Chapter Thirteen

Christmas Day and the Chase’s home was filled to the absolute rafters and Polly was in her element. Tate bustled around the kitchen along with Maggie, Matt’s aunt and both his grandmothers.

The backyard held a makeshift touch football game with players from one to ninety-five. Fourteen Murphys plus Royal, Anne’s boyfriend, twenty various Chases and Cassie’s brother visiting from California wandered around laughing, talking, snacking and laying out plates and preparation for breakfast.

Tate had made a turkey and a ham at their house, Maggie also made a roast beef and another turkey and Liv brought a ham as well. Add to that the three turkeys and two hams Polly had baking and the side dishes nestled in Tate’s, Maggie’s, Liv’s and Cassie’s kitchens and they were good to go for dinner. But for the moment, they needed to finish up breakfast so they could get the presents as the kids were begging every three minutes.

After dishing up the scrambled eggs and putting a lid on the large bowl, Tate grabbed Lise from Liv, who laughed at Polly’s snort.

“Y’all never let me hold those babies. Stingy, every last one.”

Tate snickered. She’d had to race to get to Lise first because Polly hogged every baby and child in sight. Her own nieces and nephews included. She glanced at Liv over the baby’s head. “I think she looks more like you every day. Her hair is so dark but she does have green eyes like her daddy.”

Liv grinned. “She’s so amazing. I never imagined it would be like this, you know? Marc’s so good with her too. Gets up with her in the middle of the night, rocks her.”

Tate nodded. “You’re very fortunate to have such wonderful parents and grandparents, Lise,” she crooned to Lise before kissing her forehead.

“And such wonderful aunties too.” Maggie picked up Nicholas who’d run in with Kyle on his heels.

Everyone else filed in and sat at the long tables. Edward at the very head, Polly on his right. Matt put an arm around the back of Tate’s chair, his nearness bringing the reality of the moment home. How fortunate was she? Despite the blight of her parentage, she had amazing brothers and sisters and a new extended family with the Chases. Her life was very good.

Edward rose. “Welcome and Merry Christmas one and all. I’m not one to talk a whole lot. Because Polly doesn’t let me get a word in edgewise.” Everyone laughed, including Polly. “But today I have to tell you all how truly thankful I am. My goodness look at you all. My boys grown into men. It was just yesterday wasn’t it, that I had to yell at you to get your cleats off the front porch? You wanted to borrow the car for a date? You lost your first tooth?” He had to pause a moment, pressing a hand to his stomach.

“And today you’re here, two of you with children of your own and finer babies I’ve yet to see. Polly and I have been gifted with four new ready made grandchildren in Belle, Sally, Shaye and Danny. I admit to my share of worries at first with the bird-brained women you used to squire around but you never brought anyone home who wasn’t perfect. Maggie, girl I just adore you. You came into our lives and you brighten them every day. Your fire and caring, the way you mother my grandson, I’m proud to have you in this family.”

Maggie gave him a wobbly smile and blew him a kiss.

“And you, Cassie. When Shane brought you here that first time I was simply bowled over by your beauty. Truly, there are few women walking this earth who are as physically stunning as you are. And yet, what sticks with me every day when I think of you is how strong you are. How much you give to Shane, how much courage and tenacity you have. You’re every inch a match for my oldest.”

Cassie leaned into Shane and blinked back tears.

“Livvie. Oh girl, you knocked my Marc out, you know that? I remember him coming over here and telling me about his feelings for you. Smart. Blunt. I love that. You say what you feel and you decided what you wanted and went for it. That’s the kind of girl my boy needed. You’re a good woman, Olivia. A beautiful mother and a fine wife and you keep Marc out of trouble. You two were made for each other. Happy first anniversary.”

“Thank you, Edward. If it weren’t for Marc and Polly, I’d have snapped you up already.”

He winked at her and chuckled before his eyes settled on Tate.

“And Tate. Well your path here, like my other daughters, hasn’t been an easy one. When I watched you stand up in court and tell the judge about your father, I realized something about you. You’re small but your heart, your courage is large. Even with extortion threats, you cared about the man who’d harmed you. And you let Matt in, and you let him help and you let him love you. Each time I wondered if you’d run away from the ugliness some in this town have hurled your way, you stood up and you stuck it out.

“Matt is a good man but you don’t let him coast. You appreciate the outside of my boy, but you love the inside. Polly told me about how you told her why you loved Matt earlier this year. And then you and I had lunch. I came over to your house on a Sunday and you made me a very lovely meal and we sat and talked. Your eyes, when you talked about Matt, your eyes practically glowed. No one has known my boy as well as you. Thank you, beautiful girl, for loving my son. Welcome to our family.”

Tate put her hands over her face. These people were so wonderful and they were real. They meant it.

Edward came over and hugged her. “Hey, sweetness, I didn’t mean to make you cry,” he said softly.

She hugged him back. “Thank you for making Matt.”