Chapter 7
Mallory was cautiously optimistic about Thanksgiving Day.
Everyone slept in a little late, and if she had to guess, it seemed that the entire family was ready to celebrate when they woke the next morning.
Mallory was under no illusion that everything would go back to how it was after such a short amount of time, but she was just glad nobody was at each other’s throats.
It also appeared that everyone had silently agreed not to dwell on what had been revealed the day before. They all just wanted to have fun, eat good food, and be happy together—which is exactly what they did that morning.
By the time Mallory woke and joined the festivities, David even put a little bit of coffee flavored liqueur in the pot that was brewing. She took a sip from the mug he handed her and grinned. “Good thinking. This is how we get the day started off right.”
“I thought you might appreciate it.” David leaned in for a side hug. “Did you sleep okay?”
“Surprisingly, yeah. I did.”
“Good.” He drew in a deep breath. “I have to admit, I did a lot of tossing and turning but eventually fell asleep. Yesterday was…”
“Yeah, I don’t really have the words to describe it either,” Mallory replied after her dad went quiet for a bit. “But it seems like everyone is doing okay now, all things considered.”
“Yeah, I think so too. And I talked a bit with your mom last night. It sounds like the two of you have started to work things out, but I know I still have some apologizing to do as well.”
“And I would love to hear your apologies and talk this over with you some more, just not right now. Maybe over the weekend,” Mallory suggested. “Or if it has to be today, then you’re going to have to pour some more of that liqueur in my mug first.” She winked.
“No, that’s okay,” David said with a chuckle. “We can wait until the weekend. There’s no rush. Hey—any chance we’ll get to see James today?”
“I hope so,” she said, no longer concerned about her family knowing how much she liked him.
They were going to give her a hard time whether she was honest with them or not anyway.
“But I’m not sure how busy he’s going to be.
He’s helping his aunt with a big Thanksgiving meal since this is the last year she’ll be able to celebrate at home. ”
“I see. Well, if you get him on the horn, tell him that everyone’s invited over here if they feel like keeping the party going after they eat.”
Mallory grinned. “I’ll make sure he knows that. Although I have a feeling his aunt and all her friends are probably going to call it an early night.” Mallory heard a car pull up to the driveway and a few seconds later, a door shut. “Who’s that?”
“Probably Chris.”
“Oh, right! Chris is coming today!” Her eyes widened. “Did Ariel get a chance to talk to him?”
“I’m not sure,” her dad admitted. “I don’t remember her calling him last night and she only woke up a few minutes before you, so—”
The front door swung open and Ariel’s tall, shiny-faced husband waltzed in wearing his Sunday best. “Hey there!” He cheerfully greeted Mallory and David, going in for a big hug that encompassed them both.
He breathed in and then took another sniff in the direction of Mallory’s mug.
“Oh, starting early I see. I like the way you think.”
“If you’d had the day we had yesterday,” Mallory said with a laugh, “you would understand.”
He frowned at them both. “What? Did I miss something?”
Ariel appeared at the end of the hall with a giant smile on her face.
“You missed a lot,” she said, running to give her husband a hug.
David and Mallory stepped aside. Ariel crashed into him like it had been years since they’d seen each other and Chris lifted her off the ground.
“But it’s okay. We’ve got time to fill you in. ”
Chris was beaming when they separated, and it was like Mallory was seeing the two of them for the first time.
She’d always had her opinions on her sister’s marriage, especially the fact that Chris wasn’t around as much as he should be—but looking at them now—she saw so much love.
Maybe it was from what she learned about her parents, or because of what happened with James, but it was like her blinders had come off.
It was the same later in the morning when she caught a glimpse of Taylor and Erica, laughing together in a corner of the kitchen.
Even when her parents sat beside each other at the dining room table and spoke about how grateful they were that their kids had grown into such amazing, intelligent, and patient people, Mallory felt a deep warmth in her chest.
All these people in her life had opened themselves up to love, and they’d been rewarded for it.
Her parents had a lifelong friendship that would stand the test of time in a way their marriage couldn’t.
Taylor and Erica were getting ready to expand their family in whatever way the universe saw fit for them.
Ariel's husband was taking a step back at work so that the love of his life could chase her dreams, letting them both start a new chapter.
Finally, there was Sasha.
Brave, young Sasha, who took a chance after losing almost everything and still chose to love. She was in a new phase of her life too—one of deep connection instead of loneliness. She’d found a home, a real home with a family that was slowly but surely welcoming her.
If she could find love and her place in this world, Mallory could too. She could give with all her heart and take a chance on something that had no guarantees.
Right then, after everyone had scraped every bite of pie from their plates, Mallory’s phone buzzed. She had a text from James, saying he was on his way—assuming he was still invited. She told him he was always invited and then raised a glass.
“I want to make a toast,” she said, smiling so brightly that her cheeks ached a little.
Everyone fell quiet and lifted their glasses with her.
“To this family and our amazing resilience, and to the love we share that carries us through anything.” She met everyone’s gaze individually, staying on her mother for a beat longer.
Callie’s eyes grew blurry, as if she might cry.
Mallory sniffled and held her head high, continuing her toast. “And to us all starting on new, exciting paths. I hope we all find success, and I want you all to wish me good luck as well.”
Taylor and Ariel shared a look of confusion, but it was Sasha who asked, “What new path are you starting?”
“I’m not sure yet,” Mallory said. “But I know that it’s a path that both starts, and probably ends, right here in Ferndale.”