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Her comment broke the spell and everyone started talking at once. Ellen and Bruce came forward first, taking the boxes from me and handing them off to Matt.
Then Ellen hugged me. “It’s so good to see you again, Dante.”
It was so genuine, so sweet, that if I were a weaker man, I might have cried.
“Son.” Bruce shook my hand.
“Mr. Cooper.”
“None of that. It’s Bruce, okay?”
That would take some getting used to. The other Cooper siblings greeted me and introduced me to their partners. I knew Gabe and Jake would be the hardest to say hello to, with so much broken history between us. Lucy quietly stepped away, helping her small nieces add our pile of presents to those already under the tree, asking her mom if she needed any help in the kitchen. It was a thoughtful gesture that gave me the space I needed to greet my old best friend with a bit more privacy.
The last time I’d seen Jake, he was lying broken in a hospital bed, a crisp white bandage around his head and his face all swollen. I felt a rush of emotions at seeing him again, looking so much older, but healthy and still familiar. “Hey, man.”
“Hi.” We shook hands, but it didn’t seem like enough, so I pulled him in for a hug, giving him a hearty clap on the back. “It’s good to see you,” he said, slapping my back in return.
“Likewise.”
“We’ve got a lot to catch up on.”
“We sure do. Hey, Gabe.”
“Hey. Good to see you.”
“Thanks. You too.”
“Pleeeeeasecan we open the presents now. I’m being so patient and it hurts my tummy.”
Everyone laughed at Elissa’s little girl, who I found out was called Chloe. Ellen directed me to sit on the sofa next to Lucy, while Bruce put on a Santa hat and started handing out presents. And just like that, I had become part of the Cooper family Christmas.
I couldn’t deny it, I liked it. A lot.
Very conscious that we had to look like a blissfully in love, newlywed couple, I put my arm along the back of the sofa, behind Lucy, so that she was tucked right into my side. I thought I heard her breath hitch, but she didn’t pull away. I managed to resist the almost overwhelming urge to pick up a lock of her hair and twirl it around my finger.
“That’s so perfect for her,” she breathed softly when Ellen unwrapped the cream cashmere sweater I’d bought her. Bruce seemed pretty pleased with his antique spirit level, which made me happy. That had been the hardest gift to find. I was surprised at how much pleasure I got watching everyone open the various presents I’d brought. The only person who got regular gifts from me was Stef, and we usually didn’t have the luxury of being together when she opened them.
Matt’s fiancée Zara seemed to be thrilled with the portable pizza oven I gave them, pulling out her phone and taking a picture. “Ally loves these, so get ready for a patio pizza party every other weekend when the weather is good.”
“Oh, this is so thoughtful.” Claire and Jen pored over the baby box I got, pulling out every item in turn and oohing and aahing over each one. And Elissa was almost more excited than her twins at the family pass for a nearby fun park.
I felt a little uncomfortable watching Jake and Gabe open their presents, especially when they both went quiet, holding the shirts in their hands and just staring at them. Signed Charlotte Knights shirts. Each signed by Jake and Gabe’s respective favorite players from when we used to hang out. We’d spent a lot of time going to games together.
“Where did you get these?” Jake asked.
“Online.”
“Thanks, man. Amazing.”
“No problem.”
Gabe got up and shook my hand. “Thanks for this. You’ll have to come to a game with us.”
“Sounds great.”
Before I could say anything more, an ear-splitting scream tore through the air. “Oh my god, Chloe, what’s the matter?” Elissa hurriedly handed her baby off to her husband and jumped to her feet.
“A Bluey onesie! My favorite! Look, Mila! Can we put them on right now, Mommy?” She waved around the blue hooded onesie like a victory flag.
