Chapter 35
“Excuse me, ma’am,”
“Yes?” Ava acknowledged Duncan.
“Dinner is almost ready and I originally intended to serve it in the dining room but perhaps you’d like it alfresco instead?”
“Yes,” Ava looked at the occupied children. ” think we’d all enjoy that. Thank you.”
“Of course, ma’am,” Duncan bowed with a smile before retreating inside.
Moments later he reappeared, setting up plates and silverware on square patio tables pushed together. Duncan retreated inside once again only to emerge with another trolley this one laden with food.
Silas whistled sharply, “All right, let’s bring it in!”
Much to Lucas’s surprise the kids responded almost instantly. Lexi herded the little ones to the patio while Sean and Theo managed one more toss racing the dog to the patio to join everyone. Ava scooped up Ben while Silas gathered Isaac. Duncan was on hand with washcloths for them to clean up.
Zoe ran up to Sarah who hugged her tight and laughed at the sand and grit clinging to her. Duncan handed Lucas another washcloth with a smile. Awkwardly Lucas approached and wiped Zoe’s hands and face clean, Sand seemed to cling everywhere and Lucas was beginning to understand what Silas had meant. Once the kids were clean they sat down at the tables.
Silas and Lucas sat at opposite ends while Ava, Sarah and the kids sat along either side. Lexi sat between Ben and Isaac so she could assist her mother in taking care of them while Sarah inexplicably ended up next to Lucas with only Zoe separating them. Theo and Sean sat near their father impatiently waiting as Duncan served steamed vegetables and lasagna.
Starting from youngest to oldest Duncan worked his way around the tables until everyone’s plates and
glasses were filled. Then with a bow he left them to eat. While they enjoyed their dinner Duncan offered a
bowl of dog food and water to Daisy who happily inhaled it before seemingly passing out from exhaustion. The corgi didn’t make a sound throughout the meal contentedly napping in the last rays of sunlight.
“So does this mean we can get a dog?” Theo asked.
Ava bit her lip but didn’t say no outright. There was no denying how happy the kids were playing with Daisy
and the pup was very cute and gentle.
“You think you’re ready for such a commitment?” Silas asked. “Taking care of a dog is a big responsibility. Duncan has enough to do without having to feed and walk and wash the dog. And you’ll have to clean up any
accidents it might have in the house and the yard every day unless you want to step in it.”
“We can handle it,” Sean said.
“Yeah, besides we weren’t asking you. We all know mom has the final say,” Theo seconded.
“A man is the king of his castle,” Silas reminded them.
L
“Yeah, king, right below the queen,” Theo said holding up his hand and gesturing at their levels.
“Unless Grandma-O is here,” Sean reminded.
“Right. Then it’s mom, Grandma-O and then dad,” Theo gestured again.
“Don’t forget Duncan,” Lexi said.
“Right. Mom. Grandma-O. Duncan. Then dad.”
Silas glared as the boys broke out in a fit of laughter. Fighting her own mirth Ava patted his hand in comfort but from where Lucas sat Silas didn’t seem particularly upset even as he raised Ava’s hand to his lips to kiss it. Was this fatherhood?
“So are all of you excited Julius, Macey and the kids will be coming back soon?” Sarah asked saving Silas with a change of subject.
“Well Lexi sure is,” Sean teased.
“Yeah Lexi and Caden sittin’ in a tree. K-I-S-S-I-N-G!” Theo sang.
Lexi blushed bright red, “Real mature you two. At least Caden doesn’t act like a two-year-old. And he’s the Only one who has any interest in music…unlike you uncultured swine.”
“Oink, oink,” Theo and Sean snorted to each other.
“Who would have thought Lexi was into younger men?” Theo laughed.
“We’re only two years apart,” Lexi argued. “And what about you and Aria? I heard you two Skyping pretty late last night.”
Theo suddenly fell silent blushing even deeper than Lexi.
Lucas glanced toward Silas to see he was rubbing his temple as if trying to prevent a migraine. Ava held his other hand for support though she was having a difficult time controlling her laughter. Sarah seemed equally amused almost shaking at the expense of a father whose children were growing up much too fast for his
liking.
Lucas sipped his drink trying to maintain a neutral expression. Silas was an imposing figure in an office
setting but apparently at home he was at the mercy of his children. Looking again at Silas Lucas saw his
host glaring at him in as much to say: Laugh it up. This is you in a few years.
Lucas glanced at Zoe happily eating her dinner. How many years before she started thinking about boys?
What was he going to do when she started dating? Perhaps he could make a no boys until you’re twenty-five
rule? Would that be too much?
***
“Thank you so much for coming,” Ava said hugging Sarah tight as they got ready to leave.
Zoe danced as Lucas helped her into her coat. Ben and Isaac sat on the steps petting and kissing Daisy fighting disappointed tears and not wanting the puppy to go. Ava sighed as she looked at her sons. Apparently she was going to have to work through her aversion to dogs a lot more quickly than she did with
horses.
“Come here and give us a hug, munchkin,” Silas said to a bouncy Zoe.
Without hesitation she ran up to him accepting a hug as he picked her up. While the business world feared and respected him there was none of that in Zoe.
“Don’t worry Uncle Si. I’ll come back soon, Okay?”
Silas chuckled. His name proved too difficult for her to pronounce properly so he suggested his nickname. He rather liked his new title. With a smile he said, “I hope I have a little girl just like you.”
After dinner Ava and Sarah mostly talked about the new baby. Lucas had been surprised to learn Silas and Ava were expecting another as Ben was supposed to be the last but maybe he shouldn’t have been so shocked. They said the same thing when Isaac was born after all.
“Don’t worry,” Zoe said. “I already talked to Grandma Ya-Ya and know what she told me?”
“What?” Silas’s brow furrowed.
“She said very soon you’ll have more girls than you’ll know what to do with.”
“And who’s Grandma Ya-Ya?” Silas asked clearly confused.
“Oh, I know!” Ava looked at Sarah. “She’s your college roommate’s aunt right?”
Sarah nodded.
“Grandma Ya-Ya is very smart. She told mommy I’d be a girl too,” Zoe said. “She’s always right!”
“Well, I hope so,” Silas smiled humoring her. He planted a kiss on her temple before setting her on her
feet.
Zoe happily returned to Lucas raising her arms so he would pick her up. Lucas held her close liking the way she fully accepted him even if he had missed three years of her life. Glancing at Silas he noticed the other was smirking. The expression was surprising enough but Lucas suddenly felt embarrassed as if he had been
caught doing something bad.
“All right,” Sarah took the leash from her bag. “Come, Daisy.”
Daisy wiggled loose from her adoring fans trotting up to Sarah obediently and accepting her leash without protest. Ben whimpered quickly advancing to a whine. Ava scooped him up whispering words of comfort and promising Zoe and the puppy would come back to play another day. Yes, she would definitely have to work on
her fear.
Sarah gave the boy a sympathetic smile and seconded Ava’s promise as they headed out to meet Alan Waiting in the car. Silas and Ava followed as far as the door waving good-bye.
“Oh Sarah, as soon as Macey is in town we have to set up a play day for all of the kids.”
“Absolutely. It’s a date!”
