CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
Julian pulled the UTV to a stop by the back door of the main house. He got out and went around to open Kiara’s door. After helping her out, he opened the rear door to unlatch TJ’s car seat.
Kiara held the door leading into the mudroom for him, allowing Julian to carry the car seat into the warmth of the house. Right away, they could smell the turkey that was on the menu for their Thanksgiving dinner.
“Where’s my grandson?” Duncan asked as he came into the mudroom.
Julian set the car seat down on one of the benches and carefully unbuckled him. He’d gotten more adept at handling the baby, but he still always erred on the side of caution.
“Here you go,” Julian said as he lifted TJ and turned toward his dad who eagerly took and cradled the baby in his arms.
“Hello there,” Duncan cooed in a way that made everyone present grin.
“You don’t get to hog him, Dad,” Annie announced from the doorway. “We all get a turn.”
Duncan kept hold of TJ as he left the mudroom, brushing past all the women clamoring to see him. They followed Duncan like he was the Pied Piper.
Julian turned to Kiara and helped her with her coat. “I think we could probably leave, and no one would even notice.”
Kiara laughed. “Yeah. We’re not significant anymore.”
Julian hung up both of their coats, then they left the mudroom. Knowing the family would gather in the living room first, they headed in that direction.
Elijah wasn’t there, having flown out to New York City a week ago to spend the Thanksgiving holiday with his mom’s family.
The past two weeks had passed in a blur of sleepless nights, diapers, and some of the most precious memories Julian had ever had. He and Kiara had fallen into a good schedule, working together so that neither of them was overwhelmed.
Of course, they’d also had help from Elizabeth, Angela, and Annie. Nearly every day, Angela had been at their place for an hour or so, often bringing treats for them.
Julian directed Kiara to a loveseat, then waited for her to sit before settling down beside her. Benji was seated in an armchair near Julian, staring morosely at the fireplace.
“What’s up with you, buddy?” Julian asked as he leaned over to tap him on the shoulder.
Benji had been away at college for the past couple of months, but he’d flown home for Thanksgiving.
“Amelia broke up with me,” he muttered.
“What?” The question came in a chorus from everyone there.
“Yeah. She’s decided that I’m a distraction, and she needs to focus on the Olympics.”
“That makes sense.”
“Duncan!” Elizabeth turned to her husband. “How can you say that?”
“Whenever you're trying to achieve something that requires a lot of time and energy, it’s best not to have other things fracturing your focus.” Duncan looked at Benji.
“I’m sorry you’re hurt, Son, but from what you’ve said, she’s devoted a lot of time to her skating.
Going to the Olympics is a huge commitment, so it only makes sense that she’d need to end things with you if she feels she can’t give a relationship the time it deserves. ”
“I don’t demand that she spend time with me,” Benji said. “In fact, my being away at college means she doesn’t even have to worry about finding time for dates.”
“But in the back of her mind will be the thought that she needs to keep in contact with you. That she still needs to make time in her day for you.”
Benji glared at Duncan before shifting his attention back to the fire.
Julian didn’t know what to say. Technically, Duncan was correct, but Julian didn’t want to pile on Benji. Also, he’d never experienced what his half-brother was dealing with, so he didn’t know what to say to make the guy feel better.
“Your dad is right,” Cole said. “When you’re striving for something, it can be hard to juggle a relationship too.”
“You had a high-performance career and girlfriends,” Benji pointed out.
“True,” Cole agreed. “But none were serious until I got to the end of my career. It would have been hard to have had a serious relationship with Annie when I was just starting out.”
“Excuse me.”
The new voice had everyone looking at the entrance to the room. Mrs. Stevens stood there with a smile. “Dinner is served.”
“Thank you,” Elizabeth said as she got to her feet.
Mrs. Stevens and her daughters were there to prepare and serve the Thanksgiving dinner for them, then they’d have the rest of the weekend off.
Everyone went into the dining room and found their seats. There was a name card at each place setting, not that there was much confusion over who sat where. They always took the same seats when they were at the table. The name cards were just to add to the fall decor that adorned the table.
Duncan handed the baby to Kiara, then took his seat at the head of the table. TJ was still sleeping, and if his pattern was anything to go by, he should continue to sleep for a little while longer.
