CHAPTER 86 CHRISTMAS WITH THE IN-LAWS

The holiday season was in full swing by the time Jenna and Ryan returned from their winter getaway. The town was aglow with twinkling lights, and every house on their street had a wreath on the door and garlands draped over the windows. Christmas was just around the corner, and with it came the anticipation of the annual gathering with Ryan’s family—a tradition that Jenna had learned to approach with both excitement and trepidation. Ryan’s parents, Margaret and Frank, were warm and welcoming, but the sheer size of the family always made for a chaotic holiday. Ryan was the youngest of four siblings, each of whom had a spouse and children of their own. This year, the gathering would be at the family’s sprawling estate, a beautiful but somewhat intimidating place, especially for Jenna, who was already feeling the exhaustion of her pregnancy. As they packed the car with gifts and overnight bags, Jenna tried to keep her energy up. She could feel the baby kicking more frequently now, a con