Milkshake Hearts

Chapter 62: Everyone

"Hey, kitchen?" Courtney whispers in Shayne's ear as she wanders past where he's been standing with both of their fathers for a moment, thirty minutes further into their gathering. Everyone had been mingling between different groups, the constant buzz of conversation filling her with almost as much warmth as the lengthening of the day. Their fathers had taken on the de facto role of hosts, refusing to let Courtney and Shayne do too much themselves, and they'd been discussing whether it was time to start firing up the grill for lunch.

He excuses himself from the conversation, subtly following her through to the kitchen.

"What's up?" he asks, although he isn't particularly concerned given her soft expression as she leans against the kitchen counter.

"Not a whole lot, I just wanted to grab you for a couple seconds – everything's goes really well, yeah? Everyone's talking," she nods, and he grins, recognising her need for some kind of mutual acknowledgement.

"Yeah, it's really great – it's nice," he returns the sentiment, letting himself lean back against the counter beside her, shoulder pressed against hers. He turns his head to keep his eyes on her as she speaks again.

"Brian made a point of talking to me and making sure everything was fine with us back in the entry there – he's really making an effort," Courtney explains, the real reason for having pulled Shayne aside, and he nods.

"Yeah, he is, and I can tell he's genuine. It's all going to be fine, we might've had a little road block last year but – our family is good. You think we should start lunch soon?"

"Probably, it's getting to that time," she nods, "you know when Damien's appearing?"

The doorbell answers the question for her, and she laughs, moving to return to the living room and step back into conversation as Shayne heads to answer the door, Courtney's Dad joining him.

"Damien! It's been so long! Last time I saw you I think you were kneeling in this doorway pretending to be a child," Roger jokes, when they answer the door, Damien laughing as he steps inside.

"Have I really not seen you since we were filming here back in 2018? That's crazy," he nods, "sorry I'm a little late by the way, voiceover thing I had to finish this morning took longer than I thought."

"No problem, everyone's just hanging out, Roger and my Dad were going to start grilling soon, they won't let anyone else help of course," Shayne shakes his head, giving Roger a side-eye as he does. Roger simply waves him off, returning to Rob's side as they return to the living room. "You haven't actually met Brian before, yeah? And Court's family other than Kari?"

"I've met Court's younger brothers, but not the older siblings and their families, no," Damien confirms, following Shayne as he starts the round of introductions. They are interrupted partway through a conversation with Courtney's older brother and his wife ten minutes later, having done the round of introductions to everyone except the children.

"Damien!" Nathan calls out, excited, rushing in from where all six kids had ended up messing around together on the grass just past the patio. Courtney cringes when she glances over along with everyone else inside – half of the adults had gravitated outside as lunch started being cooked, while Dianne and her were flitting in and out of the kitchen to ensure all the non-grilled food was ready to go out when the two eldest men were finished at the grill. Still, there were a few people hanging around, and she knew Damien wouldn't love the amount of attention Nathan's enthusiasm brought.

"Hey Nathan! How are you going? You've got taller since I last saw you!" Damien enthuses, holding out his palm to let Nathan greet him with a firm high five, evidently choosing to ignore the attention outside of Nathan's own.