Epilogue
IT WAS THANKSGIVING AGAIN, and both Christine and Erik insisted on hosting it at their home. However, this time, the number of attendees had grown tremendously from a relatively paltry nine the year before to an almost unwieldy twenty-one. Fortunately, Erik’s home was plenty large enough to fit the crowd, though it meant investing in a second dining room table.
“This ticket is about to be the hottest one in town.” Erik looked at Christine. “Especially now that Rafe is bringing Jessie along.”
“Don’t! You’re going to stress me out even more. I hope we have enough food,” she fretted.
In addition to their seven guests from last year, Val, Nicole, Theresa, and their respective significant others—including Dr. Yoon!—would be joining the festivities.
Noticeably absent from their guest list was his mother. Upon the global revelation of Erik’s appearance, she’d isolated herself further. Now, she called Garret if she needed anything. Erik was sad that his mother wanted nothing to do with him, but with the support of the group, his friends, his therapist, and Christine, he began to make peace with that fact. When he and Christine had children, God willing, they’d be better parents.
“You’ve been planning this for weeks. We’re fine. You’ve turned into someone who sends out way too many emails about the ‘right kind of cranberry sauce.’”
“Hey, if it doesn’t maintain the shape of the can, it’s not real cranberry sauce. I will die on this hill.” She looked at him over her list of dishes.
“Garret called today. He wants to know if you plan to do the ‘stupid what are you thankful for thing?’”
“Woooow…someone is still bitter about the Eagles’ season.” The team was sitting at the bottom of its division with a 4 and 8 record because its star wide receiver was on injured reserve.
“Wendy told me he destroyed a remote control last week when they lost to the Giants.”
“Poor Wendy. That’s the third one this year.”
“But to be fair, it would be a lot to go around the room to twenty-one people and have everyone say what they’re thankful for.” He took away the piece of paper she was reviewing so intently, and she stared after it with a longing grimace. “What if we just do it ourselves now?”
Christine sighed, but it was a happy sound. “Fine. You win.” She pursed her lips and smiled. “I’m thankful I successfully defended my thesis and conquered my stage fright.” It had been a cause for tremendous celebration, and—with Christine’s blessing—Erik threw her a small graduation party at Fedora, where they were called upon to sing again. Fortunately, it was a private event, so the video didn’t go viral.
He smiled. “That’s a good one. I’m thankful for Dr. Carmichael and Andrew. Because of them, I can go out for a walk without being stared at—most of the time.” Erik’s medical tattoos proved a decent improvement on his face. Combined with the prosthetic nose, the new definition of his skin allowed him to go out without his mask. He was still holding off on the osseointegration surgery for the time being—perhaps in the next year or two, he’d take that step. For now, he was much more comfortable in public and often took walks along the river with Christine.
“I’m thankful for that too, but only because it makes you happy. I always thought you were hot.” She wrinkled her nose and blew him a kiss.
“Hmm…you’d be alone. Okay—back to you.”
“I’m thankful for my new job, even though it means I go to DC every other week.” Christine was working at a think tank with connections in politics. It wasn’t a field she’d considered going into, but it let her analyze community needs and see how industry could help fill them. Her nonprofit experience gave her a leg up over several colleagues, and she enjoyed the work tremendously. She’d been asked to present her findings in Europe in the spring.
Erik was looking forward to taking the trip together. “Yes, but I’m thankful it got you to move in with me quicker than we planned. Did you really want to wait until the new year to cohabitate?”
Christine shook her head and blushed. “Oh! I’m thankful I get to meet most of your friends from the support group. When do they arrive?”
Erik had invited everyone from his online group, and all but John agreed to attend—he’d chosen to visit his grandchildren. Sierra was especially thrilled to be attending as part of her babymoon with her husband, Luis. She was five months pregnant with their first child.
“Tomorrow morning. Technically, we can say we have twenty-four people—what with the in-utero progeny.” Sierra wouldn’t be the only pregnant person joining—Sarah was seven months along with their second, a boy they were naming Erik, and Theresa had confided in Christine that she was twelve weeks along after a successful embryo transfer.
“Ah, but they don’t require the purchase of more place settings and napkins.” She glanced at him teasingly. “Any other thanks to give?”
“Um…Cynthia getting six months at Taconic Correctional Facility.” Erik had hoped it would be a longer sentence. Still, whenever he complained, Christine reminded him that the best revenge was happiness—and the knowledge that Cynthia would make herself miserable wherever she landed.
“Ooh…good one. Ok, I’m still thankful for old elevators.” She took his hands in hers and gave each a kiss in turn.
“Me too…” His voice turned husky as her lips lingered on his palms.
“Okay, I feel appropriately appreciative of my life right now. Unless you want to revisit the idea of adopting a dog?”
She’d been slowly introducing the idea of a dog to accompany them on their walks. “Just think, Erik, it forces us out of the house, and people are much more interested in a puppy than you. It’ll make you more approachable!” Erik wasn’t sure he wanted to be approachable, but the idea of a dog held promise. Perhaps after the holidays, when some idiot family returned a puppy they weren’t ready to care for.
Or maybe after their trip to Europe in the spring. He was scheduling meetings at the same time as her conference. After they were both done, they planned to take ten days to see central Europe, including Prague, Budapest, and, of course, Vienna.
At some point, he’d propose. Maybe even soon. For someone who’d delayed living for so long, there was little reason to give up any more time out of fear.
Huh, maybe there is something to this being thankful thing. Still corny, though.
He put his arms around her as she reviewed her reacquired Thanksgiving ‘notes.’
“Let’s go for a walk. I think we could both use some fresh air before the sun sets.”
She gave him a sunny smile. “Let me go get my coat.”
The End