I nod. Gwen was really young when her mom walked out on them. Even though I had ‘normal’ Thanksgivings and Christmases up until my parents got divorced, it was still just the three of us most of the time, with my paternal grandparents making occasional appearances since my mom’s parents died before I was born. I longed for those busy, noisy, fun-filled holidays we saw on TV too. “Now you have that.” I reach out and she clasps my hand in both of hers, resting them in her lap.
“Now I have that,” she echoes. “Last Christmas was like a baptism by fire. I went from being mostly on my own for years after my dad died to…this.” She inclines her head to the room at large. As if on cue, the volume seems to swell with Malcolm raising his voice as he tells a story, and Hadley cackling in response. “When Evan and I arrived for the holidays, I’d never met any of his siblings, and there I was, tossed into the middle of the family for a week. Now they’re my people. My family.”
Emotion clogs my throat, making it hard to swallow. I look around the room again, thinking how the Perrys feel like my people now too. My eyes are drawn to Jasper, who’s just stepped out of the kitchen and is wiping his hands on his apron as he watches his siblings.Hefeels like my person.
Something is different between the two of us today. He keeps seeking me out and checking in with me. He’s been touching me more often too, soft brushes of his fingers on my arm, his hand on my shoulder. It’s amazing how a touch can be comforting and electrifying at the same time.
When I glance toward the kitchen again, my eyes lock with Jasper’s. His lips curve the tiniest bit and he tilts his head to the side in silent question. In my mind, I imagine him asking if I’m okay. I give a small nod and he returns it, his smile growing. Evan catches his attention to tell him something, and I turn back to Gwen. The grin on her face can only be described asknowing.
“What?” I ask.
She shifts even closer to me, squeezing my hand, which is still entwined with hers. Despite the fact no one is within earshot, her voice is just above a whisper when she says, “You know how a lot of little girls wish their best friend was their sister? I have a feeling we’re going to get the adult equivalent of that wish. Willow Perry has a nice ring to it, don’t you think?”
I sputter out a laugh. “You’re ridiculous. Jasper and I aren’t even…we’re not…you’re getting way ahead of yourself, Gwendolyn.”
Gwen chuckles, leaning back in her seat and releasing my hand so she can pick up her wine glass. “I mean it. I think it’s only a matter of time until this is your family too and every holiday and special occasion is like this one. Can you handle it?”
Across the room, Hadley is trying to convince her siblings they should start a tradition of watchingHocus Pocuson Thanksgiving. “A lot of people in the States go into Christmas mode after American Thanksgiving in November. At least Halloween is only three weeks away. Come on!”
The answering burst of voices and laughter from the group startles baby Elizabeth, who lets out a wail. Everyone gathers around her swing, cooing and fussing over her. At Malcolm’s nudge, Jasper unhooks Elizabeth from her swing and lifts her into his arms. The animated chatter starts up again immediately, now with Lina’s voice rising above the rest as she tells a story about an over-enthusiastic fan encounter last week.
“Yeah.” The word comes out shaky with laughter as I meet Gwen’s eyes. “Yeah, I can definitely handle it.”
