“Such cute dimples,” Nana Sue said when he smiled.
Austin rolled his eyes while I blushed. To think, just a few months ago I’d thought his dimples were cute.
“No, the rest is in my backpack,” Austin said. He slung the large bag off his shoulders and handed it to Dalton. “Thanks.”
“I see he still insists on being helpful.”
“Always,” I’d told him he didn’t need to carry in a bag, that I could make more than one trip, or ask one of his siblings to help, but he wouldn’t hear it. Austin didn’t like feeling useless.
“I’m right here. And just because I have a fake leg doesn’t mean I’m incapable of carrying a bag.”
He’d had his new, permanent, state-of-the-art leg for two weeks, but still relied on his cane while he adjusted to it.
“Maybe you could use that fake leg to walk in here and say hi to the rest of us.” I assumed that was Cassie, whose voice was lower than Eva’s singsong voice.
Dalton shouldered Austin’s backpack as Ethan hugged me and relieved me of my bags.
“Thanks, Ethan.” I’d used their names often while trying to remember who was who and hadn’t broken the habit yet.
In the kitchen, we greeted everyone with the now normal hugs. It’d taken me a while to adjust to Austin’s family, but I’d grown to love them.
Roni put me to work as soon as I asked, “Can I help?” So was Austin.
Once the table was set, we sat and waited for Roni to say grace.
Dinner was a loud, chaotic, wonderful meal filled with love and laughter.
When my joy overflowed and threatened to spill out of my eyes, Austin put his hand on my thigh. “Do you need a break?”
“I’m good.”
I was enjoying the big family atmosphere—something I’d never had—and feeling grateful that all the craziness in my life had brought me here.
“Thank you for sharing your family with me.” I meant to whisper it, but the crowd chose that moment to quiet down, and everyone heard.
“No, Nina, thank you for bringing our Austin home to us. I’ve never seen him smile so much,” Roni said.
“Yeah, it’s a little weird,” Cassie said. “Technically, he’s more robotic than before, and yet he’s acting more human.”
“Cassie!” Roni scolded her without conviction.
“What, Bryce is the only one who can give Austin shit?”
“It’s fine, Roni. Cassie’s not wrong.” Austin wadded up his napkin and threw it at his sister.
After dinner, I offered to help clean, but was sent to relax in the living room.
Shockingly, they allowed Austin to help.
While he was in the kitchen helping, Nana Sue and I talked.
“Your parents always wanted to give you a family like this.”
“I know.” Sadly, my mom was infertile, and they couldn’t afford to adopt more children.
The doorbell rang.
“Nina, be a dear and answer the door,” Roni called out.
