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“Don’t look at me,” Sabrina grumbles and takes a big sip of her mimosa.
Eli doesn’t look happy. Things are still tense with them.
“Guess it’s down to us, little bunny,” Derek says and drops far too many slices of bacon onto my plate.
I roll my eyes and decide to ignore the comment.
Breakfast is mostly jovial, somewhat playful, except that Elijah and Sabrina are quiet and I can’t help but notice how he keeps looking at her. He looks at her with an intensity that’s not unlike what I’ve seen from Derek, pointed at me.
Michael comments that Derek’s pancakes are almost as good as his. From that conversation it’s obvious that this is why Derek makes pancakes sometimes. His father did it a few times when they were kids at their family vacation house in New Hampshire.
Naomi and Asher don’t interact, but there’s also no apparent awkwardness that I can read.
Derek is all about public displays of affection, making sure I have plenty to eat, and even participates in a few conversations with his siblings. Grace seems like she’s in her glory, like she’s gotten the family she’s been waiting forever for.
I catch Michael staring at me.
I smile.
He gives me a sad smile and then seems to shake off his dark thoughts.
As the meal winds down and people stop eating, Grace pipes up. “We should do Christmas at the New Hampshire homestead!”
“I like that idea,” Michael says.
“I’ll decorate, arrange Christmas dinner. Maybe with some help from my sister and sisters-in-law?”
Sabrina puts her napkin down. “Excuse me, please.” She leaves the table and walks out.
Tension crackles in the air as Elijah watches her leave, frustration etched into his features.
“She’ll come around. You’ll work at it, right?” Derek claps his brother’s shoulder.
“Yeah,” Elijah mutters and then looks at his father. “If everyone’s done, can we meet now and strategize on our security issues?”
Michael puts his napkin down. “Good idea. Thank you, to all of you for being here. I appreciate it. I have something to say before we split up here.”
“Should I go?” I ask.
“No, Chloe. You’re part of this family. Seems like you’re settling in?”
“I…” I’m not sure how to finish the sentence.
Derek puts his arm around me. “Seems like she’s giving me a shot. I’m not gonna blow it.”
“Good,” Michael says. “That’s really good.” He clears his throat and takes a moment before he speaks, looking like he might be fighting emotion. Everyone waits.
“I… just want to tell you all that… that I appreciate you being here. It’s not going to be easy adjusting to life without your mother. She was the light of my life. Truly. But at the same time…” He swallows hard. “I don’t want you to take this the wrong way because… you all know how much I adored her.”
“We do,” Grace asserts firmly.
“I’ll never forgive myself for allowing that to happen. For assuming it was safe to take her on an impromptu trip to a play she wanted to see. She found out about it last minute, it was an old modeling protegee’s opening night on Broadway, and when we found the jet was free, she… we… we just lived in the moment. We don’t know how those enemies pulled it all off, don’t have all the details yet, but I don’t want any of you to make that same mistake of assuming you’re safe. Please be cautious. Vigilant. Very. I also want to say…” He swallows. “I want to take some time off. Recover from my injuries. Golf. Go fishing. When we’ve gotten justice, of course, but I still have a lot of life left in me, I think, and… while I loved looking after your mother, love my work, it took a lot. A lot. Running the companies, being a husband. I could use some help with the company so I can have a chance to…” He lets that hang, looking for the right words.
“Worry about just yourself for a while?” Naomi offers. “It makes sense, Dad. Don’t feel bad about it. She was very high maintenance. We would all want her back in a heartbeat… but… I understand how you might want to take some time for yourself for a change. Take a breath. It must have been exhausting.”
“You don’t think that’s selfish?”
Grace answers, “You can be a little selfish if you want, Dad. You just had a very real brush with death. It makes sense that you’re reassessing your priorities.”
