Best of Both Worlds

Chapter Twenty-one

It took five days to get both families together, at least Nicholas's family and my mother. I was on-call for two days at the hospital and Nicholas had taken a quick business trip to the UK, and only got back yesterday. This time around, Evelyn came along with her husband and daughter. Even, Lucia, Nicholas's sister was present for this gathering.

Nicholas and I opted for a public setting where decorum would be surely maintained due to the presence of public onlookers. The La Cuisine staff had to put together two square tables together, so we could all have lunch in the same space. Unlike the last time I was here, the sun-lit dining area felt cosy and warm. A wonderful remedy to the howling wind outside the building.

The awkward silence hung over the table as we waited for our respective meals. After the brief introduction earlier, no one attempted to open a conversation. We looked amongst each other, hoping someone would take the initiative. Evelyn busied herself with her fussy two-year-old daughter in a high chair beside her. Her husband, Jack, looked out of place, his eyes focused on his locked fingers over the table.

Nick's father, Frank cleared his throat. "So, what brings you to New York, Mrs Rowland?"

My mother tore her eyes away from the room's surroundings and turned to him. "Oh, I'm here to see my daughter. It's been a long time since I saw her, in person"

Evelyn looked up from Sophie, who was captivated by a cartoon playing on a kid's tablet. "Really? Is this your first visit?"

My mother smiled as she shook her head. "No, I've been here twice . . . right?" she turned to me and I nodded. "Yes, when she graduated from medical school, her father and I flew in to celebrate with her"

Frank nodded. "You must be so proud of her"

My mother's smile deepened as she placed a hand over mine. "Of course, she's our overachiever. She surpasses our expectations in everything she does"

What is she trying to do? I plastered a tight-lipped smile across my face and turned to my mother with one brow raised. She dismissed me with a casual shrug of her shoulders and offered a wide smile to whoever cared to look.

"Are you enjoying your stay here?" Evelyn asked, tossing her hair over her shoulder. For the first time, she wore her hair in its natural brown wavy state.

"Ah, yes. Although, I would've loved it better if my daughter were around more often. Most of the time, she's at the hospital," my mother replied, casting a quick glance at me.

"Aw, that's unfortunate," Evelyn remarked and looked at me. "I'm sure you could take some time off with your mom here. I mean, the baby is almost here, this would be a great time to prepare for his arrival"

I opened my mouth to input but my mother intercepted. "I told her the exact same time the other day, but she insisted to work till the due date drew close. She's not one to hang about, doing nothing"

I fought the urge to roll my eyes at my mother. I wasn't sure what her game plan was, but she didn't need to impress anyone here. Thankfully, our food arrived and the casual chatter dropped. Rosa hadn't uttered a single word since we arrived and I was internally grateful.

"Lucia, put your phone down" Frank instructed his daughter, his fork hung midair till she did as told.

Lucia cleared her throat and looked up with a small smile. "I apologize for my manners."

Lucia looked to be a perfect mix between Frank and Rosa. She spotted a brown-rooted, blonde bob that framed her oval, angular face. I wasn't sure which her natural hair colour was. She had a jawline as sharp as her father's and the slender pointed nose of her mother. So far, Nicholas was the only one with grey eyes in the family but she was the most tanned out of all.