“Drum,”Jen interjected helpfully. “He only had one drum, Grey.”
“Thanks,Aunt Jen,” Grey nodded gratefully, pointing his finger at my sister. “Okay, sohe played hisdrumfor Jesus as a birthday present, sowewerethinking that it’d be an awesome way to celebrate the birth of Christ byalsoplaying drums. Except we have a lot of them, so really, it’s a better present.”
Ibobbed my head, as if considering his argument while quelling my urge to laugh.“You know, I hear you, but, uh, yeah, still not happening.”
Myson groaned as disappointment overshadowed the excitement in Johnny and Travis’eyes. “Why not?” Grey asked, his brows lowering to darken his eyes.
“Well,”I reached an arm out to wrap around his shoulders, “there’s a few reasons.One,” I held up a finger, “Jesus is a pretty old guy, so I think he’d probably justlike to spend his birthday taking a nap. Two,” I held up another, “dinner’sgonna be on the table in about two seconds. And three,” another finger, “andthis is probably the most important of them all—I’m not entirely convinced thatbasement isn’t a meeting ground for ghosts. Got some weird fucking vibes downthere the other night, man, and I really don’t wanna use you as the sacrificiallamb, you know what I’m saying?”
Greyson’stired expression grew even more impatient. “There aren’t any ghosts in thebasement, Dad,” he drawled.
Isteered him from the living room and toward the dining room, where Tabby washelping Mel to lay out the dishes and utensils. “Yeah, well, you can be sureabout that if you want, but I’m not so convinced. So, no drums today, andinstead, you can help your aunts set the table. How’s that for a deal?”
“Whatever,”he grumbled in reply, but his argument stopped there as he set out to placeforks at every chair.
Tabby’seyes met mine as one side her mouth lifted into a smile. “You need any more helpin the kitchen?”
“Nah,my parents have it covered.” I returned the smile, stuffing my hands into mypockets. From the corner of my eye, I caught Mel’s hopeful glance in ourdirection.
Tabbynodded. “Okay. Um, can I do anything else?”
Therewas a laundry list of things I could’ve given her. Move in with me, marry me,give me another kid or three … but I wasn’t pushing my luck just yet.
“Nah,I’ve got this covered,” I replied with a confident grin, because you know what?I did. All of it.
I’vegot this.
***
“Youguys can crash here tonight, if you don’t wanna drive back this late,” Ioffered my parents as we headed into the living room to collect their coats.
“Yousay that, but you really don’t want us getting in your way,” Dad replied with awink, darting a suggestive glare in Tabby’s direction. “You better seal thisdeal, or else you’re out of the will. Greyson will get everything we’re leavingyou, you got it?”
“Wow.Harsh,” I grumbled, watching as my mother leaned over Greyson, sleeping on thecouch, and pressed a kiss to his temple.
Hestirred, opening his eyes to narrow slits. Muttering something incoherent, Momsmiled, smoothing her palm over his cheek. “We’re heading home, sweetheart.”
Greysonnodded sleepily. “Bye, Grandma. See you soon.”
Ichewed at the corner of my lip, breathing through a wave of tear-inducingemotion. Moments like this did it for me—the use of titles, the little piecesthat pushed us closer to becoming even more of a family.
Mombeamed with joy and kissed him again before straightening up and touching mygaze with hers. She flattened her palms to her chest as she walked toward me,outstretching her arms and pulling me in for a hug.
“HaveI ever told you how proud I am of the man you’ve become?”
Shit. I swallowedrelentlessly at another wave and buried my face against her shoulder. “Nope,can’t say I’ve ever heard that one before.”
“Well,you’re hearing it now.” She ran her fingers over the back of my head and turnedto kiss my cheek. “I love you, honey. Take care of that boy of yours.”
“Willdo.” I nodded, standing up and stepping back to wipe at my eyes. “Love you too,Mom. Give me a call when you get home.”
Dadapproached me with an extended hand, and when I accepted his firm grip, hepulled me in for a hug and a pat on the back. “Your first holiday was a success,kiddo. Kinda can’t believe you didn’t burn the house down.”
“Eh,T wouldn’t let that happen. That old dude’s too attached to let this place godown in flames,” I scoffed, shooting an incredulous glare at Tabby and she burstwith a melodic giggle. I drowned in that sound, and I hoped it’d never stop.
“Who’sT?” Dad asked, stepping back and squeezing my hand.
“Oh,just the ghost of Jane’s dead husband,” I replied nonchalantly, waving my handdismissively in the air.