Page 10 of New Year's Day

Throwing my head back, I laugh and laugh and when we finally slow down, I’m still a little dizzy, stumbling over my feet.

“You okay, Mom?”

I turn to find my beautiful boy in front of me, his expression full of concern. Even a little bit of worry. He’s not used to seeing his mother acting like a fool. Or maybe he is.

He might think I’m drunk, though I’ve only been sipping on a single glass of wine all night.

“I’m great, my sweet.” I wrap him up in my arms and hold him close, breathing deep his Christopher scent. This boy of mine is going to turn into a young man soon and I can hardly stand the thought. “How are you? Are you having a good time?”

“This party is fun,” he says once I pull away from him. “No wonder you guys have it every year.”

“It’s usually a lot stuffier and there’s not nearly as much dancing,” I tell him, which is the truth.

Christopher frowns. “So it’s not as fun.”

“No.” I shake my head. “Being with family is the best part of it all.”

He’s nodding his agreement, his smile growing. “I agree. And the food.”

I laugh. “Yes, and the food.”

Spencer is suddenly standing beside me, towering over me as he slides his arm around my shoulders and pulls me into his side. “You two going to dance some more?”

“She danced with August, not me,” Christopher points out.

“Then I believe it’s your turn next, don’t you think?” Spencer glances at me and I nod, reaching out to take our son’s hand.

Spencer’s arm falls away from me and I take both of my son’s hands, spinning around with him much like I did with August. Eventually Vaughn joins us, as well as Carolina’s twin girls, and soon we’re all turning in a large circle. Every one of us connected, even August.

Even Whit.

I smile at Spencer, who’s directly across from me, as we all hold up our linked hands at the end of the song, some of us cheering. But me?

I mouth to my husband,thank you.

Spencer always knows exactly what I need.

FIVE

CAROLINA

“I’m tired.”Paris stretches her arms above her head, delivering a jaw-cracking yawn for emphasis.

I glance at the clock on the wall. “It’s just past eleven-thirty. Not much longer to midnight now.”

“I don’t know if I can make it.” Paris rubs her eyes, her sister magically appearing at her side and grabbing one of her hands and tugging on it.

“Come on, Paris. You’ll be fine.” Pru drags her away from where I stand with West, Paris sending us a glance full of longing over her shoulder before she turns and starts complaining to Pru.

West is shaking his head, chuckling. “We should let Paris go to bed.”

“And miss the countdown to midnight? I don’t think so.” I do a twirl in front of my husband, always wanting to dance but most everyone has settled down, awaiting the clock to strike twelve. The housekeeper brought out a tray full of cups of hot chocolate for the children along with cookies and brownies, and all of the kids—even some of the adults—are eating themselves into a sugar coma.

Even West is nibbling on the corner of a brownie and when he offers it to me, I take a delicate bite, laughing when he shoves more of it into my mouth. I eventually take the whole thing from him and finish it off, licking the tips of my fingers when I do.

“That was a mistake on my part,” West says, his gaze zeroed in on my mouth. “Marta’s brownies are the best I’ve ever had.”

“It was delicious,” I say with relish, acting like a brat because I can.

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