Defining Moments

Chapter Seven - Dinner

Madison's POV:

"Quinn! Come set the table please!" I call out while pulling the fried rice off the stove and setting it on a pot holder next to the orange chicken I had made for dinner.

"Coming Mom!" Quinn comes bounding into the kitchen. I had everything already on the table, Quinn just needed to place each plate, set of silverware, and cup in its spot.

Once Quinn was done I sent him to go get his grandfathers. Dad must've still been on his call because when Quinn returned, he only had Papa and the man from his meeting with him. The man from the grocery store.

"Madison, will you set an extra place at the table? Daniel is going to join us tonight." Papa asked me.

I smile. "Sure thing Papa." I got another plate and set of silverware out and set it at an empty spot at our dining table. "Is Dad still on his phone call?" I asked.

"Probably. I'll go see what's holding him up." He told me before heading towards Dad's office.

After about seven or so minutes of waiting Macyn started crying from her place in her high chair. I sighed. "Hold on Macyn. I know you're hungry." I start to get a bottle of baby food out of the cupboard when Quinn starts complaining as well. I sighed once again. "Quinn, you have to wait Buddy."

Quinn groaned. "But Papa and Grandpa are taking forever."

"I know son but right now I'm taking care of your sister."

Daniel cleared his throat. "I can help Quinn get his plate, if you'd like."

I stared at him for just a moment before coming to my senses. "Oh yeah, uh, sure. That's fine." I set the bottle of baby food down and go to get some apple juice for the kids.

I poured some apple juice into a bottle for Macyn before pouring some into Quinn's cup. He had just sat down with his plate in front of him, thanks to Daniel. "Did you tell Daniel thank you?" I asked him.

"Fank you!" Quinn says with his mouth full.

"Don't talk with your mouth full bud." I said.

Daniel just chuckled. "You're welcome."

"Can I get you anything to drink?" I asked Daniel.

"Some water would be great."

"You can go ahead and dish up if you want." I said to Daniel whilst I got him some water. "My fathers will probably be a while." I mentioned.

I set the water at his place at the table before sitting down next to Macyn who had only calmed a little when her brother started feeding her bits and pieces of the egg out of his fried rice.

"Thank you Quinn." I said before starting to feed Macyn her pureed carrots.

Soon enough, a plate of food was set in front of me. I looked up to see Daniel. "Oh thank you." I smiled slightly as he sat down at his spot. A half-awkward-half-comfortable silence settled over us while Quinn & Daniel ate their food. I alternated between feeding Macyn and eating my dinner.

By the time the four of us were done eating and I was about to begin to do the dishes, my dads emerged. "Sorry that took so long." Dad said, kissing my cheek.

"It's fine." I said before pointing to the two plates of food sitting on the counter. "Your dinners are right there." I said.

They both sat down and started to eat when Daniel approached me, offering to help with dishes. "If you want, you can wash them and I'll dry and put them away..." I stammer awkwardly.

Daniel chuckled. "Sure." He rolled up the sleeves of his dress shirt before submerging his hands in the warm, soapy water. We sat in silence as we did the dishes, but I could feel my dads watching us as we did so.