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"No one said anything about a child," my mom said, a questioning look on her face.
"Hey Mark, say hello to my mom," I told the boy.
"Hello," he said shyly, glancing at my mom.
My mom stretched her arms to him, and he went to her. She held him in her arms a moment and then smiled and dropped him, taking his arms instead.
"He's a healthy kid," she said, as though to excuse her having to drop him.
"Mrs. Hamilton," Steve said, walking over to my mom. She rolled her eyes.
"Mrs. Hamilton," she repeated, mimicking his deep voice. "I'm not that old Steve, since when am I, Mrs Hamilton?" She asked.
"Sorry Martha," Steve said, smiling at her.
"And this is your baby? He sure looks a lot like you," she asked, her eyes twinkling. Mom had always said Steve would have a family first of the three of us.
"I'm not that old Martha!" Steve gasped.
"He's mine," Hunter said. I found it strange that he hadn't informed them already. It was a pretty big thing to skip.
"Oh Hunter, that's so nice," she said, turning to the man.
"He's been a regular bundle of joy," Hunter replied, his eyes on his son, who was playing the part of the shy little lad to perfection.
Natalie was still laying out the food when we made it back into the house. When she saw my parents, she walked over, hugging my mom and then my dad, who said the same he had said to me. I rolled my eyes at her, then we both laughed.
Everyone settled around the table, while I served the meal, Hunter had the duty of carving the turkey which I had brought with me back from the cafe. I hoped it tasted as good as it was supposed to. I'd had to order it from a dinner, I had run out of time to cook myself.
"Pass the sauce," I heard Steve say to Natalie.
"No, you greedy..."
"Aw come on, I've been waiting for the food long enough," he groaned. "Mark and I have, haven't we buddy?" He asked Mark.
Mark nodded. "Uncle Mark said I couldn't eat the turkey, it's not for kids, but everything else is fair game."
"Shame on you Steve," Natalie said.
"I was only joking, it's not my fault he took it seriously," Steve said.
Everyone laughed and soon enough, the room was filled with the sound of clinking cutlery. I sat beside Hunter, my mom beside me on the right, and my dad at the head of the table. Natalie sat beside her, Steve beside her, and Mark beside Steve. Every few minutes, Mark would whisper something to Steve, who would smile and shake his head or nod.
"You guys want to let us in on what's going on there? mom said.
"It's a secret, Martha," Steve replied, He said something to Mark, who laughed and nodded his head before zipping his lips.
When I noticed that everyone's plate was almost empty, I got off my chair and walked to the kitchen. Natalie had already accepted and prepared the ice cream sundae, so I picked up the bowl and walked back to the table with it.
"Ice cream!" Mark said when he saw me. I smiled, I had promised him ice cream and always fulfilled my promises.
I dropped the bowl on the table and passed everyone a scoop. When it was empty, I returned it to the kitchen. Might as well start cleaning up early, I thought.
"I see you and Hunter have got something going on."
I turned around sharply, the voice startling me. It was mother and she must've followed me into the kitchen. She walked over to the sink and watched her hands, her eyes trained on me.
"Mom!" I exclaimed, "You startled me."
