Page 122 of The Affair
“Absolutely.”
With one last glance at the pictures on the wall, I headed into the living room. After Sawyer had moved in, we’d made some of those changes he’d been rambling on about. Gone were the tacky cherubs on the fireplace and the worn carpet. He’d even redone the kitchen, making it the centerpiece of the home.
It had taken some convincing on my part, but after giving in to the change, I loved the results. And although the living room wasn’t quite what I had known as a child, the important thing was that we were together.
With everyone gathered around the tree, my brother sat down on the floor with his kids. All five of them.
To say he and Bethany had been busy was a total understatement. They’d worked on filling that great big house on the beach with kids, and I’d honestly never seen my brother happier. The rest of us were all taking bets on whether or not they’d go for an even half-dozen.
My money was on a sixth.
“Okay,” my brother said, trying to wrangle the kids, “I know you are anxious for presents, but I want to do something special.”
A few of the older kids looked excited. Others were bummed.
Mary just sat on my lap and stared at the tree. She was easy to entertain.
For now.
“When Aunt Eloise and I were little, our mom used to do this, so I thought it would be nice to carry on that tradition now.”
My heart ached but I smiled, remembering her doing the same with us.
Opening the tattered book, he dragged his hands across the pages, as if he was gathering strength, and began reading the words from ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas.
The kids were immediately drawn in, hanging on his every word.
“Thank you for this,” Sawyer murmured next to me.
“For what?”
His eyes roamed the house filled with people. “This,” he said. “Marriage, a home… a family.”
It was the one thing he’d always wished for. A true family, and although he’d never managed to connect with his own, he found everything he had been looking for right here in this room.
“We’ve done a good job so far, haven’t we?” I smiled, kissing the top of Mary’s round head.
“Yeah,” he agreed. “I think we have.”
“That reminds me,” I whispered. “I have a present for you to open.”
“That’s funny,” he answered, “because I have one for you too.”
“I thought we agreed, no presents! Why did you get me something?”
“Why did you?” he countered.
There were many things we were good at as a couple—making cute babies, running a successful business, but gifts? Yeah, we sucked at gifts.
But I had a feeling mine was going to go over pretty damn well.
“Can I go first?” he asked.
“Now? But the kids…” I didn’t want to interrupt the story.
He looked over at our nieces and nephews, who were all mesmerized by their father’s voice. “I think we’re good. Besides, if I have to go another moment longer, I will burst.”
I knew the feeling.
