Lola’s hand finds mine under the table as we all settle in. She’s watching everything—I know we’re a lot. Our household was always a loud one, and with significant others and kids being added all the time, it’s overwhelming in the best way. I love the chaos, but I keep checking in to see if she’s okay, and she hasn’t stopped smiling.
We have all the good stuff. Both grandmas try to ply me with green bean casserole and Lutheran Jell-O, and I am a no-go on either of those dishes, but everything else is top-notch.
“Oh! Who made the Lutheran Jell-O today?” Milo asks.
“It was me,” Grandma Donna says quietly, peering around to look at him.
“It’s delicious!” He looks around at me and my siblings likeNo, really, it is.“It hasmandarin orangesin it,” he says emphatically.
That generates a little buzz, and we all give it a go. It starts out great…
“Grandma!” Goldie says, taking a bite. “This is so—” She pauses, and her expression changes, her eyes widening. She starts chewing really fast and swallows, taking a long drink of her water. “What wasthat?” she hisses under her breath.
I subtly cough into my napkin and spit out whatever I just came across.
Grandma Donna smiles, tickled to share. “I thought throwing a little shrimp in there would be fun. A little tropical touch to our chilly day.”
Goldie shoots daggers at Milo.
“I hadn’t gotten to the shrimp yet,” he says apologetically.
The stories get louder with every glass of wine. Hal praises Grandma Donna’s Jell-O like it’s a work of art, while I overhear Hector telling Grandma Nancy that she’s the reason the lake stays so blue.
I have got to start taking notes from these fellas. Their game isstrong.
Grandma Nancy pretends to be exasperated, but she laughs harder than I’ve seen in years.
Lola eats slowly, savoring every bite, her knee pressed to mine. “This is such a delicious meal,” she says. “My mom always orders our Thanksgiving meal from one of our really nice restaurants, and it’s good, but it doesn’t touch this.”
“We do have an award-winning chef in the family,” Dad brags, grinning at Camden.
“I only brought one dish,” Camden says. “We have afamily of good cooks, as you can see.” He grins at Lola and then turns to look at Juju. “And we’re about to add another amazing chef to the family. Sooner than you think.”
Everyone starts talking at once.
Dad taps his wineglass. “Are you trying to tell us something, son?”
“Juju and I have decided we don’t want a long, drawn-out engagement.” Camden glances at me. “Tully, I looked at your schedule. Do you think you could make it back for a wedding a week from Sunday?”
“Uh, if you say I’m off, then absolutely.”
Everyone laughs.
“What about everyone else? Think we could pull that off?” Juju says, leaning forward to look at everyone.
“Are you kidding? We will be there!” Goldie says.
Juju shimmies in her seat. “Okay, we’re gonna have the best party!” Her eyes meet Lola’s. “I hope you can come too, Lola. Please say yes if it’s at all possible.” Her eyebrows lift expectantly.
“Oh. Really?” Lola touches her neck. “Thank you. I’d love to!”
When there’s a lull, she turns to me, eyes shining. “This is…I don’t even have words. Your family is incredible.”
I brush a strand of hair off her face. “I always knew you’d fit right in.”
Her smile wobbles. “You think so?”
“No question,” I say, leaning over to kiss her.
