Chapter 127: Christmas Dinner

Chapter 127: Christmas Dinner "Gianna, you are so funny! How does your boss deal with you?" Sandro asked, his voice filled with amusement as he helped himself to yet another generous serving of the Christmas turkey and mashed potatoes. Gianna let out a melodic laugh while reaching for a plate of gingerbread cookies adorned with icing. "He doesn’t really have to deal with me; he just has to keep his side of the bargain, and I’ll do my job," She replied with a cheeky grin, her eyes sparkling with mischief. The table erupted with laughter, all except for Zane, who pretended to be overly focused on the sweet potato casserole brought by old Mr. Thorne for the evening’s dinner. He furrowed his brow, wondering what was so amusing about Gianna’s quip. Grabbing another slice of prime rib, he closed his eyes momentarily, savoring the explosion of flavor in his mouth. How had he gone twenty-nine years without tasting something as spectacular as this? Caught up in his culinary delight, Zane didn’t notice the shift in attention until he opened his eyes, startled to find everyone staring at him. "What?" He asked, confusion etched on his face as he noted the inscrutable expression on Gianna’s face before she turned away. "Zane, you should stop moaning while you eat. It’s weird," Sandro chastised lightly, shaking his head as if he was scarred for life by the noises his friend had made. Athena chuckled, reaching for another of her cookie creations. She was surprised to find herself enjoying the evening more than she had anticipated. "Let him be, Sandro. He’s someone who appreciates good food—one of the reasons why I keep him around," Zane made an exaggerated grimace at Athena’s half-hearted compliment, eliciting laughter from the twins, Kendra, and old Mr. Thorne, all of whom had become inseparable since dinner began. The atmosphere felt light, each moment filled with playful teasing and warmth. Within the next few minutes, the table was cleared completely—no leftovers remained. Athena was pleasantly surprised. She had prepared an extravagant feast, aided by the twins and Gianna, and despite the little addition of just three men and two women—one of them a child—the food had vanished. "Everyone to the living room!" Stella shouted merrily after the table was cleaned up, a pan of apple pie in her hands. She was standing by the kitchen. Athena was right behind her, carrying some other desserts. The others hurriedly complied, settling into the plush sofas, eager to relish the delightful desserts. When everyone exchanged stories and laughed about past Christmas events minutes later, Zane and Sandro were careful to exclude their hotheaded friend, Ewan, sensitive of the delicate peace within the household. It felt good to be away from the pressures of work, and none of them wanted to jeopardize the jolly mood with tales that might ignite old tensions. Then, a soft clink of glass rang out, and the chatter died down as all eyes turned to Athena. She was holding her cup, a spoon in the other hand, a smile illuminating her face. "I want to make a toast," She announced, her voice warm and inviting. As she began to speak, Athena felt the love and support of those gathered around her wash over her like a gentle wave. "First and foremost, I want to express my gratitude for the presence of each and every one of you tonight. Christmas is a time for reflection, and I take this moment to appreciate each of you for the roles you play in my life." Her gaze fell on her children, their little faces beaming with innocence and joy. "To my children, Nathaniel and Kathleen, you are the light of my life. Every day I see you grow and blossom, and it fills my heart with pride. Your laughter is the sweetest music, and your resilience inspires me to be the best version of myself." "Cheers to that!" Zane chimed, raising his glass, the warmth spreading among them. Athena continued, her eyes sparkling as they turned to her best friend, Gianna, whose presence has always been a bright spot in her life. "To you, Gianna, thank you for being an unwavering pillar of strength. You bring joy, laughter, and adventure into my life. Your friendship is a gift I will cherish forever. I can only hope to offer you the same support you’ve always given me." She paused, allowing a smile to touch her lips. Gianna’s eyes widened a fraction in surprise, a soft blush creeping onto her cheeks. Athena’s warm gaze shifted to Sandro and Zane. "Zane and Sandro, you’ve brought so much light and laughter into our home. Your work ethic and spirit inspire all of us daily. I can’t thank you enough for the joy you bring to our lives, for being the brothers I never had." "Hear, hear!" came Sandro’s enthusiastic response, clinking his glass with Zane’s. Athena laughed and shifted her gaze to Stella, Kendra, and Old Mr. Thorne. "To my new friends and allies, I also cherish your presence here today. It means a lot to me and my family. Thank you, for trusting my judgments." The trio smiled and nodded, a twinkle in their eye, visibly touched by her words. As the room bubbled with warmth and affection, Athena couldn’t help but feel a sense of profound contentment and gratitude. She took a deep breath, summoning the courage to conclude. "And finally, here’s to family. Whether by blood or by bonds forged through love and shared experiences, may we continue to cherish one another, support each other, and create beautiful memories together." "Hear, hear!" Zane echoed, clinking his glass with Sandro first and then turning to the twins, and then to Old Mr Thorne. He paused, however, when he noticed that Gianna was not approaching him to clink his glass. Swallowing his pride, he walked over to her. "Merry Christmas, Gianna," Gianna’s glass remained motionless, as if she were frozen in shock. Zane paused, trying to gauge her reaction. "Won’t you say it back?" After a moment of hesitation, she replied softly, "Merry Christmas, Zane..." Her voice barely touched the air before she turned her attention away, leaving Zane feeling a little hollow. But he quickly shook off the unease. He only needed to remember her acts of unkindness to dispel his funny feelings. Athena, observing this quiet exchange with knowing eyes, sighed and shook her head. Those two were something else! Just as she was contemplating another cup of holiday cheer from the kitchen, a sudden knock on the door interrupted their moment of camaraderie. Silence fell over the group as they looked at one another, eyebrows furrowing in curiosity. "Was there another invitation we are not aware of?" Gianna asked, her eyes darting toward Athena for confirmation. Athena shook her head, uncertainty creeping in. "No. The people here are all that I invited." She exchanged glances with old Mr. Thorne, concern flickering in the depths of her gaze. Could it be the gang? Old Mr. Thorne dispelled the thought with a slow shake of his head. "It can’t be them. It might just be a doorman wanting to wish you Merry Christmas." Athena huffed, recalling the last time she thought that. Somehow, she had ended up dealing with Ewan instead. Inhaling deeply, she approached the door, narrowing her eyes as she prepared to confront whoever stood on her doorstep. As she opened the door, a wave of anger washed over her when she saw Ewan standing there, a bottle of expensive wine in hand and dressed impeccably in a crisp suit and polished Italian shoes. "What are you doing here, Ewan? How are you even here?" She asked, irritation bubbling beneath the surface. "I’m just here to spend Christmas with the family," He replied, a nonchalant smile playing on his lips. "But you’re not family, Ewan," Athena shot back, her voice sharp. "But Sandro and Zane are?" He challenged, raising an eyebrow, trying to sway her perspective. Athena didn’t hesitate. "Yes, they are part of the family. Now, get out." With that, she attempted to close the door, but it wouldn’t budge. Looking down, she saw that Ewan had wedged his foot in the opening, determination etched on his face. With frustration mounting, she looked up to the ceiling, silently pleading for patience. Taking a deep breath, she reopened the door. "What is it, Ewan? Don’t you have some other family to bother?" Ewan shook his head calmly, a hint of sadness glittering in his eyes. "What about your fiancée?" "I don’t know. She left this morning, probably to spend Christmas with her parents..." He trailed off, leaving an unsettling echo in the silence. Or to plot the death of my children. Athena thought bitterly, stepping further out into the hallway, and shutting the open door behind her. She needed to end this interaction before it spiraled into yet another unwanted drama.