Beyond The Boardroom(24)

Fin lifted a glass to him and gave him a wink. He grinned at her and her  husband, Travis, who'd flown in from Colorado with Bridget and her  husband, Mac, just for this traditional party. In a corner of the room,  Daniel and Amanda were cuddling, ignoring everyone else. And to round  out the crowd, Jessie and her husband, Cade, were talking with Liam and  his fiancée, Aubrey, about their upcoming wedding at their Napa winery.  Collen and Misty were cuddled up together, as if they were alone on an  island. And Bryan and Lucy were kissing under the mistletoe. The family  was together and happy. A great start to a New Year.

Finally, though, Shane was at the head of the room and as his parents  stepped to one side, he pulled Rachel close against him. His heart  swelled as she leaned into him.

"I'm a lucky man," he said, lifting his glass to the faces turned toward  him. "I found the woman I was meant to love and the work I was meant to  do."

"Hear, hear!" Gannon shouted and was quickly shushed by Erika.                       
       
           



       

"But," Shane continued, looking from one beloved face to another, "I  think this year we all got lucky. When Dad started his little contest, I  thought he was trying to drive a wedge between us." Shane glanced at  his father and smiled. "I should have known better."

Patrick smiled and kissed Maeve.

Renee gave Tag a friendly slap and stepped out from under the mistletoe to listen.

"The Elliotts have come together this year," Shane said, lifting his  champagne glass even higher. "We've rediscovered our family ties and  forged the bonds that connect us one to the other, even tighter than  they were before. We've passed our own tests, we've faced our fears … " He  paused to nod at Michael and Karen.

"And we've come out the other side. We've found love and we've found each other."

Liam whistled and Fin applauded.

"Old wrongs have been righted," Shane went on, with a nod at Fin and Jessie.

"And the future stretching out in front of us looks bright."

"Well said," Patrick called out.

"To the Elliotts," Shane shouted, "together, we're invincible!"

And as the family celebrated, Shane pulled the love of his life into the  circle of his arms. Together, they shared a kiss that promised a future  filled with all the love and hope anyone could ask for.