Chapter Text
“Ok, this is the last of it,” Lisa said as she poured the beans into an intricately designed bowl. “Chris, can you help Astraea take these to the table?”
After their chat, the actor had run after the blonde into the kitchen determined to question her about all of her supposed “dirt” that she on him, but had found himself immediately silenced by the look on his mother’s face. His mother had quickly admonished him for running into the kitchen, reminding him how easily he could knock into someone on the other side. Astraea was grinning behind his mother’s back obviously pleased with herself for getting him into trouble.
Before Chris had a chance to reply, the sound of the front door opening caught their attention and a loud obnoxious cry caused Astraea to freeze in place.
“Ma! We’re back!”
Chris watched as Astraea looked at Lisa, her body tense with worry of being discovered. “It’s Scott,” she whispered. “What do I do?”
“Go hide in the garage until everyone settles at the table. I’ll give you a signal and, once everyone’s settled, you can come out and surprise him.” Lisa ushered Astraea towards the back door. “Go!”
Just as Astraea was safely hidden away, Scott burst into the kitchen, almost hitting Chris with the door.
“Hey, watch it.” Chris cried. He looked at his mom to see if she would admonish Scott the way she did him, but from the look on her face, Chris could tell she was pretending to be ignorant. He gave her a look, but she wouldn’t look in his direction, choosing to focus on his hyper brother instead.
Scott took an exaggerated breath and moaned in delight. “Oh, what is that glorious smell?”
Lisa’s surprise of Scott’s sudden entrance and near discovery of Astraea was quickly hidden behind a warm smile. Chris was impressed at how well she managed to keep her cool. There was no doubt as to where he'd gotten his acting skills from.
“Hey, sweetie!” Lisa beamed. “That smell happens to be your favorite dinner.”
Scott started removing lids from dishes to take a quick peak inside each one, wafting the steam into his face. He joyfully expressed his excitement over the meal, telling their mother that he was looking forward to eating it, but Chris could tell that Scott was hiding his other emotions. Very rarely did the Evans children use their acting talents against their parents or each other, always choosing to be open with one another. For Scott to be putting on a mask in front of their mother told Chris that Scott’s feeling went far deeper than he had first thought.
Scott turned to Lisa and gave her a hug. “Thanks, Ma.”
Lisa gave Scott a gentle squeeze around his waist; unbeknownst to both her boys, she knew exactly what was going on. Scott was her baby boy. He could act around her all he wanted, but it didn’t stop her from being able to read him like a book.
“It was my pleasure, sweetheart.” Lisa pulled back slightly to look Scott in the eye. “I know how much you wish she could have been here.” Her thumb gently stroked Scott’s cheek as she observed the small smile that Scott gave her. His mind obviously clouded with thoughts of his friend.
“Yeah,” Scott grunted, clearing his throat. “It would have been nice had she been here, but I know she wouldn’t have wanted me to mope around.”
Lisa nodded in agreement. “No, she wouldn’t have. Now come on, you two. Help me take these dishes into the dining room.”
Chris slapped Scott on the back comfortingly as he passed him to take the dish his mom was holding out. The two boys headed into the dining room and set the dishes down, Lisa right behind them with her own.
“Hey, mom, you need any help?” Shanna asked as she walked into the room.
“Yes, could you go get Carly and the kids and tell them that dinner is ready?”
“Sure, I think she was gonna go clean them up for dinner. I’ll go help her.”
As Lisa, Chris, and Scott finished setting out the food, the rest of the family piled in, each person settling themselves at a seat. At that moment, the doorbell rang, which caused Scott to fly out of his seat towards the entrance way. The low baritone of what was obviously a male voice sounded throughout the house once Scott opened the front door.
“Grandpa!” Ethan yelled as he jumped out of his chair and ran towards the new figure that had just walked into the room.
Dr. Robert Evans was standing just behind Scott as they came into view. He playfully grunted as Ethan flew into his legs. “Well, hey there, squirt. How are you?” He ruffled Ethan’s hair as the 5-year-old just giggled in answer.
His giggles soon turned into shrieks of joy as the patriarch of the Evans family hoisted him into the air, Ethan’s laughter resounding throughout the room.
Robert chuckled as he set his oldest grandson onto his hip. “Ethan, either you’re getting too big or I’m getting too old. Let’s hope it’s the former.” He set Ethan onto his chair by his mother and pressed a kiss to Carly’s head, his daughter giving him a greeting, and rubbed Miles’ hair as he passed. Robert chuckled at the scowl that was planted on the 3 year olds face at not being able to join his older brother in being lifted into the air considering he was trapped in a high chair. He was just about to sit at the head of the table, to the left of Carly, when his eldest boy caught his eye.
“Hey, Pop.” Chris greeted with a wide smile, coming around the table to wrap his father in one of his famous bear hugs.
“Well if it isn’t my long-lost son,” Robert laughed. “How’s the famous life treating you?”
“Oh, you know, it has its ups and downs,” Chris shrugged. “I’m excited to finally be back home though. Take a break from all the Hollywood drama. How’s the teeth business?”
Robert laughed at his son’s reference of his career. “The teeth business is good. You know me; fixing America’s teeth one smile at a time.”
“You are the real superhero, Pop,” Chris smiled, as he slapped his dad’s shoulder, showing off his own pearly whites that Robert had invested his own time in. Chris had missed talking to his father. He regretted that he didn’t take the time to do it more often when he was away.
“Gotta stick to the superhero family business. Learned that one from you,” Robert returned, his eyes twinkling as he wrapped his arm around Chris’ shoulder.
