Holiday Cheer from Andrew Grey and Amy Lane

Epilogue

Epilogue

RHYS SMILED, nestled in a leather chair in Annalise’s family room, with two boys sitting at his feet while he read them The Night Before Christmas .

“Boys, you’ve heard that story so many times already,” Annalise said.

“He does good voices,” Kevin, the younger of the two boys, said before turning back to Rhys.

Gregory held Victoria, sitting on the side of the sofa closest to him, with the Christmas tree twinkling. The wrapping paper had been cleaned up, the opened presents still under the tree. Rhys had been a little surprised that Gregory had invited him for Christmas, but maybe he shouldn’t have been. They had been spending a lot of time together since the party. In fact, things between them had been going really well. So maybe his surprise was just his own jitteriness coming forward. And he’d been shocked that there were so many presents. Gregory’s gift of an antique cake stand had been particularly thoughtful. But most of all, he’d been surprised at how welcoming and kind the entire family had been for him, and for his and Gregory’s relationship.

Rhys went back to reading the story as the scent of a heavenly Christmas dinner wafted in from the other room. “Are you sure you don’t need help from either of us?” Rhys asked once he had finished the story and the boys’ attention had turned to the gifts they’d gotten.

“We’re doing fine,” Hanna, Jonathan’s mother, said when she came in. “Dinner will be on the table in half an hour.”

“All right,” Gregory said, making no move to get up with Victoria asleep in his arms. He had been a regular baby hog all day.

“Do you want me to take her?” Rhys asked, and Gregory got up and carefully transferred her over. She didn’t wake and slept on his shoulder. Rhys’s mother chose that moment to call, and Gregory handed him his phone.

“Merry Christmas, Mom,” he said quietly. “You aren’t going to believe this, but I’m holding a baby. Gregory’s niece, Victoria. I sent you pictures a few days go.”

His mom chuckled. “I know you did. You’re like a proud uncle.”

The truth was that Annalise had asked the boys to call him Uncle Rhys, and that had nearly left him in tears. Yeah, it was too soon, but being a part of a family was something he hadn’t realized he’d wanted until the possibility had landed in his lap.

“I think so.” He chatted with her, wishing both her and his dad a wonderful Christmas. “By the way, I wanted to tell you that when I come to visit next week, I hope you don’t mind—”

“You’re bringing Gregory?” his mother asked with undisguised delight.

“Yes. They gave him the time off, and we were able to get a ticket.” He was so happy, he could bust.

“Well, that’s the best Christmas present you could give us. You know we only want you to be happy, and we’ve been worried with you there all alone. We’ll have gifts for both of you when you get here, so leave room in your luggage.” His mother always went overboard.

“We will.” Rhys looked up as Annalise came in and gently lifted Victoria. “It looks like it’s time for dinner. I’ll talk to you in a few days, and we can finalize details.” He told his mom he loved her and ended the call, then joined the others in the dining room. He sat next to Gregory as Jonathan brought in the platter of roast beef and set it on the table before sitting down. Annalise took her seat with an approving smile.

Gregory stood and gently clinked his glass. “This year has been very special. We welcome two new additions to our table this year. Little Victoria, the biggest Christmas surprise for all of us—”

“And Uncle Rhys, who reads really good,” James interrupted, sharing a grin with Kevin.

“Yes. And there’s one last surprise for all of you. The cake that Rhys and I brought, well, I baked it. He did the construction and decorating, but I baked it.” Gregory grinned. “It’s been a holiday season of firsts for all of us… including some interesting bread baking. But what makes it all special is that we can be here… together.” Gregory took Rhys’s hand and squeezed it gently.

“Does this mean that you are going to host the next holiday dinner?” Annalise asked.

Gregory turned to Rhys and then back to his sister. “How about we do it together? That’s what family is about, helping each other and learning new things.”

“Like baking bread shaped like penises,” Kevin added, and every adult in the room turned to him. Both boys put hands over their mouths and giggled. “We seen them when Mama brought ’em home.” No secrets in this house, that was for sure.

“Now, boys, settle down,” Jonathan said, trying to be stern and failing miserably as Gregory took his seat once again.

“But, Dad. Can we make penis bread sometime?” James asked, and each of his parents looked heavenward for guidance.

“Uncle Rhys will show you how when you’re older,” Gregory whispered, and then held up his glass. “To getting the best Christmas presents ever this year.”

The family turned to where little Victoria’s carrier lay in its stand, her lips moving as she slept, but Gregory turned to him, his eyes filled with wonder and, dare he think it, love.

“Yup,” Kevin agreed.

Rhys had a pretty good idea what Kevin was thankful for, and James too, for that matter: their little sister. But what Rhys was thankful for, and the best Christmas gift he would ever receive, sat right next to him, watching him as though he hung the moon. This was definitely a merry Christmas.