We were just finishing dinner with everyone when Janice practically jumped to her feet.“They’re here!”Her eyes were wide and shimmering with tears, her cheeks red as she excitedly ran out of the house.
“Please tell me she put her coat on,” Liberty said.
“I don’t think so,” Aunt Laura said.
“I got it.”I was already getting up.“She’s just excited to see her fiancé and little boy.I don’t blame her.”
“I’ll come.”Seth prepared to stand.
I waved him off.“No.Not right away.Let her enjoy her reunion with them.Can you bring over some food though?”
“Of course.”He got up and quickly went into the kitchen.
I grabbed Janice’s coat and nearly ran out the door.She was almost across the street by the time I spotted her.The cold wasn’t going to stop her from seeing her family.
A car sat in my driveway, behind my dad’s.I carefully weaved through all the vehicles filling Seth’s driveway and on the curb.His house wasn’t the only one flooded with vehicles.A good chunk of the street was filled with cars.
By the time I reached Janice, she was completely engulfed in a man’s hug.He was pretty big, wide, a little intimidating looking.
I stayed back far enough not to hear what were clearly loving endearments as he whispered to her and she gripped him, nodding.She was holding on to him like he was her lifeline.
She finally pulled away and the man frowned at her.“Where is your coat?”His voice was deep and warm, with an undertone of disapproval.I didn’t blame him.It was freezing outside and it was already affecting her.
“I have it here,” I finally spoke, holding out her coat.
The man—Ezi—finally looked at me.He glanced briefly at Janice and then back at me.He cleared his throat.“Thank you.”He took the coat and carefully tucked Janice inside of it.He even grabbed his own hat and pulled it over her head.“It’s too cold for you to be outside like this.”
“I was t-too excited,” she said, already shivering.“Where’s Rowan?”
He chuckled.“Napping in the backseat.It’s been a long day for him.”
“Come inside,” I said.“Seth is going to bring over some food for you guys.”
Ezi gave me an appreciative smile.“Thank you.”
“It’s the least I can do,” I mumbled, feeling a little off as I led the way into the house.Janice refused Ezi’s help as she grabbed the baby car seat and carried Rowan inside.
“Living room is there,” I motioned to him as we took off our coats and shoes.
Janice kicked her boots off quickly and went right inside.Ezi trailed after her, giving me a brief nod as he chased after his fiancé.I watched as she cried, taking her son out of his car seat and holding him close to her chest.He made a little baby sound but quickly settled down against her.
I left them alone, going into the kitchen and warming up the apple cider Seth had made.I remembered Janice mentioning he liked that drink.
Seth showed up a moment later with a huge tray of food.
“Whose stomach is all that going to fit into?”I asked.
“I briefly saw him, and I’m sure this isn’t enough.”
I laughed.
“He’s huge.I’m jealous.”
“Well,” I said, wrapping my arms around him.“You don’t need to.You’re plenty big enough.Anymore and it’ll be awkward trying to hug you.”
He wrapped his arms around me with a chuckle.“You know how to make me feel better.”
We quietly hung out in the kitchen, giving the space they needed.I knew it’d been hard on Janice to be away from Ezi and Rowan, especially around this time of year.
