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He loved his siblings and his parents, but he liked them better in small doses. Unfortunately, today's party would be huge. Not only would the immediate family be present, but also cousins, aunts and uncles, and probably a few neighbors. At least there would be plenty of food, he thought with a smile. He was starving.
As he got out of the car and walked down the driveway, he let the feeling of being home wash over him like a warm breeze. He'd carried the picture of this house in his mind throughout his years in the Navy, and all the time he'd spent on the other side of the world. There was something very comforting about walking through the side door and into the warm and cozy country kitchen. His parents had remodeled about ten years ago, but the big oak table where he'd done his homework was still the centerpiece of the room.
Today there were several kids crowded around that table as two of his sisters, Nicole and Shayla, painted colorful animals on the kids' faces. Two other moms hovered nearby, sipping coffee and chatting about their lives while their kids were being entertained.
Nicole's long, blond hair was pulled back in a ponytail, and there were shadows under her blue eyes that no amount of make-up could hide. She wore jeans and a tank top that accentuated her thin figure. She'd lost weight since Ryan had moved out. Drew frowned at that thought. Maybe he needed to give Nicole a little more support.
Nicole gave him a happy smile when she saw him. "Drew, I'm so glad you came. I know this isn't your thing, but I'm glad you're here."
"No problem. Hey, Shay." He turned towards his youngest sister. Shayla was one of the twins and had a mix of Callaway and Kane in her features. She had the Callaway blue eyes and the golden blond hair of the Kanes.
"Hi Drew," she said, as she painstakingly outlined a butterfly on the cheek of a little girl.
"How's medical school going?"
She looked up and made a face at him. "Exhausting. I keep telling myself one day it will all be worth it. That day seems a long way off."
"It will get here. You're such a brain. You've already cut out at least a year of school." Shayla had a tremendously high IQ and had graduated from college at sixteen. At twenty-four, she was finishing up her third year of medical school.
"I'm surrounded by smart people now, not like when I was growing up," she added with a mischievous sparkle in her eye.
He grinned. "Very funny."
He glanced around the kitchen as Shayla's attention was drawn back to the little girl in front of her. "Where's the birthday boy?" he asked Nicole.
"He's probably in the attic. He ran up there when the doorbell rang. Emma went to get him, but that was a long time ago."
"I'll see if I can help get him back to the party."
"It's fine. I don't need to force anything. I'm going to celebrate for Brandon," she said with determination in her eyes. "I know some people think I'm crazy for having the party, but I just couldn't let his birthday go by without doing anything. Even if he doesn't know, I know."
"I get it, Nicole. No judgment."
"Thank you."
"Where do the presents go?"
"Dining room. There's tons of food. Hope you're hungry."
"Always."
He walked out of the kitchen and into the dining room. He dropped off his present on a side table and then checked out the buffet, which had everything from cinnamon rolls, to salads and sandwiches. His father's parents, otherwise known as Grandpa Patrick and Grandma Eleanor, were standing by the dining room table. Patrick had the same ruddy Irish complexion and piercing blue eyes as his father, Jack, and Eleanor had white hair and pretty blue eyes that had become more confused as her Alzheimer's got worse.
Drew was happy to see his grandmother at the party. His grandfather had been talking about putting Eleanor in an assisted living facility the last few months, but after his father, Jack, had put up a fight, Patrick had agreed to wait a while.
"Hi Grandma," he said, leaning down to kiss her on the cheek.
She jumped back, alarm spreading through her features. "Who are you?"
His gut clenched at the confusion in her eyes. "I'm Drew, your grandson."
"Drew," she echoed. She looked at her husband for reassurance.
Patrick put a hand on her arm. "It's all right, Ellie. You know Drew. He flies helicopters."
