Closing his laptop now, Jude got up and pushed his chair in. He finished the third chapter finally but would go back to edit it later. He noticed that it was almost 6pm so he texted Connor to let him know that he was on his way. He grabbed his jacket and headed downstairs and stopping in the opening of the living room to watch Mariana cuddling Isabel on the couch.
"You know she can walk and talk and do almost anything now." Jude said, leaning against the opening.
"I know. I just don't want to put her down. She's so cute and I like having her close." Mariana said as she rubbed Isabel's back softly. "It's my motherly instincts."
"I think you'll make a great mom."
"Well thanks, Jude. I hope to have one soon." Mariana said just as Stef walking in
"Have one what when?" She asked as she picked up Isabel. Mariana almost fought her.
"A baby. Mariana wants to have a baby." Jude said.
"Oh.. No." Stef protested as she held Isabel on her side and kissed her forehead. "You're much too young, young lady."
"I'm twenty." Mariana reminded her.
"Not now, okay? Focus on your work. Your dancing... Do you want to loose all that just to have a baby?" Stef asked, looking to Mariana as she waited for an answer.
"I guess not." Mariana said under her breath as he placed her hands over her stomach, looking down at them as Stef turned her attention to Isabel and walked into the kitchen.
"Dinner's ready!" Lena then called out.
"I'm going to Connors'!" Jude called back as he ran to the door but was stopped by Lena.
"Oh? It's family night though. Callie's coming over and Jesus is getting off work early and Mariana is here." Lena said, not even mentioning Brandon. Though, he was in New York. "Stay, please?"
"Maybe I can invite Connor over?" Jude asked as he took his phone out from his jacket pocket and unlocked it. Lena nodded with a smile as she then went back in to the kitchen. Jude sent a quick text saying that he was stuck at home for a family dinner and told him to come over. Connor quickly replied telling Jude that he was on his way.
Once everyone at home was settled at the table, they started to serve the food even though Callie and Connor were running late. Jesus hogged the pasta bowl, shoveling endless portions on to his plate. Mariana took the bowl from him and smacked his shoulder playfully. Jesus just laughed and moved on to the bread sticks as Mariana got some pasta for herself.
"So Jesus, how's the counseling going?" Jude asked as he took a bite of his bread stick.
"Need more information for your book, huh?" Jesus teased and Jude shook his head. "It's going really well. I'm helping people and there seems to be an improvement in the one's I've met with." He added, stabbing the pasta with his fork and plowing it into his mouth then.
"That's great!" Jude said just as there was a knock at the door. He got up and went to open it, seeing Connor and Callie.
Callie messed with Jude's hair as she entered, "Long time no see, huh?" She joked. She saw Jude just the other day before he went back home after Christmas.
"Sorry I'm late!" Connor jumped in, wrapping his arms around Jude as he kissed him. Jude smiled against his lips and kissed him back.
"You're fine. We just started. Come. We have a plate set up for you." Jude shut the door and took Connor by his hand and lead him in to the kitchen and sat him down next to where he was sitting.
Everyone was at the table now. Mariana, Jesus, Callie, Stef and Lena and even Isabel and Connor. Isabel was sat in between Stef and Lena. Jude took in the sight of his family as they talked about their day and shared memories and laughed. He couldn't help but smile. There was suddenly a phone going off and Lena took it out of her pocket, checking the ID.
"It's Brandon!" She said and shushed everyone as she answered the phone and put it on speaker then set it down in the middle of the table. Everyone around the table yelled out 'Hi Brandon!'.
"Hey everyone!" He yelled back with a chuckle.
Now his whole family was here and he couldn't be more happy.
