by Laura Ward
After a pancake breakfast, we piled into the car to head to my parents’ home. Grace was uncomfortable that she didn’t have a gift for them, so I convinced her to give them the poinsettia. She agreed but with little enthusiasm.
“Devin, Dianna, Damian, Daisy, and Delilah. In that order. I’m the oldest, tallest, and most good-looking.” I winked, and her returning smile was small. “Red, they’re gonna love you. They’re going to tease me. That’s just what they do, but they will love you.”
She blew out a breath. “How do you know?”
“I know because I love you. I’ve never brought a girl home from college. They’re going to be curious about you but also excited. They’re huge pains in the asses, but they’re my family.” I took her hand in mine and squeezed.
Grace looked over her shoulder at Finn. “I have to tell you something about my family. My parents.”
I tightened the grip of my hand on the steering wheel. Her parents were assholes. But they were still her family.
“My mom sent me a Christmas card and a letter asking me to come home and let them apologize. She said they didn’t want to show up at my apartment with my child there without my permission.”
She paused, and I waited. This was huge for her.
“I’m considering stopping by the house. Not with Finn, of course, but maybe with… you? Would you come with me?” Grace studied my profile as I watched the road.
I loosened my grip. If I was with her, I could protect her. “Hell yes. You’re not going alone, I’ll tell you that right now. And if they hurt you…” I shut up before I said too much. Turning left, I pulled my truck into my driveway.
Grace squeezed my hand. “I know. I’ll be okay.” She leaned over and kissed my cheek. “I have you, after all.”
I put the car into park. “Baby.” I cupped her face and kissed her lips. From the front door, even with the windows closed and engine running, I could hear the hoots and hollering of my siblings. “You have me and my annoying family. C’mon.”
I took the key out of the ignition and jumped out of the truck. Reaching into the backseat for Finn, I lifted him into my arms. He woke, still drowsy, and wrapped his body around mine. As I rounded the truck, I took Grace’s hand and we walked up the path.
“Move back, you pack of dogs.” My dad’s gruff voice was welcome. My siblings scattered and my parents met us at the door. “Welcome to our home, Grace and Finn.” Grace extended her hand, and my dad beamed. “Gotta hug you, girl. You tamed my beast of a son. That’s gonna get you a hug.” My dad pulled Grace into his embrace. She giggled, and I relaxed.
“Grace.” Mom pulled Grace from my father. “We’re so happy that you and your son are here. Are you feeling better?” Mom held Grace’s hands in each of hers, pulling Grace’s arms to the sides as she inspected her.
“I’m much better, thank you, Mrs. Goldsmith.” Grace’s cheeks turned pink, and I bit back my grin.
“Oh no!” Mom made a clucking sound, tucking her bent elbow around Grace’s arm. She led her into the family room. “Call me Dorothy. And that old man is Dale.”
Grace nodded and looked over her shoulder at Finn and me. I winked, and her returning smile was the best Christmas gift I could have been given.
“Dad, this is Finn.” Finn lifted his sleepy head from my shoulder and waved.
“Hello there, young man. Welcome. You need anything, you ask me. I’m the big kahuna around here.” He rumpled Finn’s hair, and Finn laughed. We walked into the family room, and I groaned.
My sisters and brothers had signage.
Each stood in a row holding up a piece of white poster board. Delilah was first. She laughed uncontrollably as she yelled out her greeting. “Welcome, Dean’s friends! We hope you know what you’re getting into! Here’s a preview.”
Flipping her sign to the front, she read aloud what was printed in neat black block lettering:
Dean told me I was adopted.
And a boy.
I believed him.
For three years!!!!
She peered around the sign. “I’m Delilah! I’m fifteen!”
I couldn’t help but laugh. First off, there was no doubt that all the Goldsmiths were related. We looked like clones. Second, of all my sisters she was the girliest. Petite with light blond hair, blue eyes, and the longest eyelashes I’d ever seen. How had I pulled that off for three years? That prank was still my favorite.
Grace looked back at me with her lips pressed together. She turned back to my youngest sibling. “I’m Grace, and this is my son, Finn. He’s four.” Delilah waved.
