Page 35

Christmas Eve

Erin

I stop just before the expanse of the wrap around porch. It sparkles brilliantly under the glow of millions of tiny white lights, and I smile at all the memories that come back to me in this moment.

When you have no family, holidays can be a lonely and depressing time, but I have always been lucky enough to have Kelsey and Finn in my life. There hasn’t been a Christmas Eve where I haven’t been at the inn surrounded by the people who have become my family.

“You nervous?”

Ryan asks, his arm slipping around my shoulders as a waft of steam leaves his mouth and floats around in front of us. A light dusting of snow is falling around us making everything look like this idealized version of Christmas.

“Not at all,”

I respond, leaning into Ryan’s body and committing to memory this moment.

“Why are you stopping then?”

I let out a long slow breath; finally feeling like I can breathe again, like the constant worry, that heavy ache in my chest is gone. I never thought there would be a better feeling than relief, but as I stand here in the cold with Ryan next to me, the feeling of true happiness trumps everything.

“I want to remember this moment forever,”

I tell him as I close my eyes and take a deep breath trying to remember the smell of wood burning and the clean scent that snow gives off. I want to remember what the inn looks like and the way Ryan’s body feels against mine. Because after everything I’ve been through, this is where my new beginning is, where my family is complete.

Ryan opens the door to the inn and we both stop for a second to take in the beautiful décor. Kelsey has once again outdone herself and I often wonder why the inn hasn’t been featured in magazines.

A twelve-foot tall Christmas tree stands in the center of the room, accentuating the height of the already tall ceilings. It’s beautifully decorated in reds and silvers along with everything else in the inn.

The dining room is already packed with people; tourists and locals, since this is the only place in town that is open on Christmas Eve.

Looking around I spot Kelsey at the round table in the corner that she reserves for us every year. She’s chatting with Pop, Beck by her side as she leans into him and smiles.

It’s funny how much has changed in just a few short years. There was a time when it was just Kelsey and me here together. Slowly Finn joined us and eventually Pop too. But with Beck back and Ryan moving to Rockport our little group is slowly growing.

And we’re about to add a baby to this whole mix next year.

Now it’s Ryan that stops, pausing in front of the tree, he takes my hand and tugs me closer to it.

“You nervous?”

I ask, jokingly.

“Not at all, but I want to take a picture in front of the tree. I don’t think we have a single picture of us together, and if you want to remember this forever, it’s a perfect way to start.”

“You are so cheesy,”

I say swatting him on the chest, but I know he’s right. This is where it all begins for us. We’re happy, and this picture will always be a reminder of that.

Ryan flags over a man standing with his partner near the front door watching the snow fall beautifully onto the garland that drapes the front porch.

With his hand on my stomach and smiles on both of our faces, the man takes a few quick pictures and returns to the waiting woman.

We make our way to the table, greeting Kelsey, Beck and Pop with hugs and handshakes.

“I’m so glad you’re here,”

Kelsey says, a smile on her face, but her eyes are shining with the faint glimmer of tears. She doesn’t know exactly what happened, but she knows it wasn’t good.

Over time I’ll tell her, but right now everything is too raw, too real to involve anyone else. I’m still trying to process it all myself. She understands this better than anyone.

“I’m going to stick around afterward too, like I always have. Someone’s gotta help you clean this place up.”

I give her a little nudge with my elbow to let her know that while I might have been absent for a bit, I’m always here for her.

Kelsey usually lets most of her staff go once the brunch is over to allow them time to celebrate with their families. But that means it leaves her with a lot of the work. I’ve always been here to help her, because when you own an inn there are no holidays. It’s become our thing and I wouldn’t change it for the world.

Kelsey beams at my words and Beck gives me a wink before we all take a seat at the table.

“Where’s Finn?”

I ask, even though I know that Ryan is still a little sensitive about my relationship with Finn. I quickly look over at Ryan rolling my eyes and giving him a cheeky grin. His hand tightens on my thigh and I chuckle a little.

“He’s running a bit late and I’m sure he’ll have to leave early,”

Kelsey says, but her tone is annoyed as usual. For years Kelsey and I have been trying to get him to take a break from his job, take a moment to enjoy things like this, but he’s hell bent on being Rockport’s Chief of Police. Not like they give an award to the person who catches the Christmas decoration thief.

A waiter begins to deliver bowls of food to our table; one of the perks of knowing the owner is we don’t have to wait in the buffet line. And just as the last platter of food is set down on the table Finn walks up.

He places a kiss on the top of my head and moves along pecking Kelsey on the cheek, and then shakes hands with the guys.

“Can’t stay long,”

he says, his voice sounding more resigned than it has in the past, and all I can think is that he needs to find someone. He can’t be alone forever.

Kelsey let’s out a high-pitched laugh and shrugs her shoulders.

Finn reaches for the platter of ham and Ryan holds up a hand stopping him.

“Dude, if you’re about to tell me to wait because you have to say grace you’re in the wrong fucking place,”

Finn says and the entire table laughs, but Finn’s face remains stoic. He’s dead serious about the grace thing and no one fucks with his timeline. He needs to eat and run.

“Settle down…”

Ryan says, but I cut him off because I can tell he’s bordering on annoyed with Finn already. All I can hope is that Ryan gets over this pissing contest soon, because I know I’m over it.

“We have an announcement,”

I say, running my hand down Ryan’s arm and smiling at him.

With everyone’s eyes on us, Ryan takes my hand in his and nods for me to continue.

“Ryan and I are having a baby,”

I proclaim, my voice louder than necessary, but it’s hard to hold back the excitement.

The entire table erupts with excitement, with Kelsey literally screaming out loud and rushing to my side.

“This means you’re staying in Rockport?”

she says, but I can tell it’s a question, a worry that had been on her mind, but she never dared to ask me.

I nod and she squeals again and tugs me up from the chair, pulling me into her arms. She hugs with so much force, but I don’t care. It’s the kind of hug that means something, the kind of hug that radiates love and happiness and friendship.

When we’ve finally been hugged and congratulated by everyone, the excitement of the table dies down. Everyone is eating and talking, the room filled with the wonderful sounds of celebration.

Above the chatter and the sounds of laugher, the din of food being served and tables being cleared, Ryan leans over to me. He places a kiss on my temple and quietly asks.

“Are you happy, baby?”

“I’ve never been happier in my life,”

I whisper back.

And I’ve never spoken truer words.

What’s Next?

Continue the Rockport Beach Series in Making Home with You!