Page 16 2025 Home For The Holidays Lincoln Daily News He looked at her. All she was doing was putting her shoes on, but he loved her all the more. This was his favorite holiday of the year, and he was always glad to be able to celebrate with his family, quirks and all. It had been many years since he was home for Christmas. Attending college on the other side of the country meant traveling was rare. Now that he was back living within driving distance of his family, he was able to celebrate the holiday with them and his lovely new wife. Claire looked up from tying her second shoe and saw David staring at her. “What are you looking at me like that for?” Claire asked. “I just love you,” David replied, “and I’m super excited for you to get to meet the whole family. Technically you met them at the wedding a few months ago, but now you’re going to get to really meet them.” “I’m also really excited,” she said, putting on her best fake smile. Her mother told her that getting a minor in theater was a waste of money. What did she know? “Did you grab the meat and cheese tray?” “I got it in the car just a couple of minutes The Family Christmas Party A work of truth inspired fiction ago. I got all the presents packed. I think that’s everything.” The young couple started out the door when David stopped. “Wait! I forgot something.” He ran back into the house, rummaging through the half empty box of Christmas decorations, pulling out a red and white Santa hat. David placed it upon his head with the corniest grin. “Ready!” ---- She looked at him. She envied his excitement, feeling the ever-growing dread in the pit of her stomach. She didn’t know how a family Christmas party worked. She didn’t know how any family party worked. Her family was extremely fragmented, and her parents didn’t talk to any of her aunts and uncles growing up. Most of her family she knew only by name, and the names her dad would call them on the phone. With every minute she sat in the passenger seat of this car, her anxiety grew. All the ‘what ifs’ and ‘maybes’ were flowing through her head. What if the family didn’t like her? What
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