One Night ✔

44. Broken Branches

"I hate history class" Avery complains, walking into my classroom at the end of the day. It was the Monday after our first successful family dinner and the last bell had just rung signaling the end of the day.

"Why?" I laugh, turning to face my daughter confusedly.

She groans, taking a seat in the desk she occupied during class while I finish gathering the papers I needed to take home to grade tonight. "Because" she says before falling quiet again. I wait a beat for her to say something else but nothing leaves my daughter's mouth. I quirk an eyebrow at her.

"Because why?" I press.

She groans again and runs her hands through her hair. "Because we have to do a stupid family tree" she complains. I withhold a laugh. At least she was doing this assignment now and not last year. That would've been an interesting way to tell her about her father.

"What's the problem?" I ask her, hoisting my bag into my shoulder. "You have both sides of the tree filled in now." I motion with my head for her to follow me out of the classroom and she sighs.

"That doesn't mean that dad's side isn't still a huge mystery to me" she points out. I fail to argue with her because outside of his mother and father she knew nothing about the Friars. "Like, does dad have siblings? Do I have aunts and uncles I don't know?"

I turn out the light in my classroom and we start walking down the empty hallway. "You have an aunt" I explain, "and a couple of uncles, great or otherwise. Really, your father's family isn't much bigger than mine."

"Okay." She pulls out her phone and opens her notes app, beginning to type. "What's my aunt's name?"

For the rest of the walk to the car and the drive following, we discuss Lucas' family until she's finally confident enough in her knowledge to finish her assignment.

By then, we're pulling up to the house and she's charging inside before I even climb out of the car.

Lucas is waiting on the porch when I finally make it there. "I thought maybe Avery drove herself home" he teases. I roll my eyes, stopping in front of him.

"I'm tired. Work is exhausting and I'm literally hungry nonstop" I complain. Lucas chuckles, leading me into the house.

"You're in luck then because dinner is ready." He motions to the spread that's on the dining room table and my lips part in shock. He had only gotten off work forty-five minutes before me.

"How did you-?"

"I got off early since there were no appointments on the books for late this afternoon. I thought it would be nice to surprise you." My heart swells as I reach up to kiss him.

"You're incredible and this seriously smells delicious."

"I got plates" Avery announces. She had seemingly been in the kitchen getting the neccessary utensils and dinnerware that Lucas had yet to set. "Are we allowed to eat this now or are we expecting someone?" she asks warily, taking a seat.

"It's all for you guys" Lucas assures her. He helps me with my chair and the three of us sit down around the small table. It occurs to me that the leaves we take out after events will have to permanently stay intact to make room for the twins once they arrive. For now though, it was my small family around our tiny dining table.