23. Erin
ERIN
T he Moon Lake Inn glowed like a beacon in the winter night, every window illuminated and wreathed in twinkling lights. James helped me from the SUV, and the twins immediately raced ahead, their excited squeals leaving puffs of breath in the cold air.
"Ready?" James squeezed my hand. Apparently Christmas Eve at the Moon Lake Inn was a tradition around here. And who was I to break traditions?
I nodded, taking in the sight before me. Through the frosted windows, I could see shadows moving, hear laughter spilling out.
James had told me that each year Lisa and Claire transformed the Inn's main room into a magical Christmas wonderland. Garlands draped from every beam, crystals, and lights casting rainbow shadows on the snow-dusted windows and I couldn’t wait to see it.
The twins had been excited since they woke up this morning and pretended to be fairies from the moment James and I helped them put on their new dresses.
The scent hit me as soon as James opened the door and held it open for me—pine, cinnamon, and something else... mulled wine and frankincense?
The warmth enveloped me like a hug.
Not unlike the people of Moon Lake had welcomed me.
"There they are!" Lisa rushed forward, pulled me into a tight hug while Peter helped James with our coats. "We were starting to worry!"
"The roads are getting slick," James explained, which was a complete lie. We weren’t late because of the snow; we were late because James decided it was a good idea to pull me into his bedroom, lock the door, and have a quick make-out session.
I snorted, which earned me a round of raised eyebrows, and a squeeze from James. I pretended not to notice either one.
Thank God, the twins banged on the door, demanding fairy hairstyles, when they did, or we would’ve arrived even later.
"Auntie Lisa! Auntie Lisa!" The twins bounced around us—oblivious to the tension in the air. "Can we go see the other kids?"
"Of course! They're all in the playroom—we've got a Christmas craft station set up,” Lisa said and gave me a wink. “Everybody knows fooling around is mandatory at Christmas.”
Oh God. I knew everybody secretly wanted to know our relationship status. I just didn’t know how to tell people. Or if James even wanted to tell people at all.
As the girls darted off, Claire appeared with two steaming mugs, candy canes hooked over the rims. "Hot chocolate with a little something extra," she winked, passing them to us. "Welcome home, Erin."
That word—home—settled warm in my chest, sweeter than any hot chocolate.
James slung his arm around my waist, and together, we crossed the kitchen.
The main room was alive with activity. Carter spun Edith in an impromptu dance to "White Christmas," her laugh ringing clear above the music.
Near the massive Christmas tree, Birdie sat cross-legged on the floor, surrounded by older kids. She showed them a complex paper plane pattern.
I looked around and immediately spotted Hawk, who was leaning against the wall, watching Birdie with a soft smile. I elbowed James. “Are Hawk and Birdie an item?”
James followed my gaze to Hawk, then watched Birdie. “I have absolutely zero idea. I’m not the right person if you want to know all the gossip going on in town,” he said, and gave me a soft squeeze.
“So you’re the mayor just on paper?” I whispered, which earned me another squeeze. “Don’t worry. The girls are all eager to get me up to speed. I’ll just ask Jessie.” I glanced once more at Hawk, who was still smiling. Something told me that was a rare sight on the man, but I would confirm my inclinations later.
"No way, man," Goofy's voice carried from near the fireplace. "Die Hard is absolutely a Christmas movie!"
"You're delusional," Peaches countered, but his grin gave away his amusement. "It's an action movie that happens to take place at Christmas."
"That's what makes it a Christmas movie!"
Their friendly bickering made me smile. I was getting better with names and faces. And it was nice to see everyone so relaxed and happy.
Alan and Jessie gathered everyone's attention by tapping a glass. "Since we're all here," Alan started, his arm around Jessie's waist, "we wanted to share something..." He pulled out a sonogram photo.
The room erupted in cheers before they could even finish their announcement.
Edith grabbed Carter’s hand, practically bouncing with excitement.
