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“Her mommy?” Chloe becomes hysterical, the shrill noise she gifts the room with has me wanting to turn the table over in annoyance.
Paige places her hand on my thigh, the simple gesture a show of support, and the warmth of her touch grounds me to the spot.
“Actually. Pretty fucking sure it’s the dad. Right, Oscar?” Finn chimes in, and I narrow my eyes in his direction.
“Like the reindeers?” Charlie asks, and this time even I wince. Returning to my meal, I steal a glance at my son who happily accepts another portion of his nutrients from Paige. My boy is a genius already, his cognitive skills second to none, but until I’m certain he is capable of not creating a mess, I insist on us assisting him.
“Like Rudolph?” Keen asks.
I lift my head toward Keen. “Yes.”
His face turns into a crooked smile, which is nothing short of maniacal. “Cool. Did you kill him yourself?”
A piece of carrot lodges in the back of my throat, forcing me to hit my chest and take a drink of water.
“Ahhhhhh!” Chloe screeches in an Oscar-worthy performance. “Rudolphhhhh.”
“Jesus!” I glance toward Cal, and his head is tipped up toward the ceiling as he pinches the bridge of his nose.
“I—” She sniffles through tears, stammering as she speaks. “Won’t... get... any. .. presents... from—” She struggles to breathe through the haze of unnecessary tears. “Santa. Nobody... to bring them.” Cal fusses around her like an idiot.
Sky stands and walks around to Chloe, caressing her head. “Don’t worry, Chlo. Santa has lots of other reindeers,” she coos, but Chloe’s screeching only gets louder.
“Can you tell her it’s not fucking Rudolph?” Cal snaps, sending a glare I am sure is meant to be threatening in my direction.
Of course, the man needs someone else to pacify his child. I exhale through my nose and give him what he needs. “It’s not Rudolph.” My voice is as monotone as ever.
Cal throws his arm out toward me. “See. It’s not Rudolph.”
“Ya know, I think it’s Dasher, his best friend.” Finn chuckles. Cal flies across the table toward my smug brother.
A heavy thump on the table jolts my brothers. “Jesus fucking Christ. Stop arguing and eat the damn meal Ma made.” The deep tone of Bren’s voice and his methods in controlling the family remind me of Da, and for the first time, I acknowledge the similarities with pride.
Cal pulls back, straightens his shirt, then takes his seat without another word while Finn smirks in his direction, enjoying every bit of riling our brother. His behavior earns him a smack on the back of the head from Angel, and my lips tip up when he chokes on the damn toothpick he insists on chewing on.
“You do realize I did a lot of cooking too, right? Ma can’t take all the credit for it.” Con crosses his arms over his chest like a petulant child, staring at Bren, who ignores him and shovels another forkful of potatoes into his mouth.
“And why the hell is baby Bren wearing headphones while eating?” Finn’s eyes narrow on my son, and I grind my teeth at the nickname he’s bestowed upon him.
“His name is Brennan,” I grit out. “Use his name accordingly or don’t bother addressing him at all.”
“We all know you named him after your favorite brother, just own it.” Con grins, making me want to take my knife to his smug face and carve him until he’s unable to smile.
Instead, I ignore their childish banter. I clear my throat. “It’s to drone out conversations that are irrelevant. He’s listening to classical music; it’s a proven benefit to help stimulate neurons.”
Con’s eyes widen. “Shhiiiit. What the fuck’s a neuron anyway?”
How the hell can I be related to such idiots? I consider my response. After all, it’s not Con’s fault he is inept. Then I run through my breathing techniques, counting as I take in air, then release through my nose before replying. “And that is why Brennan will not be subjected to such conversations.”
Con glances round the table, brows furrowed.
“He’s growing his intelligence.” Cal puts him out of his misery.
Con sits back in his chair and drapes his arm over Will’s shoulder. “Baby, I think we need to get our little one headphones too.”
Will smiles toward him, then brushes her fingers over his jawline before gifting him with a kiss.
ChapterEleven
