AllFreeNovel
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“You don’t even like baseball.” Myles pulls his sister under his arm, scrubbing his knuckles over the top of her head.
“If I did, it would only be to root for your rival.”
The bickering is so casual and familiar, it’s like they’re speaking their own language. This is how Matthew learned that fighting is okay as long as you have each other’s backs.I suppose he taught me that too.
He squeezes my hand as we admire his siblings’ creations.
Mary and Jack areoohingandaahingas we walk through the museum of snow creatures.
Mitchell and Theo made a pair of snow angels holding hands. Maya and James crafted a simple snowman in flannel gear holding up a tiny tree with an axe leaning at its side. Mac and Korina’s snowman has a guitar and a tattoo, while Madison and Gabby used paint to give their snowman a retro, tie-dye vibe.It’s adorable.
We end up in front of our array of snowmen.
Mary beams. “It’s our family.”
“How’d you get Mac’s hair so green?” Korina kneels, inspecting the snow.
“A packet of Jell-O,” I laugh.
Myles feigns a huff, his nose bright red. “I’m not that round in my midsection, am I?”
“Let it go, Myles.” Helene gives him a hug, her own cheeks looking flushed beneath the deep brown of her skin. “You guys nailed it.”
Mary and Jack share a knowing look, one only a couple who has been married for forty years could understand. A look that’s sweet and tender. As Jack leans in to kiss Mary’s cheek, her entire face lights ups like a thousand suns, radiating with joy and love.
I want that with Matthew for the rest of my life.
And I’m going to have it.
“Wonderful job.” Mary reaches her hand to mine, giving it a squeeze. “We’re ready to announce a winner.”
“Please return last year’s trophy,” Jack says.
Theo and Mitchell reluctantly hand the trophy over to Jack. Mitchell winks at me. “Good luck.”
“This year’s competition was intense,” Jack’s voice booms. “The battle was bloody, the sweat was real, and the tears were…well, let’s just say there were tears.”
“For the last time, I wasn’t crying! I got hit with a branch,” Maya groans.
“Our two eldest had the closest race.” Mary holds up the trophy, and all of the siblings collectively hold their breath.
Myles places his arm around his wife, who’s nervously biting her lip.
“Ladies and gentlemen, the moment you’ve all been waiting for. The winners of this year’s Hudson Family Olympics are…” Jack pauses, letting the tension build. “Matthew and Molly!”
Everyone erupts into thunderous applause, cheering and whistling. I barely register the words as my feet lift off the ground.
“We did it!” Matthew says, spinning me around the deck. “I knew we had it in us.”
I land back on the deck, smiling brightly. “I don’t know, Matthew,” I tease. “I think I carried us to victory.”
The group bursts into laughter, and Matthew showers my face with kisses. I’m dizzy with happiness.
“Mattie has finally won.” Myles slaps his brother on the back, dragging him into a bear hug. “Get over here, Miss Molly Greene. You were a fierce competitor.”
Matthew pulls me to his side, and then suddenly everyone’s arms are draping around us.
My heart is bursting with so much love. I never want this day to end.
