Chapter 14

When it was time for dinner, Sam sat at one end of the table and Arlena at the other. Normally Randall was in the seat of honor, but Sam and Arlena had been serious for over two years now. Penelope loved seeing them so happy, even through their extended time apart when they were working on different projects. They were making it work. Penelope held Joey’s hand under the table after they all got settled, and he leaned his head slightly over to touch hers.

Randall and Sybil sat across from them, flanked on either side by one of the kids. And Max and his friend Ashley sat next to Joey, rounding out the table.

“I’d like to wish you all, my family,” Arlena’s eyes landed on Ashley, who smiled widely in return, “old and new,” she continued, “a very happy Thanksgiving. May the bounty of our table fill you with love and happiness.”

Randall picked up his wine glass and said, “Cheers to that!”

“Very nicely put, sis,” Max said, taking a sip of Sauvignon Blanc. “Especially the new friends part.”

Sam stood and picked up the carving knife, then tugged the sleeves of his sweater back. Penelope had offered to carve the turkey in the kitchen after everyone had seen it, but Sam insisted on doing it at the table in front of everyone.

Penelope watched him, holding her breath slightly, as the knife and fork descended onto the bird. She exhaled when the first slice went smoothly and she could see the breast was plump and juicy. Sam’s expression relaxed a bit too.

“Arlena and I are very happy you could all join us today,” Sam said as he cut off another slice. He almost dropped the piece of turkey, but recovered and made it onto the platter. “We’ve been looking forward to having the family together for a while. And we’d like to invite you all,” his eyes flicked to the newcomer next to Max, then he continued, “to a special holiday party we’re hosting.”

“Party?” Max asked.

“We’d like to celebrate with you all,” Arlena said. “Sam thought it would be nice if we had a formal gathering, all of us together.”

“How much turkey can I have?” Jackson asked. Sybil shushed him and smiled at Sam to continue.

“Yes, a Christmas party,” Sam said. He sliced another piece of turkey, then inched over to focus on a leg. He was getting the hang of the carving, Penelope noticed, and sliced into a thigh with more confidence. “A celebration.”

“Sounds good, Sam,” Randall said. “When’s this soiree happening?”

“On the twenty-third,” Sam said. “Two days before Christmas. I promise, you’re not going to want to miss it.”

Sam bent over and looked into the bird’s cavity. “What’s this?” he asked, a look of confusion on his face.

Penelope’s heart picked up a beat as she watched him. Did she forget to remove the gizzards? No, impossible. She’d used them to make the gravy. Her legs tensed and she thought about standing up.

“That’s weird,” Sam said, bending down further.

“What’s in there?” Dakota asked, craning her neck to see.

“Now, how did this get here?” Sam asked.

“What?” several people asked at once.

Sam stood up and held a small box in the air. The distinctive teal blue hue told everyone exactly where it had come from.

“Sam,” Arlena said, her voice quavering, her eyes jumping from his face to the box. “What are you up to?”

Sam smiled widely, set down the carving knife and walked to the other end of the table. Max pulled out his phone and began recording. Randall stared, his mouth slightly open, in complete surprise.

Sam got down on one knee, gracefully, as if he’d practiced it many times before. “Arlena Sofia Madison, will you marry me?”