Thank you very much to yzzilbe, Guest and Nobody has no body for reviewing, 11nusaybah11 for favouriting, and for RachSaysRawr and starlightandseaglass for following! You are all brilliant and LY!
Caine drove the car in silence. He was still furious at Diana for forcing him to go some stupid dinner. He had no desire at all to see Connie or Sam. Why should he care about some woman who gave him up when he was a baby? She had disowned him but now that he wanted to do the same thing he was the bad guy. It wasn't fair.
"So," Diana interrupted Caine's thoughts, "we're making good time, aren't we?" She was trying to break the awkward silence in the car, but Caine wasn't going to budge from his stance at giving her the silent treatment. He just kept his eyes on the road. "As thrilling as this conversation is, I'm putting on the radio." Caine made no response, and Diana took this as a sign of him not minding.
Diana looked at her watch. They had been driving for two hours and Caine had not said one word, something that Diana didn't believe he was capable of. Usually he would have past the journey by telling her about every little thing that happened at work, regardless of whether or not she cared. For the first hour Diana had enjoyed not listening to his little egotistical monologues. Now she was seriously worried that his anger was building up she had to make sure he did not start yelling in front of his whole family. This meant she would have to bite the bullet.
"Caine," she sighed. "Maybe I should have talked to you first before agreeing that we'd come to this dinner." She looked over at Caine, who didn't appear to react to what she had just said. "I know exactly how much it sucks having to spend time with family. You know how much my parents and me don't get on. But still I see them every other month. Sometimes we argue and fall out, but other times we enjoy ourselves. So, c'mon, you might enjoy yourself." Caine looked at her for the first time that journey, and laughed. He looked at her as if she had just said the dumbest thing ever. "Oh, Diana, you crack me up sometimes," he said as he shook his head. Diana narrowed her eyes at him and her face turned into a scowl.
"What's so funny?" she asked. He looked at her as if it was obvious, yet of course it wasn't. "Tell me what you are laughing at, now Caine." "Well…" Caine began, "your situation and mine are completely different. So it's kind of amusing that you are comparing them, that's all." With that he turned his attention back to the road. As if Diana would let him off that easily. "How are our situations so… what did you say… completely different?" Caine remained silent for a moment, his usual method of building himself up to saying something that would offend Diana. "Even though we both don't get on with our parents, it's for different reasons. For me and Connie it's because she gave me up and turned her back on me. Your parents loved you and gave you everything you ever wanted but you were a terrible daughter, which they really did not like. That's why you all don't get on."
Diana looked at him in disbelief, shocked that he would say something like that. If she wasn't in a moving vehicle she would have stormed off. She tried to think of something to reply back but when she opened her mouth all that came out was strangled cry. She hadn't realised that she was on the verge of crying. Stupid pregnancy hormones. She cleared her throat and fought back the tears. "I may not have been the best daughter, but in my defence my parents messed me up pretty bad with the divorce and everything. Plus after the FAYZ it created a massive rift between my parents. Yet after growing up and realising that the past was the past, I forgave them for all that happened and they did the same. You just need to do the same." Caine rolled his eyes at her. "But you haven't completely forgiven them, have you?" Diana paused; she was stuck for an answer. "Maybe I haven't completely forgiven them, but I've got over it. You have to do the same." "We'll see," Caine replied, as he and Diana returned to driving in silence.
Astrid was running around her kitchen like a mad woman! After negotiating with Thomas to wear his brand new outfit that was specially bought for the dinner, Sam had given him yoghurt and had left him to his own devices. Astrid had come into the kitchen to the scene of Thomas, his high chair and the floor covered in yoghurt. And the worse part was Sam saying he was "too busy" to sort the mess out. Apparently watching TV and Athena, who was never any bother, was taking up all his time. Although he couldn't even do that, because as Astrid was washing and re-dressing Thomas, Athena was playing in the pink mess that Sam was supposed to clean up. And, of course, Astrid had to be the one to sort that out. This all meant she was way behind schedule with the cooking, which was driving her blood pressure even further up.
Astrid went to check Sam had completed at least one of his few tasks, setting the table. He hadn't. "Sam!" Astrid yelled at him. "What's wrong now?" he groaned. "I told you to set the table, and it's not done. Explain why, please." Astrid stood facing him with her arms crossed and an exasperated look was on her face. Clear indications that she was mad at him. The truth was not going to help his case. "Honestly, I forgot." Astrid's face showed her shock and annoyance. "Don't be mad, please. You know me, I'm an idiot." Sam tried to smooth things over by giving her an "I'm sorry" look, and as he got up gave her a hug, to show that. It took Astrid a while to think over whether or not to reciprocate, but eventually she put her arms around him. She then let go and pointed towards the dining room, making sure he knew what he had to do.