Finn looked around the room and buried his face in my neck. I wanted to bury my face too. This place was overwhelming to me, and I grew up here. My parents’ family room was filled with a gigantic tree, presents underneath, stockings overflowing with candy, holiday music playing, a fire in the fireplace, and my goofy siblings. Holding signs. Jesus.
Daisy raised her sign next and read in a loud, proud voice.
Dean sprays us girls with mountain-scented air freshener before dates to keep the boys away. Doesn’t work! Ha!
She lowered her sign and spoke to Grace. “It’s true. Before every date whenever he’s home. He’s such a tool.” She blew me a kiss. “I’m Daisy, and I’m seventeen!”
Grace turned around, her mouth open. “You really do that?”
I nodded, grinning. “Look at them. They share my genes. They’re good-looking chicks. Boys need to stay away.”
My dad held up his hand. I high-fived him. Dad was too old for a fist bump.
“Nothing says unattractive like smelling like pine. It’s not hot.” I shrugged, and Delilah threw a pillow at my head. It bounced off Finn’s back, and he raised his head.
“Hey,” he protested, and Delilah’s smug grin fell.
“I’m sorry, Finn. I was aiming for my brother.” She stuck out her lower lip in a pout like she always did to get out of trouble.
Finn wrapped his arms around my shoulders. “Be nice to my Dean. I love him.”
A chorus of “awws” went up around the room.
“My turn.” Damian held up his sign.
He’ll eat the last donut/piece of cake/pie/muffin/cookie. Every time. He’s a hog. Oink, oink.
Damian snorted as he finished reading, and the room erupted in more laughter. Grace joined right in.
“I’m a growing boy.” I shrugged again. None of this was a lie.
Damian moved his sign to the floor. He dragged a hand through his shaggy blond hair. “I’m Damian by the way. The hot one. I’m eighteen.”
Grace muffled her giggle with her hand. I shot my brother the bird behind Finn’s back. Hot one, my ass.
The twins were next. Their signs were behind their backs. This would suck. They knew the most. Dianna spoke up. “We’re the twins, Devin and Dianna. We’re twenty and attend Purdue.”
“Boooooo.” I heckled them, but they only smirked in return. Shitballs. Dianna raised her sign.
He wet the bed until he was nine. One time he peed in his own closet when he was sleepwalking. PROTECT YOUR SHOES!
The room was going wild. Daisy and Damian fell onto the floor laughing. Grace turned around again wide-eyed. “Did you really wet the bed until you were nine?”
“Yup. Sorry again, Mom.” Mom was wiping the tears from her eyes, enjoying this show way too much. I considered retracting said apology.
Finn jerked up. “Ewwww,” he said as his little lips pinched together with a frown.
“Last, but never least.” Devin flipped his sign around. It was simple but poignant.
Meet Woobie the Boobie.
No fucking way. He wouldn’t…
He did. Devin reached behind him and pulled out Woobie. My siblings were screaming with laughter. Even my father clutched his side from laughing too hard.
“Seems like our Dean here was always a boob man. Mom couldn’t get him off the teat, so she stuffed this tan sock and sewed it shut. Told him it was his very own boobie to sleep w
ith. This tool named it Woobie. Know where I found it?” Devin asked Grace.
She shook her head, her face bright red.
“In his bed. He STILL sleeps with his Woobie when he comes home!” Devin doubled over in laughter.
“That’s not true!” It really was. I don’t know, my ma made it for me. And, it was a boob… I coughed away my own laughter. “Where’s the loyalty, bro?”
“I tried to take it from him many times,” Mom said, gasping for air.
Grace tugged on my arm. “Is that…” She gasped for breath. “a…?”
Mom jumped in. “It is! The top part is red to look just like a nipple. He insisted!”
“I’m going to pee my pants,” Delilah yelled out.
Grace waved her hand in front of her face. “I’m sorry, Dean. This is so funny. Disturbing, but funny.”
That set off another round of laughter. Finn jumped down from my arms and walked over to Grace. He slipped his hand into hers. “I like them, Mama.”