At Duncan’s request, Cole said a prayer of thanks for the food, then the meal began. The meal was a bit more informal than previous Thanksgiving dinners had been. Julian felt it was a good sign that his dad was relaxing his high standards for family meals.
As the food circled the table, Julian put some from each dish onto Kiara’s plate and then his own. He didn’t miss the looks, combined with smirks, from his sisters, but he ignored them.
After putting some turkey on Kiara’s plate, he cut it up, then moved the plate back in front of her.
“Thanks,” she said with a smile. “I’ve figured out how to eat with one hand, but cutting food up is still a struggle.”
“It was nice of Julian to do that for you,” Elizabeth said.
“We’ve discovered that things work well when the non-baby-holding parent helps the baby-holding one.”
“You’ve developed a good partnership,” Annie observed. “Will you do that for me, babe?”
Cole chuckled. “I can hardly say no. Julian has set a high standard for postpartum fatherhood.”
“You’re welcome,” Julian said, shooting Annie a grin.
Julian had never enjoyed Thanksgiving dinner. It was usually tense, and he hated that at some point, he’d have to share what he was thankful for. He’d been sure it was Elizabeth’s idea, and the only thing he ever said he was thankful for was whatever alcoholic beverage he was drinking.
That would not be the case this year. He had a long list of things he planned to share, and alcohol was nowhere on that list.
He wasn’t the only person who had experienced a lot of changes over the past year, so he had a feeling that that portion of the evening would end up taking longer than usual.
The food was amazing. Now that he wasn’t numbing himself and his taste buds with copious amounts of alcohol, he could appreciate how delicious it was.
“Why don’t we move to the family room?” Elizabeth suggested after they’d finished their dessert. “I’ve asked Mrs. Stephens to prepare some coffee and hot chocolate for us there.”
Julian took the baby from Kiara, then they walked with the others to the family room. One of Mrs. Stephens’ daughters was in the room, setting up the drinks on the buffet that was arranged against the wall.
Annie spoke to her for a moment, asking about her son, then she began to pour the hot drinks for everyone. Kiara set the diaper bag down by her feet but didn’t take the baby from Julian.
He was glad. While he’d wanted to show Kiara his love by helping her out, the truth was, he truly enjoyed helping with TJ. And he now had a complete understanding of Duncan’s protectiveness when it came to his children.
Looking down at his son, Julian was convinced he’d go after anyone who even looked at TJ the wrong way.
“I’m so happy to see how our family has expanded this year,” Elizabeth said, a warm smile on her face. “It is so wonderful to have new spouses, and now, a new grandchild join us. So much to be thankful for.”
“As we’ve done each year, let’s take some time to share what we’re thankful for,” Duncan said, then looked to his right where Cole sat with Annie. “Would you like to start, Cole?”
“I would love to start,” he said.
As people shared over the next little while, Julian wasn’t surprised by anything that was said. And he was sure that people wouldn’t be surprised by what he shared when it was his turn.
When it got to Benji, the young man muttered, “Not feeling very thankful today, to be honest. Maybe next year.”
No one forced him to say anything. Julian certainly understood the struggle to voice thankfulness when someone was at a low point in their life.
“Like Elizabeth said, there is much to be thankful for,” Kiara began. “And I feel especially thankful this year, starting with you, Duncan.”
Duncan focused his attention on Kiara, his expression stoic.
“You took me into your family when you didn’t have to. You and Elizabeth gave me a place to belong, and I am so very thankful for that. I’m also so thankful for Angie. She’s always been the bright spot in my world, and I’m glad that I didn’t lose her this year.”
“Never!” Angela said as she leaned over and touched Kiara’s hand. “I will always be there for you.”
“I know, and I’m very thankful for that.
You also have been a big encouragement in helping me understand and accept Jesus into my heart, for which I’m grateful.
I’m also thankful for Julian and the way he’s stepped up to help me with TJ.
He’s gone above and beyond, and I don’t take it for granted at all.
” She smiled at him. “I’m thankful to God for…
uh… for having you in my life. I couldn’t have done this without you. ”
Julian had so much he wanted to say to her, but they weren’t things to be shared in public like this. And maybe not even just yet. At first, their conversations had circled around TJ and taking care of him, but then, they’d realized they had each given their hearts to God.