Page 52 of Only This Once
Heather mentioned she was taking her youngest son up to visit the campus of the university he’d been accepted to. He was excited about it and waved his hands as he talked about the programs that he hoped to be a part of in the fall. There was a slight shift in her sister’s smile as her son spoke, and her husband put his arm around her shoulders. Their mother’s eyes were on her as well, so Julia decided she’d let the two of them help her through the tough transition.
Julia couldn’t quite understand what her sister was going through, never wanting to have kids herself. She looked at Jinx, who was taking a bite of the potatoes and savoring every minute of it. She liked that he enjoyed her favorite food.
Was he someone who wanted children? She could sort of picture it. He was so open and giving all the time. He’d make a good father for some lucky kid someday.
Her stomach twisted at the thought.
“What about you, Julia?” her father asked, dragging her attention away from Jinx. “Any updates about your job?”
“I love working for Charles. There’s nothing new there.” She smiled at them, her mind landing on the date the night before. “Oh, I haven’t told you about our visit to the museum yet.” She reached under the table to link her hand with Jinx’s where it rested on his thigh. “They had an amazing exhibit focused on Japanese tattoos through history.”
She liked feeling the warmth of his skin against hers as she told her family about the museum, fielding some of the discussion to him. His eyes were so warm every time he looked at her during the conversation, and she was glad when the topic moved on since she’d lost the thread somewhere along the way.
Her parents told them about their next upcoming cruise. Now that they were retired, they were quickly building up cruisepoints. Her mother loved the ocean, and her father had been enjoying indulging her.
Her older brother Trenton’s daughter, who was almost four now, slipped out of her chair and booked it deeper into the house before her mother could catch her. Celia blinked, her eyes widening. Trenton was already getting up and squeezed her shoulder. “I’ll get her.”
She nodded, but her eyes remained on the empty doorway where he disappeared.
“How are things at the tavern, dear?” their mother asked her.
Celia’s face turned toward her, and she blinked. “Oh, they’re great. I love working there.”
“And your cousin’s doing well?”
“Yes.” Celia’s features eased when Trenton returned with their daughter in his arms, her head curled on his shoulder. He swayed with her, patting her back.
“Everything’s good with us,” he assured their mother, smiling at his wife. “Life is just about perfect.”
“Sap,” Julia said, but she was happy for her brother. He really had been content the last few years.
Lunch continued, the talk drifting and changing as they all caught up. Everyone was too full to move by the end, after squeezing in dessert on top of all the food. Julia always knew she was going to eat too much when her mother cooked.
Rachel, who had been quieter than usual, pushed back her chair. “Anyone else want some coffee?” Heather’s husband and their father assented, and she disappeared into the kitchen.
Maria leaned closer to Julia. “I’ll ask about her date,” she whispered, then hopped up with the excuse that she was going to help.
Rachel’s children stared after their mother, then looked toward their grandmother. “May we be excused?” Piper asked.
“Of course. I’ve got a few new things in the playroom for you. Oh, and take your cousin with you.”
“I’m too old for the playroom,” Sam grumbled, crossing his arms.
“Which is why I’m giving you the responsibility of your little cousin,” his grandmother said.
“I’ll carry her back.” Trenton herded the rest of the children in that direction.
Celia made an aborted motion to rise, her hands fluttering.
“Celia, dear, can I ask for your help with the dishes?” their mother asked.
Celia seemed to settle and nodded. “Of course.”
“We’ll help clear.” Julia nudged Jinx’s shoulder.
Cleanup moved quickly. Maria and Rachel ended up talking quietly near the back door, Julia’s father captured Jinx and Heather’s husband in the living room, wanting to show off some recent cruise pictures, and Celia worked with their mother at the sink.
Julia enjoyed watching Celia with her mother. Her brother’s wife hadn’t had a stable mother growing up, and she became both embarrassed and soothed when their mother fawned over her. Julia never minded having her mother’s attention diverted.