That quieted them down. The laughter stopped, and my siblings looked at Finn and then at me. They were happy for me. The Goldsmiths just showed it in unique ways.
“It’s a pleasure to meet all of you. Thank you for sharing your Christmas with my son and me.” Grace walked over and hugged each of them. Finn followed, shaking hands.
“Sit down, sit down. Time for presents! We waited for you to arrive!” Mom clapped her hands and shooed us all to our seats.
Devin slipped me an envelope, and I joined Grace on the couch.
“Our tradition is to pass gifts around and open them at the same time. Okay?” Mom asked Grace.
Grace’s face reddened. “I’m so sorry, but I didn’t know we were coming. I don’t have any gifts for you. We’ll just watch, Finn.” Finn nodded, and my mom bit her lip. She was up to something.
I elbowed Grace. “You got Mom a present. Mom, we have a big ol’ poinsettia in the truck for you.” I grinned as Grace rolled her eyes.
Dad handed out the gifts, giving one to Finn and one to Grace last.
“What is this?” Grace whispered.
“Mom? How did you…?”
Daisy stood up and wrapped an arm around my mom’s waist. “She shopped on Christmas Eve, just like the rest of us. Probably killed her to be a last-minute shopper, but she’s over-the-moon excited you both are here.”
Mom clasped her hands in front of her chest. “Welcome to our family, Grace. If Dean loves you, we know we all will.”
A tear rolled down Grace’s face, and she nodded. “Thank you so much. The feeling is mutual.”
We opened present after present. Mom had an equal number for everyone, even for Grace and Finn. My mom fucking rocked.
Once the pile under the tree was empty, I stood up. “I want to thank Mom and Dad for being so awesome. You both are more generous than any of us deserve.” I pulled the envelope from Devin out of my back pocket. “I had to call in some favors from my brother on this one, but he got the purchases made and papers printed. Thanks, man.”
Devin lifted his chin, and I handed Grace the envelope.
She opened it, and her jaw dropped. “No. No.” She looked up at me. “Dean!”
“Yes, Red. You deserve this and more.” I knelt in front of Finn. “I play in my last college bowl game on New Year’s Day. For your Christmas present, I got you and your mom plane tickets to see me in the game. You’ll fly down on the twenty-ninth, and we have tickets to go to Disney World the next day.”
Finn jumped up. “A plane! I’ve never been on a plane!” He hugged me and then Grace. “And Mickey? I get to see Mickey the mouse?” His grin was huge, and his voice got louder and higher pitched with each word. I nodded, and he leaped into my arms again.
“Mama?” He turned back to Grace, who was busy wiping away her tears. “The best part is that we get to see Dean play again. I’m gonna cheer so loud he’ll hear me this time. I know it.”
“I will, little dude. I totally will hear you.”
I looked around at my family, and I saw it in each person’s expression. They knew why I loved Grace and Finn. And they would fall in love with them too. That in and of itself was the greatest gift I could give Grace and Finn. The love and loyalty of the Goldsmith clan was loud, often obnoxious, but never ending.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Grace
DEAN AND I crept out of his old room and walked into the kitchen. “He’s finally asleep. He didn’t want to leave your brothers and sisters. He’s had the best day.” I kissed Dean’s lips, and he held me against him.
“I need a minute alone with you. Then we can join the others.” His lips moved against mine, and he slipped his tongue into my mouth. I moaned and sucked on his tongue for a second.
“You better cut that out,” he spoke against my lips. “Don’t start something you can’t finish, Red.”
“Oh, I can finish and quietly I might add. You? You’re pretty much a beast, so staying quiet is not gonna happen.” He growled, and I giggled, kissing him chastely. “Thank you for bringing me here.” I wrapped my arms around his waist, and we held each other.
“Knock, knock.”
We pulled back as a side door into Dean’s kitchen opened. A tall, built guy with brown hair walked in. He held hands with a short, petite blonde. She held the door open, and in walked Amy.
“Amy!” I ran over, and we hugged. “I’m so happy to see you.”
“Hi, Grace! I am glad you and Dean made up. That makes me smile.” Amy did just that as Dean walked over.
