by Kim Pritekel
Kristie giggled and walked over to her dad. “How about both?”
“Woohoo!” Shannon crowed. “Let’s celebrate with doughnuts!”
Epilogue
“I absolutely love what Shannon has done with this place,” Sarah said to Nora from where they sat at the dining room table, three leaves added for length.
Nora chuckled. “Well, baby, this place was pretty much an empty canvas when you moved out.”
“Be nice,” Sarah growled playfully. “I was a detective, not an interior decorator.”
“Everyone, can I have your attention, please?” Shannon asked, standing from her chair at the head of the table. She was wearing a cute dress that showed off her adorable figure, her shoulder-length hair pulled back from her face. She blushed slightly as everyone looked over at her. “Jeez, I didn’t think this would be quite so intimidating.” She laughed nervously.
“That’s what happens when it’s your house,” LJ laughed from where he sat next to Rachel a bit farther down the table from her.
“Yeah, yeah,” Shannon said. “Okay.” She blew out a breath. “Anyway, I wanted to welcome everyone here for Thanksgiving dinner. It’s, well, it’s always been my dream to host a holiday in my own house.” She grinned. “Problem was, I never lived in anything bigger than a shoebox.”
Nora laughed, remembering those days herself. For now, she looked on with pride as her younger sister continued.
“I wanted to start by saying that I am so grateful that Sarah and Nora gave me the opportunity to have such a nice home for Bella and me, and now”—she glanced over at her boss-turned-fiancé—“Corey. So, Sarah when you offered me to rent this place from you when you moved in with Nora, you truly made a dream come true. Thank you.”
Nora reached over to Sarah’s lap and wrapped her fingers around Sarah’s, feeling a squeeze in return.
“It was my pleasure, Shannon,” Sarah said softly.
“So much has happened in the last sixteen months and I know I have so much to be grateful for. So, I thought maybe we could go around the table and offer a little of what we’re thankful for. So,” she said about to sit before standing back up again. “That’s it.”
Nora chuckled as Shannon plopped back down into her chair, looking almost relieved that she’d gotten that out.
“Okay,” Shannon continued. “Bella, honey, go ahead.”
“Well,” the seven-year-old began, giving everyone a big, toothless grin, already telling everyone how proud she was that she’d lost two more teeth. “I’m thankful for Mommy and Corey. I’m thankful for my teacher, Mrs. Epps, my cat Oreo, but mostly because I’m gonna be a big sister.”
“Bella!” Shannon hissed.
“Oops! I wasn’t supposed to say that. Sorry, Mommy.” She turned to the rest of the table. “Just kidding.”
Nora laughed along with everyone else before offering sincere congratulations to the happy couple. She liked the quiet and shy Corey a great deal. He was a hell of an attorney, she was told, but was sweet and considerate to both Shannon and Bella.
Andrew was next, still chuckling at Bella’s announcement. “Well, congrats you two for starters. I guess I’m extremely grateful for my family,” he said. He glanced at Jill, holding her gaze for a long moment before continuing. “I’m grateful to be married to the love of my life and mother of my kids.” They shared a quick kiss. “And, I’m grateful we won the Loenstein case, right Corey?” He raised his wineglass in salute at the laughter that garnered.
Nora watched her older sister, who was silent for a moment, seeming to truly contemplate her answer. Finally, a slow and lovely smile crossed her lips. “This time two years ago I was a very different person with a very different perspective on, well, everything. I’m grateful that none of you gave up on me,” she said, sparing a glance at her husband. “And, so glad to be close to my family again. I’m deeply proud of my children, Sylvia at the top of her class and Tyler, what do you kids say, is rocking it,” she said, using air quotes.
Tyler looked away, blushing.
“Happy Thanksgiving everyone,” she said in closing.
Nora chuckled because Sylvia looked as though she were about to be sick as she was next.
“Um,” she said, looking around shyly. “I guess I’m grateful for all kinds of stuff.”
“Yeah, uh, ditto,” Tyler said, almost seeming to shrink in his seat.
