AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Why, yes it is. You’re a pretty smart girl!” gushed Gale, finally offering Evie the paper towel.
“Thank you, Nana.”
Hearing the words roll off Evie’s tongue so naturally and unsuspectingly was almost more than she could bear. Sheturned away from them, cutting off the water before reaching for the paper towels herself.
“Evie, I’ll be right back,” she barely managed as she hurried out of the kitchen. She breezed by Mitzi, who was making her way back into the room, but she was too choked up to offer anexcuse me. In a split-second decision to stop at the bathroom or head back outside, Nora-Jean kept going until she was through the door and down the porch steps.
“Nora,” called Mitzi for what might have been the first or fifth time, she wasn’t sure.
“I’m fine. Just need a minute,” she replied from over her shoulder.
“You need a minute outside? Without a jacket? It’s not nearly as cold as a Christmas in Brooklyn, but it’s far from balmy.”
Her voice grew closer as she did, and she stopped only when she was standing beside Nora.
Quickly wiping at her cheeks, she reiterated, “I’m fine.”
“Babe, you’recryin’.” Mitzi wrapped an arm around Nora’s waist as she pressed, “What’s wrong?”
Nora closed her eyes and sighed. “I forgot how much I loved them. All of them. Lawson, his parents…or maybe I didn’t so much forget as I shoved it so far back into my memory, I couldn’t remember.”
“You remembered enough to get you here,” said Mitzi as she gave Nora a squeeze. “And that’s the beauty of it. You’re finally right back where you belong. Everyone knows it. And the best part? I get to be here to see it.”
“Hey—what’s goin’ on out here?”
Only Mitzi turned at the sound of Lawson’s voice. Nora futilely wiped at her tear-streaked face as she attempted to pull herself together.
“Nothin’ a little more lovin’ won’t fix,” answered Mitzi before she let go of Nora. “See you both inside.”
Mitzi’s arm was gone for hardly more than a second before it was replaced by two strong arms circling around her waist and pulling her back into the warmth of his chest. He then leaned down until his chin was resting on her shoulder and said, “Mom’s worried she’s upset you.”
“Upset me?” Nora scoffed as her tears came faster. “Aunt Darlene is the closest thing Evie’s ever had to a grandma. Do you know what she calls my mother?Nothing. She doesn’t even know who she is because Earlene remains the most selfish person on the face of the planet.
“You—you know better than anyone what kind of life I always wanted to give my children. And in so many ways, I let myself down and I’ve let Evie down, because I couldn’t give her a family I didn’t have. But hearin’ her call your mom Nana….”
Nora couldn’t finish her sentence, the sob in her throat finally breaking free. Nevertheless, she’d said more than enough for Lawson to understand. He tightened his hold around her and kissed the side of her face, allowing her a moment to wring out her emotions.
“Let’s get a couple things straight, baby. You haven’t failed Evelyn. Not gonna lie, I don’t know that many kids, but she’s the kindest, smartest, most polite and thoughtful one I’ve ever met. That’s all you—you hear me? She’s not a product of failure.
“If anyone should hold the blame of failure, it should be me for bein’ four and a half years late—but I’m here now, and I’m not goin’ anywhere. I swear to you, so long as there is air in my lungs, I’m yours and you’re mine. That makes Evelyn mine, too.” Lowering his voice to a whisper, he concluded, “And, baby—my family’s yours. You know that better than anyone. You hearin’ me?”
Nora nodded and sniffed, wiping at her nose with the paper towel she still had wadded up in her hand. Seemingly satisfiedwith her response, Lawson dipped his head and pressed a kiss against her neck before he loosened his grip around her.
“Dry those eyes, songbird. Time to head back. Dinner’s gettin’ cold.”
It took Nora another minute before they made their way inside. By the time they entered the dining room, everyone was seated and patiently waiting. After they filled the last two available seats—situated between Keaton and Gale, opposite Jay, Mitzi, and Steele, and beside Evie—Keaton said grace and they all dug in without a word spoken about Nora’s emotional exit.
For this, she was extremely grateful.
As for the food, it was even better than she remembered.
This was the best Christmas on record for Nora-Jean. She’d had happy Christmases before—with Lawson and his family; with Evie and her aunt and uncle—but having the two worlds collide was something close to a dream come true. Add to that her best friend not simply in town but now part of the Steele family traditions herself, Nora wouldn’t dare ask for more.
After dinner had been consumed, dishes done, and leftovers stored; after gifts had been exchanged—including the first envelope of cash Evie had ever been given, which she wasthrilledabout; and after everyone had settled in the family room to watch the Packers play the Colts—it was time for Mitzi and Steele to leave for her parents’ house. As they got up to gather their things, Nora got up, too, needing a quick word with her friend.
“Hey, do you have that extra key to my apartment on you?”
“Yeah. Did you need it back?” she asked as she began to dig through her purse.
