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It looked like she and Luke were the last to arrive at the bustling restaurant, not quite ten minutes late, with Leah and Heath just sitting down. Leah looked positively radiant, with Heath a little more subdued but not able to take his eyes off her. Good for them. Abbey hoped the two of them gave being together an honest try. They deserved to be happy.
Luke and Abbey took their seats with Leah, Heath, and Rocco to Abbey’s left and Darren and Maureen to Luke’s right. Across the table from them, the newlyweds sat center stage with Abbey’s parents to her right and Jake’s parents to Abbey’s left, along with Abbey’s grandmother Ruth and Jake’s grandmother Beverly.
“Now that we’re all here,” Jake began and took Cassie’s hand in his, “go ahead and fill your glasses. We have pitchers of Mimosas, water, cranberry juice, and plain orange juice in the pitcher with the white straw tied around the handle.”
As everyone busied themselves filling their glasses, mostly from the Mimosa pitchers, Luke turned to Abbey and whispered, “Cranberry?”
Abbey knew she needed to refrain from drinking alcohol on the chance she could be pregnant already, but she knew Jake and Cassie were watching her and Luke with interest, their brows raised. She trusted they wouldn’t say anything out loud when Abbey nodded and Luke filled her glass with the burgundy-colored juice.
Once everyone had filled glasses, Jake continued. “Cassie and I would like to thank everyone at the table for helping to make yesterday the best day of our lives. No one could ask for a better group of people to call family than the ones sitting around this table. There was a lot of toasting to Cassie and me yesterday, but this afternoon I want to toast all of you.” Jake and Cassie raised their glasses and everyone around the table followed suit. “We love you all and consider you an amazing blessing in our lives. To our family.”
“To our family,” everyone around the table echoed and took a sip of their chosen beverage.
“Make sure you eat and drink up. I was told Luke has already taken care of our bill.” Jake flashed Luke a phony glare and helped Cassie out of her chair. Abbey heard the click of camera phones around them, but no one at their table, including Luke acknowledged them.
This is what it’s going to be like, especially after I become pregnant? “It’s okay, Abbey,” Luke whispered as everyone made their way around the generous brunch spread. “Come on, let’s eat so we can head back to my room.” He took her hand and led her to the carving stations and got them both plates.
Abbey’s mother seemed to notice their interlocked fingers and gestured to her father. Abbey’s father looked over, surprised at first, and then smiled at her and Luke, nodding with approval. Her mother flashed them a huge grin and went to the omelette station. Abbey was relieved but not surprised. Her parents had always been fond of Luke. Everything’s going to be okay.
Luke signed a few autographs and took photos with some diners while Abbey filled her plate with turkey, scrambled eggs, sausage links, country fried potatoes, and sautéed vegetables prepared for her at the omelette station. Abbey hoped she had a good mix of nutrients, just in case. She needed to research the proper pregnancy eating plan as soon as possible.
Abbey had just begun digging into her food when Luke returned the table with his plate piled high with prime rib, ham, country fried potatoes, and a variety of other food stacked on top of each other she couldn’t decipher what was what.
Luke leaned over and kissed Abbey’s cheek, his warm lips searing her skin. Her body reacted immediately. Hold it together, Abbey.
Jake laughed at Luke. “Damn, Luke, you sure you got enough? You didn’t have it pile it on so high. You can go back up for more, you know?”
Luke shrugged Jake off. “What can I say? I’m starved. Had a busy morning, need to replenish my energy.”
Leah snickered beside Abbey and she felt herself blush. She needed to get the subject back to the newlyweds.
“So, are you both excited about your honeymoon in Aruba? What’s it like there in June?”
With the conversation steered to topics other than her and Luke, everyone relaxed into their meals and enjoyed post-wedding chitchat. Although Abbey could still hear cell phone photos being taken, she was thankful no one bothered them.
Abbey wasnibbling on dessert when Darren spoke up.
“We’re holding a Cobras press conference Monday afternoon at one o’clock.”
Luke stiffened beside her. She took a hold of his hand and gently squeezed it for assurance. He squeezed back. Everyone around the table stopped what they were doing, all eyes on Luke and Darren.
“That’s quick,” Luke muttered, seemingly not thrilled with Darren’s announcement.
“Is everything all right?” Abbey’s father asked.
Everyone at the table had troubled expressions on their faces. Abbey’s stomach fell to her feet, her heart aching for Luke. Even though she and Luke had discussed the upcoming transitions, it was probably still difficult for him. Talking privately was one thing. A press conference was something different. It made everything real.
Darren nodded, but he had a frown on his face. “Yes, we have a few important announcements to make. They can’t wait.”
Jake looked pissed. “And you can’t at least tell the family? Now?” Everyone at the table murmured in agreement.
“Jake, look…” Luke began, but Darren put a hand on his shoulder.
“Jake, have you noticed everyone around us is taking pictures? Many are recording on their phones.”
Jake’s eyes widened as if he hadn’t considered the possibility. He looked at the surrounding diners, anger flaring from his eyes. “Don’t you people have better things to do? Can’t you see we’re having a private family meal? Back off.”
Some diners walked away embarrassed, while others who were sitting nearby just placed their phones down, trying not to be so obvious. They didn’t fool anyone.
