Page 46 of Home for the Holidays

And then the call disconnects.

I look up at Jake. “That went… better than expected.”

“I’m pleasantly surprised,” he agrees. He leans down and kisses me. “Now let’s hope the rest of our family is as supportive.”

“They will be.”

Jake smirks at me. “Oh? And how do you know?”

“Because they want us to be happy.”

He pinches my side. “And are you happy?”

Nodding, I nuzzle his neck. “Very.”

Jake tips my chin up, pressing the softest kiss to my lips.

“Good. Because you make me happy, too.”

epilogue

. . .

Jake

The doorbell rings, and Rachel wrings her hands.

“Breathe,” I tell her, squeezing her shoulder, as I scoot past her to the door.

On the front stoop are my parents. Behind them is my brother Jeremy, a mile-wide grin on his face.

“Jakey!” My mom pulls me into a hug.

“Hi, Ma. How was the drive?” I pat her back gently.

Dad prods her inside the apartment, giving me a firm handshake. Jer pauses to clap me on the back.

As I close the door, I’m surprised when my brother crosses the room to Rachel and lifts her clear off her feet in a hug.

She giggles, hugging him back. “Hey, Jer.”

“I’m so glad this happened,” Jeremy says. He winks outrageously. “You know the third time’s the charm, right? I’m the third brother.”

Rachel laughs. “I think I’m good with Jake, thanks.”

Ma raises her brows. “So you’re together?”

When I nod, my mom lets out a squeal.

“Oh, I knew it!” She kisses me loudly on the cheek and squeezes me about the middle. Towering over her like I have since the week before my bar mitzvah, she only comes halfway up my torso. “I’m so happy for you two!”

“Thanks, Ma.” I pat her on the back again until she releases me.

We move farther into the apartment, which Rachel has decorated perfectly. The black, white, and chrome has been softened by the blue and white garland above the mantle and matching tablecloth over the dining room table she had brought in. The little gnomes sit on the coffee table, staring serenely out at us.

“I haven’t been here in forever,” Dad says as he looks around the living room. “I like what you’ve done with the place.”

“Oh, it’s all Rachel,” I deflect.