Chapter 23
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
A THURSDAY IN NOVEMBER
“Claire, I asked you to set the table.” I set the tongs down as she comes running through the kitchen with Winston hot on her heels.
She skids to a stop, her shadow running into her as she spins to look at me. “But mom, we’re playing. Five more minutes?”
“It’ll take you five minutes to set the table, and then you can play with him until people start showing up.” I turn around and grab the stack of plates, extending them out to my daughter. “This is the last time I’m going to ask, honey.”
She groans but takes the plates from me, heading toward the kitchen table. As I go back to mixing the salad, a pair of arms wrap around my waist from behind and a chin rests on my shoulder.
“She’s giving you a hard time, huh?” His voice is a whisper in my ear, making sure Claire can’t hear him. “I’m sorry, it’s partially my fault.”
“Why is it your fault?”
Levi chuckles softly as he pulls away, spinning to lean against the counter so he can look at me. “I told her to hide a treat and see if he could find it. Apparently, that became, like, the best game in the world to her.”
I roll my eyes, but a smile tugs at the corner of my mouth. Satisfied with the salad mixture, I set the tongs back down and pick up the bowl, walking over to set it down at the table. My eyebrow arches as I see the plates still in a stack on the edge of the table and my daughter nowhere in sight.
“I got it,” Levi says, resting a hand on my hip and pressing a quick kiss to my temple before he sets out the plates.
“She only has two jobs when it comes to holiday dinners,” I tell him, folding my arms over my chest. “Setting the table and vacuuming the rugs. You can’t do both for her, Levi.”
He hums to himself, setting down the last plate before lifting his gaze to mine. “It’s my first holiday with you both. I guess I got a little carried away.”
“She’s got you wrapped around her finger.” I close the space between us, wrapping my arms around his neck. “I’ll let it slide this once, but you will need to start being a little stricter, or at least back me up. This is the fun part of raising a kid.”
“Even if I say I call being the fun parent?” I lift a brow, causing him to chuckle. “Okay, okay. I’ll try to be less of a pushover.”
I press a kiss to his cheek. “Thank you. Now, you’re in charge of the turkey. I’ll finish the sides.”
We work in a comfortable silence, Levi keeping an eye on the turkey as I finish moving all the sides to the table. When the doorbell rings, he goes to get the door for me so I can peel out of my apron and wash my hands.
“There she is,” JJ says as she comes walking into the kitchen. I turn and smile, giving her a hug. “I’ve missed you.”
“I’ve missed you, too.” Pulling back, I glance around. “Where’s Cole?”
She bites her lip as she slips out of her coat, handing it to Levi who waits with an outstretched hand. “He’s not going to make it.”
“Did something happen?”
JJ waits until Levi has gone back to the front door before she lowers her voice. “He’s been acting… weird lately. He’s drinking too much, and he’s become extremely distant. I don’t know what’s going on with him. Has Levi said anything?”
“No.” I shake my head, a worried furrow taking form between my brows. “Do you want me to ask about it?”
“Oh, no,” she replies instantly, an unsure expression marring her flawless skin. “I don’t want to drag Levi into this. I’m sure it’s nothing.”
I reach out and squeeze her arm, giving her a weak smile. “I’m here for you, honey. Let me know if you need anything, okay?”
She nods, giving me a grateful smile as she releases a shaky breath. The sound of little feet slapping against the hardwood floor draws us apart just as Claire comes tearing into the kitchen. She launches herself at JJ who catches her with ease, genuine laughter escaping her.
“I’ve missed your beautiful little face,” she tells my daughter, squeezing her cheek. “How’s school been?”
“Good.” Claire doesn’t offer anything more as JJ puts her down, watching as she takes off into the living room with Winston running after her.
I put my hands on my hips. “Claire, you better thank Levi for setting the table for you.”
“Thank you!”
I roll my eyes as JJ chuckles, making her way into the living room to keep my daughter company. Levi joins me in the kitchen and looks like he’s about to say something, but the front door flies open and Blue and RJ come walking in.
