The band started playing—something upbeat and jazzy that immediately got people moving toward the makeshift dance floor. Evelyn watched as her employees, people she saw every day in their professional capacity, transformed into actual human beings having actual fun.
It was strange. Wonderful, but strange.
“Dance with me,” Alyssa said suddenly.
Evelyn blinked. “What?”
“Dance with me,” Alyssa repeated, holding out her hand. “You’ve been standing on the sidelines all night. Time to actually participate in your own party.”
“I don’t really dance,” Evelyn protested weakly.
“Neither do I,” Alyssa said.
Against her better judgment, Evelyn took Alyssa’s hand.
The dance floor was already crowded with people from various departments, all mixing together in a way that would have been unthinkable at a normal work function. Marketing was dancing with IT. Accounting was attempting some kind of coordinated line dance with HR. It was chaotic and joyful and completely ridiculous.
Evelyn loved it.
They danced through two songs before Bug decided he’d been patient long enough and inserted himself between them, demanding attention.
“Subtle as always,” Alyssa muttered, but she was smiling as she bent down to pet him. “You should be at home with your friends.”
Evelyn excused herself to check on the other aspects of the party, moving through the crowd with slightly more confidence than before. She stopped to chat with various employees, and this time, she actually listened. Actually engaged.
Tom cornered her near the dessert table, practically vibrating with enthusiasm. “The marketing team wants to do a photo booth,” he said. “Can we? Please? I brought props.”
“You brought props to a Christmas party?” Evelyn asked, amused despite herself.
“I’m always prepared,” Tom said seriously. “I have reindeer antlers, Santa hats, and—” he pulled something from his bag with a flourish, “—matching ugly Christmas sweaters for anyone who wants them.”
“That’s…” Evelyn searched for the right word. “Extremely thorough.”
“So can we?” Tom asked hopefully.
Evelyn glanced around, finding Alyssa across the room. Their eyes met, and Alyssa gave her a small nod of encouragement.
“Yes,” Evelyn said. “Set it up near the entrance. And make sure Bug gets his own photo session.”
Tom’s face lit up like she’d just given him the best gift of his life. “You’re the best boss ever!”
He scampered off, and Evelyn found herself smiling.
The party continued, and Evelyn found herself relaxing into it. She sampled the Festive Fusion Tacos (which were, admittedly, delicious). She judged an impromptu ugly sweatercontest that Tom had organised. She even participated in a group photo where Bug sat front and centre, looking incredibly pleased with himself.
At one point, she found herself standing next to Maggie, both of them watching the dance floor.
“You did good, kid,” Maggie said.
“Alyssa did good,” Evelyn corrected.
“You both did,” Maggie said firmly. “Your mother would have loved this. The energy, the connection, the way everyone’s actually talking to each other instead of hiding in their departmental silos.”
Evelyn felt that familiar ache in her chest, but this time it was accompanied by something else. Something that felt almost like peace.
“I miss her,” Evelyn said quietly.
“I know,” Maggie replied. “But she’s here, in a way. In the way you’re leading this company. In the way you brought everyone together tonight. That’s her legacy, Evelyn. And you’re honouring it.”
