234 Calm Before the G (Winona)
One Month Later
Sitting around the dinner table with everyone feels like amon urrence these days. It''s been a full month of peace, and I''m not used to it yet.
I nce over at Jayden, who''s dishing Abby her pasta while she chatters nonstop about the wedding and attendants dresses we chose, starring, of course, her gorgeous pink princess dress as flower girl. "You know, we can''t let Daddy know how we will all look. It''s bad luck."
Abby o
mps her little hand over her mouth, her blue eyes are wide.
Iugh. "It''s okay, Sweety. I know you''re very excited. We all are."
"I can''t wait, Mommy!"
"Eat some dinner. We can make some secret ns tomorrow." I wink at her and she munches into her mac and cheese Anne has made.
"Actually, if you, Bobby and Sarah would like to go eat at the breakfast bar in the hen, you can. A
Friday night treat."
"Yay!" Sarah says with a smile.
Bobby grins. "Cool."
The three of them take their bowls and head into the kitchen leaving us in the dining room.
"It''s so nice having the kids here, and you Anne." I say with a smile.
"I think this will work out just fine. The kids start their new school Monday."
"I''m not sure the penthouse is an ideal family home, but I think stability is more important right now." I say.
"Home is where the heart is, Winona. The kids actually love it here with you all.
"I think it''s going to be fine for as long as we need to be. Just need to get regr outings because we don''t have a yard."
"Wouldn''t it be nice to have somewhere close like that reserve where we spread Mom''s ashes? No wonder she loved it there. So beautiful with the river."
"I might have to look into some ces closer to here." Jayden smiles. "I mean the spot where Ashlyn''s ashes went is a beautifulke district and it''s not that far away."
"Yeah. It was lovely there. I think Ashlyn would definitely approve of beingid to rest where her dad was.
""For sure."
"Mom''s service went better than I expected. I mean, seeing all those people who knew her... it was nice, right?"
Jayden nods, offering a small smile. "It was. I didn''t realize your mom had such a big impact on that
234 Calm Before the G
Anne chimes in from her seat across the table. "You and Cass should be proud.".
"I am," I admit, twirling my fork in my sd. "I didn''t expect so many people, honestly. But seeing how loved and respected she was... It felt good. Cass seemed pleased too, even if she didn''t say muchter. Too busy with her move I guess." Jayden raises an eyebrow. "How long has it been since you''ve actually heard from her?"
I shrug, trying not to let the disappointment show. It''s been three weeks since she moved into her ce with Mia and five weeks since we flew out for the service. "I don''t want to push too hard, make a fuss, you know?"
Anne nods thoughtfully. "She needs her space, but maybe a check-in wouldn''t hurt. Just make sure she knows you''re still there for her. Maybe we could take her a casserole next week."
"Great idea. I''ll text herter anyway to see if she''sing to the G Ball for the Brennan Wing and if she''s bringing someone. Just to get final numbers a bit closer to the mark." "How''s our little Henry doing?" Anne asks.
Jayden''s eyes light up at the mention of the baby. "He''s doing great. They''re getting him out of the incubator soon, seeing if he can regte his own body temperature. And we''re going to try bottle feeds next week." "That''s incredible!" Anne says, beaming. "He''se such a long way."
"He really has. But he''s still very vulnerable," I say..
"So, I gather the spa day and dress shopping went well?" Jayden asks.
"Yes! We finally found the perfect wedding dresses." I beam at him.
Jayden raises an eyebrow. "Dresses? Plural?"
"Obviously, there''s more than one dress, Jayden," I say, smirking. "There''s the wedding dress and then the bridal party dresses. I''m considering a reception dress as well. We had to get them off the rack, so the choices were a little limited, but we made it work." "And it was fabulous," Anne adds with a grin. "The day at the spa, and some shopping. It was the kind of day every woman needs once in a while."
"You should''ve seen Abby and Sarah," Iugh, remembering how adorable she looked trying on a miniature version of the dresses we picked out. "They looked like little princesses."
Jayden grins. "I don''t doubt it. I''m happy you''re happy."
"You ready for tomorrow night?" I ask Jayden.
The g is his big night. He still funds the Brennan Wing personally and every year there''s a fundraising event to involve more high-profile people to help keep the cutting edge technology current.
He shrugs, but there''s tension in his shoulders. "Ready as I''ll ever be. I''ll make my speech, thank everyone for supporting the Brennan Wing, and get the hell out of there."
234 Calm Before the G
"You think Judy will show up?" I ask cautiously. The no contact order is still in ce, but the g is one of those events where everyone who''s anyone in the city will be there.
Jayden''s jaw tightens. "She''ll be there. But as long as she doesn''te near me or try to talk, It''ll be fine."
"Do you think she will?" Anne asks, her voiceced with curiosity.
Jayden shakes his head. "Who knows? But if she does, security will take care of it. I''m not worried about her. I''m more worried about making sure Henry''s name is out there as the inspiration for the fundraising and a reminder of how fragile life can be for some kids" "Honestly, though, tomorrow is just about showing our support and getting through the night without any drama."
"Well, Judy has been so perfect with Abby and her visits. I don''t think she''ll rock the boat and risk that stopping."
Jayden''s eyes meet mine. "I think you''re right. Honestly, this has been the best month of my life without her in it." "It sure feels normal for a change."
"Let''s hope it stays that way."
"Do you think Greg''s kids will be there?" I ask Jayden.
"Brennan Industries is a benefactor of the Brennan Wing. I guess they might."N?velDrama.Org exclusive content.
I really hope if they do that there isn''t any friction.