Epilogue
Three Months Later
For years, Christmas has been a shadow of what it once was. A reminder of who’s missing.
Marybell. Then Elliot. It seemed like little by little, this house grew emptier. Not just with pieces of my heart missing, but my boys—hollow versions of the men they should have been.
Until now.
This year, I had a reason to go all out with the lights. Fix that old doorbell. Cook for a day and a half. Whip out the table extension. And finally, make pitchers of eggnog.
The house isn’t entirely filled yet, but it’s already buzzing with a new energy. One we only got a taste of last year when Chase and Pepper hosted.
The doorbell rings a third time this evening.
“I’ll get it,” I call back to the hockey couple and my other guest tonight in the kitchen. Swinging the door open, I let Charlie in. Noah is behind her, carrying gift bags, and what do you know—he’s scowling.
Following his girlfriend inside, he gives me a curt nod. “Merry Christmas. Next year, we do this at our house.”
I help him with the bags and move them under the tree. “Levi and Tess already called dibs on hosting next year.”
Noah looks around for the couple. “Well, I beat them here so—”
Charlie smacks Noah’s arm. “They’re going to have a new baby. It’ll just be easier than schlepping everything to someone else’s house.”
Noah shrugs. “She’ll be like six months old and”—he holds his palms apart about two feet —“this big. How much stuff will that baby need?”
Charlie rolls her eyes. “I’m going to get a drink. I can already hear Pepper laughing in the kitchen, and I want in.”
I smack my son’s other arm. “Please stop giving that woman reasons not to marry you before you even propose.”
He smirks. “Don’t worry. Pepper and Tess taught me a neat trick.”
“What trick?” I ask as he walks away from me.
I’m about to follow when the doorbell rings again. I don’t need to open it. Jackson lets himself in, zooming past me with a ‘hi grandpa’ and racing toward the tree. My oldest son and his wife behind him.
“Hey.” Tessa smiles. Holding up a foil-wrapped dish. “We brought pie.” She glances down at the bags Levi is holding, muttering with a wink. “And a few other things.”
I set the dish down, then take her coat and scarf. Her growing belly has become more apparent in the last few weeks. The last time we all got together was when they announced they were having a girl. “Staying warm? Is my son feeding you well?”
“Too much. Can I do anything to help? ”
“Nope, we’ve got it.” The voices come from behind us. Pepper, Charlie, and Lonnie parade into the dining room, putting the finishing touches on the extended table.
Levi steps into my space, keeping his eyes on the little brunette in the other room—my other guest tonight. “Oh hey, Lon,” he calls, then scans me once.
Tessa grabs his arm. “Honey, help me put these under the tree.”
She gives him a tug, but Levi’s like a sword in the stone. “What’s my ex doing here?”
“She has a name, and I invited her,” I tell him flatly. Levi is very much aware that Lonnie doesn’t have family here. And just because she’s still hiding doesn’t mean she should spend the holiday alone.
Or…any other evening we might have spent together. As friends . It’s never been anything more. Neither one of us would cross that line.
He softens but still skeptical. “I appreciate that.”
I grin back. “I didn’t do it for you.”
Tessa steps up to her husband. “There a problem, Indie?” She smiles. “Or do I have to break more dishes?”
He puts a hand on her belly, leaning down for a kiss. “All good, sweetheart.” With one look back at me, he follows her into the family room.
“Who’s the extra plate for?” Noah asks, scanning the table.
The doorbell rings again.
“Who could that be?” Pepper calls from the dining room.
I open the door, ready to tell this sweet older lady carrying a tray of something that smells amazing, that she’s got the wrong address.
“Hi. I’m Bessie. I’m looking for—”
“Bessie,” Tess calls from the sofa. “Aiden, this is my guest.”
“Oh, of course.” I push the door open. “Please come in. I hear you’re the one behind Tessa’s way around a kitchen. ”
“Depends. Has she burned anything recently?” She steps in like she’s family and passes off the tray to me. “Do not put these in the fridge. Room temp until time for dessert, please.”
“Got it.” I close the door behind her.
Levi is the first to approach our new guest. “Bessie, nice to finally meet you. I’m Levi. We spoke on the phone back in the summer.”
She shakes his hand the way I would. Firm with skepticism in her eyes. “You ask a lot of questions, Mr. Single-dad Rancher.”
Levi laughs. “To be fair, it was an interview, and you called me.”
“You got my girl here?”
“I’ve got my girl here.”
She pushes him aside as Tessa stands. It’s a quick hug before Bessie pulls back. “Look at you.” She eyes her belly. “Sure don’t look like he made you sleep with the horses.”
Tessa laughs nervously, glancing at Levi, who’s cocking his head in amusement.
“Alright,” I start. “Dinner’s getting cold, everyone. Let’s sit.”
Levi wraps an arm around his wife’s shoulders, leaning in to tease her about something that’s not meant for our ears. She giggles, burrowing her head in his chest.
Noah and Charlie have a similar exchange across the room, and it warms my heart to see everyone happy. Settled. Living .
“Hey.” Lonnie pokes my side, making me smile down at her. “You sure it’s okay I’m here?”
I nod. “I’ve got something for you.”
Her eyes flash with wonder. At thirty-four, she doesn’t feel sixteen years younger than me. The biggest reason I’ve yet to kiss this woman is my son. Inviting her tonight is my first step in approaching him for…consent? Blessing? Hell, I don’t know. But Lonnie and I agreed. I need to cross that bridge first. And I’ve waited long enough .
“What is it?”
“We don’t open presents on Christmas Eve.”
She smirks and points behind me. “Tell that to him.”
I turn around and find Jackson by the tree, tearing the corner of a large, wrapped box. “Jackson.”
He jolts. “It’s got my name on it.”
There’s a rumble of a laugh, but it’s not from me. “Hey, you two,” Levi says, stepping up to where we’re standing at the archway.
I step back with a breath. “I know. We’re coming.”
Levi shrugs. “I was just going to say…” His eyes shift between the two of us, and he points up. “Mistletoe.” Then walks away with a grin.
Thank you for reading The Rogue.