The doorway is framed by a massive archway of pine branches, velvet red ribbon, and shimmering ornaments. Glitter dusts everything, like someone shook the entire jar for fun. Even the air smells like pine and warm sugar.
Then I see it.
The table.
Stretching from one end of the living room to the other, long enough to fit the entire chaotic, loud, loving Hawthorne clan. It looks like something out of a luxury Christmas magazine.
A thick runner of evergreen garland runs down the middle, woven with red berries, golden ornaments, pinecones, and real candles flickering softly. Twinkle lights snake through the greenery, giving everything a warm glow.
Every place setting is perfect, white plates with gold rims, cloth napkins tied with ribbon, and nestled on top of each plate is a sparkling Christmas ornament, each one etched with a name in swirling script:
Josh. Lily. Ethan. Dex. Cas. Penny. Jude. Jace. Grace. Mia. Summer.
My name glitters back at me.
There are candles everywhere, big ones, small ones, lanterns, tea lights. The soft golden light makes the whole room feel like a warm hug.
And the food, oh God, the food.
Lily has laid out enough dishes to feed half of Wyoming. A roast glistening with herbs, bowls of honeyed carrots, cheesyscalloped potatoes, fluffy rolls stacked high, salads sprinkled with cranberries and pecans, glazed ham, and an entire section just for desserts. It smells like heaven. Like comfort. Like belonging.
Along the far wall, a mini Christmas village glows, complete with tiny carolers and a train humming in circles around it. A life-sized plush polar bear sits by the fireplace wearing a Santa hat, and stockings embroidered with everyone’s names hang from the mantel, even mine and Mia’s.
Mia squeals and runs straight into the snow, slipping, laughing, pointing at everything with wild excitement.
I stand frozen, overwhelmed, a knot forming in my throat.
Ethan slides up behind me, arms wrapping around my waist, chin resting on my shoulder.
“I want this to be the best Christmas you’ve ever had,” he whispers, warm and sincere.
I turn to him, heart full.
“Ethan… the fact that I’m with you already made it the best Christmas I ever had.”
And in the center, the Hawthorne men stand proudly like they built the actual North Pole.
Mia spins in a circle, arms wide.“It’s magic, Mommy!”
???
We all take our seats at the table and Lily is glowing, clearly in her element.
Josh stands to say grace, and everyone grabs hands. Ethan squeezes mine under the table.
After“amen,” chaos erupts instantly.
Dex points at Jace.“Are you wearing cologne at the dinner table? Who you trying to impress, Santa?”
Jace flips his hair.“If Santa’s helper is a hot girl, I’m not opposed.”
Everyone groans.
Cas nudges Penny.“Tell them about how you tried to make gravy for tonight.”
Penny throws a roll at him.“Shut up, Cas!”
Grace laughs so hard she nearly spills her drink.“Cas, the gravy was gray. GRAY.”
