Total pages in book: 14
Estimated words: 12536 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 63(@200wpm)___ 50(@250wpm)___ 42(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 12536 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 63(@200wpm)___ 50(@250wpm)___ 42(@300wpm)
“There are other more impressive claims to fame,” Ryan, his twin, says.
“You can be on the other team, then.” Matty nods at the other end of the table and Ryan doesn’t object.
When the table is almost covered with half-filled plastic cups, Jenna rounds up the kids yet again. Most of them will need to stand on a chair to even see over the table, but I guess that’s part of the fun. Abbey is up first, and she bounces the ball, landing it into the cup at the far corner. She squeals with glee and jumps up and down on the chair so vigorously that Harrison grabs hold of her. “Well done, baby,” he says. “You got one.”
“Of course, I did, Daddy. I’ve been practicing.”
We all face Jenna, who shrugs. “What? Harrison’s been away for two weeks. We had a lot of time on our hands.”
“Looks like you have a rival,” Ryan tells Matty.
“It’s all good,” he replies, helping his daughter Molly onto the chair opposite Abbey’s. “Here’s the ball, sweeties. See if you can get it into a cup.”
She wrinkles her little button nose and bounces the ball so wide that it spins sideways from the table. Her little shoulders droop, but Matty kisses her cheek. “You did good,” he whispers softly. “It takes practice, and you get to have more goes, okay?”
“Okay.” She plops onto her bottom and slides off the chair ready for whoever is going next, and I’m so proud of my brother and the way he parents Molly and all of our children with patience and kindness.
The game continues, with Matty and Ryan facing off each time. It’s odd to see them as rivals when they’re unusually close. Odd but hilarious.
“I think we should just leave them to it,” I say to Liam, who’s standing next to me.
“Sounds like a good idea.”
“Can I get that beer now?” I ask Harrison.
“Sure. Let’s go.”
Matty wins in the end, with a little help from Molly, who manages with practice to eliminate two cups. Jenna hands around the candy and we all migrate back to the den. The kids watch a Christmas movie and the rest of us talk about what’s changed since the last time we were together.
I notice Jenna seems distracted but put it down to the fact that she’s hosting and probably has a whole head full of details stealing her attention. When there’s a natural break in conversation, she slides forward on the couch. “I have some news,” she says softly.
“You do?” Harrison frowns at his wife in a curious way. I guess he’s as in the dark about this news as we are.
“I do.” She fumbles around in the pocket of her sweater and pulls out something that’s mostly concealed in her fist. Placing it on the table in front of Harrison, we all stare at the white stick she’s revealed.
Harrison leans in as though he’s not really taking in the pregnancy test in front of him. His eyes flick to Jenna and then back to the stick. “This is a pregnancy test.”
“Yes.” She calmly watches him struggle to comprehend what she’s telling him, and around the room, we all smile at the unfolding moment of happiness.
“You’re pregnant?” he says, his eyes filled with hope and wonder.
“Nine weeks,” she says.
Harrison’s focus returns to the stick and he reaches out to touch it so gently, it’s almost as though the baby has just appeared in front of him. Then he pulls Jenna into the fiercest hug, and we all erupt into congratulations.
Harrison is a big guy and I’ve never seen him cry before, but his eyes are watery as he pulls away. Jenna is beaming, and kisses him on the cheek, smoothing away a single tear that’s escaped his eyes.
“Congratulations,” I say, knowing how long they’ve waited for this moment. It’s never been a secret that they’ve had issues with having a family and I’m so happy that they’re going to be blessed a second time around. “Well, if that isn’t the perfect way to round off a Christmas celebration, I don’t know what is,” I add.
“This time next year, there will be twenty-six of us.” Bethany claps her hands with excitement.
“There’s still time to make that number higher,” I say, wiggling my eyebrows.
“Down boy,” she snaps. “The oven is closed for good.”
“I guess it won’t be us,” I laugh, totally understanding my wife’s perspective.
“Or us,” Carrie says, looking over at her daughters wistfully.
“Or us,” Katelin says with absolute certainty.
“Well, twenty-six is a pretty good number,” Harrison says, wiping his face with his palms, still lost in the moment's awe.
I grab my glass from the table and hold it up. “To friends and family, and the blessings of Christmas.”
Everyone with a glass repeats my toast back and we all drink to the contentment we have at this moment.