December 24th, 1894 - Potts Home

Quin wasn't so sure he was as welcome in the Potts' kitchen as Mrs. Potts made it seem, but he was working through it anyway. He had volunteered (been volunteered, simply been told?) that he was in charge of desserts and that was fine. Quin could make a spread of chocolates in his sleep, but he'd also baked a couple of pies and some other sweet treats. They were all waiting in the kitchen while he had been working on making a giant vat of cocoa, even if he had to keep it away from Dahlia. This second pregnancy seemed to be hitting her differently, but he was trying to keep up as best he could.

After arriving early with everything, he'd already lost Dahlia amongst her sisters while they waited for everyone, well almost everyone, as Quin had heard through the grapevine that Grimstone and Daffodil would not be joining them this year, (due to something Quin wasn't brave enough to ask about) to arrive for supper. Honestly he didn't quite know how four prolific families, all of their offspring, spouses and next generation were going to fit in this house, but somehow Laurel Potts made it work. Maybe next year they ought to just use the Plunkett's barn, it seemed big enough to actually fit everyone with some breathing room.

Finally he'd been shooed from the kitchen so the staff could start finishing up supper and he was glad to be out of the way. Quin made his way back out to the growing festivities with a glass of wine in his hand. It was a good thing he could handle crowds with the best of them. "Filled up quick, hm?" He said to the nearest person, wondering if he could find one of the other husbands to hide with until he was needed again for something.

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I am not tagging everybody and their brother; if your name is or was Potts, Plunkett, Bixby or Hatchitt, or are attached to one of them somehow, you are welcome to join us! Not sure, just ask!

The following 3 users Like Quincey Honeyduke's post:3 users Like Quincey Honeyduke's post
   Dorothea Potts, Laurel Potts, Zinnia Gallagher

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Every year, there were somehow more people in the Potts home for Christmas Eve, and never mind that the Grimstones were missing this year. Lester had dutifully delivered the wines that his mother was sending them with to the kitchen, and then immediately fled with a glass full. He was eagerly keeping his eye out for any of the additional younger people here, because he — was not sure how to interact successfully with older people when they were not his siblings.

He sipped his wine and glanced up at Honeyduke who was one of those older people that Lester could never be sure of, but who was also extremely good natured. "Do you think she uses expansion charms?" he asked. That would have made sense. One of Gabe's children collided at full speed with Lester's legs, and he patted at their head before they took off to chase one of the other children.

  

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set by Fallin!

It was a lovely gathering, so many people, all family by blood or by marriage packing the house to the rafters, Uncle Basil's side of the family just seemed to keep growing and growing whilst to her and her older brother's shame there appeared to be a little generational dead end for their own poor father. Oh well, there was still Fletcher and Millie Potts following along who might continue the family at some point in the future.

Dorothea had mostly gravitated towards the youngsters here so far tonight, she supposed it was what made her a natural governess that she enjoyed the company of other people's children so freely. But she might have to go and be a grown up so had decided to go and make conversation with one of the older members of the family. The scents coming from the kitchen made her mouth water and she was looking forward to a great meal. "I wonder what smells so good?" she said to one of the other guests. "I'm getting all the usual herbs but there is a little something I can't put my finger on it." she added.

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Once over the threshold and welcomed in, a drink was put in his hand and he was shuffled into the mix of things. It wasn't as weird as Jack had expected with Daffy not there. For how full the house was she could just as easily be there, momentarily out of sight. But she wasn't and that alone was weird. With all the relations there it was hard not to feel a bit odd-man-out but with so many Potts' Christmases under his belt the feeling didn't last.

He peered around, thinking to seek out Mr. Potts or another Potts sister and nearly walked right into the child that darted past him to give someone's legs a hasty hug. The drink in his hand sloshed but he managed to to keep it all in the cup that he held aloft until the child had run off again. He huffed a laugh and raised that same cup in an amused toast to the nearby group that would have been witness to his spill.

"Happy Christmas."

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Quin felt weirdly on the side of partial host. Maybe it was because he had helped with the food, maybe it was because he was one of few sons-in-law that were currently on Laurel's good side. Maybe he was one of those people who were truly in his element surrounded by people. He recognized one of the Hatchitt boys as he made a comment about the house. Quin was quickly learning just how connected the Potts family was around town. It seemed to seep across several families. It made sense, children around the same ages, and lots of them to boot, the mothers all also friends. It was wild to a man who only had one sibling and a family he rarely saw. He had, most fortunately, been absorbed into this conglomerate like he'd always been here.

"She must," he chuckled after taking a sip of his wine. "There has to be at least fifty people here." And it only got larger every year with the addition of several sisters worth of children. The next generation would no doubt outnumber the current one sooner rather than later.

As Dorset came into view, Quin smiled and waved. "Happy Christmas, welcome to the chaos."

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