The crowd clapped, showing their love and support, and Noel’s eyes stung with tears.
“For the longest time, I couldn’t bring myself to attend this event so beloved by them and the people of this town. I blamed them for wanting so badly to be here with all of you and with me, and I couldn’t move past it.
“This year I’ve learned a little something about perspective. How some events can be viewed differently all due to the circumstances the observer may be in. It took me ten years to put myself in my parents’ shoes and realize that I’d failed to honor them when I abandoned the things they loved, like the Mistletoe Christmas Concert.
“Tonight is dedicated to not just my parents, but to all the loved ones we’ve said goodbye to over the years. May they join us tonight in spirit and in our hearts.”
Noel turned her head, wiping at her wet eyes, and nodded at Merry. She caught Nick smiling at her, his face alight with pride and he mouthed I love you.
Merry counted them in.
The beat to “All I Want for Christmas Is You” burst through the speakers and Noel sang her heart out. For two full hours, they kept Mistletoe swinging.
When the curtain finally closed Nick shut his mic off and met Noel in the center of the stage.
She slipped her arms around his waist. “Look at that. We cured your stage fright.”
“Yeah, nothing like the whole town hearing you bare your soul to get rid of the performance jitters.”
“I was thinking, you and me, Gabby’s wedding next week? Wanna be my plus one?”
“Sounds good. Maybe we can sneak out early to celebrate the birthday girl?”
“Hmmm, sounds perfect. Like my birthday and Christmas rolled into one.”
“Funny. Being with you makes me feel like that every day.”
“Goob.”
They stepped down the stairs of the stage, and Noel lost track of Nick as people surrounded her, sharing stories about her parents. Victoria finally pushed her way to the front and led her over to the corner, where a green Christmas tree sparkled with white blinking lights.
On every branch hung a picture frame ornament. Inside were photos of her parents at the concert over the years. There were even some photos of when they were children, but the one that really struck a chord with Noel was the picture eye level on the front of the tree. It was the concert the year before her parents died. They stood in front of a tree much like this one, their arms wrapped around Noel’s shoulders.
“Do you like it?” Victoria whispered.
“I love it. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome, baby.”
“Hey, Noel?” She turned around to find Henry Garret standing with his Nikon camera. “I’d like to get a picture of you with the tree, if that’s okay?”
Noel wiped at her wet cheeks and smiled. “Yeah sure, but can I have my family with me?”
Henry appeared confused. “Well, sure.”
“Oh, good. Victoria? Do you see Chris and Nick?”
Victoria’s face brightened and she hollered, “All Winters, report to the Christmas tree!”
Noel spotted Gabby and Drew and waved them over.
Nick was the last to join them, flanked by Pike and Anthony.
Noel stood in the middle with Chris, Victoria, Merry, and Holly on her left. Gabby and Drew on her right.
Nick squeezed in next to her and Noel pointed to her right. “You two! Get in here. I need you!”
Henry shook his head. “I’ll have to rearrange you to get you all in.”
“That’s fine, as long as we get everyone.”
Henry moved Pike, Anthony, and Nick’s sisters to where they were kneeling in the front and by the time they were done, there was a lot of griping about hard wood.
Noel studied the pictures over Henry’s shoulder and pointed. “Can I get that one on an eleven-by-fourteen canvas?”
“Sure, but I’ll have to charge you for it.”
Noel smiled, watching the people she loved most talking and laughing.
“Doesn’t matter. Whatever it costs, it will be worth it.”
Epilogue
NICK
Nick stood by the bar, sipping Crown and Coke as he watched Gabby and Drew share their first dance as man and wife. Blake Shelton’s “A Guy with a Girl” played through the speakers, a faster tempo than most couples would have chosen, but Drew was surprisingly nimble as he twirled Gabby in a two-step across the dance floor. He smiled at the end as Drew dipped Gabby back, delivering a long, slow kiss before standing her upright.
Another ballad began and someone tapped Nick on the shoulder.