Page 61 of Trained Royal
“Don’t worry about it.”
He spied his sister. “I’m going to grab Mary while I can.”
Henry chuckled. “Yes, do. She’s bloody flighty, that one.” He clapped Patrick on the back and headed off, leaving Patrick to drag Kieren to meet his other sibling.
“Mary!” Patrick wrapped his arms around his sister, clinging to her. “I haven’t seen you in ages. Where have you been hiding?”
Mary laughed and rocked them from side to side. “I’ve been around. Nate has been busy with work, and I’ve been busy with the kids.”
Mary’s husband, Nathaniel, was the CEO of a finance company—no need to guess how they met—and spent a lot of time jetting across the world to meet different people for various reasons. Mary, however, stayed at home with their four kids: Nathan, Amelia, Jordan and Denver.
“Are they around? I feel like I’ve not seen them since Christmas!”
“They’re around. I think Chloe took them to the other room for a movie and popcorn instead of a ‘stuffy’ dinner with the grown-ups.”
“Can’t blame them,” Patrick said. “Mary, can I introduce Kieren? Kieren, this is my sister, Mary.”
“Nice to meet you,” Kieren said.
“Likewise.” Mary eyed him. “What designs do you have on my brother?” She put her hands on her hips.
Kieren stood taller, then winced. Patrick rested a hand on his back, soothing him. “That’s between him and me.”
Mary froze, then chuckled, dropping her arms. “Good answer.” She glanced at Patrick. “Keep him.”
“I plan to.”
The bell rang, and everyone took their seats. Patrick surveyed their group. His parents were at their usual seats at the head of the table, then his sister and her husband, then Patrick and Kieren, with Henry and Robert opposite them. And so it went. Freddie, Damon, Douglas, Mav, George, Timothy, Eddie, Christian and Oscar filling the sides, and Uncle Andrew, Uncle William and Aunt Lou taking the final few seats. From what Henry had told him, he’d invited Albert and Evanna, but they’d declined. The couple hadn’t been seen at many, if any, public events since the altercation with Aunt Charlotte a few months ago. They’d hidden themselves away, hoping they wouldn’t receive any backlash because Albert chose his wife over his parents. From what Patrick had heard, they’d not heard anything from Aunt Charlotte since it happened, which wasn’t always good news.
His father stood and dinged a fork on his glass. “Good evening, one and all. I’m glad to receive you all in our home for this wonderful occasion.” He smiled at Henry. “Our youngest has arrived at the start of another year of his life, and I hope this year, and all the years to come, are as good as the months have been since he found Robert.” Everyone cheered. “I won’t drone on too much because I know we want to eat and chat, and all I want to say is happy birthday, Henry. I wish you all the very best. Cheers.”
“Cheers!”
Henry stood. “I do have one thing I would like to announce.” He held out his hand for Robert’s. “We have decided on a date for the wedding. 13 May. And…” He peered down at Robert with a smile. “We’ve decided we want to adopt as soon as we’ve gone through the process, which we’ll start after the wedding.”
“Woohoo!” Patrick cheered alongside the rest of the family. Henry and Robert would be amazing parents.
When they all settled down again, the staff brought the food to the table, and several conversations started up around them.
“How are you doing?” Patrick asked Kieren.
“I’m good. A little tired, but I suppose that’s to be expected.”
Patrick leaned closer. “Do you want to go to bed?” Kieren raised one eyebrow, and Patrick flushed. “I meant to sleep.”
Kieren grinned. “I’m fine for now.” He gazed around the table. “I can’t remember the last time I was surrounded by so many people who wanted to know me. I know it’s Henry’s birthday, but they’re all interested in me. As a person.”
“Did you think they wouldn’t be?”
Kieren shook his head. “Some of them, yes. But not all of them.”
Patrick rested his head against Kieren’s shoulder and murmured, “They’re interested in you because you mean a lot to me. They want to know who you are. Just tell them what you want to, and if you don’t want them to know something, tell them that, too.”
Kieren snorted. “Yeah, as if.”
Patrick pressed a kiss to Kieren’s jaw. “I’m being serious. Not everyone is entitled to information about you. Besides, they’ll have to go through me first.”
The dinner lasted another hour before Patrick called it quits and dragged Kieren out of there. The man was practically falling down with exhaustion. He led them towards Kieren’s room, which was further away from the rest of the family and would give them some privacy. Unless his family suddenly converged on them to make sure Kieren was okay. But he didn’t think they would. At least not tonight.