“The party has arrived,” she announces, hands in the air before she strikes a pose. I release a laugh through my nose, shaking my head as I walk up to my best friend. “What?”
“Nothing.” I close the gap between us and pull her into a hug, her head dropping to my shoulder. “I’m just grateful that you’re here.”
Blue pulls back, keeping her arms on my shoulders as she narrows her eyes on me. “When were you going to tell me that Travis has been making appearances?”
My eyes widen in surprise, my mouth parting slightly. Levi comes into my line of sight and my eyes narrow to slits, to which he throws his hands up in surrender before slinking away. Turning back to my best friend, I give her a strained smile.
“I didn’t want to bother you with it,” I say, forcing her hands off my shoulders and back down to her sides. “I have everything under control.”
“I’m your best friend, Mar. I’ve watched her multiple times since that softball game of hers, and yet you still neglected to tell me.” There’s genuine hurt in her expression that causes my heart to clench. “You used to tell me everything.”
I sigh, running a hand through my straightened hair before squaring my shoulders. I’m not ready to drudge up the conversation we left unfinished at the bar all those weeks ago, but I know we need to. She deserves something.
“It’s Thanksgiving and Claire is here,” I say, reaching for her hand. “So, I have to keep it brief in case she comes tearing in here. But I can be the first to admit that Levi has been a huge rock star through the whole thing where I haven’t needed another shoulder to lean on.”
I take a deep breath before continuing. “One of our altercations a while back almost ended with Neve finding herself in the crosshairs, and I knew if I told you everything that was going on that you’d stay here with me, and I couldn’t risk you being here if he showed up.
I couldn’t live with myself if anything happened to you because of me. ”
“Oh, honey.” She throws her arms around me again, crushing my face against her chest as she hugs me tightly. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have gotten so upset. I should’ve known you had your reasons.”
“It’s okay.” I wrap my arms around her waist. “I should’ve been more upfront about it in the first place.”
As I pull away, I see RJ giving me a weak smile over his girlfriend’s shoulder before he sidesteps us and disappears into the living room where all the commotion seems to be. Turning back to Blue, I give her an inquisitive look.
“So, you two have patched things up?”
She tips her head back and groans softly. “Things are still tense, but he hasn’t brought it up again. Truthfully, I still don’t know where we stand.”
“It’ll all work out the way it’s supposed to.”
Linking her fingers through mine, we head toward the living room. Claire is rough housing with Winston, Levi sitting in the saucer chair while JJ and RJ sit on the couch. Clearing my throat, Claire stops and all eyes turn towards me.
“Why don’t we sit down and eat?”
Everyone gets up and heads into the kitchen, picking their respective seats. I plop Claire down between me and Levi, Blue on my left, RJ across from her and JJ next to him. Levi slices the turkey and slips pieces onto plates before everyone starts passing around the side dishes.
Claire pulls on Levi’s sweater to get his attention, and I smile as he immediately cuts the turkey into smaller pieces for her. He also puts all the sides on her plate, exactly where she insists they be, without a second thought.
She really does have him wrapped around her little finger.
As we all begin to eat, Levi rests his arm on the back of Claire’s chair and sets his hand on my shoulder, giving it a small squeeze. I glance over to see him smiling at me, and I send him a grin of my own. We all eat in a comfortable silence, Blue and JJ making small talk now and then.
This holiday season feels different, more bleak, than I had expected it to be.
Without Neve and my father here at the table, everything is quieter.
Claire hasn’t seemed to notice, nor has she said anything about them in a couple of months.
I know that’s a good thing, that she’s coping and has come to terms with what happened, but truth be told, I miss being able to have those conversations with my little girl.
Instead, I often find myself having them with Blue, and I am lucky that she listens every time I need her.
Truthfully, I’m grateful that my friends decided to spend the holiday here with Claire and I, despite having ample invites to their own families dinners.
