TIDAL AFFAIRS

Christmas has this certain atmosphere under it. It infects people with happiness and content. Clay just wasn't feeling it and Kris knew. She pinned it on the fact that his workload had doubled with families, couples and friends all needing to to rent cabins, for Christmas, all over the states. Clay's nose, at least what was left of his nose, had been buried in documents and his laptop for days. "Clay, Babe? I made hot chocolate. Do you want some?" Kris asked as she opened the door to his home office. "Thanks, I'm alright. It'll make me all drowsy and I don't need that" Clay was bent over his mahogany desk that was barely visible with all the paperwork on it. His laptop was open, he was clicking away at it without even looking at the keyboard. He ran his hand through his greasy, beach blonde hair and Kris eyed his rumpled shirt fondly. His hair needed a redye, his shirt needed a redo. "You need to rest, Clay. You haven't slept properly in days" She said softly as she slipped in, a mug of hot chocolate now visible in her hand. "And I will. On the cruise ship, remember? The one you've been yapping about for years?" Clay chuckled, shaking his head. Kris scoffed. "I have not been yapping. I merely stated that I'd love that very much and you finally agreed to get it over with'" Clay made a disgruntled noise and waved his hand dismissively. Kris smiled as a glazed look crossed over her face, an indication of a memory. Her green eyes twinkled, a perfect contrast to her auburn hair. "I can't believe it's been four years already. It feels like it was just yesterday when I bumped into you and spilled my hot chocolate on you " She chuckled before sniffing. She was going to get sentimental if she didn't. And Clay hated too much emotion. Said they mirrored weakness and Clay hated weakness. God, there was so much that Clay hated. It was only a wonder he fell for her. "God, that was so cliche " Clay snorted. "Cute, still." Kris defended, absentmindedly rubbing the scar on her chin. It was almost constantly covered in makeup that she almost forgot how it felt. A year after meeting each other and eight months after starting to date officially, they'd gotten into an accident. Kris got away with a busted chin and Clay's nose got rammed in. There were options and advice for a plastic surgery but Clay refused, it would never feel natural no matter how long or hard he tried to make it feel natural. They'd never been a couple to have different decisions and so Kris never forced him to. Not that he'd listen anyway. They worked more with Kris just doing what pleased Clay. The last time she tried to do what he didn't like, it ended badly. Over the years, he'd been stared at for his nose but it never bothered him. Kris couldn't have asked for a better man. She hoped that he'd propose on the ship and she'd finally not be the only unmarried woman in her friend group. "You'd better start packing. You have terrible packing skills." Clay said, snapping her back to reality. "It's not terrible per say." She was getting up anyway. "Whatever you say, Miss I-always-forget-my-underwear" Kris laughed and left the room. She was terrible at packing and always took very long. She'd left her underwear and even shoes many times. Her Christmas present from her sister, Lou, was a packing planner packet, this year. Clay thought it was a stupid insignificant gift before setting a box of Louboutin , showing he forgot she didn't like them. Kris gave them to her friend who squealed her ears off in gratitude. Inside her room, she pulled out a suitcase and Lou's gift. It was going to be a long night. Halfway through, her phone rang and she picked it up, a sense of happiness floating around her. "Hey, Mom." "Hi, baby. How are you?." Her mother, Janae, said. Kris smiled and put her planner down on the bed. "Okay, what do you want?" "Oh my God. Can I not call my daughter to hear from her?" Janae gasped, her tone disbelieving. "Mom, we both knew you never turn to pleasantries unless you need something from us. So, what is it?" Kris sat up waiting for the ball to drop. Janae sighed and with a resigned voice. "I want to come on the boat trip with you " She sounded like a kid whip was trying to make a demand she knew was impossible to get but chose to try anyway. Kris choked back a laugh and slipped off the bed. "Mom! No, you can't. It's a cruise tour and not a boat trip and if you really want to go on one, convince your husband to take you on one. Oh my God!" Kris thought it impossible to believe. Janae coughed. "He won't. I've tried " Her husband, Eric wasn't easy to convince and certainly not for 'frivolities', like he'd call it. "You're his wife. You can make him do whatever. Use your charm or something." Kris suggested. Why was she not already on the floor in fits of laughter? Right, Clay hated unmannered people. "Are you asking me to make love to your father so I can get what I want?" There was a smirk in Janae's voice. For the second time, Kris choked. "Mom, gross. I didn't mean.... You know what? Nevermind. Do whatever you want but you're not coming with me and my boyfriend." "Ungratefulness shows itself in different ways, doesn't it?" After muttering once more, Janae hung up leaving Kris cackling. Janae and her husband, Eric, were a weird couple, in a cool way. Mismatched but perfect while Janae was hot and hyperactive while Eric was cool and calm. While Lou, their second daughter, came out completely like Janae, Kris came out more like Eric even though she had her hyperactive moments.