Page 98 of Home for the Holidays

Heidi lifted her glass of sauvignon blanc and took a sip. They were all in the living room, a fire provided by Skip roaring away in the fireplace. Holiday music played over the speakers, there was wine in their glasses, and they all had full bellies. Heidi was trying her hardest to listen to Evan and Zac telling Mary and Skip about their Italy plans, but all she could focus on was the feeling of Iris pressed against her side, her hand on her thigh.

They’d had an enjoyable dinner, which Mary insisted on helping with. Heidi would have normally fought her—she was a firm believer in company not helping to cook—but she proved a highly capable sous-chef. The heart-to-heart she had with Heidi was also helpful, even if it had included a similar threat to Donna’s oh so eloquentif you hurt her, I’ll kill you. She learned a lot about Mary in the hour they cooked together. The most important thing was that she loved her daughter immensely and was working on showing her that.

“She’s been more than enough her entire life,” Mary said as she chopped onions for the salad, blaming them for her tears. Heidi knew better, though. Those onions were a great cover-up.

Yes, it wasn’t exactly how she had thought her New Year’s Eve was going to go, but it was turning out to be one of her favorites.

At ten o’clock, Zac talked them into playing charades. Mary was tipsy; Skip was as well. They were a hoot and much better at the game than anyone thought they’d be. She and Iris won, though.

“I thought you said you weren’t good at this game.” Always the poor sport, Zac was pouting when he came in last place. “You obviously lied.”

“I said I don’t like it, not that I’m not good at it.” Iris shrugged. “And my partner is pretty freaking good.”

“I am amazed at how many you both guessed correctly.” Mary lifted her glass of wine in a toast. “To the winners.”

“Don’t toast them,” Zac said with a laugh. “You two have to have cheated. There’s no way you could have guessed Elvis without a single clue.”

“That was pure luck,” Heidi protested. “And we’re good. What can I say?” She high-fived Iris, then leaned over and kissed her in front of everyone, including her parents. Shit, she must be tipsy too.

When she pulled away, Iris’s smile was breathtaking. “I love you,” she whispered.

“I love you, too,” she said and quickly kissed her again before she could let the embarrassment flood her features.

At half past eleven, Evan rushed out of the kitchen with champagne flutes and two bottles of Chandon. He was excited, which was so much fun to see. Seeing him together with her baby boy was a breath of fresh air. It was lovely to know that her one wish—for her kids to be happy—was coming true. Being happy herself wasn’t a bad place to be in either. She truthfully didn’t think the night could get any better.

“Okay, everyone.” Zac jumped up and turned the television to the local Chicago station. Whichever bar the newscasters were reporting from was packed. The countdown in the corner of the TV said, 11:57 p.m. “Time to get ready!” He passed out the New Year’s Eve hats and noisemakers. “And don’t forget the confetti.”

“Which you’re cleaning up. You promised,” Heidi said as she took the popper that would spew the irritating mess everywhere.

“I know, I know. Calm down, Ma.” He waved her off, then pulled Mary and Skip up from the couch. “Okay, Abbotts, let’s get ready to party.”

Mary was trying to hide a yawn when Iris pulled her mom into a hug. “No yawning. The night is just beginning,” she said.

“Okay, okay, I may need more wine.”

“That’s what the champagne is for!” Evan had popped the bottles and started handing filled flutes to Zac. He passed them out as quickly as possible, giddy laughter bubbling out of him the entire time. Yeah, he was also tipsy. They were all going to be hungover tomorrow, and it was going to be so worth it.

Iris moved over to where Heidi was standing near the bay window. “Hey, I wanted to give you something.”

“Give me something?” Heidi smiled. “You don’t have to give me anything.”

“I know.” Iris pulled out the ring box. Heidi’s heart leaped into her throat. “Before you think I’m asking you to marry me”—Iris chuckled—“This is just a ring because I thought it would look really good on your finger. That’s all. And because it’s the holidays and I, for the first time in a really long time, feel like I’m home.”

Heidi’s throat was aching from holding back tears. “Iris, you’re so…” She couldn’t finish as Iris opened the box. Her breath left her body. The ring was exactly like the ring her own mother used to wear. A simple band of diamonds. And it was the only thing she couldn’t find after her mother passed. “Oh my god. How did you know?”

Iris shrugged. “I had some help picking it out.”

Heidi looked up from the ring over at Zac, who was smiling from ear to ear, crying his own tears. “Thank you,” she mouthed to him. He covered his mouth and nodded as Evan pulled him into a hug to comfort him. “This is the most amazing gift I’ve ever… Iris, I love it. I loveyou. Thank you so much.”

“11:59, everyone!” Evan shouted out. “Get your glasses ready!”

Iris took the ring from the box and slid it onto Heidi’s right ring finger. She smoothed her thumb over the ring, then looked up into Heidi’s eyes. “I’ll get you another ring one day. I promise.”

“Seventeen, sixteen!” Mary and Skip were joining in.

“I’ll say yes,” Heidi whispered as she leaned in and kissed Iris.

“I know you will.” Iris’s whisper mingled with the countdown and it made Heidi’s chest tighten. “I can’t imagine doing this without you.”

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