I couldn’t tear my eyes away from how Lily’s hips swayed as she walked over. The long-sleeved maroon sweater dress she was wearing hugged her body, and her long blonde hair was down, wavy strands bouncing with each step.
She hugged Hal first, her arms wrapping tightly around him. When she made her way over to me, there was a small, knowing smile on her face before she pulled me into a hug, too. “Merry Christmas, Gabe. Again,” she whispered.
“We’re so happy to have you here with us, Gabe. I’m Laura, Lily’s mom.” She didn’t give me time to wonder if I should shake her hand or give her a hug, because she pulled me into an embrace. “Merry Christmas.”
“Merry Christmas,” I repeated. “Thank you for having me. I hope it’s not too much trouble that I’m here.”
Laura pulled away and gently squeezed my arm. “What in the world are you talking about? Of course, it’s not too much trouble!” She stepped out of the way to make room for who I assumed was Lily’s dad, Mark.
I’d been most nervous to meet him, because he had a history with my father. I wasn’t sure how that would translate to his thoughts about me. Or if he wanted me here.
But those thoughts seemed foolish as soon as I saw the smile on Mark’s face. “Great to have you, Gabe. I’m echoing what Laura said—it’s not too much trouble, and you’re always welcome.” He extended his hand, and I took it. I couldn’t helpbut compare it to the times I’d shaken my father’s hand, how he would always use it as a battle for dominance.
Mark seemed nothing like that. I wondered if my father had been like this once. Warm, inviting, caring. He had to have been, right? How could you not be after growing up in Golden Falls with Hal and Vera?
“I really appreciate that,” I told him, giving his hand a shake. “I’m excited to be here with everyone.”
“I love to hear that,” Mark said, clapping a hand on my shoulder. “Let me show you around and get you introduced to everyone.”
“I can show—” Lily cut in.
“It’ll be fine, Lily bear. Don’t worry about us. Go ahead and take a seat and relax.”
As the two of us walked away, I glanced at Lily over my shoulder.Lily bear?I mouthed, my lips pulling into a grin.
Lily tipped her head back with a laugh.
The dinner table was full with tonight’s group: Mark and Laura, Wes and Jules, Lily, Cooper, Eliza, Marnie, Hal, and me. I’d been most nervous to be around Lily’s parents, but it turned out maybe I should’ve been more nervous to be around Eliza. She was kind and welcoming but eyed me cautiously, like she was watching my every move.
We’d all filed into the dining room, where a large decorated rectangular table for ten greeted us. I could barely see the festive green table cloth with all the food that was waiting for us. Sliced ham, mashed potatoes, and green bean casserole caught my eyeimmediately, but there was also roasted carrots, green beans, mashed sweet potatoes, and pickles. I was eager to dig in, and by the looks on everyone’s faces, I wasn’t the only one. At each seat, there was a carefully curated place setting: silverware, plate, cloth napkin, and drinkware all part of the same red-and-gold dinnerware set.
As Lily grabbed the two seats next to Hal, I was initially going to sit next to Hal with Lily on my other side, but then I heard Marnie’s voice come up behind me.
“Look at that. I get to sit next to Gabe. Lucky me.” She patted my arm with a smile.
“I think I’m the lucky one,” I played along. “You look beautiful, Marnie. Merry Christmas.” I pulled her chair out.
Marnie grinned and looked over at Lily. “Keep this one,” she mock-whispered.
Once Marnie’s chair was pulled out, I did the same for Lily. Lily tore her gaze away from Marnie and looked up at me with a smile. “I might have to.”
Lily’s tone was teasing, but I found myself thinking about a life in Golden Falls, which was something I hadn’t thought about before. From the beginning, my plan had been to get to town, get the building, and leave. I no longer felt that urgency, and that…was perhaps the scariest thing of all.
As much as I loved Milwaukee, there was something about Golden Falls I hadn’t experienced before—being part of something. I thought I would feel like an outsider tonight, but everyone had welcomed me and made me feel like I belonged. I knew it likely would’ve been the same had I joined Liam for dinner with his family, but this felt…different. Like this could be my family, too.
Was that more important to me than the building? I wasn’t sure if I was ready to admit the answer.
With Laura and Mark at the heads of the table, it was Marnie, me, Lily, and Hal on one side with Wes, Jules, Eliza, and Cooper on the other.
Mark cleared his throat once we were all seated. “I’m going to keep this short, because I know the food is why we’re all here, but I want to say how grateful I am that we’re all able to get together. That you decided to spend your Christmas with us, and that our table continues to get bigger. Jules and Gabe, we’re so glad to have a spot for you this year and for the years to come. This is one of my favorite days of the year, and it’s truly because of the people, so thank you.”
“I couldn’t have said it better, dear,” Laura echoed. “Now, let’s dig in before everything gets cold. There’s more of everything in the kitchen, too. And help yourself to whatever drink you want. Make yourselves at home.”
“Don’t mind if I do.” With a grin, Cooper reached for the mashed potatoes, setting off the rotation of food with nearly everyone grabbing a dish to start and passing it around.
I’d texted my parents Merry Christmas today, and last I checked, I hadn’t gotten a response. But…that was okay. In the past, it would’ve bothered me. I would’ve spent the whole day working, keeping busy because I didn’t want to sit with the fact that I would never getthistype of feeling over the holidays.
Turned out, this feeling was waiting for me in Golden Falls thanks to my grandfather, Lily, and a group of people that made me feel like a part of something.
