Page 62 of The Doctor's Surprise Family

I cleared my throat. Blinked. What could I say? I wanted to thank them all for being thankful for me. For including me in something so sacred. They were treating me like family, like I belonged. Like I had a home here, the kind I’d dreamed of.

“Family,” I croaked, and cleared my throat one more time. I grabbed my water and took a big gulp. “Sorry about that. I’m thankful for you all, and how welcome you’ve made me. I, uh, I… you know, I’ve missed out on a lot, but it’s so good to be here. I’m thankful for that.”

“Hear, hear,” said Alan. He nudged the turkey my way. “Now, since you’re standing, would you carve me a slice?”

Somehow, I managed to keep my hand steady. I took up the carving knife and filled all our plates, biting my cheek the whole time to keep my composure. My mind kept on racing with visions of could-be — meals I might serve at this very table. Lunches for Oli. After-school snacks. Birthday dinners, and Christmas, and Thanksgiving again. I saw myself older, around Alan’s age, and Oli with his girlfriend he’d brought home to meetus. Maybe he’d be in med school, or law school, or trades. Or he’d be an architect like his grandfather.

“More gravy,” said Oli. Claire poured him a drop. She poured me some too, and even that made my heart swell, that little act of kindness. Inclusion. I’d never had that anywhere else, not as far back as I could remember. I had a home here, and an actual family. A family who wanted me, who’d welcome me home. What on this earth could be worth more than that?

“You’re not eating,” said Claire. “You waiting for stuffing?”

I could only nod. My throat had gone tight. Claire served me more stuffing, and poured me some wine. She toasted to family, and to our good health, and I sneakily wiped my eyes while everyone clinked.

Oli conked out right after dessert, dozy from turkey and a long, fun-filled day. Alan dozed off as well, halfway through the movie. Claire spotted him snoring and gave me a nudge.

“Let’s go for a walk,” she said.

I smiled, flashing back to four years ago, our walk to the guesthouse. Our first kiss on the stoop. I could still close my eyes and see every detail, Claire’s cheeks flushed with cold. The light in her eyes. How she’d tilted her head back, and then I’d leaned in. I’d reached for her and she’d reached for me, and I’d kissed her until I felt my knees go weak. Now I took Claire’s hand and let her lead me outside, up that same driveway, to that same pool of porch light.

“We could go in,” she said.

“Back to the start?”

She cupped my cheek. Her palm was warm. I leaned into her touch.

“You remember what you said back then?”

I thought back to that night. “How you always look perfect? You still do, you know.”

Claire smiled. “That’s sweet, but no. I meant after that.”

My heart skipped a beat. “You mean about us? About wanting more?”

“You said you wanted that night to be the start of something. Not just some hookup, but a first date.”

Of course I remembered that. I’d barely got the words out. I didn’t want to come on too strong, but I couldn’t keep going without knowing she felt the same.

“I was worried you’d laugh at me. Or think I was weird.”

“I never thought that.” Claire stole a kiss. “I thought you were honest. And you were brave. It’s hard to put yourself out like that, to put it all on the line. It’s hard for me to stand here and ask you right now…” She bit her lip. Shivered.

“To ask me what?”

“Are we just hooking up now, or is this more? Do you see any future, or?—”

“I see it. I do.” I wanted to tell her I’d seen more than that. I’d seen it all over dinner, at least in my head, our whole lives spun out. Oli full-grown. Our pride as we welcomed him home for Thanksgiving, home to a life we’d all built together. I wantedto tell her I wanted all that, but she was pulling me into a kiss. Pulling me to her, and into the house.

“You really, you want that?”

“More than you know.”

Her kiss was like fire, one leg wrapped around me. I fell into it and into her arms, and we staggered together to the overstuffed couch. I wanted to tell her I’d be home soon for real. I’d apply for that fellowship. I’d do it first thing. And if that didn’t pan out, I’d find something that would. I’d make my way back to her if it was the last thing I did. I wanted to tell her, but I couldn’t think. Couldn’t half breathe, between frantic kisses. She pushed up my shirt. I squeezed her soft thigh. She bit my earlobe and kissed her way down my neck. I let the tide take me, rising desire. I was home in her arms. I was where I belonged. I’d never leave her again, no matter what.

She lay in my arms when we were done, warm and sleepy, her hair in my face. First thing tomorrow, I’d do it. I would. This was home; she was home. My family, Claire and Oli. I’d live out my life with them, whatever it took.

CHAPTER 22

CLAIRE

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