NATALIE

With Jason and Sarah leading the way we walk out to a beautiful lawn that runs for miles, it seems. Trees form a fence around its perimeter, and to the far right rests an empty dolphin fountain. Everything is dusted in snow, except where the party is. Set up over five long tables, plus one filled with food, are canopies covered in twinkle lights and freestanding outdoor heaters.

“See,” Max smiles, “This is where I got those for my auditions. My grandparents have a bunch of them for the winter months so we can still have our BBQs outside.”

I tug his hand and whisper, “Look at all these people!”

Pride dances in green eyes as he scans the faces. “This is my family.”

His sisters are watching me with smiles that wonder what I think, and Lexi asks with mischief, “Are you nervous?”

But Samantha whispers, “Don’t be. We’re very laid back here.”

We head down the steps and the introductions begin. Eric and Wren greet me like old friends, and he introduces his brother and sister to me, and their spouses. I meet Max’s uncles, their wives, Jeremy’s kids who I haven’t heard much about just yet. I’m sure I will in time though.

Gabriel Cocker walks up with his wife, and Lexi informs me that she works for Paige at the yoga studios the couple bought together after they got married. I don’t get starstruck easily, but seeing a rockstar in person when I’ve been listening to his music for years, is a wild feeling.

But Gabriel’s among family, and his hand is always on his wife, his feet on the ground, smile easy. His twin I’d heard about, but had never seen until today. I quickly learn that Elijah is working his way through Washington. He and Justin, his father, are the only ones in suits.

“So, you’re going to marry me!?”

Max and I look over to a gorgeous Latin woman with grey eyes.

“Soph, you’re here!” He lets go of my hand, picks her up and spins her around as she laughs. “Meet my girlfriend, Natalie.”

“Hi, I’m Sofia, nice to meet you!” She shakes my hand roughly and scans my dress, flicking a glance to him. “You match? Can I puke now?”

He takes the steaming cider from Caden. “Says the girl I never thought would be engaged. Where’s your fiancé?”

She points to an extremely sexy golden-skinned man with black hair to his waist. “He’s over there with Sean and Celia. They just got engaged, too, on Thanksgiving!” He nods to her, and resumes talking with a blue-eyed cutie in a man-bun who’s next to another pretty Latina. Shrugging with a lopsided smile Sofia says, “Guess it’s contagious. But you know me and Ceels. She’s been my best friend since I was born so she had to hurry and find her man, too, right? What if we got knocked up too many years apart for our kids to be friends?”

He and Caden exchange a look before Max says, “Who the fuck is this? She looks like Sofia but she’s talking about babies.”

“I don’t know man. But if there’s a Kool Aid going around I don’t want to drink it!”

Hannah calls to Soph, “Sofia, could you run in the house and grab Clara’s teddy bear?”

“The purple one?”

“Yes, please! Thank you!’

She takes off, leaping onto the porch without the steps.

Max looks at me. “I’ll tell you more about her later.”

Justin approaches with his raven-haired wife on his arm. She’s an elegant woman, striking features. As a Senator’s wife I’m sure she met with dignitaries from all over the world, and it shows.

The twin gene only passed down through these two with the birth of Gabriel and Elijah, and both brothers inherited her dark hair and their father’s pale green eyes.

Which are locked on me right now. “I meant to check up on you, see how things are going now.”

“They’re good. You heard about Paul?”

“Yes.”

“I don’t know if Max told you, but Boone was made Operating Manager of the clubs.”

Justin hums, thinking about it. “Interesting. He’s the most trusted, must be why. But who’s handling the books?”

“Not me,” I exhale. “Thank you, Mr. Cocker. I will always be grateful for what you did for me.”

His sharp eyes soften a little and he glances to his nephew. “Anything for my brother’s children.”

Caden reassures him, “I’ll make sure to keep my nose clean so you don’t have to.”

Justin slides his arm around his wife to lead her away, smirking, “Do you forget I know you, Caden?”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” As they keep walking he lowers his voice to Max, “I’m a prince!”

“Prince of pain.”

“Har har.”

“Prince of penicillin.”

“Stop.”

“Prince of toe tags.”

“I’m walking away now.”

Max calls after him, “Prince of poorly executed procedures!”

Caden cocks an eyebrow over his shoulder before he disappears into the crowd.

“Oh Max, I heard you met someone special!”

“Hi Grandma,” he smiles, giving her a hug. “This is Natalie. We’re living in sin.”

My jaw drops but she’s not even the tiniest bit shocked as she turns to greet me. “Oh stop embarrassing her. I’m Nancy Cocker, Max’s grandmother. This is my husband, Michael.”

By appearances they’re everything you’d expect from old money, except the lack of elitism that travels on gossiping and very mistaken tongues around town.

