Page 96 of In Name Only (Pine Falls 2)

I left Brock’s side and immediately went to Ariana, who was glowing more than the white Christmas lights strung around her tree. I put my arms around her, and she reciprocated with a fierce kind of hug. Without a word, she knew that I knew, and we both began to cry.

“Congratulations,” I whispered in her ear.

“Thank you.” She seemed reluctant.

“I’m so happy for you.”

She leaned away. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you. I didn’t want you to—”

“I know.” I didn’t need her to explain. “When are you due?”

She smiled and bit her lip. “July seventh.”

“Perfect.”

Jonah and Brock joined us, both looking tentative. Thankfully, Whitney saved the day. She wiggled her way between us. “I’m going to be a big sister.”

I rested my hand on her head. “The best one ever.”

Whitney held up her pink stained glass brontosaurus. Ariana had been working tirelessly on making custom ornaments for their tree. “Daddy, will you help me put this on the top?”

“Absolutely.” Jonah picked her up with ease and helped her hang her ornament.

Grandma, Grandpa, Kinsley, and Brant gathered near with mugs of Kinsley’s adult wassail in hand. Brant and Kinsley made sure to keep their distance from each other, though Brant’s eyes frequently drifted her way. Regret and longing swam in their depths.

I was grateful when Grandpa patted Brant on the back. “Too few men know you have to lose sight of the path every once in a while to find your way.”

Brant’s smile said he appreciated the sentiment.

Grandpa made his way to me and Brock next. He stopped right in front of me and gave me a good once-over. “Looks like someone finally remembered who she was.” He gave me a wink and walked off without another word. It was just like him.

“What did he mean?” Brock asked me.

I thought back to a conversation Grandpa and I had had many years ago when I’d first come to live with them. He had told me I was the master of my own destiny. That I needed to learn how to act instead of reacting. When I’d married Brock, I’d been reacting to my circumstances. Grandpa must have known. But choosing Brock now was an act of my own agency.

I put my arms around Brock’s waist. “I think he was referring to how good Dani Holland sounds.”

“I know it’s my favorite name.”

I laid my head against Brock’s chest. He was home. He was my choice.

Brock rested his chin on my head. “You know, we need to get a Christmas tree so I have somewhere to place your gift. I’m almost finished with it.” He sounded so proud of himself.

“I can’t wait to see what it is.”

“I hope you like it. It might not be what you expect, especially now.”

I wasn’t sure what that meant, but it didn’t matter. “I know I’ll love it.”

“It’s time for a toast,” Jonah called, to no one’s surprise.

We all laughed and groaned.

Jonah paid no attention to us as he and Ariana handed out steaming hot mugs of wassail to those of us who didn’t have one. Except to Whitney, of course, and Ariana. They both got sparkling cider.

With drinks in hand, we all stood around the decorated tree that was now filled with stained glass dinosaurs of all types and colors. Coordinating bows were woven in. It was the cutest tree. One for the books, for sure.

I loved looking around at all the faces lit up by the Christmas tree lights. These were all the people I cared for most in the world, minus Sheridan. An indescribable joy could be felt in this room with all of us together. Even Brant’s eyes didn’t look so hollow surrounded by such love.

Jonah raised his Santa mug. “What a ride this year has been. I know we have all had our ups and downs. Great triumphs and crushing defeats. We’ve won some, and we’ve lost some. We’ve laughed and cried. But this I know: I couldn’t imagine a greater group of people to go through life with.”

I couldn’t agree more.

“May we each have a Merry Christmas,” he continued. “And may the New Year bring us happiness and peace and”—he gave his wife a sly grin—“a healthy, happy baby.”

“Hear! Hear!” we all roared.

A great hope swelled within me. And for the first time in a long time, I didn’t fear it. I welcomed it with open arms, anxious to see what the future held for me and my family.Chapter Thirty-Three“Robert Frost wrote, ‘Home is the place where, when you have to go there, they have to take you in,’” the pastor’s words rang through the chapel during Christmas Eve’s midnight service. There was a smattering of laughter among the congregation.

“For some of us, home brings thoughts of warmth and happiness. For others, it can inflict painful memories. Regardless, each of us can find a home with God. He welcomes all into his house. He takes everyone in.”

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