Page 61 of A Ferry Merry Christmas
“No need,” Reed said, carrying a large platter with the turkey. He set it in the middle of the table. “Kellie and I have got everything dished up and ready to serve.”
“I apologize.” Avery was embarrassed by her bad manners.
“No apology necessary. Harrison asked for a few minutes so he could speak to you alone, and . . .”
“Kell,” Harrison protested and rolled his eyes.
“Did you?” Avery enjoyed teasing him.
“It worked out perfectly,” Reed interjected. “I wanted a few minutes alone with Kellie, too.”
“Avery and I are going to the movies this weekend,” Harrison announced as he pulled out a chair for her to take a seat. He caught Kellie’s eye and winked.
She winked back and smiled at Avery.
Reed stood behind Kellie’s chair, then took his own. Before they ate, the four joined hands and Reed said a short prayer.
“Grams would have loved meeting both of you,” Avery said as they passed around the dishes. She loaded her plate with mashed potatoes and giblet gravy. She skipped the green beans and took an extra scoop of stuffing, her favorite. She noticed Harrison did the same, passing over the vegetable in favor of extra stuffing. By the time they finished with all the side dishes, her plate was full to overflowing.
Their meal was wonderful as they exchanged banter, joking back and forth. From the way they interacted, it was as if they’d known one another far longer than they had. Avery had been convinced this first Christmas without her grandmother would be hard as she and Reed tried to make the best of it alone together. And yet here she was enjoying herself just the way their grandmother would have wanted.
Afterwards the four worked together cleaning the kitchen. Kellie insisted on packaging up several containers of leftovers, claiming everything tasted even better the second day.
“I doubt that’s possible,” Reed said. “I can’t remember a meal I enjoyed more, or the company.”
Once everything had been set right in the kitchen, Harrison suggested they watch a Christmas movie.
“How aboutDie Hard?” Reed said. “That’s one of my favorites.”
“That’s not a Christmas movie,” Avery argued. “What aboutHome Alone?”
Reed rolled his eyes. “How many times have you watched that silly movie? A dozen?”
“Probably more. It’s tradition,” Avery argued.
Reed wasn’t listening. “What’s your choice?” he asked Kellie.
Harrison’s sister shared a smile with Avery. “Home Alone.”
“No, please, no.”
“Don’t I get a say?” Harrison asked.
In a united chorus, the three others said, “No.”
“Okay, okay, it’sHome Alone,” Harrison said with a laugh as he reached for the remote.
Reed and Kellie claimed the sofa. Kellie snuggled up against Reed and he placed his arm around her shoulders and kissed the top of her head.
Harrison reached for Avery’s hand and the two nestled in the loveseat as the movie started to play.
Although Avery had watched the movie many times, it never failed to make her laugh. She enjoyed being close to Harrison and didn’t object when he tucked his arm around her. With her stomach full of their meal, she rested her head against his shoulder and yawned at the end of the movie.
When the last of the credits rolled across the screen, Reed sat up and announced, “It’s time for the RumChata.”
“It’s a Christmas tradition that started with our grandparents,” Avery explained.
“This is our first Christmas without our grandmother. It seems fitting for us to continue in her honor,” Reed added.