“That’s Tyler.” LJ laughed. “A man of few words.” He playfully punched the teen on the shoulder. “I guess I’m next. Well,” he said, letting out a heavy sigh. “First and foremost, I’m so proud of Kristie. She’s doing so well in college and is in her own place.” He grinned past Rachel at her. “She too is rocking it.”
Kristie rolled her eyes. “You’re such a dork, Dad.”
LJ grinned. “So I’m told, so I’m told. I am deeply grateful for Rachel,” he said, the tone of his voice going from playful to filled with meaning as he looked at the adorable blonde sitting next to him. “She’s truly taught me what love can be, should be.” He smiled. “Thank you for that.”
Nora reached a hand up to swipe at a tear that was about to slip down her cheek. She’d never seen her brother happier than he’d been in the past year and could think of few who deserved it more.
“Also,” LJ continued, “I wanted to share with you that I’m leaving P-Dub.” He paused as a round of surprised gasps filled the room. “Guys, I hate football.” He let out a little laugh. “Always have. Instead, I’ll be teaching English Literature at Pueblo Community College.”
Nora broke out into applause. “Awesome!”
“Let’s not forget that book number two is coming out next spring,” Rachel added, pointing a finger at him. “Yep, this guy.”
“Yay!” Kristie exclaimed. “My dad finally came out of the closet as a writer.”
LJ grinned. “Yeah, yeah. Anyway, uh, yeah. Baby?”
“Well,” Rachel began, “I’d like to start by saying I’m truly grateful that Shannon has recovered so remarkably well, little Miss ML.” She and Shannon exchanged a meaningful smile. “But, also that everyone here has been so accepting of me and my boys, who as you all know had to head off to spend some time today with their dads’ families. You guys are an amazing group of people. I honestly thought I’d hit the lottery with LJ, but never figured that would extend to you guys, too. So”—she gave everyone a blinding smile—“thank you and I truly love you all.” She turned to LJ. “Especially you.”
“Hey, get a room!” Sarah exclaimed, tossing a dinner roll at the kissing couple.
Nora laughed, squeezing Sarah’s thigh beneath the table.
“Right?” Kristie exclaimed dramatically. “Anywho, guess it’s to the lezzie end of the table now, huh?” She grinned at Julia, Nora, and Sarah. “Nah, I’m truly grateful for everything. I’m happy and have so many good things in my life.” She shrugged. “Guess I just love my life.”
Nora chuckled at that simple declaration, expecting so much more drama from her eldest niece.
“Well,” Julia said, grabbing her water glass, “in the epic word of Tyler, ‘Ditto.’”
Nora opened her mouth to speak, but Kristie zoomed in. “Let Sarah go first!”
Nora glanced from Kristie and a grinning Julia to her left, where Sarah was scooting her chair back and had fallen to one knee.
“Oh God,” Nora groaned, hands coming up to cover her face. She dropped her hands and glanced at Kristie. “Did you two knuckleheads know about this?”
“Duh! Who the hell else was going to entertain your nosy ass so she could get you a ring?”
Nora laughed, shaking her head. “And, here I thought my considerate niece only wanted to spend the day with me.” She turned back to Sarah who, sure enough, was holding an opened ring box, an exquisite gold band with inlaid diamonds inside.
“I’ve waited twenty-three years to ask this, but will you marry me?” she said softly.
Nora couldn’t speak, so she simply nodded, Sarah’s image blur
red through her tears. “Of course!”
Sarah somehow managed to get the ring onto Nora’s finger as her hand was trembling terribly. She took Nora in her arms in a tight hug amidst thunderous applause and cheers.
“I love you,” Nora managed to say.
“I love you, too,” Sarah responded into her ear.
“Yay!” Bella exclaimed. “Now, let’s eat!”
About the Author
Kim Pritekel was born and raised in Colorado, where she still lives, loving the blue skies and the beautiful Rockies. She’s been writing since she was a child and has created a career as both a novelist and filmmaker.You can find out more at
http://www.kimpritekel.com/
or on Facebook
Check out Kim’s other books.
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