Page 30 of Wish For Me

“That’s what we want,” Ash says, crossing his arms. “We want you all to admit it. The Littles rule, and you suck.”

River rolls his eyes. “Okay, kid. You guys rule—”

“Uh uh,” CeCe says, holding up her hand. “You all have to say it.”

“Loudly,” I add.

“In unison,” Cade agrees.

There’s some grumbling, but when CeCe counts to three and raises her hand, our entire family shout out the words. “The Littles rule, and we all suck.”

“That’s the best thing I’ve ever heard in my life,” I say, wiping away a fake tear.

“You’re all a little crazy, aren’t you?” Peter asks.

I just grin. We probably are, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.

FROM THE RANSOM FAMILY GROUP TEXT THREAD

Cash: MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!

Cash:Now get your asses downstairs or I’m starting on the presents without you.

SIX

ROSE

There are few things I love more in this world than Christmas at the farm in Tennessee. We don’t come here every holiday season—the family’s schedules are just too crazy to allow for it. But the years we can all make it here are by far my favorite.

There’s just something about waking up in the big house with all of my siblings and cousins. The way my dad and uncles all turn into little boys at the sight of presents. Uncle Cash and Paige arguing over the best order to hand out the gifts. The guys making pancakes and cinnamon rolls for everyone while the girls relax. The constant hum of music in the background. And, best of all, the possibility of snow, which of course never happens when we have Christmas in LA.

This year might even be more exciting, since we have the wedding to look forward to in just a week. Most of the family will be flying straight to Napa from here to help with the wedding prep.

Having so much time with my family is pretty special. But I can’t help but think about the possibility that this might not happen for me next year. If Leo and I are in Singapore, will we be able to come home for Christmas?

“Here you go,” Leo says, interrupting my rumination by handing me a mug of hot tea. “Move over.”

I shift on the couch so he can retake his seat, immediately crawling up into his lap when he’s settled. He wraps an arm around me and I relax back against his chest. “Have I told you yet that you look adorable this morning?”

I don’t need to be looking at him to know he’s rolling his eyes. Bodhi presented him with a pair of red flannel pajamas last night and insisted that he wear them to get into the holiday spirit. Of course, Bodhi had a matching pair for himself, and he made Leo pose for about half a dozen pictures in front of the Christmas tree.

I’ve already decided to frame one of the shots for Leo’s next birthday. He’s scowling in every single one while Bodhi beams.

“You’re one to talk,” he says, plucking at my reindeer print leggings. All the girls in the family are wearing the same ones, a gift from Aunt Paige.

Uncle Cash, clad in a red Santa hat, hands a wrapped gift to his grandson. Theo’s eyes are huge, a perpetually shocked look on his face the entire morning. Poppy and Harrison look pretty much the same, like they’ve woken up in a Christmas wonderland and they’re not quite sure how long it’s going to last. There is an excessive amount of presents under that tree, what with the number of family members crowded into this room right now.

“You had one of those when you were a baby,” Uncle Reed says to me, pointing at the plastic drum Theo just opened. “I was so hopeful that you’d follow in my footsteps and play drums.”

“Christmas in those days was quite a different scene,” my grandpa says from the loveseat across from me where he’s snuggled up with Grandma Ruby. “All of these adults gathered around watching you and Will like you were the most entertaining thing we’d ever seen.”

“Things really went downhill after that,” Will says, and River flips him off.

“It is pretty crazy,” Aunt Paige says, looking around the crowded room. The babies are playing on the floor, alternating between their already opened toys and the colorfully wrapped presents still under the tree. The Littles have abandoned the gift exchange to set up a game of Risk at the big pine dining table. My cousin Silas got a new guitar from his parents and he hasn’t looked away from it for even a minute. Everyone is happy and relaxed.

“This family has grown so much,” Paige continues, and her daughter Presley groans.

“Mom, can you please not get sappy again?”