“…I didn’t cheat on Sarah,” Lucas announced. “I want you to know that.”
“I know.”
“You do?” Lucas looked at him. “How?”
“Ava.” Silas sighed. “As unassuming as she is most people don’t realize how sharp she is. Maybe it came from all those years her sister isolated her growing up but she is very observant. It’s probably where Lexi learned it.”
Seeing Lucas’s confusion. Silas explained further.
“Ava saw you on one of your shopping trips. She said it wasn’t just you and your secretary. Your sister was also there and you didn’t show either of them much interest. She also said you didn’t seem the type to cheat on a signed agreement. Even if you didn’t care for Sarah the marriage was still a contract you’d honor.”
Lucas felt as if a weight lifted off his chest. It was amazingly liberating to be believed. He’d never underrate it again. Now he just had to convince Sarah. Perhaps he should ask Ava to tell her but…no. Sarah would just assume she was being coached and he didn’t want to strain her relationships with her friends. There had to be another way.
“Hey dad!” Sean and Theo suddenly burst into the room.
“Finally my boys emerge from their gamer den to join the real world,” Silas greeted. “I should take a picture to commemorate.”
“Ah, come on dad,” Sean rolled his eyes.
“Yeah stop being weird,” Theo seconded. “Where is everyone anyway?”
“Outside playing with the dog.”
“We got a dog?” the boys asked in shock.
“No. Our guests brought it,” Silas said, “so if you want to play with it you better get down there before supper.”
They didn’t need any further encouragement taking off for the backyard. Silas chuckled shaking his head. For years the kids had been asking for a pet but Ava always said no and he would never contradict her especially considering her history with animals.
“Why didn’t you ever get the kids a pet?” Lucas asked knowing Silas never denied his children their wishes.
“Ava had a traumatic experience with dogs when she was young. She’s been terrified of them ever since.”
“Her sister?”
Silas nodded. It seemed everything always came back to Marilynn and the torments she inflicted on Ava. It was remarkable Ava conquered as many as she had over the years. It was a true testament to her inner strength and constantly surprised him.
“That’s unfortunate.”
“Well Sarah helped her with her fear of horses so maybe she can help with her fear of dogs.”
“Sarah? Really?”
Silas nodded, “Sarah boarded her horse in the city so she would take Ava to the stable every now and again. I guess they started with standing outside the stall with treats and progressed to grooming and such until Ava finally attempted to get in the saddle.”
Silas remembered her unadulterated joy at actually riding again after years of avoiding horses. She was so excited she couldn’t wait to tell him at dinner and burst into his office. Ava practically leapt into his arms, throwing her arms around him and passionately kissing him overcome by sheer giddiness and without a thought about who might see them. Sarah had been there with video in hand to show Ava riding Applejack around the riding ring. It still brought a smile to his face.
It was too soon to say it would be the same story with dogs but just watching Ava cautiously petting the corgi was promising. When it came to dogs German Shepherd, Golden Retriever or American Bulldog were among the most mentioned breeds from the boys but there were plenty of smaller breeds Ava would be more willing to consider. Sarah said corgis were herding dogs so they had plenty of energy for five kids despite their small size.
Perhaps they could organize a few more of these play dates while Sarah and Zoe were in town to allow Ava time to get used to the idea of a dog. Then maybe they could consider it.
While Silas’s thoughts wandered Lucas’s were equally consuming. Sarah and Ava were closer than he imagined if they willingly shared secrets and fears. To think she helped Ava conquer a fear she harbored since she was a child. Would she ever cease to amaze him or remind him what an utter fool he had been?
They left the office to join everyone outside. Silas immediately embraced Ava kissing her temple bowing his head to kiss her neck as his hands rubbed her still small stomach while they watched the kids play. Sean and Theo now monopolized the dog’s attention but Lexi and the younger kids had retreated to the large play set and played in the sand so all seemed to be enjoying themselves. Amazingly the corgi still had energy to burn and the pup gamely kept up with the older boys.
Lucas watched with a regretful smile. The love Silas openly showered on Ava was almost awkward to watch but at the same time Lucas wished Sarah would allow him to even hold her hand. Even now she pointedly ignored him focusing on the kids.
