My mouth dropped open. "That lie will cost you."
"I'm not lying. You've fallen asleep in my arms the last two nights."
And it had been amazing, but not as amazing as my parents would take it. "We should probably keep that to ourselves."
"Now we're back to sneaking around?" he teased.
"Only if you want me to keep falling asleep in your arms."
"My lips are sealed." He pretended to zip them up. "Repeat tonight?"
"If we survive dinner and mass, I'm all yours."
"I guess Santa finally got my letter."
"You asked Santa for me?"
"Every year." He pecked my lips.
The moment of truth arrived. We walked in hand in hand, holding a bag full of gifts that had tags from Samantha, Cody, and Reed, in addition to the oranges I needed to make my rolls.
Reed gave my hand a little squeeze before we headed back into the fire.
"Samantha Marie, is that you?" Ma called out.
"Yes, and Reed too."
We paused, waiting.
Ma walked out of the kitchen and stared down the hall to the foyer. She laser-focused on our clasped hands. "Joseph! Joseph! Come here." That urgent call had the whole family coming, minus Delanie and Peter. My heart ached, knowing they weren't here. But I didn't have time to dwell on it, being a target for the firing squad.
The entire motley crew stared at us. Some were shaking with laughter, aka James and Avery. Matt and Jimmy were looking at Cody to see what he thought about it.
Mimsy bounced on the balls of her feet shaking her head. "Adultery." She left, no doubt to get some water. I should have seen that one coming.
Ma edged closer, wiping her hands on her apron. "What do we have here, Samantha Marie?"
Dad followed behind her, waiting to see how she was going to react before he did.
I stepped forward with Reed, squeezing the life out of his hand. "Someone who makes me very happy."
Ma gave Reed an appraising look, her eyes narrowed, lips pursed together. She eventually nodded. "See that you keep it that way, Reed Cassidy."
"Yes, Mrs. D."
"I need help in the kitchen, Samantha Marie." She turned without another word.
"I'm coming." I stood on my tiptoes and kissed Reed's cheek. "I think that's what we call a Christmas miracle," I whispered.
It wasn't the only miracle of the night.
Reed and I sat behind my parents and Mimsy during mass. Their stares throughout dinner had become too much. I think they hardly ate for all their staring. And I needed to keep an eye on Mimsy. There was holy water in our presence, so there was no telling what she would do. Cody sat on the other side of Reed. I didn't mind. I was happy he was comfortable there. Avery, James, and their boys sat behind us.
While we listened to the organist play a beautiful rendition of Adeste Fideles, Delanie and Peter walked in to my surprise. We slid down our pew to make room for them. Ma turned around and locked eyes with her son, but she said nothing.
Peter sighed and took Delanie's hand. Delanie looked uncomfortable as she looked around at all the people and the ornamentally decorated church with stained-glass windows and low lighting. The only light source was the flickering candles on the old golden carved candle sticks. To me it was cozy and welcoming. But for Delanie, I swore I saw a hint of fear in her eyes. I wondered why. It was a question for another day.
I took Peter's free hand, emotion flooding me. "I'm so happy you came," I whispered.
Peter squeezed my hand before acknowledging Reed. "I'm glad to see you finally took my advice."
This was news to me. I leaned into Reed. "When did Peter talk to you?"
"A few days ago."
"And what did he say?"
Reed kissed my head and whispered in my ear, "That I was a jerk and James knows people who will dispose of dead bodies."
I laughed a little too loud.
"They're probably talking about sex," Mimsy said way too loud to Ma. "Have you seen his butt?"
Wow. Just wow.
Stares multiplied our way. I swore the organ quieted.
Ma whipped around. "Have you given him your NDA, Samantha Marie?"
If I could have slinked under the pew or vanished, I would have. Everyone was now looking at us. The organ music all but ceased. Cody actually did slide down and moved away from us. If only I could have.
Ma's eyes demanded an answer while Dad shook his head, probably wishing he drank more at dinner.
"No, Ma."
She huffed out a breath. "Keep it that way."
But as embarrassing as that all was, that's when the miracle happened. Ma turned to Delanie and Peter. "We're having dessert after. I made your favorite, cinnamon pie." It wasn't what most of us considered an apology, but it was the best we could hope for from Ma.
Peter rested his hand on Ma's. "We'll be there."
I caught the tears in Ma's eyes before she turned around.
"Forgiveness is an action," Peter whispered in my ear.
And Reed whispered in my other, "About that NDA."
Epilogue
Six Months Later
"We're going to be late for our reservations."
Reed pulled me into the grocery store. We looked too nice to be shopping-me in my little black number and him in his black suit and tie. He looked divine. That new CrossFit regimen he and Cody were doing together this summer was really paying off. I was reaping the rewards.
"I promise we won't be late."
"The dinner cruise leaves at 7:00," I reminded him.
Reed looked at his watch. "We have plenty of time. I'll drive fast."
We hustled in out of the warm summer evening.
"This humidity is going to ruin my hair."
He stopped to tug on one of my curls. "You look gorgeous."
"You always say that."
"I mean it every time." He pulled on my hand. "We need to hurry."
"Okay."
His behavior was puzzling. He'd been acting nervous ever since he picked me up and had some secret conversation with Cody while I finished getting ready. I thought maybe he was giving Cody the talk about what it means to be a responsible man before Cody's date with Tia-we had moved on from Rory-but Reed's leg bounced the whole drive over. And he changed the radio station ten times in the five-minute drive, making me think it might be something else. I prayed it wasn't the kind of news that was going to ruin my night, like surprise, honey, you're going to be a grandma. Reed would have told me that already, right?
"Did Cody say anything to you?" Now I was nervous.
He grinned. "He's not having sex, if that's what you're worried about." He knew me so well.
I kissed him. "Oh, thank goodness."
He went back to pulling me along.
"What did you say you needed again?"
"I didn't." He smiled back at me.
"You don't need to get snacks. They have appetizers and drinks available when we board." He and Cody were obsessed with snacks.
"I'm not getting snacks." He laughed, picking up his pace once we entered the store.
"These heels aren't made for running."
He slowed his pace. Barely. "Sorry."
When we hit the produce section I stopped. "Do you hear that?"
He came to a halt. "Hear what?"
"The music. Do they normally play music?" I didn't remember that being a thing.
A devilish grin appeared on his angelic kiss-me face. "I've never noticed."
I listened harder. "Is that "(Everything I Do) I Do It For You?" It was my favorite Bryan Adams' song ever from one of my favorite movies, Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves.
Reed looked up to the ceiling like that would help him hear better. "What are the odds that they're playing your favorite song?"
That was odd. "We need to watch the movie again."
He rolled his eyes. "I've seen that movie more than I ever wanted to and discussed Kevin Costner's butt more than any man should."
"We don't know if that was his butt." That was the great debate back in the nineties. Did Kevin Costner use a body double, or was it him?
"We could google it," Reed suggested.
"No."
He laughed at me. "I know, it would ruin the movie for you if you found out he used a double."
"It really would."
"Can we move on now, honey, or talk about my butt instead? Or better yet, yours?" He gave my backside a glance. "It looks good tonight, by the way."
I smacked his arm. "Let's go get whatever it is that's so important to you to make us miss our dinner cruise."
"This is important to you, too." He practically pulled my arm off, dragging me across the store.
"If you say so."
"I do."
Before I knew it, we were standing in front of the card aisle. "Did I miss someone's birthday? I thought you said your mom's was next month."