Page 29 of Third Time's the Charm

I think every one of us stared at him because he said exactly what we all used to say before we gave up.

“It’s just...how can I take credit for something generations of my family worked on and perfected? This isn’t my recipe. It’s my family’s.”

Antonio shook his head and gently placed his hand on Mom’s. “Bernice, my love. All recipes are built on the backs of others. I don’t take less credit for my work simply because my father and mother were my first teachers. I honor them, yes, but the food I create with my hands is mine. This meal is yours. Take credit for it.”

Ma blinked at him a few times, her blush deepening. I traded a shocked glance with Erik and Roberto, and shrugged. This guy wasn’t Pop, but he sure was who Ma needed today.

We had so many people in the house there was an actual kids table this year. Which was kind of crazy. It felt like just yesterday I was at the kids table. And now we were all the adults, having the kids who now sat at the little table. Man, oh man. Elena had two, Roberto had two, Ana was pregnant, and Nacho was talking about having kids soon. There was about to be an explosion of Cassidys.

And that made me a little sad. Berlin and I never got around to having kids, which was a good thing considering how we exploded, but in the back of my mind, we’d have kids at that table too. It felt like there was a space there, waiting to be filled.

“Look at Jack. All deep in thought,” Ana teased me. “Has your heart grown three sizes this year?”

Damn. My siblings were harsh. But they weren’t wrong. I was selfish and living on a mountain of my own making. “Yes, dear sister. The ice has gone from my heart. I have a soul filled with warmth and love now.”

“Will there be a new woman at the table next year? Laura didn’t last very long.”

And neither did Jessica or Jennifer or Kristan. They were all lovely. They all were also not Berlin.

“I don’t know, Ana. Have anyone in mind for me?” She was a nurse in Miami and probably had a few ideas, knowing her.

She stroked her chin. “I can light up your social calendar any time you want, big brother. Just be sure you’re really ready. I don’t want a string of broken hearts coming back at me.”

“I’m done breaking hearts.” One was more than enough for me, thank you very much.

Elena patted my hand. “If you’re comparing everyone to Berlin, you won’t have much of a say.”

She had to go and say her name. “Which is why I quit dating.” And if I had my way, Berlin would leave Ryker, get back together with me, and she’d be the one at the table next Christmas.

“We should probably start clearing or else we’ll have half asleep kids asking for presents,” Elena pushed up from the table.

Cassidy family tradition was that everyone got to open one present after Christmas Eve dinner. “I’ll help.” I gathered up the big pork roast platter and transported it to the kitchen first. Jane collected cups while Zoe started stacking plates.

I passed the fridge and stopped. “Is this my pet manatee?” I pointed at the postcard. On it was a manatee eating a head of lettuce.

Elena put her chin on my shoulder. “What was her name?”

“Linda.” We all got a manatee “adopted” in our name when we turned seven. Basically the money went to helping a foundation take care of them and in return you got a postcard every year with a note about what that manatee did that year.

“Looks like Linda to me.” Elena reached for the postcard and pulled off the magnet, flipping it over. “Nope. It’s Arthur.”

Nacho’s manatee. “Well, where’s my postcard? What’s up with Linda?”

Elena returned the postcard. “You can just go to the website these days. The girls like to check up on Roger for me.”

“You can do that?” Sheesh. I was behind the times.

Bang, bang, bang!

Who the heck was knocking on our door on Christmas Eve?

“I’ll get it!” Zoe called. She was closest, having just taken a load of dishes to the kitchen. “Oh! What...how can I help you?”

I sat up, food coma dismissed. I didn’t like the tone of Zoe’s voice. “Everything okay, Zo?”

I rounded the corner to find a very red faced Berlin practically stomping her feet.Oh shit. That’s right.“Bringing us dessert, Berlin?”

She scowled. Zoe jumped back. “You stole our dessert!”

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