"Why so tense?" Joy whispered to Leanne, poking fun at Austin's over-the-top reaction. "I've got strong genes, you know."
With his keen ears, Austin caught the comment. "Well, my heart isn't that strong."
As evening fell, Phillip and Tina arrived with gifts.
Having been married over a year, Phillip had distributed Tina's photography collections as wedding favors to each guest, a gesture their friends still teased them about now and then.
Tina's documentary had just snagged the prestigious Remi Award at the Houston International Film Festival, catapulting her into the limelight. Yet, amidst this acclaim, she chose to take a break from work. She and Leanne were of the same age and shared a sincere, kind-hearted nature, making them fast friends.
Still jet-lagged from her trip abroad, Betty had just woken up from an afternoon nap, her hair in messy buns and her face showing traces of sleepiness as she donned a cream-colored pinafore dress. Curtis helped her tidy up her hair and wash her face. Once awake, she sweetly asked for a hug. "Uncle Phillip, hug!"
Phillip lifted her into his arms. Ever the chatterbox, Betty bombarded him with questions, even inquiring about his work with genuine interest.
Phillip answered patiently, his face softening with a rare gentle smile.
Joy teased Tina. "Ever thought about having one of your own?"
Over the years, Tina had focused on her career, with Phillip shielding her from the pressure of marriage and children from both their families. Resting her chin on her hand, Tina watched Phillip engaging Betty in conversation, feeling a sudden urge herself.
"Having one might be nice."
Soon after, Jeremy arrived.
He married a rather reserved woman, making her first encounter with the group slightly awkward.
Selina had asked Leanne and Joy through a video call to look out for her sister-in-law, given her social anxiety.
Leanne reassured, "We'll take good care of her."
Ever outgoing, Joy happily pulled her into the group. "You're just in time. We were one short!"
A game of cards was quickly set up,
with Joy, thanks to some inexplicable-luck, winning round
hugged Betty, laughing
after round until she tire
mischievously. "Win this, and you're coming home with me." S
With the seriousness of an adult, Betty declared, "Then I'll have to take care of Joy and the baby boy."
Joy was touched. "My little angel! Wait, how did you know it would be a boy?"
Betty played with the dice. "The baby told me so."
Joy paused, wondering if kids had some mystical insight.
Leanne saw through her thoughts, calmly revealing, "She just wants a little brother, that's all."
Curious, Joy asked, "Why a brother and not a sister?"
Leanne tried to intervene, but it was too late.
Betty innocently replied, "Dad says brothers can take a beating."
Joy was at a loss for words.
Seated not far away, the guys nearly choked on their drinks at the comment.
Glancing at Curtis, Austin remarked, "Mr. Curtis, you have a unique way of teaching kids."
Pouring wine, Curtis lazily replied, "If you're interested, I could share some valuable tips. For a fee."
Phillip interrupted, "I don't recall ever hitting you when we were kids."
Distributing the wine, Curtis said, "It's normal for sisters to hit their brothers, but a brother hitting another, that's just bullying."
Phillip was speechless. "You have a way with words."
As night descended, dinner was ready.
In the early summer evening, the cool breeze swept through the yard, the dining room lit warmly, and friends gathered as lively as ever, except for Devin and Selina, S
Devin's robotics company had just gone public on NASDAQ, while
Selina, a top influencer, was
expanding her beauty brand, currently invited to a major show in France.
The youngest of the bunch were busy making their marks in the world.
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