Walking out from backstage, I’m met by my parents and Andi. All three of them wrap me in a hug before stepping back, revealing Everett behind them.
A large bouquet of anemones is in his hand, and his body crashes into mine as we wrap each other in an embrace.
“You were stunning, Sugar,” he says, pulling back but not letting me go. He bends down, his lips finding mine, and from behind us, I hear my sister let out a dramatic “Awwwww.”
“Could you not ruin our moment?” I quip, looking over to where she stands.
“What kind of little sister would I be if I didn’t?” she retorts, smirking.
“How are you feeling?” Everett asks.
“Tired, but really proud of myself,” I say, letting him go and taking the bouquet of flowers.
“You should be, Claire Bear,” my dad boasts.
I offer them a smile. “Thank you all for coming. It means the world.”
“We wouldn’t have missed it,” Andi says.
“No place I’d rather be,” Everett adds.
He pulls me against him again, kissing the top of my head.
“What do you say we get out of here and go have some Christmas dinner?” my mom says.
“Yes, carbs sound like exactly what I need.”
We walk outside with my family. My feet and body ache in ways I didn’t know they could. Exhaustion covers my every move as I pull my coat tight around me.
“We’ll see you at your apartment?” my dad asks as a cab pulls up next to the sidewalk.
“Yep, we will be right behind you,” I reply.
We watch as they climb in, and then Everett lifts his arm, hailing one for us. The yellow car whips in and out of the passing traffic, coming to a sudden halt next to the curb. Everett opens the door, and I slide in. He follows me, and I give the driver my address.
Leaning against him, I try to relax on the shortdrive, already dreaming about the warm bath I’m going to take once the Christmas celebrations are over.
“Having a good Christmas?” the cab driver asks when we’re a few blocks away from my building.
“Maybe the best ever,” I say, nestling against Everett. “You?”
She pulls the cab to the curb and flips around. Everett’s breath catches next to me, as we both spot her pink strands poking out from beneath her winter hat.
“It’s been absolutely magical,” she beams, winking one of her violet eyes in our direction. “Merry Christmas, you two.”
“Merry Christmas,” I say, and both Everett and I move from the car, hand-in-hand. We join my family, who’s waiting at the bottom of my steps, and my whole body warms at the thought that the people I love the most are all together on my favorite day of the year—absolutely magical indeed.
Epilogue
Claire
One Year Later - Early December
The snow falls all around us as Everett and I maze down the street with our goldendoodle, Mac, exploring West Village together. The store window displays are decorated for Christmas, and the neighborhood is busy with people coming and going. Their hands are full of shopping bags, and everyone, but us, seems to be in a hurry.
“Mom and Dad said they are excited to see you perform,” he says as we move around a couple of tourists staring at their phones in the middle of the sidewalk.
“I’m really excited they get to come this year,” I say, squeezing his hand. “I think it’s going to be a lot of fun to have everyone together.”