Lucas’s gaze followed hers and he watched Zoe as she and the younger boys built a sand castle as well as roads for their toy cars. He frowned. Perhaps he should have a play set and sandbox installed in their own backyard. It was clear Zoe enjoyed playing outside. Maybe if he installed one Sarah would see he was serious about wanting to make it work.
“How are you feeling?” Silas asked hugging Ava close.
“Good. I have to admit Daisy is a cute puppy and the kids love her.”
“We can come over again if you like,” Sarah said. “Playing with kids her own age is good for Zoe too.”
“I would love that!” Ava smiled. “When Macey is in Paris I don’t have many people around I can call friends. Besides, we still have a lot to discuss.”
Sarah gave her a strained smile. Lucas looked from one to the other wondering what it was they chatted about while he and Silas had their talk. He had a sinking feeling it was about him given Sarah’s pensive expression.
“Excuse me, ma’am.”
“Yes?” Ava acknowledged Duncan.
“Dinner is almost ready and I originally intended to serve it in the dining room but perhaps you’d like it alfresco instead?”
“Yes,” Ava looked at the occupied children. “I think we’d all enjoy that. Thank you.”
“Of course, ma’am,” Duncan bowed with a smile before retreating inside.
Moments later he reappeared, setting up plates and silverware on square patio tables pushed together. Duncan retreated inside once again only to emerge with another trolley this one laden with food.
Silas whistled sharply, “All right, let’s bring it in!”
Much to Lucas’s surprise the kids responded almost instantly. Lexi herded the little ones to the patio while Sean and Theo managed one more toss racing the dog to the patio to join everyone. Ava scooped up Ben while Silas gathered Isaac. Duncan was on hand with washcloths for them to clean up.
Zoe ran up to Sarah who hugged her tight and laughed at the sand and grit clinging to her. Duncan handed Lucas another washcloth with a smile. Awkwardly Lucas approached and wiped Zoe’s hands and face clean. Sand seemed to cling everywhere and Lucas was beginning to understand what Silas had meant. Once the kids were clean they sat down at the tables.
Silas and Lucas sat at opposite ends while Ava, Sarah and the kids sat along either side. Lexi sat between Ben and Isaac so she could assist her mother in taking care of them while Sarah inexplicably ended up next to Lucas with only Zoe separating them. Theo and Sean sat near their father impatiently waiting as Duncan served steamed vegetables and lasagna.
Starting from youngest to oldest Duncan worked his way around the tables until everyone’s plates and glasses were filled. Then with a bow he left them to eat. While they enjoyed their dinner Duncan offered a bowl of dog food and water to Daisy who happily inhaled it before seemingly passing out from exhaustion. The corgi didn’t make a sound throughout the meal contentedly napping in the last rays of sunlight.
“So does this mean we can get a dog?” Theo asked.
Ava bit her lip but didn’t say no outright. There was no denying how happy the kids were playing with Daisy and the pup was very cute and gentle.
“You think you’re ready for such a commitment?” Silas asked. “Taking care of a dog is a big responsibility. Duncan has enough to do without having to feed and walk and wash the dog. And you’ll have to clean up any accidents it might have in the house and the yard every day unless you want to step in it.”
“We can handle it,” Sean said.
“Yeah, besides we weren’t asking you. We all know mom has the final say,” Theo seconded.
“A man is the king of his castle,” Silas reminded them.
“Yeah, king, right below the queen,” Theo said holding up his hand and gesturing at their levels.
“Unless Grandma-O is here,” Sean reminded.
“Right. Then it’s mom, Grandma-O and then dad,” Theo gestured again.
“Don’t forget Duncan,” Lexi said.
“Right. Mom. Grandma-O. Duncan. Then dad.”
Silas glared as the boys broke out in a fit of laughter. Fighting her own mirth Ava patted his hand in comfort but from where Lucas sat Silas didn’t seem particularly upset even as he raised Ava’s hand to his lips to kiss it. Was this fatherhood?
