I stayed back for a moment, watching everyone settle in. As the scene unfolded in front of me, I took it in.
Scarlette climbed into the chair next to Austin, her little hand resting on his arm as she wiggled into place. “Can you help me cut my carrots?”
Austin nodded, his knife hesitating before slicing through the vegetables. His face crumpled just slightly, and emotion welled in his eyes as he tried to stay composed. Watching him care for her like this—it was raw and tender, and I couldn’t look away.
Across the table, Ollie sat beside Nova, his arm draped over the back of her chair like a silent promise. His fingers grazed her shoulder every so often. Nova leaned into him subtly, the air surrounding them speaking to a relationship between two people who had been through everything together.
Luna was sitting next to Dirks. She wasn’t even trying to hide the way she looked at him—like he was the only thing that mattered in the room. It was a look filled with longing, with history, with emotions too big for words. And Dirks, for all his usual cocky energy, had moments where he glanced back at her,his lips curving into a faint smile, like he knew exactly what she was thinking and felt it just as deeply.
I sat down slowly, my heart swelling. This wasn’t just a meal; it was something fragile and beautiful, like a moment suspended in time. My family—a patchwork of people I never could have imagined being together—was sitting around a table, sharing food, laughter, and something unspoken that felt like hope.
Halfway through dinner, a knock at the door broke the spell. Austin looked at me, his brow furrowed, questioning.
“I’m not expecting anyone,” I said, standing quickly and heading to the door.
When I opened it, the sight of my brother made me gasp. “Jacob,” I squealed, throwing my arms around him before he could say a word.
He hugged me tightly. “Had to come meet everyone.”
I grabbed his arm, pulling him into the dining room with pride. “Everyone, this is my brother, Jacob. Jacob, this is Nova, Scarlette, Ollie, Luna, and Dirks.”
Jacob smiled, his easy charm filling the room as he nodded to each of them. Austin stood and grabbed another chair, setting it at the corner of the table without hesitation.
After everyone had eaten their fill, we moved to the living room, laughter and warmth following us. Scarlette sat cross-legged on the floor, her face lighting up as we handed her the stack of presents we’d carefully chosen.
When she opened the paint-and-spin toy I’d picked out, she let out a little gasp, her excitement spilling over as she ran to me. She wrapped her small arms tightly around my waist and buried her face against me.
“Thank you, Charlie,” she said, her voice soft but filled with so much joy it made my throat tighten.
I held her close, my heart swelling so much it hurt. I looked around the room—at Austin’s soft smile, at Nova’s quiet pride, at Ollie’s steady presence, at Luna and Dirks whispering to each other on the couch—and tears stung my eyes.
This wasn’t perfect. It wasn’t clean or easy. It was real. It was messy and full of love, and it was ours.
47
austin
The night had been everything I could’ve hoped for, maybe more. By the time everyone started heading out, it was close to midnight. Scarlette was napping on the couch, her small frame curled up beneath a blanket. I couldn’t stop watching her, the quiet rise and fall of her chest grounding me in a way I didn’t expect.
“I should head out,” Jacob was the first to stand up.
Charlie followed and wrapped him in a hug. “Are you sure you don’t want to stay in the downstairs guest room? There is space.”
I couldn’t help but notice that she didn’t offer up Scarlette’s room. That washerroom.
“Nah. I’m going to stay at a hotel near the airport. I have to get on a flight in a couple hours.”
“Thank you for coming here. I know Mom will get upset,” Charlie whispered quietly so no one else could hear.
“Anytime, sister.” Jacob waved at everyone. “Nice meeting y’all.”
There was a chorus of goodbyes as we headed to the door.
“Thank you for coming,” I said and shook Jacob’s hand.
“I’ll be in town for the New Year. We should go out if you have the time.”
“I’d love that,” I replied.
