Page 94 of The Forever After Bet

“No. Well, I don’t think it is. My grandma wants you to come to dinner next Friday. She always does a big Christmas dinner the Friday before Christmas.. I want you to come, too, not just my grandma. I shouldn’t have said it that way. It’s just that my entire family will be there. My parents, my sister, Libby, and her boyfriend, Silas, and my mom’s sister, Willow..”

“What do your parents think?” I ask.

“I haven’t talked to them yet, but my grandma and grandpa invited you.”

I wrap my arms around his waist. “You really want me to come?”

“Yes, please, yes. I’ll get down on my knees and beg if it will help my cause.” Ford pleads.

“I’ll go. I love your grandparents, and I love you. Count me in.”

Ford presses his lips to mine. “Thank you.”

36. The Holidays

I’m glad for the break from school and the drama that always accompanies it. Also, it will be nice to have a slight break from basketball. We have two practices the week after Christmas, but it shouldn’t be too bad.

Hannah and I tell Beth that we’re dating again. I thought she’d throw a fit, but she told us congratulations. She also tells us to be careful, or she and Hannah will end up bump buddies. It hurt Hannah’s feelings, but she doesn’t say anything. I think she put on a brave face for my sake.

Hannah drags me shopping several times for Christmas presents for her family, and then Jack and Ty want to go shopping to find something for their girlfriends. I decorate Christmas cookies with the Clark family and help them deliver the treats to their neighbors. My mom always made lots of Christmas cookies and candies when I was growing up, but I never helped her deliver them to people. It’s a little unnerving, but fun.

When I get home from Hannah’s on Thursday night, my parents are both there and watching a movie together. It’s surreal to see them cuddled up on the sofa, but comforting at the same time. They stop the movie when I walk into the family room.

“How was your night?” my mom asks.

“It was great. I ate too much fudge, though.” I sit down at the end of the sectional. “I have something I need to tell you,” I say, fidgeting with my winter hat.

“You can tell us anything.” My mom smiles, sitting her wineglass down on the coffee table.

I nod. “You might be upset with me.” I take a breath. “Hannah and I are dating. Actually, we never really broke up. We took some time after we tried to elope to figure things out. We’ve been taking it slow.”

My parents don’t say a word, so I finally look up at them.

My dad clears his throat. “I regret the things I said that night. I was reacting, not thinking. I shouldn’t have gotten so upset with the two of you. I should have listened to what the two of you had to say.

“Instead, we blew up and caused more problems. We knew you and Hannah wouldn’t break up,” my mom says.

“I’m surprised you didn’t tell us sooner,” my dad says.

I shrug. “We’ve been taking things slow, and we thought—well, I thought you’d be upset that we were still dating.”

“Hannah is different from any of the other girls you’ve dated. I like her, she’s the girl you bring home to meet your parents. I just wish it was ten years down the road, and not while you’re in high school.” my mom sighs. “You grew up, and we missed it. We love you and we want the best for you.”

“Gigi invited her to dinner tomorrow. I hope that’s okay.”

Both my parents nod.

“Gigi told me last week.” My mom smiles.

I stand up. “Well, that went a hundred times better than any scenario I played out in my head. Thank you for supporting me, and for giving Hannah another chance.”

I pick Hannah up around five-thirty. Going to her house to pick her up for a date is weird, but it’s a good feeling. I’m glad we’re taking steps toward having a normal relationship again. Jack opens the door when I knock on it, and I bump fists with him. “What are you up to tonight?” I ask.

“Leah, Ty, and June are coming over. Leah wants to make marshmallow popcorn, and we’re going to watch a Christmas movie.”

“Nice. I’m sorry we can’t hang out.”

“We might still be here when your family dinner is over.” Jack shrugs.

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