15
Oliver looked around and grinned. Apparently it didn’t matter a bit where the Collins clan spent Christmas, it was still going to be fun.
Erin and Layla were two too many cups of eggnog in, giggling loudly with his cousins, Yvonne, Fiona, and Darcy. Gavin was sitting between their dads, Chad and Sean, on the big sectional in Caitlyn’s living room, passing around a bottle of Jameson with Padraig, Colm, and Pop Pop as they watched the football game.
The aunts and his mom were busy in the kitchen, mashing the potatoes and preparing the food. The table was always overflowing with platters of turkey and ham, stuffing, at least ten different vegetables, steaming hot rolls with real butter. The aunts would set all the food out so they could help themselves buffet style.
The weather was actually mild enough that they could congregate outside as well as in, this year, despite how cold it had been earlier in the month. Looking through the front window, he saw Aaron chatting with Justin, Killian, and Will on the front porch.
Tomorrow, he, Gavin, and Erin would travel to Philadelphia for another “Christmas” with the Morettis. They also intended to tell her parents about their relationship. Gavin was a little nervous about it, though Erin assured them Layla had paved the way for them in her family as far as committed throuples went. Erin seemed confident her folks would be as understanding as Gavin and Oliver’s had been when they’d told them about their changed relationship status last night. They’d gone to his parents’ house for Christmas Eve dinner and to open gifts.
“What are you doing standing over here alone?” Gavin said, stepping next to him.
Oliver glanced toward the TV and saw it was halftime. “Just soaking it all in.”
Gavin nodded, smiling, then looked around himself. “It is pretty awesome.”
The family had finished opening their gifts about half an hour earlier, keeping up the tradition of drawing names. This year, the order for opening the gifts had been youngest to oldest—something they’d probably have to continue as more and more of his cousins were having children. By letting the little ones open first, the kids weren’t forced to be patient and could play with their new toys while the adults took their time opening gifts.
Plus, Riley had cleverly crafted it so that Pop Pop would be the last to open. Ewan had drawn Pop Pop’s name and already given him a brand-new suitcase. They’d been amused to watch Pop Pop ooh and ahh over the thing, even though it was clear he didn’t expect to ever really use it.
Little did Pop Pop know…
This year, they’d planned something special, and when he spotted Sunnie pulling all the aunts out of the kitchen, and Colm asking everyone outside to come in, he knew they were about to present it.
Padraig turned off the TV as Tris and Colm joined him in front of it. Everyone had been anticipating this moment, and Oliver watched as the entire family gathered around, jostling for a good spot. When Tris raised his hand, the room fell silent quickly, something Oliver didn’t think possible in the Collins family.
Pop Pop looked around the room, his forehead creased in confusion. “What’s going on, son?” he asked Tris.
“Pop, would you mind joining us?”
Pop Pop stood up, stepping next to Colm, Tris, and Padraig in front of the big-screen TV. “Should I be worried?” he asked.
Tris chuckled as he shook his head. “No.” Then Tris addressed the entire room. “I think we can all agree the last month has been pretty rough for all of us. Losing the pub…and Sunday’s Side, as well as our home above…”
Pop Pop nodded as he placed his hand on Tris’s shoulder. “It’s been a very difficult time indeed.”
“So we got together and decided we wanted this year to end on a happy note. There’s one last gift for you, Pop. And it’s from all of us.”
Pop Pop looked around the room. “All of you?”
Padraig pulled an envelope out from behind his back and handed it to their grandfather.
Pop Pop’s hands trembled slightly as he opened the envelope. It took a moment before he realized exactly what it was he was holding in his hands. “Plane tickets?”
“Read them,” Tris prodded.
Pop Pop’s eyes widened. “No. I…” He looked at his son. “Ireland? I’m going to Ireland?”
“We’re going to Ireland,” Tris responded. “You, me, Paddy, and Colm. A guys’ trip.”
“Just make sure you take in some of the sights, along with your ventures in and out of the pubs,” Riley teased. “We want pictures and stories, so take a break from the Guinness every now and then.”
“Party pooper,” Colm said as everyone laughed.
“You’ve always wanted to go back, Pop,” Teagan said. “But between running the pub and having seven kids, and Mom getting sick, then weddings and grandkids…”
“There was never time or money,” Pop Pop said. “But it’s too much.”
“No, Pop. It’s not,” Keira said, stepping forward and hugging her dad. “You’ve given us so much. Please let us give this to you.”
“And when you get back…the pub will be ready to reopen,” Killian called out.
“It’ll all be ready,” Sean added. “Sunday’s Side. The dorm. We’re getting our home back.”
Pop Pop gestured toward the suitcase he’d received, sitting next to the couch. “Well, Ewan. I have to admit I wasn’t sure I’d ever have a reason to use your fine gift, but it looks like I’ll be using it sooner than I expected.”
Everyone cheered as Riley and Teagan hugged their dad.
“Wow. What a great gift.”
Oliver glanced next to him, smiling at Emmy’s observation. “It really is. Look how happy he is.”
Emmy watched as Pop Pop slapped Padraig on the back, the two of them laughing. She had first joined them for Christmas last year, when Padraig discovered she’d spent the previous one alone. Emmy’s parents were gone and the only other family she had was a brother. But according to Emmy, they’d been estranged for years.
“How long are they going to be in Ireland?” Emmy asked.
“Six weeks,” Oliver responded.
“Six weeks,” she repeated, still looking at Padraig. “Okay,” she murmured sadly.
Oliver wasn’t sure what to make of her comment, but as Emmy walked away, joining Sunnie and Yvonne, he worried about the heaviness surrounding the typically cheerful woman.
“What was that about?” Gavin asked quietly.
Oliver shrugged. “No idea.”
“Think Padraig will ever figure out how she feels about him?”
Oliver considered that. “I think he knows already, but he won’t let himself acknowledge it.”
“Yeah. You’re probably right. It’s a shame because Emmy is perfect for him.”
Oliver grinned. “I seem to recall a couple people being perfect for you too, but you took your damn time figuring it out.”
Gavin chuckled. “Touché.”
Oliver turned around when he felt someone tapping his shoulder. Erin was smiling at him and Gavin as she crooked her finger at them.
They followed her down the hallway, laughing when she pulled them both into the bathroom with her.