Sam knew that sometimes he was a rubbish and lazy husband, but he couldn't help it. He did try his best but compared to the perfection that was Astrid, he felt as if no matter what he did he would always fall short of her standards. Plus she was there to make sure everything would be all right. After he set the table, he wanted to show Astrid that he could be useful, so he went into the kitchen where Astrid was taking multi-tasking to a brand new level; chopping vegetables, wiping Thomas' chair and stirring three pots. "Need a hand?" Sam asked her. "Sure," Astrid said without looking up. "But what I would really love was if I was Durga." Sam had no idea what she was talking about, but guessed it was meant as a joke because she finished it with a laugh. "What are you on about?" he asked with a look like she was a crazy person. "Oh my word," Astrid shook her head with disappointment. "Seriously? Durga is a Hindu goddess and she has eight or ten arms." "Since when were you a Hindu?" Sam questioned as he stirred some of the pots, Astrid just replied by rolling her eyes.
As Sam and Astrid worked away in the kitchen, Athena came running in. "Granny's here!" she cried as she jumped up and down. Right on cue the doorbell rang and Sam went and answered it. "Happy birthday Mum!" he said as he hugged his mother. "Hello, Sam dear," she said as she squeezed him. "How are you doing?" "I'm great, what about you." "Oh, nothing's new." Their small chat concluded as Athena ran over and hugged Connie with so much force she nearly toppled over. "Happy birthday Granny!" Athena beamed up at her granny. She loved her granny, mainly because she spoiled her. "Thank you, sweetheart," Connie said as she slowly lowered herself down to Athena's level. "My, look how big you've gotten!" Athena smiled with pride. "Granny," Thomas squealed as Astrid walked over with him in her arms. "Hello my little man," Connie cooed as she walked over to him. "Can I have a cuddle?" she asked Astrid. "Of course you can, " Astrid said as she handed Thomas over.
Astrid directed them into the living room and they all sat down. "This is wonderful!" Connie exclaimed. "Spending my birthday with my son and his family." Sam and Astrid looked over at each other. Astrid motioned for him to respond. "Actually, Mum," he cleared his throat and continued. "It's not going to be just us." "What do you mean?" Connie asked, confused and wondering who on earth would be coming. 'Not Astrid's parents,' was all that Connie thought to herself. Connie and Astrid's mother were far from best friends. "Caine and Diana are coming over." Connie's mouth fell open into an O shape. She was flabbergasted! "Caine? As in your brother?" Sam nodded. "I know it's surprising." "How did you talk him into doing that?" Astrid laughed,"Well I talked to Diana and she didn't really give Caine a choice. So I think they're coming." Connie smiled, even though she didn't like Diana very much she had guts and could stand up to Caine, both feats that Connie had to admire.
"Now I have to sort the dinner out, so I'll be in the kitchen," Astrid said as she walked into the kitchen, leaving Sam and Connie watching Athena and Thomas playing. "So, what is new with Caine, do you know?" Connie asked Sam, her eyes focused on her grandchildren. "Well…" Sam thought, "I have no idea. We don't talk much. In fact, never, really." Connie sighed, '"When was the last time you guys talked?" "The last time I spoke to him was when he declined our offer of having Christmas dinner." "So it's seriously been four months since you two spoke to each other. I take it then you haven't seen him since the, um, the incident?" Sam paused and nodded. "Yeah, take it it's the same for you?" "Sadly, yes. Plus he doesn't return my calls." Sam could tell that this conversation was upsetting his mother, so he quickly changed it to talking about the latest on Athena and Thomas.
They were so deep in conversation they did not realise the doorbell had rang until Astrid called for Sam to answer the door. Sam reluctantly got up to answer, and of course, there was Caine and Diana at the door. "Hello there, brother," Caine said with no emotion. He obviously did not want to be there. "Hello Caine, how are you?" "Could be better," he shrugged. "How are you Diana?" Sam looked over at her and his eyes widened. At first he thought 'Well someone's let themselves go a bit!' Then he realised he was wrong. "Are you…?" he trailed off as he involuntary pointed at Diana's stomach. "Yes Sam," Diana sounded bored, "I'm pregnant. Did Caine not tell you?" She looked over at Caine, obviously annoyed. "No, I didn't, so what?" Diana just stared at him, with Caine staring back. Sam stood there awkwardly, not knowing what to do or say. "Do you want to come in?" He led them into the living room.
