It took five days to get both families together, at least Nicholas's family and my mother. I was on-call for two days at the hospital and Nicholas had taken a quick business trip to the UK, and only got back yesterday. This time around, Evelyn came along with her husband and daughter. Even, Lucia, Nicholas's sister was present for this gathering.

Nicholas and I opted for a public setting where decorum would be surely maintained due to the presence of public onlookers. The La Cuisine staff had to put together two square tables together, so we could all have lunch in the same space. Unlike the last time I was here, the sun-lit dining area felt cosy and warm. A wonderful remedy to the howling wind outside the building.

The awkward silence hung over the table as we waited for our respective meals. After the brief introduction earlier, no one attempted to open a conversation. We looked amongst each other, hoping someone would take the initiative. Evelyn busied herself with her fussy two-year-old daughter in a high chair beside her. Her husband, Jack, looked out of place, his eyes focused on his locked fingers over the table.

Nick's father, Frank cleared his throat. "So, what brings you to New York, Mrs Rowland?"

My mother tore her eyes away from the room's surroundings and turned to him. "Oh, I'm here to see my daughter. It's been a long time since I saw her, in person"

Evelyn looked up from Sophie, who was captivated by a cartoon playing on a kid's tablet. "Really? Is this your first visit?"

My mother smiled as she shook her head. "No, I've been here twice . . . right?" she turned to me and I nodded. "Yes, when she graduated from medical school, her father and I flew in to celebrate with her"

Frank nodded. "You must be so proud of her"

My mother's smile deepened as she placed a hand over mine. "Of course, she's our overachiever. She surpasses our expectations in everything she does"

What is she trying to do? I plastered a tight-lipped smile across my face and turned to my mother with one brow raised. She dismissed me with a casual shrug of her shoulders and offered a wide smile to whoever cared to look.

"Are you enjoying your stay here?" Evelyn asked, tossing her hair over her shoulder. For the first time, she wore her hair in its natural brown wavy state.

"Ah, yes. Although, I would've loved it better if my daughter were around more often. Most of the time, she's at the hospital," my mother replied, casting a quick glance at me.

"Aw, that's unfortunate," Evelyn remarked and looked at me. "I'm sure you could take some time off with your mom here. I mean, the baby is almost here, this would be a great time to prepare for his arrival"

I opened my mouth to input but my mother intercepted. "I told her the exact same time the other day, but she insisted to work till the due date drew close. She's not one to hang about, doing nothing"

I fought the urge to roll my eyes at my mother. I wasn't sure what her game plan was, but she didn't need to impress anyone here. Thankfully, our food arrived and the casual chatter dropped. Rosa hadn't uttered a single word since we arrived and I was internally grateful.

"Lucia, put your phone down" Frank instructed his daughter, his fork hung midair till she did as told.

Lucia cleared her throat and looked up with a small smile. "I apologize for my manners."

Lucia looked to be a perfect mix between Frank and Rosa. She spotted a brown-rooted, blonde bob that framed her oval, angular face. I wasn't sure which her natural hair colour was. She had a jawline as sharp as her father's and the slender pointed nose of her mother. So far, Nicholas was the only one with grey eyes in the family but she was the most tanned out of all.

She picked up her fork and placed it next to her plate of fish fingers and tartar sauce. "Amanda, I'll be around for a while. If you're not too busy, we should hang out"

"Oh, yes. We should get together sometime and catch up," Evelyn gushed, tugging at the sleeves of her turtleneck sweater dress.

I nodded. "Sure. That would be nice"

My hands travelled to the lower side of my bump and drew circular motions over the cotton material of my maxi wine bodycon skirt. The baby was extra active these days. I picked up my spoon to resume my food but my little one sent a strong kick to the spot I'd just nursed.

The sudden jerk in my movement caused a sway in the balance of my glass of water. Nicholas's hand shot out to steady the glass before it spilt, whilst being mid-conversation with his brother-in-law across the table.

He returned his hand to his plate, looked at me and mouthed. "You okay?"

I nodded.

Rosa's phone vibrated across the table. A quick glance at the screen and the corner of her lips turned up. She glanced towards the entrance and waved someone over. Evelyn's smile dropped as she followed her mother's gaze and somehow, I had a good guess at who it was.

I didn't need to turn around to confirm because Camille announced her presence at the table. "I'm sorry, I'm late. My shoot ran on longer than I thought"

"Oh, it's fine. Excuse me," Rosa waved over a female server. "Can we get an extra seat?"

Whilst the extra seat was being acquired, she glanced around the table like she was contemplating where to place it. We all knew where that extra seat would end up, or at least I did. Frank sat at the head of the table and my mother sat at the opposite end, which left three seats on each side. On the left side, from the head of the table were Lucia, Nick and me. On the right side were Rosa, Jack and Evelyn alongside little Sophie's high chair.

I didn't care for Camille or Rosa and whatever shenanigans they had planned. As long as the lunch went without a hitch and no ill words were directed at my mother, I was peachy. I turned out to be right. The additional chair was stuffed between Lucia and Nicholas, so we all had to make some adjustments to accommodate the change.

"So, are you another sister?" My mother piped up with an innocent smile.

For the first time, Rosa spoke up. "No, she's my guest"

"Okay," my mother nodded and returned to her food, clearly sensing the unwelcoming attitude.

