Raven crossed her arms. “Don’t give me a hard time about Charlie. Whatever happens in there, I’m doing my best. I need you to have my back on this.”
They all stared at the door to the apartment above the Three Sisters. No one moved.
“Avery, give me the gifts. They’ll hide my flat stomach until I can break the news gently.”
“Oh hell.” Clarissa released a heavy sigh. “Let’s do this.”
None of them even had to knock. As if by some sixth sense, Mom opened the door the moment they reached it and squealed with unbridled joy. “Merry Christmas! Oh, I’m so happy you’re finally here! Come in! Come in!”
Gabriel glanced at Raven and tucked Charlie into his chest like a football.
“Merry Christmas!” Raven accepted a one-armed hug from her mom around the gifts. She’d missed her mother, and as Avery and Clarissa took their turns hugging her, she couldn’t help but feel a wave of nostalgia for the cramped, brightly colored kitchen that used to be the heart of their home. Less than a year ago, she’d lived here, swaddled in the unconditional love of her mother and Avery. It hadn’t all been roses, but it was what she’d needed to get her life back after her illness. The apartment seemed smaller now, but also cozy and safe. Maybe this would be okay.
“Mom, there’s something I have to tell you,” Raven said.
Her mom raised a finger. “Actually, there’s something I have to tell you—all of you—and I’m afraid it can’t wait.” Her honey-brown curls bounced over one shoulder as her perfectly shaped red lips spread into a wide smile. Come to think of it, her mother’s makeup was exceptionally on point, and she was dressed in an emerald-green jumpsuit Raven had never seen before.
“Mom, you look great, but you didn’t have to get all dressed up for us,” Avery said. “We thought this was casual.” She gestured to her own jeans and lightweight Christmas sweater.
Clarissa smiled politely and zeroed in on Sarah’s left hand. “That ring is gorgeous. Is that new?”
Everyone stopped. Raven stared at the diamond on her mother’s finger. “No…”
“Yes!” Sarah squealed. “David, come in here.”
Raven’s mouth dropped open as her father stepped into the door of the kitchen, wearing a suit and tie. She didn’t miss the fact that his hair was gelled.
David smiled nervously at everyone. “I guess the cat’s out of the bag.”
Avery made a sound like a cough. “What cat? What bag? Why is Dad here? You didn’t say anything about Dad coming to Christmas. I didn’t even know you were speaking to each other.”
Sarah shrugged. “We got back together. He lives here now.”
“You what?” Raven couldn’t believe her ears.
“Maybe we should go into the living room and have a drink,” Sarah suggested.
“Congratulations!” Clarissa looked positively uncomfortable, and Raven and Avery pinned her with a barbed stare. Up until a few months ago, she hadn’t known Sarah was her biological mother and, as the newest member of the family, still didn’t fully appreciate the family dynamic. Raven’s father had abandoned and divorced her mother when Raven was on her deathbed and had proved himself a selfish ass time and time again.
“No.” Avery shook her head at their sister, her voice low.
Sarah folded her arms. “Avery Lynn Tanglewood, did you just tell Clarissa not to wish us congratulations? I’d say congratulations are perfectly in order. We’re getting remarried.”
Avery tossed up her hands. “What? Mom, how could this happen?”
Raven glanced at Gabriel, who stood positively still, Charlie sleeping in his arms. “Maybe Mom’s right. Maybe we should go into the living room and have a drink. I need a drink. I think we all need a drink.”
“It’s really not that surprising,” her mom continued. “You three were gone. David and I spent more and more time together. The pressure was off. One thing led to another.”
Avery scowled. “Eww.”
“Eww?” David said, wagging his finger at her. “Eww? That eww once led to all of you!”
Clarissa tucked her hair behind her ears. “Speaking of… um, nice to meet you, by the way.”
Sarah froze. “Oh my god, that’s right! You two have never actually met, I mean, as adults. Oh my god. We’ve gone about this all out of order.”
Clarissa and David stared at each other, each jerking forward as if they were trying to decide if it was appropriate for them to hug. David smoothed his tie. “It’s such a privilege to finally meet you.”
