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“Jesus, babe, don’t make me cry on my birthday. And now you’ve given me the absolute best gift.”

He kisses me a final time and climbs off the bed, taking my hand and leading me to the living room where his family is waiting.

Bobby has a roaring fire going, and Savanna set up a buffet on the dining room table that smells amazing. We all fill our plates, holiday music playing on the surround sound system.

If Savanna is put out by having to host at the last minute, she isn’t showing it. She’s all smiles and the penthouse is decorated beautifully with a tree that has to be fifteen feet tall as the focal point.

Gavin and I sit on the loveseat, and Mr. and Mrs. Henderson take the L couch. Bobby makes the rounds and brings everyone a drink. I don’t want to raise any curiosities by turning down alcohol, but I’m also not willing to risk consuming any.

“Do you have egg nog?” I ask.

Bobby makes a face. “Yuck. But we do if Savanna hasn’t guzzled it all.”

“Very funny,” Savanna says. “We have lots left, but I do love the stuff.”

“Me, too,” I agree. “It’s my favorite holiday drink.”

Bobby heads to the kitchen and brings me back a glass full of egg nog loaded with cinnamon. Right before he’s about to set it in my hand, he starts to pull it back.

“Wait, sorry. I didn’t even offer to spike it with rum.”

“It’s okay,” I reply, wrapping my hand around the glass and bringing it toward me. “I like it better this way.”

Savanna and Bobby squish onto the couch with Mr. and Mrs. Henderson. Savanna has a closer relationship with them than I do, but I’m determined to find my place in this family unit. I’m not going anywhere, so all I have is time.

They’ve accepted me, and that’s the most important first step.

Mr. and Mrs. Henderson give Bobby and Gavin each a bottle of rare, vintage whiskey for Christmas, and the gift makes the twins grin.

“It’s too bad we could never get away with doing a joint Christmas and birthday gift,” Mr. Henderson says, with a wink.

“That’s completely unfair,” Bobby replies, “And hasn’t changed just because we’re not six anymore.”

“Don’t worry,” Mr. Henderson says. “There’s more. But it’s someone else’s turn first.”

I wasn’t expecting anyone to get me anything, so I’m surprised when Savanna jumps up and grabs a present from underneath the tree, shyly bringing it over to me.

“We’ll do my present to Ashley next,” she says.

“Oh, Savanna, you didn’t have to,” I reply, emotion burning my eyes. “Thank you.”

“You haven’t even opened it yet,” she says, with a laugh.

“I know, but it’s still so sweet.”

Some women compete with other women just because they can. But Savanna goes out of her way to make me feel included when she doesn’t have to, and I really appreciate her for it.

I open the box and find a pink sweatshirt that says, “Team Savanna” on it along with a candle, bath bomb, lip balm, chocolate bar, and candy. I gasp when I open the small box within the bigger box and pull out a beautiful diamond-encrusted rose gold infinity bracelet.

“Oh, my goodness, it’s beautiful. Thank you so much.” I immediately put it on and then spot the notecard underneath.

When I pick it up, the tears fall in earnest. There’s a heartfelt message written in calligraphy that I never expected in a million years.

Welcome to our family. Ashley, I can’t wait until we’re officially sisters-in-law. Will you be my bridesmaid?

Savanna holds up her wrist to show me that she’s wearing the same bracelet.

“I got one for me, you, Victory, and three of my friends from Europe who will be flying over. I’d love to have you included in our wedding.”