One Year Later
Declan poked around the glass tray filled with sweet pickles, a tradition that Sienna had insisted upon. That was how Thanksgiving was done in her family, and her family now had better try to embrace it. The tray consisted of sweet pickles and a few varieties of olives.
“Stop playing with the food, Dec,” Sienna called from the kitchen.
Juliet pretended to gag at the weird pickle and olive tray and held her hands around her throat. Declan nodded in agreement and flicked an olive onto the table.
“Really, Juliet? How is our son expected to behave at family gatherings if this is the role model he has?” Sienna asked, standing with her hands on her hips.
“You’re right. I’m sorry, sweetie. That was rude. These pimento things are delicious.” Juliet tried to keep a straight face.
“They are, actually,” Sienna said. She popped one of them into her mouth and gave them a pointed look.
The doorbell rang and everybody froze.
“I’ll get it,” Declan said and made a beeline for the door.
“This is the worst idea ever, isn’t it? Be totally honest,” Juliet said, rubbing her palms on her thighs.
“No, it’s fine. It’ll be fine. We’ll have a nice time, I’m sure,” Sienna said, not meeting Juliet’s eyes.
“You’re lying,” Juliet shout-whispered. “I know when you’re lying.”
“Hey, Mom, Sienna,” Declan said, re-entering the dining room with two guests in tow. “This is Ashley.”
“Hi, Ashley, nice to meet you.” Sienna held out her hand, warm and friendly as always.
Juliet echoed Sienna’s welcome and then turned toward Ashley’s date.
“Hi.”
“Hey,” Will said. “House looks nice.”
“Thank you. I’m so glad you and Ashley could come. Sienna’s been planning the menu for weeks,” Juliet said. She was glad that Will had accepted their invitation to spend Thanksgiving with them. She was so surprised when he’d agreed to come, she’d blurted out a flabbergasted “really?” before she could stop herself. When Declan had told her that Will’s Thanksgiving plans included staying at home with Ashley and ordering sandwiches, she immediately told him that Will and Ashley could just come to their house. Declan had given her an alien look but seemed genuinely happy about the idea once it had sunk in. Things hadn’t returned to normal with Will, and Juliet wasn’t sure if they ever would. But she appreciated his baby steps.
“I’m sure she has. The Thanksgiving dinners we hosted were always one step away from a fine dining experience. Did she make you put out that pickle plate, though?” Will asked. He shrugged his coat off and folded it over the back of Juliet’s couch.
“Yes! God, it’s all so gross.” Juliet made sure Sienna wasn’t listening.
“Wait until she makes you try one of the black ones dipped in bleu cheese dressing. I almost threw up.”
Sienna turned from her conversation and smiled at them both sweetly. “Did the two of you forget that my superpower is listening to two conversations at once? You’ll both be enjoying Cheesy Olive Supreme this evening.”
Declan laughed and pointed at them mockingly.
Juliet smirked at him and raised her eyebrows. “Sienna? Declan said he thinks it’s disgusting, too.”
“Then I’ll be sure to put out enough for him to enjoy, as well.”
“That was shitty, Mom,” Declan said.
Juliet, Sienna, and Will all turned to him and said, “Language!”
“Whoa,” Declan said, his eyes wide. “That was freaky.”
Juliet punched him lightly on the arm and went into the kitchen to help Sienna with the turkey.
“Maybe this won’t be so bad, after all,” Juliet said, basting the turkey while it was in the oven.
“No, I think it will be good. Good for Declan,” Sienna said. She bent down and kissed Juliet on the nose. “And good for you.”
“Gretchen’s here,” Declan yelled from the living room.
Juliet rushed to the door and helped Gretchen in, though she didn’t really need the help anymore. The cane she still walked with was more of a crutch than a necessity.
“Smells delicious in here,” Gretchen said, handing her coat to Juliet. She took the seat next to Declan and pulled an old, battered, Game Boy out of her purse. “I found this in my attic. I thought you might like to play with it, even though it’s about a hundred years old. They say that old becomes new again, so go on and give Donkey Kong a try.”
The timer finally dinged. They brought out dish after dish, each one more enticing than the last. Juliet was impressed. Sienna had thrown together a magnificent holiday meal, without a whole lot of time to prepare.
Juliet went to get the cranberry sauce and came back to everyone seated at the table, reaching for potatoes and stuffing and corn, talking and laughing over Thanksgiving dinner.
She was flooded with emotion, seeing her family, all of it, celebrating together. She let it overtake her, allowed herself to settle into that overwhelming sense that the pieces finally fit together.
Sienna caught her looking at them and gave her a knowing smile. Juliet smiled back. Somehow, they’d made it through the storm. Together.