Trained For Sin

Chapter 47

"Alright, alright." Eve began. "If you don't want to have a too extravagant night out then maybe we can all just go dancing, get drinks. It'll be so fun." She continued trying to convince me. I smiled as I made lunch for everyone as they helped.

"It won't be so much fun the next morning." I replied stirring the pot of pasta. Valerie made garlic bread for the spaghetti as Jane chopped salad, tomatoes, and cucumbers for salad. "Well, what about just having a dinner party with everyone." Jane replied making her husband scoff.

"How's that any different than every other night?" Sebastian replied from the other room watching Rose and their kids play. "If you're going to give your opinion on the matter at least help us with the food." Jane said to him making Sebastian chuckle standing up.

I looked around the kitchen seeing how much of the food was almost finished cooking. Noticing the time frowning at how long Nathan and Lee have been gone. "Make sure to make extra garlic bread." He said to his wife, Jane coming up behind her to assist.

Valerie poured them a glass of red wine as Eve watched us cook. The sound of kids giggling as they all played in the living room. I couldn't believe this would be how my life would eventually turn out. "Has Nathan been busy with work?" Eve asked snapping me from my thoughts as Valerie's phone rang.

"It's Lee. I hope he isn't calling to say he needs us to pick him up. I really don't know what's possessing him to go running with Nate. He didn't exactly inherit the athletic gene." Valerie teased before answering her phone making us laugh.

"No, thankfully." I answered Eve. "There isn't much for him to prosecute here. He's mostly been practicing estate planning, some minor criminal law, and bankruptcy, just to name a few. He's been home with us all the time now since there isn't much to do." I explained not looking up from making the spaghetti sauce.

Valerie sat up from her chair walking into the other room making me frown but I let it go as I continued to cook.

"The sophistication of a rural practice may not compare to his previous big-city practice, but let's be honest- after a while, even big-city practices become pretty routine and boring." I said to Eve making her laugh knowing I was right.

"And since this community has a shortage of lawyers, there is very little competition. He's already been known as one of the town's best lawyers." I continued fondly standing proud of everything Nathan has done for the community since we moved. I grabbed plates for everyone as Eve and Jane smiled. "That's no surprise." Eve rolled her eyes with fake annoyance as I smiled.

I turned back around closing the kitchen cupboards seeing Valerie slowly come back into the kitchen. She avoided my eyes making me frown. "Ok, alright, fine!" I groaned. "If it will make you all happy, we'll all have a bachelorette party." I finally gave in walking over to the table to place the plates and silverware. "Maybe you're right and it will be fun."

Walking back into the kitchen grabbing my coffee mug. "But I refuse to do any sort of karaoke." I brought my mug to my lips. "We wouldn't torture ourselves like that." Jane joked. I scoffed in fake hurt trying to fight my smile grabbing the bowl of salad that Jane had made as they all laughed.

Looking up at Valerie noticing she hasn't said anything which was unlike her. My smile wiped away seeing the distraught all over her face as tears collected in her eyes. "Valerie?" I asked making everyone turn to her as she still held her phone. She looked like a deer caught in the headlights.

"Val, what is it?" Her sister asked stepping closer. She let out a shaky breath struggling to form words as my stomach sank. Terror washed over me, raising the hairs on the back of my neck."I-It's Nathan. There... He was in an accident." Valerie finally found the strength to speak.