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Knowing when she was beaten, Rachel moved farther into the house.
Trenton’s father nodded to him. “I’m glad you were able to fix it for her. Your mom and I were worried.”
“It wasn’t a problem.” He followed his father into the kitchen, where his mom was cooing at the little one. “Thanks for letting me know, Mom.”
She nodded to him between coos, the softest smile on her face.
Trenton had always wanted children of his own. Emily and he had been waiting. She hadn’t been ready yet, and then…
“Can you take the lasagna to the table, Trenton, honey?” his mom asked.
Thankful for the interruption to his thoughts, he crossed to the oven.
“Giving away my jobs again,” his father said, coming up behind her to wriggle his fingers at their grandchild.
Trenton had always wanted a marriage like his parents had. His had been just as happy, just as fulfilling, but also somehow different. His heart sank as he used the potholders to lift the tray.
“Girls, please set the table!” his mom called to the living room. The normal grumbling followed.
Trenton took comfort from it as he moved to the dining room. That was what he’d wanted for Celia. A smile came to his face as he pictured her expression at being pampered by his mom.
Lunch followed soon after, with the usual banter and catch-up. His fourth sister, the one only a year younger that Blake used to make eyes at in high school, hadn’t come. She had the biggest family, and softball season had started for her oldest. Trenton’s parents went to cheer them on most Sundays, though they’d missed the first ones due to their vacation.
“So your friend decided not to come, Trenton?” his mom asked as she flew a spoon toward the toddler’s mouth.
“Tell me it wasn’t Damon,” Rachel said with a groan.
Damon was the fourth friend in Trenton’s childhood group, along with Malcolm and Blake. Trenton tried not to think about how Dame had once kissed his sister. “I actually haven’t heard from him for a while.” He made a mental note to check in on him.
“He’s on tour again,” Maria chimed in. “His newest album is amazing. I play it during my study sessions.”
“How is school going?” their father asked.
Trenton was happy when she lit up. Her first couple of years at college hadn’t been the kindest. Once she’d switched out of business and into teaching, she’d finally found the best fit.
“So which of the boys was it if not Damon?” his mom asked, bringing the conversation back to him.
Trenton felt a looming pitfall. “None of them. I wanted to bring Celia, Malcolm’s cousin.”
Julia frowned down at her plate. “I don’t remember a Celia.”
“You were only a sprite around the time she moved away,” Trenton said. “You were so cute back then.”
The baby of the family stuck her tongue out at him, and he laughed.
Rachel frowned. “I don’t remember much about her either. Just that she was quieter than Malcolm or Katie. She moved in with them back then, didn’t she?”
“For a little while,” Trenton agreed. He shifted in his chair, somehow uncomfortable talking about her. It almost felt like gossip, and Celia didn’t deserve that.
“Maria, have you decided which school to intern at next spring?” their father asked, and the conversation shifted to her, much to Trenton’s relief.
His youngest two sisters shot out of their parents’ house shortly after lunch, heading back to the dorms to study. Trenton helped carry the plates into the kitchen and started on the dishes.
Rachel had gone to a back room to change her youngest, leaving him alone with his parents.
“I didn’t realize you were close to Celia,” his father said, leaning back on the counter beside the sink.
“We’ve been getting to know each other over the last couple of weeks,” Trenton said.
