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I ADMIT, I WAS NERVOUS about Christmas dinner with Brad’s family. After the last disastrous attempt at a family get-together, I was hoping that this one wouldn’t be a repeat performance. At least Alec was sober; that alone should make a difference.
“Are you okay?” Brad asked as we drove over.
“Good,” I lied, shifting in my seat.
I spent nearly an hour picking out something to wear. I didn’t have a lot of options at Brad’s place, so I begged off to drive back to my apartment to raid my closet. Standing in front of the mirror, I tried one combination after another. A favorite dress was too formal, and a favorite T-shirt was too relaxed. I wanted to make a good impression, but I didn’t want to look like I was trying too hard.
Finally, I settled on a floral print dress, one that made me look a little bohemian. It would pair nicely with bare feet on a sandy beach, a big floppy hat, and a parasol. I didn’t have any of those things, and it was the middle of winter, so I wore a coat. But I hoped that I managed to hit the mark halfway between respectable and fun.
I rejoined Brad at his home, and we drove together to his parents’ house. He parked in the driveway, and I took one last breath, as if I was going diving under the sea. He gave me a sympathetic glance. I could deny it all I wanted, but he knew I was nervous.
“It’ll be fine,” he said reassuringly.
“Maybe we should have a code word,” I erupted, suddenly worried that I wasn’t going to be able to pull it off.
“Okay,” he agreed. “What’s the code word?”
“Pancakes,” I said. “If either one of us says ‘pancakes,’ then we know it’s time to leave.”
He smiled genuinely, not at all insulted that I wanted an easy out. “Pancakes it is.”
We got out of the car and walked to the front door. Alec was the one who opened it, dressed much more casually without the eyesore of a sweater. “Merry Christmas!” he said, giving Brad a hug.
He turned to me next, pausing to ask silent permission. I nodded, and he pulled me into an embrace, squeezing me just like a brother-in-law should. I smiled, feeling a little bit more relaxed. When Brad’s mother offered me a similar hug, I even gave her some sugar in return.
His dad wasn’t quite as affectionate. I could see he was still holding on to some of his reservations about me. I wasn’t sure exactly what the problem was, but the man seemed reluctant to forgive me.
“Sir,” I said, extending a hand.
“Teddy,” he responded, shaking stiffly.
I felt like a sweaty teenager trying to take Brad to the prom when his father clearly disapproved. Brad intervened, taking me by the shoulders and steering me toward the dining room.
The table was already set, and the food looked amazing. I swallowed heavily, trying to relax. “Are you sure there’s no alcohol here?” I whispered.
“We’re having a dry Christmas for Alec’s sake,” Brad answered, giving me a light kiss on the ear. “You’re doing great.”
“I thought we could have dinner first, and then do presents,” Brad’s mother explained, pulling a chair out.
I sat down politely, relieved when Brad sat down beside me. Mr. and Mrs. Miller took their seats at either end of the table, and Alec sat opposite us. We clasped our hands together, bending our heads while the head of the household said grace.
We passed the meat and side dishes around the table, just as we had at Corey’s house. The only difference was that there were no children present, and that the jury was out on how Brad’s father felt about me. Once everyone had a full plate, I leaned over to whisper to Brad.
“Can I tell them about the trip?”
“Of course,” he responded, squeezing my hand.
“Brad and I have an announcement to make,” I started, only belatedly realizing the problem with that introduction.
“Oh my goodness.” Brad’s mother dropped her fork.
“You’re pregnant,” Brad’s father guessed.
“Are you engaged?” Alec asked, his eyes full of hope.
“No, no, no.” I waved a hand in the air to brush away all the misguided suggestions. “We’re going on a trip to Paris.”
“And other parts of France,” Brad added, not the least bit phased by his family’s dramatic conclusion jumping.
“Oh,” Brad’s mother replied, her face falling.
“Hm,” his father sniffed, going back to his meal.
“Huh,” Alec said, picking up his sparkling water.