Their presence makes the loss a little more bearable.
“I have an idea,” Claire announces once her plate is completely clean. “My teacher made us go around the room and say one thing we were thankful for. Can we do that?”
I smile and nod, giving her leg a squeeze. “Of course, honey. Do you want to start?”
“I want you to.”
“Okay.” I release a gentle sigh as I mull over my answer. “I’m thankful for all of my friends, our health, and for my boss.”
Sending a wink over Claire’s head in Levi’s direction, he blushes slightly before he looks down at his plate. Claire leans forward to look at Blue, gesturing to her with her small hand.
“My turn?” Blue asks, pointing to herself. Claire nods. “I’m thankful for my adorable little goddaughter and her mother, and for all the amazing people in my life. Oh, and reality trash television.”
Everyone laughs except RJ, who stares at her with a crinkle in his brow. Her expression falls slightly as the laughter dies down, and he clears his throat.
“I’m thankful for my career and the opportunities it’s provided me.”
Blue stiffens beside me, and I slip a hand under the table to give her hand a squeeze. The other three at the table don’t seem to notice the palpable tension. Claire immediately sets her sights on JJ as she awaits her answer.
“I’m grateful for my friends and family, and for the exposure my work has gotten in these last few months.”
“Everyone keeps saying the same thing,” Claire points out, folding her arms over her chest.
I chuckle, running a hand over her hair. “It’s okay, honey. Being thankful for your friends and family is a common thing.”
She shrugs, turning her back to me to look up at Levi. He glances over her head at me, an unreadable expression on his face. I raise an eyebrow in silent question, but he shakes his head and glances down at my daughter.
“I’m thankful that the universe decided to give me everything I could’ve ever dreamed of having.”
“That’s vague,” Claire states, and I have to bite my lip to stop from laughing.
Levi bumps his arm into her shoulder, jostling her slightly so she looks up again. “The universe made sure your mother and I crossed paths, which brought you into my life. That’s what I’m thankful for.”
A shy smile creeps onto Claire’s face as she looks down at her lap, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. I feel my eyes grow misty as I look at him to see a loving look in his gaze. He reaches over Claire’s seat again to rest a hand on my shoulder, giving me a lopsided smile.
“My turn.” Claire claps her hands together, but her cheeks flush as she refuses to make eye contact with anybody.
“I’m thankful for my Auntie Blue and all the fun stuff she lets me do.
” Blue grins and winks at her, even though she doesn’t see it.
“I’m thankful for my Uncle RJ for helping me learn how to play softball.
” He simply nods. “I’m thankful for my Auntie JJ for buying me all the best clothes and for always making me laugh.
” JJ holds a hand to her chest, her eyes growing glossy.
Claire releases a sigh as she turns in her chair to face me. “I’m thankful for everything you’ve ever done for me. I’m very lucky that you’re my mom.”
The tears slip past my eyes before I can stop them. However, Claire turns to Levi before I can give her a hug. I watch as she moves to kneel on her chair, making herself taller so she can look him in the eye.
“I’m thankful that my mom met you, and that you make her smile.
I’m thankful that you come to all of my games and take me and Winston on walks.
I’m thankful that you let me paint your nails and that you always hang my photos on the refrigerator.
” She takes a deep breath, and I cannot stop the cascade of tears that are rolling uncontrollably down my cheeks.
I hear Blue sniffle beside me and see JJ crying as well.
“But I’m most thankful that I know I can always count on you. Thank you for being like a dad.”
She throws herself into him, wrapping her arms around his neck.
He immediately engulfs her in a hug, and as he looks at me over her shoulder, I see unshed tears in his eyes.
I wipe at my cheeks, a wet, happy laugh escaping me as I watch them.
Blue squeezes my shoulder from behind me, giving me a sense of comfort.
“I love you,” Claire tells Levi as she pulls far enough away to look him in the eye. A lone tear falls down his cheek and she reaches out to brush it away.
“I love you, too, kid.”