pressure on myself unnecessarily. I just need to take things calmly, everything will be fine. I've done it dozens of times and...

-Twenty times even. And there's no reason for it to go wrong.

-Exactly. I should repeat this in my head like a mantra. "Everything will be fine, everything will be fine, everything will be fine..."

She sighed for a long time to get rid of all the tension that had built up and then lay down diagonally on the bed. Ruddy soon did the same.

-Does the lady event planner have some time to spare for my humble self for a walk on the beach?

-Only if the gentleman prepares a 1.5L bottle of that delicious strawberry juice.

-Consider it done, my sweet

When they returned from their walk, they found Tiana's mother busy in the kitchen.

-Ah! You are already here. Was your walk pleasant?

-As usual. Why shouldn't it be?

Ruddy's brittle tone made Tiana flinch. Her mother remained unperturbed.

-Dinner will be ready soon. I hope you're hungry. I made ravioli in her pork broth.

Tiana glanced sideways at her beloved.

-Excellent choice, Mom. One of Ruddy's favorite dishes. Come on honey, let's set the table.

As Ruddy remained unresponsive, she pulled him slightly and led him into the dining room.

-What was that?

Ruddy raised his eyebrows.

-What was what?

-Don't bury your head in the sand. You know what I'm talking about.

Ruddy ran a hand over his face, wearily.

-Honey, do you remember that day? The day your mother stormed into my house in the middle of the night. Threatening me, calling me names. Apparently, she had arrived unexpectedly at your house and caught you crying while staring at a picture of me. She was beside herself that even after several weeks, you hadn't recovered.

Tiana blushed violently, her cheeks completely flushed, and let out a nervous laugh.

-I didn't know about this episode. And strangely, I feel a little embarrassed.

Ruddy smiled, touched by his sweetheart's sheepish expression. And, going around the table that was between them, he embraced her.

- I can understand that she was unhappy about her daughter's sadness, but that didn't give her the right to attack me under my own roof.

Tiana opened her mouth to comment but finally decided not to say anything and just stared at him disapprovingly. Ruddy gave her a contrite smile.

-I'm terribly resentful, my sweet. That's my biggest flaw.

Tiana smiled despite herself, unable to resist teasing him.

-One of your many many many flaws, you mean.

-What is really appreciable my sweet, is that we can always count on you to raise our self-esteem.

She laughed slightly, and then put on a serious face.

-I remember the day you're referring to, even if I had no knowledge of his bursting into your home. I had managed to "get my life together", after several weeks of trying to get out of the "depression". However, after the brief contact we had at the birthday party, I started to sink again. I felt really bad and weak.

-You are the strongest woman I know, sweetheart.

-Flattery will get you far.

-Right now, my sweet, it's my stomach that I'd like to take far through a culinary journey full of flavor; thanks to the undeniable talents of my beloved mother-in-law.

Tiana rolled her eyes in exasperation. He gave her a smirk.

-You can't understand the complexity of our relationship, my sweet. Actually, you've never had any problems on that front. My mother has always adored you. My father did too.

-That's just because I'm adorable , and you, a heartbreaker.

-I may break, but I also fix.

Tiana looked falsely doubtful.

- I would not be so sure if I were you. You'll have to work hard for years and years to get your repair work right.

- I will not leave this world, my sweet, until you have declared solemnly that your heart has been properly repaired.

And while pronouncing this sentence, his heart tightened at the thought that perhaps, he could not hold this promise.