Total pages in book: 15
Estimated words: 13030 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 65(@200wpm)___ 52(@250wpm)___ 43(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 13030 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 65(@200wpm)___ 52(@250wpm)___ 43(@300wpm)
“How is the trial prep coming?” Gage asked, motioning for the couple to sit down.
Space was running out on the furniture, so Sam took a seat on the floor as he answered, “He’s going to knock it out of the park. His statement is powerful and emotional. It’s going to grab the jury’s attention. I can’t wait to see this guy’s ass get nailed to the wall.”
Jordan gave his husband a grateful smile before adding, “I think there’s a real shot.”
“Of course there is, honey. Giving you the case is the smartest thing the DA ever did.” You could feel Sam’s pride rolling off and filling the room. We were all proud of Jordan; he was one hell of a lawyer and good guy.
“You got this,” Becky told Jordan with a wink. She was the only one of us who wasn’t married (or even in a relationship), but after a messy divorce, she was happy living a single life. Even Ty’s friend Monica had tied the knot with her man in a simple ceremony. They were visiting his parents and couldn’t make it to dinner, but I was sure we’d see them soon.
“Thanks, guys. I’ll do everything I can.” Jordan smiled around the room at all of us, and we gave him thumbs up and words of encouragement.
“Everything is ready if we all want to go into the kitchen to eat,” Ty announced, and we all rose to our feet, with Sam getting some assistance from his husband to get off the floor.
We all made our way into the kitchen and to the large dining table in its center. After we had shared a few meals together in the living room, Ty had mentioned to Gage that he wished they had a table big enough to seat everyone, so of course his doting husband ran out to buy one the very next day.
Jo pulled out my chair for me, and the couples all settled in next to each other. Everyone took a seat except for Gage, who grabbed a long knife to carve the gigantic turkey, and Ty, who cleared his throat and straightened his bright red bow tie, which rested over a hunter green dress shirt. No matter the occasion, Ty was always dressed to the nines.
“If you don’t mind, I’d like to say a few words before we eat.” We all quieted down and gave the sweet host our attention. “I just wanted to say that it means so much to have you all here. You know I lost my parents when I was young, and back then, I thought it would be impossible to ever experience another Christmas dinner surrounded by family. But then I found all of you.”
Gage placed the knife on the table and wrapped a supportive arm around his husband as Ty continued, “You all aren’t my friends, you’re my brothers - and sister,” he added with a smile at Becky, who beamed back at him. “You've given me warm memories and countless laughs. I know I can always lean on you, and I'll be here for you, too. I’m so blessed to have you in my life. Not only on the holidays, but every day. I love you all.” He lifted his drink and finished with, “To family.”
“To family,” we all repeated, lifting our drinks and clinking with whomever we could reach. Sam kissed Jordan’s temple as his husband dried his watery eyes, Chris and Lyle stood up to give Ty a hug, and Jonah gripped my thigh under the table.
His early years had been hard as well; he lost his mother and his father was an abusive piece of shit. He’d found friendship and family in everyone around the table. We all had. These bonds made life worth living.
“Now, let’s eat!” Ty insisted, and Gage (after a deep kiss) got to work carving the turkey. Soon, dishes were being passed around and plates were being filled. Every side looked better than the last; Ty truly outdid himself.
Not only did the food look amazing, it tasted incredible as well. We all ate way more than we should have, and Chris even unashamedly unbuttoned his jeans at the table for extra room when it was time for dessert.
Ty was a very talented baker and decorator, and he went all out on the cake he made for us; it was three square tiers of red velvet cake with homemade cream cheese frosting. He covered the whole thing with marshmallow fondant and decorated it to look like a wrapped Christmas gift. It could have fooled me; it looked like it could be sitting under the tree.
Once everyone was full to bursting, Lyle and Jordan offered to help wash the dishes. Ty tried to wave them off, but they insisted; we all did. We created an assembly line; Sam gathered the dishes, Jonah scraped them, Lyle washed, Jordan dried, and Becky put them away, while Gage and Ty packed away all of the leftovers.