Page 59 of Home Field Advantage
“I’m sure.”
“Thank you, Poppy,” she whispers, cuddling herself into my arm to give me a side hug. “I love that name. It’s so pretty.” I look down at her and smile. Sage has imprinted herself in my heart, as all my students typically do, but I think it’s different with her since I’ve been seeing her so much outside of school.
When I lift my head, I find Blair staring at me. But her face doesn’t tell me she has questions or is ready to scold me. Her eyes are soft, and they tell me she approves of whatever is happening here. Little does she know, this is how I am with my students. I love and protect them as if they were my kids. But her look only reminds me that he’s not staying here, and that realization sends a sharp pain to my chest.
“Everyone hold hands,” Nan announces. “We’re going to go around the table and say everything we’re thankful for.”
“This isn’t Thanksgiving, Nan,” Griffin grumbles.
“Can’t I be thankful for the people in my life and all of us getting together finally? It’s been too long.”
Griffin rolls his eyes. “And we have to hold hands to do this?”
“God forbid you hold my magical hands.” Tucker rolls his eyes.
Griffin glares at Tucker. “How are we related? Honestly.”
“I have magical hands, too,” Sage chimes in. “I can color with them for hours!”
Tucker’s eyes widen. “Wait, I want to color with you. I love coloring.”
“You would,” Griffin murmurs under his breath.
“I have a coloring table and everything in my room. Daddy set it up for me.”
“Your dad is awesome!” Tucker says, excitedly punching the air before taking Griffin’s hand in his. “Now, hold my hand like you love me, Griffin.”
“Anyway,” Nan draws out. “Let’s begin so we can eat.”
“I’ll start,” Blair says. “I’m thankful for the people around this table right now. Each of you has changed my life in ways Icould never begin to thank you for. Finding home here in Bluestone Lakes has become more than expected.”
“I love you, sweetheart,” Griffin says, leaning over and kissing her cheek. “I’m not good with words like you, but I’m thankful for the same thing.”
“Boring,” Tucker drawls out. “I’m thankful for the same thing.”
“I hate you.” Griffin laughs.
“Let me finish. I’m thankful for the people around this table, specifically the Barlows. You already know I’d be lost without you. Thank you for opening up your family to me. I know we’re already family.” Tucker chuckles. “But now we’re more like brothers and sisters, and I love you guys more than you know.”
Tucker rarely allows himself to get emotional, but when he does, I want to wrap my arms around him. He had a really rough childhood, and my parents’ taking him in helped him overcome so much. He’s changed.
Nan clears her throat. “I’m going to piggyback on that. I’m not related to a single one of you, but you’ve welcomed me into your lives—except for Griffin most days—and you all have brightened my life more than you know.”
Sappy Nan has a tear ready to form in my eye, but I blink it away.
“We love you, Nan,” Lily says next to her, giving her hand a tight squeeze. “I truly can’t figure out what I’m thankful for. Is it weird to say my bakery?”
“Not at all,” I tell her, squeezing her hand on my side.
“The bakery has given me something to hold onto. Something I’m proud of. Something that has brightened my days and brought me immense joy.”
“It brings us joy, too,” I say.
“Is it my turn?” Sage whispers to me on my opposite side.
“Go for it.”
“I’m very thankful that you all invited me and Daddy here tonight. But I’m very, very thankful for my daddy. He’s the bestand gives the best warm hugs, even if he doesn’t know how to braid my hair. He’s my superhero, and I hit the biggest home run with him as my daddy.”