“Amy.” Dean paused and looked at me before turning back to her. “Thank you for talking to me yesterday and helping me get my head on straight. If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t have my girl and my little dude back.”
Amy placed a hand on Dean’s shoulder. “Now do not be a dickhead again, okay?”
Dean threw his head back in laughter. Amy looked at me wide-eyed. “I was serious.” We all laughed harder at that.
“Grace, I’m Emma, and this is Landon. We’re friends with Dean and Amy. It’s so nice to meet you.”
I shook their hands. “I’ve heard a lot about both of you from Dean and Amy.”
“Is it safe for me to join you all?” Jon poked his head in the doorway. “I come in peace.” He held up a case of beer.
“C’mon in.” Dean wasn’t friendly, but he was polite. He held my hand tightly in his, and some of the tension I felt around Jon dissipated.
Jon placed the beer on the table. “Grace, I owe you a big apology. I should never have gotten into your and Dean’s relationship. I turned my past crap into worry about Finn. That was wrong. You aren’t my mom and Dean isn’t those guys. I’m sorry.” He held out his hand, and we shook.
If anyone understood baggage from their childhood, it was me. “Apology accepted. But I believe you came from a place of good intentions, Jon.” I smiled, and he blew out a breath.
“Still gonna deck you,” Dean rumbled out.
Jon nodded. “I know that. I’ll take it when it comes. Until then, have a beer with me.” He tossed a can at Dean, and he caught it, popping it open and taking a large drink.
We settled around the table, beers for most and soda for some.
“Where’s Ricardo?” Landon asked Jon.
Jon shrugged, but his eyebrows pulled together. “Something’s going on with him. He won’t answer my texts. I stopped by his house, and he wasn’t there either.”
Landon and Dean exchanged worried looks. “I’ll try to catch up with him tomorrow,” Landon announced, and Dean seemed to relax at this.
Two hours later I felt like a part of the group. Dean and Landon teased one another mercilessly. Emma attempted to tamp down the crude jokes, and Amy laughed along with everyone.
After Dorothy’s huge Christmas lunch, I didn’t think I could ever eat again, but that was not the case for anyone else. Dorothy had two huge pots of chili on the stove, and people moved in and out of the kitchen, filling bowls and adding toppings. Like Dean, his sibli
ngs had a stream of friends coming in and out of the house. Everyone was welcome, with Dale and Dorothy moving around, joining different groups. I wondered what it would be like to grow up like this, with lots of siblings, friends, and with parents who were open and loving.
I wanted all of that for Finn. For the first time I thought he might get it.
“Dean filled us in on your background, Grace. I’m sorry to hear about all of your losses. Unfortunately, Landon has had a similar issue with his parents. Have you reached out to yours since Finn was born?” Emma sat on Landon’s lap, their fingers entwined.
I looked at Dean. “No.” I shifted to face Emma. “But just today I told Dean that they sent me a letter asking me to contact them. As mad as I am at them, I still miss them. They’re my parents.”
Emma looked into Landon’s eyes for a long moment. He nodded, and she kissed his lips.
“I’m—” Landon cleared his throat. “I’m thinking of contacting mine too. Emma and I have been talking about it, and with moving back home next summer, I know I’ll need to smooth things over.” He looked at Emma. “I mean, I want to move on. Emma and I will have a family together someday. I need my stuff sorted before then.”
I nodded, ripping the napkin in front of me into pieces. “I know what you mean. I’m not sure I can ever forgive them, but I have a family, and my son deserves to know his grandparents.”
Landon met my eyes, and the ball of tension inside me eased. He understood where I was coming from. Dean tried, but with a family like he had, he would never fully understand the feeling of abandonment when your parents turned their backs on you. No matter how old you were when that happened, it was a pain that was hard to describe.
Daisy walked into the kitchen and grabbed a bottle of water from the refrigerator. She was stunning. Taller, like her older brother, but curvier than her other sisters. Her chest filled out her snug, long-sleeved white T-shirt, and her ripped jeans clung to her hips. Daisy had a woman’s body even at the age of seventeen. Long, white-blond hair hung straight down her back, and she shared the same crystal-blue eyes that all of the Goldsmith siblings were blessed with.
