“Everyone,” I slid my palm against his and interlaced our fingers, “This is Anthony.” I jutted my chin where Dad and Bri sat with Chris and Uncle Billy. “You know them.” He smiled and nodded a hello.
“Drew, this is Anthony,” I said as I led him over to the other side of the table. “Anthony, this is my other father Drew, and DeDe and Bruce.”
“Bruce as in Bruce Wayne?” Anthony asked Bruce. “That’s pretty awesome.”
My little brother beamed as DeDe looked us over with narrowed eyes.
“Bruce Kostas, but that’s where my dad got my name!”
“Nice to meet you, sir.” Anthony extended his hand to Drew. It lingered for a long minute before he took it.
“Really, Drew?” My mother huffed behind him. “Nice to meet you, Anthony.”
“Pleasure to meet you too, Mrs. Kostas.”
“Sara,” Mom smiled and squeezed his arm.
“But you can callme, Mr. Kostas.” Drew said, still regarding Anthony with a scowl.
“No one calls you Mr. Kostas, Drew.” I rolled my eyes and spied the twitch of his lips.
“I’m very glad you’re joining us, tonight. Food is coming out soon, so have a seat with Victoria, and I’ll be right out.” Mom headed into the kitchen while Anthony and I sat between my two families.
“Clear night?” Dad asked Anthony.
“It is. Finally. Not a cloud in the sky.”
I crinkled my nose as they both smiled at some kind of private joke.
“It was flurrying when we walked here from the subway station.”
Anthony reached across the back of my chair and kissed my cheek. “Not those kinds of clouds, sweetheart.”
“Thank you for being here.” I slid my hand to the nape of his neck and pulled him in for a quick kiss.
“Ew, Victoria is kissing a boy!” My sister’s lips twisted in disgust.
Anthony rested his forehead against my temple.
“Should I tell her this boy is hopelessly in love with her sister and intends to kiss her,everywhere, as soon as dinner is over,” he whispered in my ear, all the tiny hairs on the back of my neck rising from the heat of his words.
“Her sister is hopelessly in love with you back. Merry Christmas, Anthony.”
He lifted his head, a wide and peaceful smile stretching his lips. I’d never seen him truly relaxed and happy, and it was breathtaking.
“It is now.”
Epilogue
Anthony - Six Months Later
“Stop moving,”I told Victoria when she tried to lean over. “I’ll mess up.”
“The great Anthony Diaz could never mess up,” she teased. “You’ve been at it for an hour and I’ve been a good girl. I just want a peek.”
“You said you trusted me,” I lifted my head to her narrowed green eyes. “It’s a little late to doubt me, isn’t it?”
“I don’t doubt you, I’m just curious. You have to admit I’ve been good. I didn’t cry or anything.”
