EPILOGUE
Ten years later
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“You think they’ll allmake it?” Anthony asked, fidgeting with his tie. He ran his hands through his gray hair for the millionth time, earning an eye roll from his wife.
Natalie swatted his hand away, smoothing the lapels of his suit and straightening his tie. “Now, honey, you’re going to mess up this outfit that I took a lot of time to perfect.” She kissed his cheek before wiping away the lipstick smear. “They will all be here. You need to relax.”
“Traffic in DC is no picnic on a good day, but at Christmas.” Anthony shook his head and started pacing the room, nearly wearing the carpeting out. His wingtips slapped the floor in pace with his racing heart.
The doorbell rang, causing Anthony to jump. “Someone’s here!” he exclaimed, barreling past his wife to get to the door.
“Just like I said,” Natalie teased him. Even in her sky-high heels, she caught up to him.
When they opened the door, they were greeted to a sight that brought tears to their eyes. “Merry Christmas!” the gang cheered, filling their porch and spilling out onto the sidewalk.
Alice pushed through first, throwing her arm around her brother’s waist. “Merry Christmas, Senator.”
“Merry Christmas, Alice.” Anthony held his sister tight, savoring the moment of peace. “And thanks for not calling meTony.”
Alice pulled back and rolled her eyes. “Spoiler alert, that will happen. I’m just being nice until you start feeding me.”
James followed her inside, hugging Natalie and shaking Anthony’s hand. “Big city politics look good on you, Anthony. Aren’t politicians supposed to get surlier and more haggard?”
“And here I thought you were the good in-law,” Natalie quipped, hip-checking James out of the way for the next round of guests.
“Sorry we’re late,” Beckett said, holding the door for Mallory and Maybelle. Both of whom had matching braids and red-and-green dresses. Beckett’s genes had won out, and his daughter’s hair was the color of a campfire, bold and fiery. “I forgot how to drive in a major city, apparently. I went through a roundabout three times before I could figure out our turn.” He huffed, cheeks tinged with embarrassment.
Maybelle raised her hand. “I almost puked.”
Mallory covered her daughter’s mouth and pushed further into the house. “Ignore her, she’s fine.”
“Make way,” CeCe said, leading a parade of her clan. The twins were at her heels, their blonde heads bobbing up the steps. Evan followed closely behind, carrying a tower of to-go boxes.
“If I tell you there’s cheesy bites in here, will you hold the door?” Evan asked, shoulders slumping from the weight of the parcels.
“Only if that’s the truth,” Natalie said, helping Evan with his boxes before pulling CeCe into a bone-crushing hug.
Everyone filed into the kitchen and living room, the kids turning on the TV and entertaining themselves. Anthony craned his neck from the threshold and sighed. “I thought Max and Ginny were going to make it.”
Despite their best efforts, this would be their first Christmas together since the twins were born. Everyone was busy, the kids older and in some cases in college. Anthony and Natalie had left Buckeye Falls a year ago when he was elected to the US Senate. While they would still spend time in their family home, most of his efforts were focused in DC. Natalie had taken to their new roles with gusto, turning over most of her duties to Ginny and Madeline, who kept N&G afloat.
“Hold the door, Senator!” Max shouted from the sidewalk. He waved like a lunatic before bounding up the stairs and crushing Anthony in a hug. “Man, it’s good to see you.”
Anthony choked up, realizing just how relieved he was that everyone was there. Ginny’s footsteps carried up the walkway until she joined in their group hug. “It’s so good to see you.”
“Ahhh!!!” Natalie squealed from behind them, tossing her arms around the growing group. “The fun can begin now.”
Henry pushed past the parental reunion, eyes darting over the crowd. “Is O here?”
“What’s up, man!” Otis said, joining his friend and bumping fists. “Want to see my new PlayStation?” And with that, the boys were entertained and out of the way.
“It’s a shame that Maddie and Josie are so busy,” Ginny lamented as she took off her coat. Natalie took it, draping it over her arm before dragging her friend down the hall to the coat closet. “I know Josie’s at OSU and happy as a clam, but that doesn’t mean I don’t want her here.”
Natalie made a sympathetic noise, the sound of a mother missing her children. “I’m still in shock that Maddie’s boyfriend invited her to Christmas. It’s too soon for that, right?”