"Well, since we're sharing news..." Carter grinned. "I finally convinced this one to marry me."
More cheers, more hugs. Then Blake cleared his throat. "Actually..."
Claire elbowed him, laughing. "We're pregnant again, as well!”
The way everybody burst out into even louder cheers to that news, made me think there was some backstory I wasn’t aware of.
"Is there something in the water?" I whispered more to myself.
James leaned closer and whispered in my ear,“just be grateful, they’re you’re job guarantee.”
I looked up at him and got lost in his laser-beam eyes. “Yes, boss.”
He narrowed his eyes, then leaned down again and blew in my ear, making me giggle.
The joy in the room was palpable, every celebration flowing into the next, everyone genuinely thrilled for each other's happiness.
"Time for Secret Santa!" Lisa announced, and everyone gathered around the tree.
I watched in amazement as each gift seemed perfectly chosen. They really knew each other well.
Peter received a vintage record he'd mentioned once months ago. Birdie got a custom-made knife with her initials - Hawk's ears turned red when she opened it. Interesting.
"This one's for Erin," Jessie said, holding out a package.
"But I wasn't here for the Secret Santa drawing," I protested.
"We know," Claire smiled. "This is from all of us."
Inside was a hand-crafted photo album. The first page showed a picture from the bonfire where I'd first met everyone, followed by snapshots from various moments over the past weeks. The last page held a recent photo of me with James and the twins, baking cookies.
“Welcome to the family," Lisa said softly. "We're so glad you found us."
I blinked back tears as James squeezed my side
“And now, can all the children line up in front of the fireplace, please?” Jessie said.
The kids came in all sizes, and they all seemed more like siblings than mere friends.
I slowly got to know all of their names and faces as well.
It helped that at least three times per week, whoever had time came over to use the pool at James’s place.
Like a big family.
I focused back on Abby and Marley, who stood front and center, wearing their matching fairy dresses. They’d roped me into practicing Christmas carols with them, which had been more fun, than I ever thought possible, and usually ended up with us being a giggling mess on the sofa and James shaking his head, but secretly loving every second of it.
"Ready?" Jessie asked, and the children burst into an enthusiastic performance of “Jingle Bells.”
James's arm tightened around me as the twins sang with all their might.
I glanced up to see his eyes glistening.
"They've never performed before," he whispered. "Too shy."
But here they were, confident and happy, surrounded by their extended family. Marley caught my eye and gave a tiny wave without missing a word.
My heart swelled. These weren't just James's daughters anymore—they became mine, more and more with each passing day. The thought didn't scare me like it once might have.
When the kids were done everybody helped transform the room back into a dining room, multiple tables were pushed together and covered in red and green cloths. Candles flickered in mason jars wrapped with holly sprigs.
"Alright, everyone find a seat!" Blake called out. "But save the head of the table for the newest member of the family."
James pushed me toward the head of the table.
“Oh, no, I couldn’t?—”
"Yes, you can," Alan said firmly, then gave me a lopsided grin. "You're one of us now. Just accept it.”
As everyone settled in, dishes were passed family-style. Stories and laughter flowed as freely as the wine.
"Remember when Goofy tried to deep-fry a turkey last year?" Max called out.
"Hey, the fire department arrived very quickly!" Goofy defended, making everyone laugh. “I just did it so they could join the party.”
James rolled his eyes. From what I’d heard, he usually was the one on volunteer duty, during the holidays, but this year, Bailey and Jackson had taken over, so he could be with his family.
Richard raised his glass. "To family—both the ones we're born with and the ones we choose."
"To family," everyone echoed, and I felt the words resonate deep in my soul.
And suddenly I got choked up and escaped into the kitchen until he got ahold of myself.
I got only a moment to pull myself together before Hawk and Birdie entered with gathered plates.
Hawk gave me one look, narrowed his eyes, and cocked his head, but let it go when I shook my head and smiled at him through the lump in my throat.
