CHAPTER TEN
GRIFFEN CALDWELL
“Damn, Griff, what the hell is that thing?” Beckett hurries to the back of my truck where I’m unloading the family Christmas gift that took months to create. He’s been grinning like a fool from the moment he and Beth arrived at Lauren and Ezra’s home for dinner.
Always the most lighthearted of our siblings, this over-the-top peppiness is a little much even for him.
“You’ll have to wait and see,” I say with a grunt as we heft it out of the truck bed and maneuver through the front door of the house.
With my blacksmithing business growing in Guardian Valley, I’ve had less free time on my hands, but when the idea for a family tree representing the Caldwells came to mind last spring, I couldn’t ignore it.
Every spare moment has been spent on soldering and hammering the metal into an elaborate tree with winding branches and leaves.
“What is it, Uncle Griffen?” Tristan asks, his jaw dropped wide open, as we cross the threshold.
“It's a surprise. This is a gift for everybody, so we all need to be together to see it,” I say.
“I'll get everybody,” Tristan volunteers, running from the huge foyer.
Beckett and I continue our trek down the hall to the enormous living room with high ceilings and a wall of windows that looks out on the mountains.
A giant Christmas tree fills part of the space, decorated by family at the bottom, professionally at the top, where Ezra and Lauren couldn't reach.
Everything in this place is oversized, but I know my brother wanted to have a home big enough to house all of his siblings and Gramps, along with his and Lauren's children and the rest of his nieces and nephews.
So far, it's doing a good job of providing enough space for everybody to spread out.
A chorus of oohs and ahhs erupt once Beckett and I enter the living room, deciding to brace the gift against the wall.
“That's some present. Who's it for?” Soren asks.
“It's a family gift”
“Wait, wait,” Tristan calls, dragging his mom and Beth into the room. Judging by their aprons, they must have been working on Christmas cookies in the kitchen.
“A gift for everybody?” Curiosity drips from Ezra’s tone.
“Yep, so everyone gather around.” There's plenty of room. Two sofas and a collection of lounging chairs fill up as everyone takes a seat in anticipation.
A riot of nerves crops up at being the center of attention, but this is my family, so I take a deep breath to relax.
“This idea came to me a few months ago. It was inspired by all the changes we've gone through the past couple of years. It's meant to represent us and our growing numbers.” I look pointedly at the children.
“Can I open it?” Rachel asks.
“Why don't you and Tristan both come up here to rip the wrapping paper? But I'll need to finish unwrapping it just to be safe.” The kids scream in excitement before rushing forward, tearing at the wrapping paper Heidi and I spent too long taping together.
Once they're down to the cardboard bracketing the iron piece, I wave them back and use my pocket knife to rip the tape open, revealing the massive metal tree.
“Whoa.” Sara Beth’s is the only reaction as everybody remains silent while studying the piece.
Flushing uncomfortably, unsure if anyone likes it, I gesture to a couple of features.
“It's a literal family tree with the branches, the leaves. They represent each of us, even though I didn't put our names on it. I figured we could showcase it at the lodge as part of our family's legacy. That way we could all see it.” I scratch at the back of my neck.
“That sounds like a great idea.” Ezra stands and pats my back before pulling me in for a hug. Soren and Beckett follow with Kennedy last.
“This is amazing. I can't believe how talented you are.”
“Thanks,” I rumble.
There's a sniffle, and we look back to see Beth swiping beneath her eyes. “Sorry, I don't mean to cry. Stupid hormones.”
“Hormones?” Kennedy's eyes widen. “Does that mean you're pregnant?”
Beth tenses then nods.
“Oh my gosh!” The women converge on Beth while us guys congratulate Beckett.
“It's about time you've joined our ranks,” Wyatt jokes.
“Welcome to the Dads Club.”
“You guys are such dorks,” Beckett says.
“Oh, and you're gonna be the cool dad?” Kennedy interjects, rolling her eyes playfully.
“Since I'm the cool brother, I think it's natural to assume I'll be the cool dad.” Beckett grins.
As everybody devolves into excited chatter about the newest arrival coming to our family, I join Heidi and Joy on the sofa. “You did good, babe,” she says, kissing my cheek. “It's beautiful.”
“I couldn't have done it without you,” I admit. It's because of her that I even considered pursuing blacksmithing. It seemed like a far-off possibility, and then she made it real by being so focused on pursuing her own dreams.
And now we have everything we could ever want. Her photography business, my blacksmithing, and our beautiful little girl.
It's more than I ever thought I deserved. More than I ever thought I'd get.
But thanks to heart sparks, they are all mine.