Christmas in Provence: Part II

       On Christmas Day we managed to get up in time to shower and be presentable for the mass of family slated to arrive at noon. I was straightening my hair when FWB slipped out, announced, to pick his grandmother up across the street. I also love his grandmother. I came upstairs once dressed and sat next to her on the couch and she told me all about their crazy, eleven day cruise to Malta and the Greek Isles and Rome. We laughed and were having a good time.

         Then the rest of the family arrived. I gulped.

         There were aunts and great aunts and uncles and great uncles and godsons galore. I could barely keep everyone straight. FWB's mom was wonderful and introduced me to everyone when the title she used struck me.

          ¨This is FWB's girlfriend,¨  she announced as I stepped forward to bise everyone. Apéro soon followed: canapés of rillettes de saumon and olive tapenade, a lovely rocquefort-fromage blanc amuse-bouche, small puff pastry appetizers, a sharp white wine and thick, round vin doux naturel. I was full before the meal had even started.

             Then an hour later the work began.

            First course was foie gras with confit d'oignon or fig jam. I opted for the fig jam--it was heavenly with the foie gras! This was followed up by a course of smoked salmon, which was then followed by FWB's mom's amazing truffled (yes. you read that right. TRUFFLES, as in the mushrooms!) omelet, which was followed by FWB's great-aunt's (also his godmother) slow roasted wild board (also delicious) which was then followed by what is called a chapon, or a massively overgrown, roasted chicken. This one was 6 pounds and roasted to perfection. The chapon was accompanied by veggies and dauphined potatoes.

              FWB started explaining his possible VIE in New York and his desire to go to the States for a few years. His great aunt chuckled ¨Well, I guess we'll just have to fly to the US for your wedding at this rate!¨

             At this point FWB was taking pictures of everyone at the dinner table, including some of his great-uncle and the massive stain he'd made when he knocked over his glass of red wine. Then he sat back down next to me and was recounting his cruise with his grandma and how the he'd made the poor thing hike to the top of a monument and how she'd nearly keeled over with exhaustion. Then it was about nearly missing the train in Rome with her.

             ¨ When you have ten minutes to get to the train and 1200 feet to go, you have to make grandma move!¨ he exclaimed. Everyone was laughing hard. It made me smile. His family is a family full of love and he was the center of attention recounting story after story. I love this about him.

              Then came the cheese course. And then three rounds of dessert including two bûches de Noël, an île flottante, lots and lots of Nougat, and champagne.

             After four and a half delicious hours at a table I curled over and wanted to die of happiness.

*  *  * 

             A while after dessert, FWB's cousin, the one whose birthday he'd been celebrating on Saturday, showed up with her husband and two children: one a boy, aged 8 (and FWB's godson) and the other, a girl, 4, with curly blonde hair and blue eyes. She looked like a porcelain doll. I wanted to scoop the little child in my arms and cuddle her she was so adorable; she ended up in my lap later that night. I ended up sitting on the couch and talking with said cousin and recounting the story of how we met; she had brought up the subject. 

             ¨You're studying in Paris, yes?¨ she asked. I confirmed. I was beginning to suspect FWB had talked about me to her. 

              FWB's mom eventually joined us with the kids, and she and I and cousin were chatting and having a good time. I was very happy. 

*  *  * 

              Around 7:30 that night the house cleared out. I helped FWB's parents clean and clear. It was while cleaning that his mom and I were chatting and putting away the crystal (which was used at her own wedding!) when she pulled out the family silver that she hadn't used that evening. It was in need of polishing but still beautiful. She added:

              ¨We're hoping to give it to FWB someday, when he gets married. But I prefer using the Linox for Christmas, silver is such a hassle to clean, even though it's beautiful.¨

              I fingered a silver spoon and a knife and then slid them back into the case before she put it back into the hutch again, half smiling.

              I  had one last thing to do: talk to my own family. While I had a good time in the South, no one can ever replace my own family. I logged on at 9 pm and we chatted. I miss them. 

               Then I dragged the FWB in to meet the fam, mainly my mom and stepdad. He impressed me with his English and we talked with my parents for a while. Seeing as he is invited to California whenever he'd like, he definitely has the stamp of parental approval. 

                ¨He's very charming!¨ my mom exclaimed to me via text message a while later. 

                I went to bed one very happy woman that night.