"Look who's here!" Sam called out. Connie rushed over to Caine. "Caine, dear, give me a hug!" Before Caine could respond Connie had already embraced him. "It's so good to see you." "Thanks, I guess," Caine said as he pulled away from her. "How have you been?" Connie asked him. "Oh, can't complain-" "Don't give up, you'll always find a way," Diana cut in with her snide comment. Connie couldn't help but look away from Caine to give Diana a dirty look to shut her up. When she did so, she was shocked her. "Oh, my word!" she yelled, "Are you pregnant?" "I hope so. Otherwise I seriously need to lose some weight." Connie ignored Diana's annoying sarcasm and hugged her tightly. "OK, you're probably squishing the baby," Diana struggled to get free from Connie's grasp. "Caine, why didn't you tell me about this?" "Because you may have taken it as an invitation to visit us. Can't have that, can we?" "Caine," Diana warned, "shut up and be nice." Caine rolled his eyes and muttered something under his breath.
"You guys," Astrid called as she walked out of the kitchen. "Sam told me. I'm so happy for you." "Yes, it's great," Caine agreed, "getting the opportunity of a lifetime, changing crap-filled nappies and being thrown up on." "I hope this can be used as evidence that you will do all that stuff," Diana added. Caine looked at her and shook his head. "No I'm sorry but as a lawyer, I can tell you that what I just said would not hold up in a court." Diana put her hand to her head, "I think you're giving me a headache."
"How about we sit down and Connie can open her presents?" Astrid announced. They all followed her lead and sat down. "OK, the kids did some drawings for you." "Lovely," Connie smiled. The first 'drawing' was from Thomas; it was actually a circle with a smile and eyes and was surrounded by multi-coloured scribbles. "Is this me?" Connie asked him. He nodded and giggled. "I love it, thank you." She lifted him up on to her lap and kissed him. "Open mine now!" Athena shouted. "Athena," Sam rebuked her, "remember your manners and your indoor voice." "Sorry Daddy," she apologised and then whispered, "Open mine now, please Granny." Athena's drawing was of five people and a dog with trees and birds. "This is amazing. So this is me, you, Mummy, Daddy and Thomas, isn't it?" "Yes!" Athena clapped with excitement. "But Harley's in it too." "Yes, of course," Connie agreed. "Now, where is Harley?" "He's at the vet," Astrid informed Connie. "Oh, no what's wrong with him?" Before Astrid could reply, Athena answered for her. "Thomas gave Harley chocolate and then he wouldn't stop pooping! He even pooped on Daddy when Daddy was lifting him into the car to take him to the vet." "Athena!" Astrid let out an exasperated sigh.
"Well, this is a disgusting insight into your life," Caine piped up. Diana silenced him by elbowing him in the ribs. "Mum, would you like to open mine and Astrid's gift?" Sam tried to move things on and gave Connie her present. "Thank you," Connie said as she opened the gift; it was a novel by Connie's favourite author, a necklace and some perfume. "I love this perfume, and what a beautiful necklace." "Do you want me to put the necklace on you?" Sam offered. Connie accepted and hugged him as well as Astrid.
"Here's our gift," Diana gave the scarf that she had to pick out herself over to Connie. "Whoa! This is gorgeous scarf. I have a great outfit that I could wear this with. Thank you, you two." She hugged Diana and Caine, even though Caine only half-heartedly hugged him back. "Isn't this all wonderful?" Astrid began to make some conversation. "Better than our last get together, am I right?" Caine's question was met with glares and stony silence. "I'm begging you to think before you speak," Diana snapped, but Caine ignored her. "How long has it been since we were all in the same room?" "It was Thomas' Baptism," Sam answered.
Caine gave him a puzzled look. "Why did he have a Baptism? I mean, aren't you kind of Jewish, and we all know Astrid gave up God a long time ago." "Caine," Astrid's voice was calm and level. "I guess you're referring to how I had massive doubts about my faith which began in the FAYZ. But, you've obviously forgotten how after college I found God again, and I'm now a Christian again." "Serious question," Caine began, "where did you find him? Was he under the bed?" Caine could hear Diana trying to fight back laughter. "Caine," Sam groaned. "Let's not fight like we did last time." "Yeah, that was a pretty interesting end to a Christening." "No, Baptism," Astrid corrected Caine. "Seriously, like ten years ago you were flying the flag for team atheist, and now you know pretty much enough to be the Pope." Astrid ignored Caine mocking her and simply said, "Dinner's going to be about five minutes, how about we all go to the table."
Hey! Just to say I always imagined that Astrid found her faith in God. It just never felt right that someone with such great faith would lose it forever.
