Total pages in book: 25
Estimated words: 24578 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 123(@200wpm)___ 98(@250wpm)___ 82(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 24578 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 123(@200wpm)___ 98(@250wpm)___ 82(@300wpm)
She grabs for her phone, and I hurry into the bathroom to put on a little mascara, a bit of under-eye concealer, and some lip gloss. I’m no fashion plate, but it’s a small improvement.
“Brax will meet us up there,” Josie announces when I join her. “Wait until you see this suite, Mad. You won’t believe it.”
We walk down the hall to the elevator and swipe a key card for the penthouse. According to Josie, all the family’s cards work for the fancy suite level.
When we arrive, my mouth drops.
This isn’t just a hotel suite. This is an experience.
It’s a two-floor apartment with a massive living room, and it looks like Luke had extra couches and chairs brought in for seating.
The biggest Christmas tree I’ve ever seen stands in front of the huge wall of windows—it must be at least twenty feet tall.
“Holy hell.” I don’t bother to whisper. Suddenly, everyone realizes I’m here and swarms me with hugs and kisses.
“You’re here,” Mama says as she plants one on my cheek. “Did you get any rest?”
“A little. Wow, this is something. They really do have their own private lagoon out there.”
“We’re all going to swim later,” Olivia informs me before pulling me in for a hug. “Thank you for coming, even though I know you didn’t really want to. It wouldn’t have been the same without you.”
“Don’t make me cry on Christmas.”
She laughs as the door opens once more, and Brax walks inside, joining Josie.
It looks like everyone is here, all packed into the suite. Some are in the living room, others upstairs in the loft.
A few people sit on the stairs, chatting.
I even see the grandparents sitting at a large dining room table with coffee and pastries laid out before them.
Grandpa Steven sends me a wink.
Despite the size of the suite, there are so many of us that we pack it almost to bursting. But no one cares.
We just love being together. And, I didn’t think anyone would really notice that I wasn’t here, but as usual, I’m reminded that that’s not the case.
We’re all well-loved.
“Attention, everyone,” Uncle Luke says, tapping his coffee mug with a spoon. He’s so handsome in his simple long-sleeved red Henley and jeans. He looks like a movie star despite his casual appearance. “I just want to say thank you for coming.”
He looks directly at me and smiles.
“I know it wasn’t convenient for all of you, but we appreciate you taking the time to travel all this way. We have a few excursions planned this week, and you’re welcome to do as much or as little as you want. Although I recommend snowmobiling on the glacier. You just can’t do that every day.”
“We have gifts,” Natalie adds, wrapping her arm around Luke’s waist as he loops his across her shoulders. They stand as one unit, the way they have for pretty much as long as I can remember. “They’re not extravagant, but everyone should have a little something to open on Christmas morning.”
“Why such spoiling this year?” The question comes from Stella, who’s sitting on the couch with her boyfriend, Gray. “I mean, you guys always do too much at the holidays, but this is a lot, even for you.”
Luke takes a breath, thinking it over, and then shrugs a shoulder. “Because you’re all, well, mostly adults. Those who aren’t quite there yet are close. Our parents are still with us, and I don’t want to sound morose or be a downer, but it won’t always be this way. I have a feeling life is about to change, and we all wanted this moment before that really starts to happen.”
“Well, shit. Now I’m crying,” Erin says, wiping a tear from her cheek. Her daddy, Will, leans in to kiss her head.
“Finn and Emma are the youngest, and they’re in high school,” my aunt Jules reminds us all. “So, yeah, this is a special time in our family.”
“I’d like to make it a little more special,” Gray says as he kisses Stella’s hand and gets on one knee in front of her.
The room hushes in surprise. I glance at Stella’s dad, Nate, and am surprised when I don’t see his eyes flash and hands fist. Instead, he just reaches for his wife’s hand, and Jules’ eyes tear up.
“Stella McKenna, you are the best thing that’s ever come into my life. You are a force to be reckoned with.”
“Hell yes, she is,” someone calls out, making us all smile.
“You also have the kindest heart and a work ethic that inspires me every day. I love you so much it steals the breath from my lungs, and I know that if I don’t make you mine, I’ll regret it for the rest of my life.
“So, I’m asking you here, in front of every single person who means the most to you, and in the most terrifying way I can think of—”