All would've gone well until Camille chose to voice out her thoughts. "And who are you?" she regarded my mother with a condescending tone.

It didn't take a nanosecond for the blood beneath my veins to heat up. I placed a hand on Nicholas's arm and leaned forward, so I got a good look at her face. "Excuse me, don't take that tone with her. In fact, don't even speak to her at all, just go about your day"

The air around the table tensed up and as far as I was concerned, I was done with my meal. They could pick on me, and call me every bad word that existed on this planet, but if one wrong look was directed at my mom, I would raise hell. My mother placed a hand on my arm and shook her head.

I didn't want to paint a bad picture of Nicholas's family to my mother so I didn't go into too much detail about his mother. All I told her was his mother was a bit difficult. I didn't even mention Camille because I was hoping my mother wouldn't get to meet her. It was a family lunch for crying out loud and last time I checked, Camille didn't share the same DNA with any of them. Rosa just keeps stooping to levels I didn't even deem possible.

"Uh, I was invited here so I have every right to speak to anyone on this table" Camille voiced out.

Lord, give me strength. I exhaled loudly and focused on my almost empty plate of soup but underneath the table, my legs were shaking for a fight. Remember, you're pregnant.

Rosa scoffed. "Just like your mother asked a question, she did the same. There was no need for all that" she forked a piece of tomato from her plate of bruschetta then muttered. "What's even so special about her?"

"Mother, please don't start" Nicholas spoke up

My mother reached out to grab my hand but I dodged her and leaned forward in my seat. "Ma'am, I have been nothing but respectful to you since the day we met but don't take my silence for weakness. Let's keep my mother out of this"

Another wave of thick silence blew across the table, even the giggling toddler became quiet and looked around with big eyes. My mother cleared her throat as she placed her spoon down and gathered her bag.

"It has been wonderful meeting you all but we would take our leave now," my mother said as she rose to her feet. She shot me a stern look, leaving no room for objections.

Nicholas pushed back his seat and stood then helped me get out of my chair. There was an exchange of apologetic glances between her daughters and me.

"You don't have to leave with us," I whispered as I swung my small handbag over my shoulder. "We'll take an Uber, don't worry"

"Yeah, no" He shook his head. "I think I've had enough lunch for the day" He peeled my bag strap off my shoulder and held onto it then entwined our fingers, with the other.

"Good riddance" Rosa muttered behind her glass of cocktail.

I bit the insides of my cheeks and allowed Nicholas to lead me out to the reception area. He gave my hand a gentle squeeze as we came to stand at the receptionist station. I glanced back at the dining area and felt a strong urge to head back and set Rosa straight.

I should say something. I returned my eyes to the welcoming smile of the receptionist. Nah, it probably won't change anything. We stood, waiting for their staff to return with our coats. I glanced back at the table and met with a smug smile on Rosa's face. Okay, I need to say something.

"Give me a second," I said as I tore my hand away from Nicholas's hold and marched towards the table.

"From where I come from, it is considered proper behaviour to respect your elders, but you know what? I'm just going to go ahead and say this. You are a very vile person. You claim to have your son's best interest at heart but you really don't," I stepped to my side and pointed at Nicholas who had our coats slung over his arm. "Because look at your son walking away from you. He can't even stay back because he's so embarrassed, of you"

I wanted to say more. I wanted to unleash my frustration on her. But for the sake of her husband and children who have been nothing but wonderful, I reigned it in.

"My advice to you, if you would take it, do better. For the sake of your son and maybe, for your grandson as well," I shifted my gaze from Rosa's stupefied expression to the rest of the table occupants. "So sorry about that"

I felt featherlight as I walked back to join Nicholas and we exited the premises, hand in hand. We joined my mother at the front of the establishment. She stood looking unto the street, her hands stuffed into the pockets of her jacket.

"I sincerely apologize for that," Nicholas began

My mom shook her head, a small smile playing on her lips. She placed a hand on his shoulder and gave it a reassuring squeeze.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"You were pretty heated up, today," Nicholas remarked as he leaned back against the driver's seat of his car.

We were packed on the curbside of my apartment complex. My mother had gone up first, leaving us some privacy to talk.

"Yeah," I looked down at my hand on my lap and chuckled. "I was just tired of not saying anything. Plus, it's my mother, you know. None one has the right to speak to her like that" I got heated just thinking about it.

He reached out and picked my hand from my lap. He held up our hands between us and intertwine them "I get it. I'm sorry my mum has been giving you a hard time"

My gaze travelled from our locked hands to his face then to his eyes. "It's not your fault," I whispered, not breaking eye contact. His eyes were alluring and he was well aware of that superpower. He worked the right intensity to hold you captive, so you'd have no choice but to drink them in.

He drew closer and matched my tone. "Still, I wish you didn't have to get hurt," His eyes left my eyes and travelled down to my lips. "If there was something I could, I would"

The air charged and I could sense what would come next, I'd been in one too many situations like this, with Nicholas. There were two options; give in or break it up. My heart pumped hard against my chest, the closer he got. I caught a whiff of his cologne, mixed with the faint smell of nachos and chicken. He paused, a hair's breadth away from my face, his lips parted in anticipation.

He was giving me room to change my mind and pull away but the thing was my brain had logged off, the moment he drew closer. I pulled in a shallow breath as I closed the space between us and pressed my lips against his. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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