He clearly recognized my emotional turmoil, but he was gentlemanly enough to give me a minute to pull myself together.
I watched their movements in perfect sync when they loaded the dishwasher, while bickering like an old couple.
I walked back into the dining room but hung back and observed the room.
James was sitting on the floor and the twins were teaching him a clapping game—probably the only reason he hadn’t followed me into the kitchen, but his head shot up as if he could feel my eyes on him as soon as I looked at him.
"Penny for your thoughts?" Alan appeared beside me.
"I just... I never knew it could be like this," I admitted. "A family this big, this warm."
He smiled. "That's the magic of Moon Lake. We collect strays and make them family."
"Is that what I am? A stray?"
"You're whatever you want to be. But you're definitely family now."
Throughout the evening, different people pulled me aside for quiet conversations.
"You know," Jessie said, linking her arm through mine, "I was the outsider once too. Scared to let anyone in." She nodded toward Alan. "Now look at us. Sometimes, the family you choose is better than anything you could’ve imagined."
Later, Lisa cornered me by the dessert table. "The twins adore you," she said bluntly. "And James... I've never seen him like this. Happy. Complete."
Even Richard stopped by, his usual intimidating presence softened by the Christmas lights. "We protect our own here," he said simply. "You're one of us now."
"Speaking of which," Lisa chimed in, "girls' night next Thursday? We're teaching Edith how to shoot."
"I don't know how?—“
"Perfect!" Birdie grinned. "Another student for me."
Snow started falling outside, big fluffy flakes illuminated by the Christmas lights. "White Christmas" played softly in the background as James pulled me toward the center of the room.
"Look up," he whispered.
Mistletoe. Of course.
His kiss was gentle, full of promise. The twins crashed into our legs, giggling, and he scooped them up, one in each arm.
"Picture time!" Claire called out. "Everyone gather around!"
What followed was cheerful chaos as everyone tried to arrange themselves.
Max lifted Milli onto his shoulders so she'd be visible in the back. Goofy made bunny ears behind Peaches's head. The twins insisted on sitting on the floor with the other kids.
"Erin," James said softly, before he gave me a come-hither sign.
As I moved to join my little big family, others shifted to push me into the center, where James pulled me close into a back hug.
I’d never felt like this before, surrounded by warmth and love.
"Say ‘Chistmas!’” Lisa called.
“Christmas!”
Later, as we gathered our coats and said goodbyes (which took nearly an hour, as everyone needed one last hug or conversation), I found myself hanging back, taking in the scene one last time.
The room still hummed with joy and warmth. Dorothy and Richard slow-danced by the tree. Hawk was in a heated discussion with Birdie and Peaches. Goofy was helping Milli pack up leftover cookies for the kids. Alan and Jessie gathered their sleeping toddler, while Blake danced with a teenage girl.
The twins, exhausted but happy, leaned against James.
"Ready to go home?" James asked, wrapped an arm around them and lifted them up.
Home.
Not just his house anymore—our home.
Not just his daughters—our daughters.
Not just his community—our family.
Despite the short time I’ve been to Moon Lake, despite our whirlwind romance I just knew.
"You know what?" I smiled, watching snowflakes dance outside the window. "I think I'm already there."
He took a step closer and pressed a kiss to my temple. “You’re where?”
“Finally home.”
He grinned. “Welcome home, love."
The twins each gave me a kiss as well, and together, we stepped out into the snowy night.
Behind us, the Inn glowed with warmth and light, filled with the family I never knew I needed.
Never knew I could have.
I opened the car door in the back, took Abby from James and helped her into her car seat while James did the same for Marley.
"Merry Christmas, Mommy," Abby whispered, when I strapped her in.
And when Marley echoed her sister, I looked up, and my eyes met James’s, and I saw the same wonder, the same gratitude, and love I was feeling mirrored in his.
My heart felt too full for words.
This was better than any Christmas wish I could have made—this was real.
This was my family.
This was home.