Page 71 of The Ties That Bind
“The honor is mine.” Tono looked down at the child with tenderness.
Autumn stroked Anthony’s cheek lightly. “He’s so tiny, Brie…”
She laughed. “He’s actually bigger than Hope was when she was born.”
“It’s hard to believe she was ever that small,” Autumn remarked, glancing at Hope.
Leaning in, Autumn whispered to Brie, “Thank you for the basket. It meant so much to me.”
Brie smiled at Autumn in pleasant shock. “I still can’t believe this is real…”
Glancing at Candy, Mary, and Lea, it suddenly dawned on Brie. “Autumn was the only one missing from my first baby shower…”
Lea nodded proudly. “It wouldn’t be the same without her, so I sent her an invitation.” She squealed excitedly. “But I didn’t know until yesterday that she was actually coming.”
Tono told Brie, “We decided to take a couple of days off so we could make the trip.” He looked down at Anthony again. “It was a fortunate choice.”
Brie was concerned about Tono’s health and asked, “But…what about…” She hesitated. “…the tour?”
Tono understood the nature of her concern and smiled reassuringly. “This trip was important to both of us.”
Brie was touched that they’d come, but still worried about him. “I…”
Her father walked up to her carrying two plates piled with food. “I got everything you asked for. Now, sit down and enjoy it before it gets cold.”
Brie blushed at the amount of food he had amassed on the plates and was thankful they weren’t in Italy where she would feel pressured to eat it all. “Thanks, Daddy.”
She whispered to Tono under her breath, “My dad gave me enough for three people…”
He chuckled quietly.
“Everyone needs to fill up their plates,” Lea stated, grabbing Autumn’s arm. “This is a celebration, people!”
Although it was easy to see how thrilled Lea was to see Autumn, Brie could tell by the expression on Autumn’s face that she needed this reunion even more.
Tono handed the baby to Brie’s mother, who had been standing beside him, anxious to hold the baby.
“Ren, would you like to join Brie on the couch? I’d be happy to get you anything you like,” Sir offered.
“A tall glass of water sounds good.”
“I will hear of no such thing, Tono Nosaka!” Lea cried. “You flew Autumn halfway across the world and deserve to be pampered for that.”
The moment Tono sat down, Shadow appeared at his feet and let out a low, welcoming meow.
Brie grinned. “Wow, he must have been missing you, too.”
Tono bent down to pet the large black cat. “We are two old souls.”
Lea came waltzing over to him carrying a plate heaped with food. “I remember all your favorites. I think you’ll really like the mini-pizzas I made especially for you,” she said with a wink.
As Tono stared at the huge plate, Brie commented, “Looks like you and I have a similar problem.”
Knowing Tono couldn’t eat anything Lea had dished up because of his restricted diet for his condition, Brie took several items from his plate and plopped them onto hers while no one was looking.
She giggled. “Mine’s so ridiculously full, nobody will even notice.”
Sir joined them, handing Tono the glass of water.
