I laughed against his chest, feeling utterly happy. “Let’s do it.”
Will picked me up and hugged me tight, kissing my nose.
I let out a deep breath, feeling the weight of everything settle in, the life we were building, the home we were standing in, and the future we were stepping into together.
CHAPTER 48
THE RIGHT KIND OF IMPERFECT
NATALIE
Will and I had quietly decided we were going to elope—just the two of us—this coming spring. We didn’t want the stress or spotlight of a wedding. Cabo was the plan, and Will would take care of the details. We’d tell everyone once we got back. We were still debating whether to include Meredith and Evan, but we figured we’d decide closer to the date.
It was Christmas Eve, and we were hosting the holiday at our new home. We had Will’s kids with us this year, while Bebe and James would be spending the night at Jason and Brooke’s—but everyone was coming over for dinner. It would be my first Christmas morning without them, which tugged at my heart a little. Still, I was so grateful to have Will’s kids this year.
It was Kelly’s first Christmas without her children, too. We were all doing our best to show up for each other and navigate this blended version of family. I told her she was more thanwelcome to come by in the morning, even though I had a feeling she wouldn’t. But tonight, she’d be here. Everyone would.
When the renovations were finally complete, we each sold our homes. Thankfully within a day, thanks to the California market, so we didn’t have to live through the construction phase.
Letting go of my house was bittersweet. It had been my home with Jason. But the kids were genuinely excited about the new place, which helped ease the transition. James was thrilled about the basketball court and about having brothers. Bebe and I had decorated her room together, complete with a little vanity, a ballet barre with a mirror, and a window seat piled with big pillows and bookshelves behind it. It was her cozy little hideaway.
Ivy and I worked on her room too. She loved art, so we set up an easel by the window where she could paint in the natural light. She said it made her feel grown-up.
In Madison’s room, we hung the large horse portrait above her bed and arranged her ribbons. She had a bulletin board with photos of her friends and one of us. It was from the horse show I went to with Will, the one she’d won. He had taken the picture, and I was genuinely touched that she’d put it up.
The boys weren’t particularly interested in decorating, but they gave me a few ideas. They were all into sports, so I tied that into each of their rooms. Carter and Chase didn’t seem to mind sharing, they had their own space and were genuinely easy going about it.
The kitchen was a dream. White cabinets, two glass-front fridges, one stocked with food, the other with drinks. I told Will we’d need to keep them pretty since everything was on display.
In the family room, I added a wood beam to the ceiling to give it warmth. The fireplace sat at the center of the room, cozy and inviting, and our oversized sectional fit our large, wonderfully chaotic family.
We’d built a small pool house in the backyard that doubled as our guest room—also known as Meredith’s room. The downstairs guest bedroom had become my office, which meant we were able to keep the dining room intact. Tonight would be our first time using it.
Kelly and Jeff were coming. So were Brooke and Jason, Will’s parents, Meredith, Evan, Sarah, and Todd. Sarah was five months pregnant and glowing, and the kids were buzzing with excitement over their soon-to-be cousin.
I had the table set beautifully. I was proud of it. Since our group was so big, I set up a kids’ table in the foyer next to the dining room so we could all be close and in the same space.
When Will came downstairs and saw everything, he grinned.
“Watch out, Martha Stewart,” he said.
“Thank you, ‘Home & Garden’ magazine,” I replied.
We’d given Bebe and James their gifts the night before and had a cozy evening watching “Home Alone,” just the four of us. We told them Santa would be visiting their dad’s house this year.
Meredith and Evan had dinner together last night, and she stayed at his place. They didn’t arrive until nearly four.
“Hello, you two,” I said when they walked in.
“The couple in denial,” Will teased.
Evan shot him a look.
“Okay, fine,” Meredith said. “We’ve decided to go steady.”
I laughed. “Steady? Are you going to prom together?”
“Oh stop.” She huffed. “But seriously, is it weird?
