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This dinner is no different than any other that we’ve had here for holidays at the Goldfinch, but it does feel crazier with the twins’ excitement for the presents later. We pass food around and eat. Glasses are filled, and treats are shared. With a liveliness I never want to lose, we eat and drink, and we prove that the more, the merrier.
Kevin shows up with more armfuls of gifts, and it threatens to derail the boys’ interest in the meal. Jason and Marian tempt them to eat a little more, promising the mashed potatoes are the best ever.
“It’s about time,” Dalton says of the road repairs slated to begin soon. Meadow Lane has been a rocky, rough path to the bed-and-breakfast, but with all the business Marian gets here, it’s a road-maintenance project long overdue.
“Wait.” Aubrey holds up her hand. “I could have you drive me up and down that bumpy road. Maybe that will get this little girl to come out.”
Marian rolls her eyes. “Oh, just ask Claire to make those enchiladas tomorrow.”
Sawyer laughs so hard that I pound him on the back as he coughs.
“But what were you saying, Lauren?” Aubrey asks. “About Jeremy?”
We often have so many conversations at the same time, and it makes following along and keeping up a game.
“Jeremy’s in court again. For more fraud cases, and slander not only toward you but another woman.” Lauren shakes her head.
“And my lawyers called me this morning, confirming your parents are losing again in suing us about your trust fund,” Caleb adds. They’ve gotten Lauren’s money, but they’ve faced repeated battles with her parents suing and trying to cause trouble to get it back. I’m convinced they never will.
Finished with setting the gifts under the tree, Kevin joins us at the table. He sits between Sawyer and Jason, and Lauren grins. “A brotherly picture.”
They all crowd in together and smile, then again for a second shot, but Matthew photo-bombs, jumping up to smirk behind them as Darren gives Jason bunny ears.
“You boys just have so much energy,” Kevin teases as he loads his plate. “I was so worried I’d be late wrapping up a lesson that you’d gobble it all up before I’d get here.”
“I saved you my green beans!” Darren tries to slide the vegetable casserole onto his plate.
“Have you had any vegetables today, young man?” Caleb asks.
Darren sighs and leaves the blob on his plate.
Sawyer leans around me to stage-whisper to him. “I don’t like them either, buddy.” But he’s a good sport, taking a bite.
“I could use a little of that energy,” Aubrey jokes. She holds her arm out to Matthew. “Here, rub some off on me.”
Matthew laughs, rubbing his hand on her arm. “Why? Is the baby stealing your energy, Aunt Aubrey?”
She groans and nods. “For months! Can you believe it? And when she’s born, I doubt I’ll have any leftover, at all!”
“I’ll babysit!” Darren offers.
“Uh-huh.” She eyes me, though, narrowing her eyes. “I’ll be calling on Aunt Claire over there to help. She’ll have plenty of sleep and rest to help keep me sane.”
“Sure did when the boys were born,” Lauren says and smiles at me.
“Well…”
Sawyer stands up. “I’m not sure how long that’ll be true.” He holds up his glass and beams at me.
“Oh!” Marian gasps and covers her mouth. “You mean…”
Already, she’s about to cry with joy.
I giggle and smile up at my husband.
“Claire’s pregnant,” he announces.
Cheers rise up from the table immediately, competing with Bing Crosby’s tunes in the background. Sawyer leans down to kiss me. Lauren takes a picture of us, then comes around the table to hug me.
