Thanks for the reviews! It's been one of my favorite stories to write, because I created and developed my own characters.
Ch. 25
Rose never thought her last minute decision to fly to Seattle for Thanksgiving would take her onto this roller-coaster ride of emotions. Calmly observing the other 4 people in the car, she was truly grateful that things finally seemed alright.
"Here we are. Mother, let me help you with your luggage. Cristina, why don't you take Asha upstairs and check up on the turkey?" Burke resumed his role as the man in command. That felt good.
"How about your father?" Rose was unsure if her son was deliberately ignoring his dad. Preston was being hard to read today.
"Let's not wake him yet. I'll help him up to the house later." Burke responded as he opened the trunk.
A very logical response, but a little detached, thought Rose.
"Okay."
After settling Rose in, Burke walked his father to the living room couch. The sight of Cristina in the kitchen eased his apprehension a little. She was wearing his apron, clumsily maneuvering something. Had it not been the heavy-hearted feeling that still infiltrated the house, Burke would have blinked.
"What're you doing, Cristina?"
"I'm trying to drain the spaghetti."
"Yes, Mommy says we must be hungry now." Asha grinned. "Grandma, come here. Let me show you the chocolate cake I made for you. Daddy says you'll love it."
"That's very sweet of you, darling." Patting her grandchild's head, Rose smiled at Burke. "Preston, you know you're blessed."
"That I am."
"And you, Cristina, are a very lucky woman." Rose gently touched her daughter-in-law, who returned a small and contrived smile, mainly in Burke's direction, as if she was seeking approval.
It might have seemed artificial to others, but to Burke, the subtle smile on Cristina's face was something he sorely missed. He was sure that was the same expression she had when she first met his mother years ago.
"That she knows." Burke sounded like a little boy who was proudly presenting his toys.
"And I am the happiest mother tonight!" Rose was back to her normal bubbly self again, filling the house with rings of laughter. Sitting by his son, Samuel stared at the woman with great fondness. He did not recall having such a wonderful Thanksgiving in years.
"If there's one thing I did right in my life, it'd be meeting your mother and having you as my son."
Although Samuel knew he was not a complete outsider, he still worried his words might break the happy spell. His voice faltered a bit, but he meant every word he said. "No matter what, don't ever make these ladies sad."
"Right." Burke did not feel particularly at ease with words either, so his reply was barely audible. He knew he was fully capable of acting less remote, but it took longer than he thought to be warm and intimate. It used to perplex him when Cristina appeared cold and distant even after they became a couple. Now, he was beginning to understand that sometimes it was not easy to get one's feelings out on the table. Maybe, maybe he had been too hard on Cristina sometimes.
"Dinner's ready!"