When the doorbell rang, I nearly jumped out of my socks. Reindeer socks I’d found in my stocking, courtesy of Santa, of course.
“I’ll get it!” I called when I was halfway to the front door. Before I pulled it open, a fresh wave of nerves rushed through me.
“You going to answer it or keep staring at the door?” Sage teased.
I yanked it open and laughed at the matching sweaters Mickey, Ingrid, Joe, and Mickey’s grandparents wore.
“Grandma was feeling nostalgic for returning to a climate where she could bundle up, so we all got gifts.” Mickey’s lips twitched as his eyes danced with mirth.
His grandparents wore Santa and Mrs. Claus sweaters, and the other three had elves on theirs. They were tacky, and I loved everything about them.
“I wish I had one.”
Grandma Brewer held out a bag to me with the same mischievous smile as her grandson. “I was hoping you’d saythat. Merry Christmas, sweetheart. There’s one in there for your sibling too.”
My eyes stung as I tried to keep the emotion in check. “Thank you. That’s so kind.” I stepped back to let them in and noticed my family had formed a receiving line.
The next few minutes were a flurry of greetings and introductions, since Sage didn’t really know Ingrid or Mickey’s grandparents, and Mickey didn’t know my grandparents.
After I changed into the sweater, Mickey kissed me like we hadn’t woken up in each other’s arms only hours ago. We’d cuddled in bed and realized neither of us had gotten the other a gift and decided to plan a weekend getaway together as a joint gift. I couldn’t wait.
“Talk about things that’ll need some getting used to,” Dad said with a warm smile.
My cheeks burned. I wasn’t sure my parents had ever seen me have PDA with anyone.
Joe clapped his hands. “Let’s watchGood Morning, USA! I’ve been waitingall day.”
Everyone rushed to the living room where Sage and I had set out additional chairs for the extra guests less than half an hour ago. It was tough to squeeze everything in alongside the towering Christmas tree.
Our families could use some tips on subtlety because the only two remaining seats were on the loveseat.
Mickey shook his head and chuckled as he sat and stretched his arm across the back of the couch. If our families were going to be this cool, then I’d stop feeling weird about it. I tucked my legs under me and snuggled beneath Mickey’s arm to soak up his warmth and comfort.
“Aren’t they so darling?” Pop Pop asked before sighing.
“They are,” Mickey’s grandma agreed.
Dad launched theGood Morning, USArecording on their DVR. It was special that we were all getting to watch it together.
“Mom said it starts an hour and thirteen minutes in,” Mickey said.
“Did she tell you how it was?” Joe asked.
Mickey shook his head. “She wouldn’t say a word, but she recorded it too, so we can watch it when Amos and I go over there for dinner.” Mickey turned his head and smiled at me.
I was excited to join Mickey’s mom’s side of the family for Christmas dinner. She’d been so kind this morning when Mickey called to ask if I could join him tonight. It was hard to believe we’d run into Mom and her only two weeks ago. So much had changed since then.
Dad fast-forwarded.
“There! You passed it!” Mom shouted.
Dad waved her off. “Relax. I’ll rewind.” He hit the button one too many times, so it jumped back too far. Typical Dad.
“Now we’re heading to a charming town in Vermont called Maplewood. Theresa, can you confirm for us that the maple syrup there is, indeed, delicious?” Lena Lee, one of the most recognizable faces in national news and television, stood next to Theresa in front of a fireplace with stockings hanging—each with the name of a differentGood Morning, USAanchor.
Theresa pulled the stocking with her name on it off the fireplace. “I absolutely can.” She pulled a bottle of Moon Meadows Maple Syrup from Jason’s family’s farm out of the stocking. “Each member of our studio audience will be able to do the same. There’s a bottle of this in your stockings too!”
The audience cheered.