“So are all of you excited Julius, Macey and the kids will be coming back soon?” Sarah asked saving Silas with a change of subject.
“Well Lexi sure is,” Sean teased.
“Yeah Lexi and Caden sittin’ in a tree. K-I-S-S-I-N-G!” Theo sang.
Lexi blushed bright red, “Real mature you two. At least Caden doesn’t act like a two-year-old. And he’s the only one who has any interest in music…unlike you uncultured swine.”
“Oink, oink,” Theo and Sean snorted to each other.
“Who would have thought Lexi was into younger men?” Theo laughed.
“We’re only two years apart,” Lexi argued. “And what about you and Aria? I heard you two Skyping pretty late last night.”
Theo suddenly fell silent blushing even deeper than Lexi.
Lucas glanced toward Silas to see he was rubbing his temple as if trying to prevent a migraine. Ava held his other hand for support though she was having a difficult time controlling her laughter. Sarah seemed equally amused almost shaking at the expense of a father whose children were growing up much too fast for his liking.
Lucas sipped his drink trying to maintain a neutral expression. Silas was an imposing figure in an office setting but apparently at home he was at the mercy of his children. Looking again at Silas Lucas saw his host glaring at him in as much to say: Laugh it up. This is you in a few years.
Lucas glanced at Zoe happily eating her dinner. How many years before she started thinking about boys? What was he going to do when she started dating? Perhaps he could make a no boys until you’re twenty-five rule? Would that be too much?
* * *
“Thank you so much for coming,” Ava said hugging Sarah tight as they got ready to leave.
Zoe danced as Lucas helped her into her coat. Ben and Isaac sat on the steps petting and kissing Daisy fighting disappointed tears and not wanting the puppy to go. Ava sighed as she looked at her sons. Apparently she was going to have to work through her aversion to dogs a lot more quickly than she did with horses.
“Come here and give us a hug, munchkin,” Silas said to a bouncy Zoe.
Without hesitation she ran up to him accepting a hug as he picked her up. While the business world feared and respected him there was none of that in Zoe.
“Don’t worry Uncle Si. I’ll come back soon. Okay?”
Silas chuckled. His name proved too difficult for her to pronounce properly so he suggested his nickname. He rather liked his new title. With a smile he said, “I hope I have a little girl just like you.”
After dinner Ava and Sarah mostly talked about the new baby. Lucas had been surprised to learn Silas and Ava were expecting another as Ben was supposed to be the last but maybe he shouldn’t have been so shocked. They said the same thing when Isaac was born after all.
“Don’t worry,” Zoe said. “I already talked to Grandma Ya-Ya and know what she told me?”
“What?” Silas’s brow furrowed.
“She said very soon you’ll have more girls than you’ll know what to do with.”
“And who’s Grandma Ya-Ya?” Silas asked clearly confused.
“Oh, I know!” Ava looked at Sarah. “She’s your college roommate’s aunt right?”
Sarah nodded.
“Grandma Ya-Ya is very smart. She told mommy I’d be a girl too,” Zoe said. “She’s always right!”
“Well, I hope so,” Silas smiled humoring her. He planted a kiss on her temple before setting her on her feet.
Zoe happily returned to Lucas raising her arms so he would pick her up. Lucas held her close liking the way she fully accepted him even if he had missed three years of her life. Glancing at Silas he noticed the other was smirking. The expression was surprising enough but Lucas suddenly felt embarrassed as if he had been caught doing something bad.
“All right,” Sarah took the leash from her bag. “Come, Daisy.”
Daisy wiggled loose from her adoring fans trotting up to Sarah obediently and accepting her leash without protest. Ben whimpered quickly advancing to a whine. Ava scooped him up whispering words of comfort and promising Zoe and the puppy would come back to play another day. Yes, she would definitely have to work on her fear.
Sarah gave the boy a sympathetic smile and seconded Ava’s promise as they headed out to meet Alan waiting in the car. Silas and Ava followed as far as the door waving good-bye.
“Oh Sarah, as soon as Macey is in town we have to set up a play day for all of the kids.”
“Absolutely. It’s a date!”