I looked at Brad, and we shared a smile. After all that excitement, it seemed like our little announcement was a letdown. No one was in the least bit happy that we weren’t engaged and expecting. I’d have to remember that.
“So Alec, are you on a day pass or have you graduated?” Brad asked.
“I’m on a holiday pass,” he replied. “But I don’t have much longer. I’m a little nervous about getting out and having to fend for myself. But I’ve got some good ideas.”
“I know you do,” Brad said.
I caught a glimpse of their mother, who looked so pleased. I was sure it was a relief to have both of her children under the same roof, getting along together. I had seen Alec at his worst, and it looked like things were moving in the right direction.
Alec tapped his glass with a knife, and the conversation quieted down. “A toast to Teddy and Brad. May the best day of your past be the worst day of your future.”
Everyone raised their glasses, and I felt the heat of the spotlight on me. It was warm and loving, and I realized that all my nervous energy was unneeded. Brad’s family didn’t hate me. They were looking forward to welcoming me in as a daughter-in-law and the mother of their future grandchildren. Alec’s toast was just icing on the cake, and it was a sweet batch of icing indeed.
“Thank you,” I said.
“And as an aside,” Alec lowered his drink, “I’d like to make you a promise.”
I glanced at Brad, unsure what the promise would be. Brad’s eyes were fixed on his brother, but his countenance was relaxed. I reached for his hand under the table and returned my gaze to Alec.
“One day at a time and all that, but I promise I’ll never disrespect you again and offer my sincere apologies a thousand times for what I’ve already done,” Alec summed up.
I smiled, feeling a little bit put on the spot. If he could play that game, so could I. I summoned my courage and delivered my line in the strongest voice I could find. “If I recall, you didn’t get very far before I kicked you. So no harm, no foul.”
Brad coughed into his fist, a secret smile on his lips. His mother’s eyes went wide, but at the opposite end of the table, Brad’s father grinned unabashedly. “I like her.” He pointed his fork at me.
I straightened, hearing the three small words I had been thirsting for all evening. “Thank you.”
We finished the rest of dinner without incident and moved on to the presents. The family gathered in the living room, beside the exquisitely decorated tree. If the one Brad and I had bought was nearly naked, this one was overdressed. It had tinsel, garlands, lights, glass balls, and at least a hundred other ornaments. It stood like a regal statue in the corner, surrounded by a few scattered presents.
No one wanted to be the one to pick the gifts up from the floor, so Alec was elected.
“You’re the youngest,” Brad reminded him.
“Okay.” Alec took the appointment with grace, reaching down to pluck box after box from the floor and hand them to his relatives.
Even I got one, and when I looked to Brad for an explanation, he shrugged. I knew exactly who the gift was from; I just didn’t know how it had gotten under this Christmas tree. It was a mystery, but a good one, and it didn’t seem like Brad was eager to illuminate me. I’d have to get the information out of him some other way, and I was pretty sure I knew how to start.
“Youngest goes first,” Brad said, giving his brother yet another dig.
Alec sighed, shaking his head. “Someday, that’s not going to be the burn you think it is.”
“I’ll keep using it until then,” Brad promised.
“Boys,” their mother scolded.
Alec ripped into his first gift and found a leather wallet from his father. His second gift was a puzzle from his mother, and his third was a scarf from Brad. Instead of going from youngest to oldest, the family decided to go around the circle, making Brad’s father the next in line. Each person opened their own set of gifts and said thank you for the thoughtfulness of the giver. Finally it was my turn, and I opened the small gift with curiosity.
It was a hand thrown clay cup with several spouts that poked out from the lip. Glazed a warm, honey yellow, it fit neatly into the palm of my hand. It took me a moment to realize what it was, but then I became very excited.
“It’s for my paintbrushes!” I yelled, throwing my arms around Brad’s neck. “Thank you.”
“It’s handmade,” he explained.
“I can see that. Where did you find it?”
“I used Retro’s database to locate the artist,” he said.
I relaxed into the couch, supremely happy. Not only was the gift functional, but it came from the place that had brought Brad and me together. What more could a girl ask for?
