Simultaneously, the telephone and doorbell rang. Jade looked helplessly from door to phone, unsure of which nuisance to address first. Luckily, Charise was quick to act.

“You get the phone,” Charise instructed. “It’s probably Graham. I’ll get the door.”

“Thanks,” Jade responded, hurrying to the phone.

Charise walked over to the door and opened it, letting in the final couple. “Jade’s on the phone; she’ll do her hostess stuff soon enough,” she explained.

“That’s okay, Charise,” Nathaniel replied. “We know our way around here well enough.”

“Sorry we’re late,” Emma added. She rolled her eyes. “Mom was… well, you know.”


“Yeah, I do know,” Tiffani replied, ruffling her sister’s hair. “How is Mom, by the way? Still refuses to acknowledge me as a daughter?”

“Of course. Never mind that you’re the only one of her kids who’s actually made something of herself.”

“Well, what about you? You’re studying to be a pharmacist, right?”

Emma rolled her eyes. “Yeah, but you know how Mom is. ‘Why don’t you marry a nice boy and let him take care of you? But don’t marry that Foley boy.’”

“Parents are pretty annoying,” Tiffani muttered. “Just don’t do the stuff I did to get out of the house for good.”

“Don’t worry, Tiff, I’m not that stupid.” Emma covered her mouth, looking embarrassed. “I… I wasn’t calling you stupid. I just… it… I…”

“Don’t worry about it, kiddo. It’s okay. I’m not going to chew your head off. Just don’t rush things, okay?”

“Yeah.”


Jade walked over, grinning. “That was Graham. He wishes he could be here, and he said he’s going to have some really awesome presents for all of us when he gets back.”

“That’s nice of him,” Ophelia remarked, smiling. “He doesn’t have to get anything for us.”

“Come on, Lia, you’re like his kid sister. As far as we’re concerned, you’re as much a part of this family as Nathan is. After all, you’re the one who got us together,” Jade replied. “The least you can do is let him get you a gift occasionally. Besides, he likes surprising everyone with cool stuff. Remember that skull-shaped bank he got you last year?”

“Yeah, that was pretty cool. Scared Cy’s pants off,” Ophelia laughed.

“And the fancy carved jewelry box he got me?”

“The one made to look like a treasure chest, with the cool painted designs? That was really nice!”

“Point is, if it makes him happy, let him. It’s just one of the ways he shows he cares.”

“Yeah, I guess you’re right,” Ophelia responded. “So, is it time to eat yet?”

Author's Note: And in the next chapter, not only will we find out what happened to Dunstan and Angela, but... there will be a special guest appearance of sorts. (More like, they'll be mentioned in passing. You'll see!)