“Hey, Aaron,” Hunter called as Aaron reached the kitchen doorway.
Aaron stopped and looked back.
“Yeah?”
“What are your plans for today?”
“I’ll head over to the folks tonight.”
“Good.” Hunter smiled. “Because I want you to come to Christmas lunch with my family.”
Aaron hesitated before he stepped back into the kitchen. “Are you sure that’s a good idea?” he said as he approached.
“Yes.” There wasn’t an ounce of doubt in Hunter’s mind. “I’m refuse to hide like I’ve done in the past. I’m not going to run away from confrontation. And today’s Christmas, so I’m going to spend it with the people I love.”
Aaron took his hands. “Maybe we should give them time?”
“They’ve had enough time. We’ve paid the price long enough. I don’t want to waste another minute. Look, I’m laying my cards on the table here. I want you to come and spend the day with me, but I also don’t want to put you in an uncomfortable position. If you don’t want to come, I understand.”
Aaron squeezed his hands. “I’ll come with you.”
“If they’re rude, we’ll leave. I won’t put you through that.”
That’s how they found themselves entering the Cavendish home, Hunter in borrowed clothes with his arms full of gifts that Aaron insisted they pick up from Artisan.
Judging from the sounds, the family was in the family room, so Hunter and Aaron made their way out back. They stood in the doorway a moment. The kids were on the floor surrounded by wrapping paper. Brooke and Fred were on the rug with them, trying to keep some sense of order. His parents sat side by side on the sofa, and his grandparents each had an armchair. With the huge Christmas tree and the decorated room, it looked like a perfect Hallmark family moment.
Hunter took a deep breath and stepped into the room, hanging on to Aaron’s hand for dear life and pulling him with him.
All conversation stopped as his parents looked at them. The silence continued for a moment and was just bordering on uncomfortable. Hunter opened his mouth to speak, but before he could get a word out, his mother rose, and the kids noticed them at the same time.
“Uncle Hunter!”
“Hunter, I’m so glad you’re here. We wondered where you disappeared to. But now, of course, I see.” She crossed the room, and in habit, he leaned to kiss her cheek. He was surprised when she pulled him in for a hug. “Merry Christmas, darling.”
“Merry Christmas, Mom.”
She turned to Aaron. “Thank you for joining us, Aaron. Merry Christmas.”
“And to you, Mrs. Cavendish.”
She waved a hand. “Pfft. Please call me Melody.”
“Are those presents for us?” Gabby asked, pulling on Hunter’s sweater. “Santa already gave us some, and we have heaps more under the tree.”
“Yeah, come and see, Uncle Hunter,” Cameron said.
“Wow, that’s a great-looking truck,” Aaron said. “Can I take a look?” He bent to look at the bright yellow dump truck that Cameron had grasped in his hands.
“You want to see how it works?”
“I’d love to.” Aaron ruffled his hair and gave Hunter an apologetic shrug as Cameron tugged him over to the rug. He looked right at home, cross-legged on the floor with the younger generation of the Cavendish family.
Hunter put the presents under the tree and then exchanged Christmas greetings with the rest of the family, some more enthusiastic than others, but the children’s exuberance more than made up for his grandparents’ and father’s lackluster welcome.
“I’ll go get some more eggnog,” his mom said. “Or perhaps you’d prefer coffee. Hunter, come help me in the kitchen.”
Oh no. Here goes.
