"Is he a fast reader?" Nora wondered, patiently sitting in the kitchen, picking at a piece of cheesecake Louise had brought back from "running errands."
They had set him up the den with a cup of coffee, a couple of his wife's old leather back books, and some home videos from the absolute worst point in their marriage. And then the rest of them found themselves just sitting on the edge of their seats, waiting for some reaction.
"I feel sick..." Louise whispered, biting down on her lower lip as she sat at the circle table with a cup of coffee in hand.
She didn't think it was a good idea. And not because she thought keeping it secret was right, but because they had already moved on once from all the chaos... She just didn't think that reliving it would be very helpful to their marriage, especially not at their age.
Somethings were best left alone and she, along with all of her siblings, really believed that this was one of those things.
Pursing her lips to one side, Stevie sank back into the counter. "There's no reason for you to get yourselves all worked up." She wasn't really referring to Nora, because she hardly ever stressed herself out about anything, but she knew Louise would. "It'll all work out in the end." She added, almost totally certain of it.
She knew that things would be okay, even if there was an outcome that she didn't want in life... one that had scared her since the moment she found out that he couldn't remember.
He couldn't remember all the arguments, the affairs, the distrust and anger... But he also couldn't remember the spark that came with rekindling the love they'd always had for one another.
It would be too hard for her to explain to him, so she figured it was best that she used the old words that she'd formed in the very moment life was spiraling out of control... It wasn't pretty, but it was as real as it would get for him.
"Besides," Stevie looked over at her granddaughter, who was sitting at the counter with crayons and a coloring book. "We have Princess movies to watch!" She let a weak smile trail across her face as she watched Quinn's eyes light up.
Nora couldn't help but chuckle, not sure how she held it together in times like that. "As long as we can watch the one with the frog." She pushed her chair back, taking her plate with her.
Louise nodded, brow creased and tears threatening to fall. "That one is a good one." She agreed, giving her mom the softest, most sympathetic set of brown eyes.
Stevie helped her granddaughter out of the chair, following the little blonde through the kitchen, down the hall and into the living room. "Here, sweetie." She grabbed a blanket out of the basket, tossing it carefully to Louise, who was getting comfortable on the chair.
"Try to relax..." Nora lingered, motioning for Stevie to take a seat on the sofa next to her.
She chuckled softly, sitting down and wrapping her legs in a blanket. "I'll be able to relax when he's done."
~~~
The loud voices rang through the hot Arizona air, everyone singing along to the melody of Happy Birthday, but the woman behind the camera was singing over everyone else. "Happy birthday to you," it was Barbara's voice- that voice had always been very recognizable. "Happy birthday, sweet Nora..." she lingered, an obvious giggle escaping her as trailed towards the table with what seemed like a million kids.
Nora was sitting at the head of the patio table, much more worried about her mother, who was carrying a cake with a couple of candles already lit.
"Can you tell us how old you are?" Stevie asked, setting the cake down in front of her.
Nora held up her hand, showing four fingers but staying completely silent.
She looked the same in the face. She had the big blue eyes, the button nose and high cheek bones. And her hair was braided in two pigtails with little bangs that went straight across her forehead.
"Give us a smile, Nora." Lindsey's voice came from behind the camera, but he didn't make an appearance until a moment later, taking a seat right next to their youngest... at the time.
Stevie was sitting down on the other side of her, tired eyes meeting the camera for a split second before she glanced back down at her daughter. "Make a wish, angel." The tone in her voice made her sound almost unrecognizable... She sounded like she was just truly exhausted.
The little girl looked through the crowd, a small smile finally traveling across her face when she saw her two older siblings, not far... Harper and Jackson were always right there, until they weren't.
"I wish..." she looked at her mom, then at her dad.
"You can't say it aloud, or it won't come true." The other blonde mentioned as her hand met Lindsey's shoulder.
Nodding lightly, he chuckled. "Carol's right, Eleanor." He always called her that, even though she hated it.
"That's not true." Stevie argued, shaking her head softly as she looked over at her husband. "All dreams can come true if you believe in them hard enough." She assured her child, watching his jaw settle harshly.
Lindsey let out a chuckle, one that meant a shitty comment was about to surface.
"Okay, enough." Barbara's voice shifted in tone and she was warning them all to settle down. "Nora, do whatever you want." She added, giving her a subtle wink to reassure her.
The four year old sank down, staring at the candles that were melting down so far, the wax was nearly in the icing. "I wish you'd get a divorce."
