New Year's Eve at the Morrison house arrived with chaos.
Dante's extended family started showing up around four PM—aunts and uncles carrying casserole dishes and bottles of wine, cousins of various ages spilling through the door with noise and energy, the house transforming from peaceful to overwhelming in the span of an hour.
Adrian stood in the living room feeling completely out of his depth.
Ellen appeared beside him, touching his arm gently. "I know it's a lot. The Morrison family gatherings are always intense."
"It's fine. I like it. It's just different from my family."
"Different how?"
"Louder. Warmer. More people."
Ellen smiled. "Well, you're part of it now. So get used to loud and warm."
Dante materialized at Adrian's side, sliding an arm around his waist in a gesture that felt both natural and terrifying in front of so many people.
"Ready?" Dante asked.
"For what?"
"To be introduced as my boyfriend approximately forty-seven times."
"That's a specific number."
