Aidan elbowed him. His brother looked like hell, with a two-day beard and bloodshot eyes—a sure sign he’d been out drinking into the wee hours. Lately Aidan had heard from other family members that Brandon’s drinking was becoming an issue. When they were younger, Aidan and Brandon were often mistaken for twins. They shared the wavy brown hair their father had as a young man and their mother’s green eyes. The similarities between them faded as age and life had taken a toll on both of them. Their younger brothers and sister had Colleen’s reddish blonde hair and Dennis’s blue eyes.

Aidan and Colin nursed their beers while Brandon chugged his down. Erin’s kids ran through the house, screaming with excitement.

“Freaking madhouse,” Colin muttered.

Brandon stood up. “I need another beer.”

“You’ve already had two,” Aidan said.

“Butt out, Aidan. Did I say a word when you stayed drunk for a year after Sarah died?”

“What’s your excuse?” Aidan asked.

“That’s enough, you guys,” Colin said.

Declan and his girlfriend, Jessica, arrived a short time later. Once she’d been introduced to the clan and had a drink forced on her, Colleen called the family to dinner.

Extra chairs had been jammed in to make room for everyone around the dining room table. Erin sat next to Aidan. Her youngest child was in a high chair on the other side of her.

Dennis presided at the head of the table. “Let’s say the blessing so Mum can serve.”

The family joined hands and bowed their heads. Aidan went through the motions to please his parents.

“Dear Lord, bless this family gathered here before you,” Dennis prayed. “Keep them safe and in your care in the year to come, and bring them right back here again next Christmas. We say a special prayer today for the family members who’ve gone on before us, especially for our beloved Sarah and baby Colin. In your name we pray. Amen.”

“Amen,” the others echoed.

Erin gave Aidan’s hand a squeeze before she released it.

After everyone had left, Aidan helped his mother with the last of the cleanup. He returned one of the extra chairs they’d used at dinner back to his father’s study and was drawn to the shelves behind the desk. Each of the five O’Malley children had a shelf in the study dedicated to their childhood achievements.