Chapter 34
They were hosting Thanksgiving this year.
It had been Josie’s idea, and A.J. was thrilled.
Josie had been researching turkey brining recipes and cranberry sauce recipes and stuffing recipes for days, and judging by the incredible smells coming from the kitchen, she’d figured things out.
In a culinary role reversal, A.J. had been the acting sous chef instead of the head cook for this event.
The kids were sprawled in the living room watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, with Fluff snoring between them, and although it was before noon, A.J.
had already cracked open a bottle of wine to share with Josie while they seamlessly worked together in the kitchen.
He hadn’t felt this much joy in a very long time.
Josie had spent a few sessions with her therapist over the last few weeks, and she was gradually settling back into life.
Kevin hadn’t woken up from his coma, and the doctors weren’t sure he ever would.
A.J. had taken Josie to visit him a week after they’d gotten home from the hospital.
She’d struggled to make peace with the brother who looked so much like the one she’d loved and lost but had been nothing like him at all, so after some emotional discussions, Josie decided she’d pay to upgrade Kevin’s care facility, but otherwise she wasn’t going to visit him again.
It was what she could live with, and A.J. supported her decisions.
She’d also dipped her toes back into work on the therapy center.
Josie and Cam had insisted A.J. take a couple of weeks off completely to rest and heal, and A.J.
only agreed when Josie said she would too.
Progress had slowed a little on the project, but they both looked forward to really digging back in after the holidays.
“I found a recipe that called for blueberries in the cranberry sauce. Here, take a taste and see what you think,” Josie said, holding out a spoon.
He slurped the sauce off the spoon and lifted his eyebrows. “It’s really good.”
“Who knew?” Josie said, smiling.
She had her hair pulled off her face in a ponytail and wore a frilly apron over her pajamas. A.J. loved her like this. He knew she’d change into something more Josie-like before company arrived, but relaxed and comfortable Josie was adorable.
A few hours later, company did arrive. Jake, Fiona, and the girls descended on them, followed by Cam and Lissa and their toddler, then Joan, and, to A.J.
’s surprise and delight, Holly and Gabe.
Holly had been truly distressed when she’d learned about what happened to them.
She’d brought them flowers and food, and she’d been spending more time with Josie.
The only ones missing were Maria and Teag, who had gone down to Florida for the week to spend time with Teagan’s mom, and Devin Marco, who was still off somewhere in Colombia investigating Charlie’s death.
The house was full of kids and dogs and family and laughter, and as A.J. surveyed the chaos, he knew today was the day.
It was another hour before everyone sat down at his oversized farm table in the dining room to eat, but before everyone could dive in, A.J.
clinked his fork on his wine glass. When he glanced at his kids and gave them a slight nod, they leaped out of their chairs. Ellie pushed her way onto Josie’s lap.
“We have a surprise,” Ellie said, giggling.
“You do? Is it an apple pie? I only made pumpkin,” Josie said, and Ellie laughed even harder.
“Nope. It’s better than pie.”
A.J. interrupted his daughter before she gave away the game.
“First of all, I want to thank you all for helping us get through yet another really hard time. You are our family, and we love you.” He blew out a breath, then stuck his hand in his pocket to retrieve the little black velvet box.
“This Thanksgiving, I have so much to be grateful for. Josie’s okay.
I’m still here and mostly in one piece,” he said, eliciting a laugh from his guests.
He turned toward Josie, gave her a warm smile, and then got down on one knee. Her hands flew to cover her mouth, and tears glistened in her eyes.
“But I’m most grateful to have been given a second chance at love. Josie, you’ve brought our home back to life. You’ve brought me back to life. You’ve given us something I thought we’d lost forever. You are remarkable in every way.”
Ellie practically bounced herself off Josie’s lap when he opened the ring box. Nestled inside was a vintage, emerald-cut diamond. Josie gasped.
“We would like to know if you’ll marry us?” he asked, his voice a little shaky.
You could have heard a pin drop in his dining room.
“Yes,” Josie breathed. “Yes, I’ll marry you.”
A.J. slid the ring onto Josie’s finger as the people he cared for most in the world clapped and cheered.