Chapter 61: The Family Reunion

At 4 p.m. on Black Friday, traffic into Manhattan remained gridlocked, but the outbound lanes flowed freely. Martin arrived absurdly early at his uncle's estate, staring at the gated mansion through his windshield. *What if Jay's busy…or busy with Gloria?* 

As he debated finding a coffee shop, the gates swung open. A procession of familiar faces spilled out—Claire, Phil, and strangers Martin instinctively waved at. Parking hastily, he stepped into a bear hug from the burly patriarch. 

"You're early!" Jay Pritchett barked, thumping Martin's back. 

"I should've come sooner," Martin murmured, guilt tightening his throat. 

Jay held him at arm's length. "Look at you—handsome, sharp, still boxing?" 

"Krav Maga now. But I keep up the basics." 

Jay's approval radiated as he introduced Gloria—Colombian bombshell, new wife, and stepmother to 11-year-old Manny. 

"*Hola*, Martín!" Gloria air-kissed his cheeks, leaving crimson imprints. "Jay talks about you like you're the Second Coming!" 

Martin eyed her impossible curves. "Colombia let its *national treasure* emigrate?" 

Gloria cackled. *Score.* 

Manny extended a tiny hand. "Manny. Not *Money*." 

"finally , i have been dethroned from the youngest tittle," Martin grinned. "No more cheek-pinching aunties for me" 

—————————— 

The reunion crescendoed with Mitchell Pritchett—red-haired, twitchy, and braced for judgment. 

"Mitchell!" Martin engulfed him. "That beard's *daddy* material." 

Mitchell dissolved into tears. "I'm so sorry about your graduation party—" 

"Water under the bridge," Martin interrupted. "But please dont put snot on my coat, or I might break your nose. Jay taught me how." 

Laughter erupted. Even Cameron, Mitchell's hulking husband, chuckled through his outrage over their daughter's hyphenated surname. 

"Pritchett-Tucker was too mainstream!" Mitchell fibbed as Cameron stormed inside. 

Jay slung an arm around Martin. "You'll get used to the drama." 

In the chaos, baby Lily Pritchett-Tucker gurgled in Martin's arms—a tiny firecracker.

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**(End of Chapter)** 

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