The ex-congressman’s eyes are filled with kindness as he shakes my hand. “Are we a little overwhelming, Natalie?”

“It’s a much larger family than mine. I’m sorry we were late. Max and I went to my parents’ house first.”

Nancy throws up her hands, “You could have brought them.” She points behind her, “That’s Drew’s Mom over here. Rachel’s friend Sylvia is right there with her husband and kids. That’s Paige’s brother and their parents. Jaimie’s father, Mr. Rothdale is over there with his new wife. Can you believe he married another one? And where is Meagan’s family? Oh they’re here somewhere. On Christmas we have everyone over!” She looks at Max like he’s to blame.

“Since you’d never met Natalie before I didn’t want to—”

“—Nonsense! Why don’t you invite them over? Do they live far away, Natalie?”

“No, but they were about to eat. We left after spending the morning there.”

“Have them come for cider and desserts! Meagan is a wonderful cook and she made us the most amazing things. Crème Brûlée. Apple tarts with nutmeg. And so many pies I think we’ll have pie for months!”

Michael argues, “Not with all these mouths.”

Nancy glances around, calculating. She touches his arm and they lock eyes, the love apparent. “You’re right. Maybe I was being hopeful.” Her smile travels to me. “Invite them. See if they can make it.”

“I will, thank you.”

Glancing to the food table, Nancy rolls her eyes and shouts through cupped hands, “Gabriel, get out of that chili! It’s not time yet!”

Jett Cocker bellows, “Don’t make me hurt you, pretty boy!”

Nancy grumbles to Michael, “Between Gabriel and Jason I have to watch that table like a hawk! Come help me.” She takes his hand to leave as Wren and Eric return to us.

“Did she meet Grams yet, Max?” he asks.

“Sit with me at dinner, Natalie,” Wren offers. “I’ll ground you in the chaos. I’m not even used to this myself.”

Max answers Eric, “We saved the best for last, excuse me. We’ll see you guys at the table.”

I call back as he guides me away, “Thank you, Wren!”

Through the crowd I see a tiny old woman smiling at everyone from atop two stacked cushions. She’s talking to those who are nearby, and generally having a good time. Blue eyes take us in as we approach, and she lights up, recognizing her great-grandson.

“Max!”

Fragile hands fly up as he swoops down to kiss her cheek. She makes a kiss-face into the air and beams at him. “Aren’t you dashing in green! Those eyes, so like my Jerald!”

“Grams, this is Natalie.” My heart freezes as I wait for him to say we’re living in sin again. But instead he melts it with, “I wanted to introduce you to the woman I love.” He glances to me, “Natalie, this is May Cocker, the reason we’re all here.”

“Hi May.” I shake her fragile hand. Over a hundred years old, her blue eyes are sharp as they scan me with a silent inspection. She cocks an eyebrow. “Sexy!”

I burst out laughing.

“Pretty, isn’t she, Max?”

“She’s stunning, Grams. I don’t think ‘pretty’ covers it.”

Blue eyes twinkle as she stares at me. “I wish I was young when you could dye your hair like that!” She claps her hands and smiles.

“You could do it now, if you wanted to,” I offer.

“Oh, don’t tempt me!”

Nancy calls everyone’s attention with, “Since Gabriel won’t keep his hands off the food, it’s dinner time! Help yourselves!”

Elijah shouts, “My brother’s a fucking thief!”

Grams and about a dozen other people all shout, “Language!” And everyone cracks up laughing.

I glance to the house to see Sofia’s fiancé returning to the party, presumably from the bathroom. He pauses at the laughter, confused. Sofia’s standing nearby and I hear her laugh to Celia, “Don’t tell him what just happened. Let me surprise him at the wedding.”

Buffet-style, the line is long so I use this time to call my parents. Hanging up I tell Max, “Mom was excited about it. I think she missed me after we left.”

He murmurs against my smile, “I know that feeling.”

Finally we sit down by Wren and Eric and she tells me how much I’m going to love the chili. “And in the warmer months, Nancy makes this fresh ginger-ale that’s out of this world.”

As soon as the last people have taken a seat, Michael stands and taps his wine glass with a fork. “Family, Friends, Jett.”

Laughter ripples through the crowd and Jett shakes a fist at his dad.

Michael chuckles and continues, “I want to take a moment to thank you all for making this Christmas special for me, my wife and my mom. To see all of your faces brings great joy to us. We’re grateful to have you in our lives. Even you, Jett,” he smirks.

“I love you, too, Dad!”

Hunter calls out, “God bless us, every one!”

Max whispers to me, “That’s Grandpa’s favorite story.”

Michael raises his glass. “Charles Dickens, wherever you are, we salute you, too. Now let’s enjoy a great meal, great company, and this snow while it lasts.” He looks around the smiling faces. “Merry Christmas, everyone.”