Page 63 of A Ferry Merry Christmas
“Even our parents,” Veronica added. “I insisted on crashing this party since my generous sister gave away my Christmas cookies last year.”
“Oh, hush,” Virginia teased. “We both know it was never about those cookies.”
Veronica shrugged good-naturedly. “She’s right, you know. It really wasn’t about those silly cookies.”
Avery’s attention was sidetracked by Olivia, who stood next to her parents. Logan had his arm around Beth’s waist. His gaze was on his wife, and the tenderness that shone in his eyes was enough to make Avery smile. The love that had brought them back together was real and strong.
“Can we have the cake now?” Olivia asked, clearly eager for the dessert.
“Olivia,” her father gently chastised. “It’s impolite to ask.”
Covering her mouth with both hands, Olivia mumbled, “Oops. Sorry.”
“We need to wait to sing ‘Happy Birthday’ first,” James explained just as the doorbell rang again. He excused himself and headed for the front of the house.
“I’m going to be a big sister,” Olivia announced. “I asked for a sister, but daddy explained that I’ll be just as happy with a little brother.” She shrugged as if this was yet to be decided.
“Congratulations,” Avery said. She was pleased for Beth, who glowed with happiness.
“Thanks. We’re excited. It seems everything is happening at once. Logan is working and taking business classes and I’m teaching first grade. Our lives are busy and full. We couldn’t be happier about this baby.”
“When are you due?”
“Not until October,” she said.
Liam and Suzie, two of the people from the band, entered the dining room, calling out their hellos and Merry Christmases to everyone. Liam carried his guitar.
“Now?” Olivia asked, looking at her parents.
Liam brought the guitar out of the case and lifted the strap over his shoulder. He strummed a few chords before starting the birthday song. They all joined in, and baby Noelle watched with glee, her eyes bright with excitement. The spoon made repeated raps against the tray as she was serenaded.
Lilly served the cake, and they sat around the dining room table and caught up with one another since last year, when they’d spent that fateful day together.
“So,” James said, eyeing Avery and Harrison. “Are you two . . . together?”
“We’re dating,” Harrison supplied, and looked at Avery with a look in his eyes that warmed her heart each and every time.
“Exclusively,” she added.
He reached for Avery’s hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. “There’s no one else for me.”
“Or me,” she whispered, holding Harrison’s eyes.
Liam and Suzie updated them about the band’s latest bookings and issued an invitation for the New Year’s Eve party they were playing. “We got free tickets as part of the arrangement. I hope you can all join us.”
“We’d love to,” Harrison said, and looked to Avery for agreement. They hadn’t made any special plans beyond Christmas.
“That sounds great.”
After thirty minutes, Harrison glanced at the time. “I hate to eat and run. Avery and I are meeting our siblings for lunch at Anthony’s.”
“No problem. You mentioned you couldn’t stay long when you responded to the invitation,” James said, and escorted them to the door.
Once outside, they hurried down the steps. “It was great to see everyone,” Avery said.
“Did you get what Virginia was saying about the cookies?”
“Yup. I’ll explain it later.”
