Caleb steps inside with a shy smile and a red gift bag. The golden-boy football star looks almost nervous as he hands it to Grace.
She opens it and shows us a tennis bracelet with charms.
“Merry Christmas,” he says quietly.
Grace beams and thrusts her own gift into his hands, a signed football from his favorite NFL player. His jaw drops.
“No way. Grace. This is…holy…”
But he doesn’t finish, because she tugs him down for a quick kiss.
A collective chorus erupts behind us:
Cas:“Too long.”
Dex:“Way too long.”
Jace:“Tongue? Did I see tongue? Caleb, buddy, we need to talk.”
Jude:silent death glare
Ethan:“Grace, we said no making out under Mom’s roof.”
Grace flips all five brothers off without missing a beat.
Lily gasps.
Josh tries, and fails, not to laugh.
We’re still teasing them when the door opens again.
Asher steps inside, leaning heavily on crutches, his leg wrapped in a thick cast from thigh to ankle. Behind him, Leona walks in on sharp heels, slim, polished, and looking like she took a wrong turn on her way to New York Fashion Week.
“Asher!” Lily rushes to him, hugging him carefully.
He winces but laughs.“Good to see you too, Lily.”
We all shuffle into the dining room. The long table is covered in red and gold, candles glowing, bowls and platters steaming. Everyone squeezes in.
Grace sits between Caleb and Penny.
Asher sits with Leona curled tightly against his side.
I’m next to Ethan, Mia on my other side.
When everyone is seated, Josh stands, clears his throat, and starts the Christmas blessing. Laughter dies, the family listens to him with a reverence that always warms me.
But the moment he finishes and everyone digs back in, after a while, Asher wipes his mouth and pushes up a bit straighter.
“I, uh… want to say something.”
Forks pause midair.
All eyes turn to him.
He exhales, bracing.
“I consider you all my family,” he begins, voice unsteady.“I practically grew up with you. So I wanted to share this news here… with the people who matter.”
