The Lascarina Girls

Chapter Five

   "Landon should be here soon," Iona said to Tara as her daughter came in the kitchen as she finished up the pies.

"Hmm," Tara said; clearly uninterested.

"Don't you want to meet him?"

"Don't push her," Athena said; annoyed that her Mom was still trying to play matchmaker. "I'm sure Tara can meet guys on her own, Ma."

"Why not just meet him though?" Iona demanded. "What is the harm? He's lovely, and so is Tara. It's perfect!"

"I'll meet him," Tara said, "but don't push it. You know I hate that, Ma."

"Of course," Iona said smoothly. "Helen thinks it's a good idea too, you know?"

"Ma..."

"I'm just saying..."

The house was soon filled with people; including Landon and his twin daughters. He said they usually go to his sister's house, but this year she was at her in-law's house in Colorado. Athena had grown to love him and his girls so she invited them. She spent a half an hour introducing him to everyone, and she could see he was slightly over-whelmed with how many people were in her family. She couldn't blame him. Sometimes it was too much for her.

"And this is my sister Quinn," Athena said as she finally found Quinn sitting on the floor and playing Go Fish with a few of her nieces and nephews including Athena's own Flo who was constantly attached to Quinn.

"Oh, another sister," Landon said and held his hand out to shake her hand. "I was hoping to meet the rest of the crew."

"Oh hello," Quinn said and looked a bit shy as she always was with meeting new people.

"We're playing Go Fish, and I'm winning," Flo announced to her mother and Landon. "Right Quinn?"

"You're beating me," Quinn admitted, "but mostly because you keep peeking at my cards!"

Flo giggled madly at this but didn't deny it.

"Mind if I play?" Landon asked suddenly.

"Sure," Flo said and patted the floor next to her and Quinn. "Our game is almost over. I'm 'bout to beat everyone! I LOVE winning, and I win A LOT."

"You're so gracious about it too," Quinn said which made Landon laugh.

Athena left Landon with Quinn, and she went to check on dinner. Her Aunts had arrived though and had taken over the kitchen. They brought a lot of their own dishes which they were heating up and setting out. There was always way too much food every year. Athena smiled at the scene of her aunts squabbling in the kitchen, and she went to greet even more family that was coming through the door. She peeked out the door, and just in time to see Clia coming up the walk with a black umbrella above her head, and a handsome guy that had to be Gabe at her side.

"Thena!" Clia yelled at the sight of her sister.

Clia looked so grown up, Athena thought, feeling a bit over-whelmed at the sight of her sister in a gorgeous black dress and her blond hair piled on her head in an elegant twist. What happened to the little girl that used to wear paint-covered overalls, and who once tried to cut her own bangs into a zig-zag pattern? 

Clia introduced her sister to Gabe, and they quickly came inside to warm up next to the fireplace in the den. They were chatting and laughing about Clia and Gabe's rainy day adventures trying to get out of Chicago on Thanksgiving day when Athena happened to glance behind her and see Free's pale face as she stared into the den.