“How’s the family doing?” Chris asked.
“They’re doing well. Jean’s at home with the kids right now, the girls came down with a cold. It seems it’s starting to turn into that time of year; the weather turns cooler and more refreshing, but utterly relentless on the human body.” Robert lightly joked. “Bobby is running around like a champ though. I swear it would take an army to take that kid down.”
Chris chuckled and pat his dad on the shoulder, “Ah well, tell the girls I hope they start to feel better. Is it ok if I stop by sometime and say hello?”
“Of course! The kids would love to see their big brother.”
Chris smiled. “Ok, just let me know when the family is free; maybe we can get together and do something. I’m eager to spend as much time with everyone as I can while I have this small break from work.”
“Great! Let me talk to Jean and see if we can make a day to have you over for dinner. The kids will be so excited.” Robert gave Chris a quick squeeze around his shoulders before Lisa caught their attention.
“Ok, everyone. Let’s all sit and dig in.” Lisa announced.
As the family sat down, the conversation immediately started. Ethan and Miles had started a chant for food with Scott immaturely joining along with them. Shanna rolled her eyes at Scott good naturedly, and Carly just shook her head in amusement as she dished food onto Miles’ plate, Chris doing the same for Ethan and Robert helping with Stella.
Before Lisa had a chance to start filling her plate, the timer from the oven went off. “Excuse me, everyone, I almost forgot about the rolls.” As she placed her napkin on the table and stood to exit the dining room, Lisa caught Chris’ eye, a playful smile dancing on her lips.
He subtly glanced at Scott, who was happily plopping a heaping scoop of mashed potatoes onto his plate, completely unaware of what was about to happen.
A few minutes later, his mother reentered the room and quietly sat at her seat, the rolls she went to retrieve absent from her hands.
Scott gave his mother a look as he passed the green beans over to Chris. “Ma, did you forget something? You know I’m wondering if we should start thinking about taking you in to get checked out. They say that the first stages of Alzheimer’s starts to kick in at around your age. Of course, we can’t factor out the possibility that it could also be Dementia."
Lisa’s eyebrows had steadily risen with each word that came out of Scott’s mouth, and Chris was desperately trying to keep a straight face, his lips pursed together as Scott continued to dig his grave deeper and deeper.
Scott leaned over towards his mom in mock concern. “Quick, can you tell me what today’s date is? What’s your name? How many children do you have? Oh my God, do you even remember me?”
As Scott continued to tease Lisa, he failed to notice the door to the kitchen swing open behind him. Though smiles grew on the faces of everyone at the table, before anyone had a chance to say anything, a voice interrupted Scott’s rambling.
“You know you really shouldn’t tease your mother like that.”
Chris watched as Scott completely froze at the sound of the voice that floated towards his ears. Scott didn’t even seem to register the excited cries of Aunt Rae that came from their nephews as he slowly turned to look behind him. Chris looked towards his mom and saw the mischievous little smirk that she was giving Scott, the quirk of her lips almost saying, I’ll bet that’s the last time you make fun of me.
Chris studied his brother’s reaction as the blonde just stood there looking almost bored while absentmindedly chewing on a dinner roll, a small basket filled with the rest of the rolls held in her other arm.
She looked at the roll she was eating with an appreciative eye before addressing his mom. “Huh, you know these are really good, Lisa. How’d you make them? It’s like there’s butter infused right into the roll.” She took another bite of the roll, her eyes rolling back into her head as she let out a pleased little moan.
Chris couldn’t help but track the way her tongue slipped out of her mouth to swipe along her plump bottom lip. The noise she made caused a slight tingle to run down his spine. He quickly shook his head to rid himself of those thoughts. He shouldn’t be thinking like that. He'd just met the girl! How would she feel if she knew what was going through his mind right now? If his mom could read his thoughts, Chris had no doubt that she would smack him upside the head right then and there for it.
“Now that, my dear, is a secret family recipe.” Lisa answered with a smile. Her eyes going back and forth from the son stuck in shock to the girl who was completely ignoring said son.
Astraea placed the basket of rolls on the corner of the table near Scott’s elbow, continuing with her game. “Come on, Lisa. You’re gonna have to make an exception to that rule. I am just dying to know what you did to these rolls to make them finger licking good.” She finished off the roll, her digits disappearing into her mouth to do just that.
Chris shamefully couldn’t help but track those movements as well.
“Tell you what, I will think about bending my rule only because I love you so much.” Lisa said.
Astraea reached down and gave Scott’s shoulder a squeeze. “Aww, did you hear that, Scotty? Your momma loves me.” She quickly looked to Lisa for confirmation. “More than Scott, right?”
Scott slapped his hand upon the table, the glassware rattling a bit with the force of his hit. “Are you kidding me?” He shouted.
Everyone at the table froze, mildly shocked at his reaction. A few seconds passed before they found their worry was all for not when Scott’s lips broke into a huge grin.
“I can’t believe you’re here!” Scott quickly jumped up and wrapped the blonde into his arms, spinning her in a small circle, while Astraea just laughed and held on tightly to his shoulders.
“Scott, be careful!” Lisa said loudly over the sound of the laughter in the room. Despite her admonishment, the laughter couldn’t help but escape her as well.
Scott put Astraea down but kept his arm wrapped around her shoulder then turned to the rest of the room. “Everyone, look! Astraea’s here!”
“We know, Scott.” Carly laughed. “I’m pretty sure we were all aware before you even were.”
“Yeah, I think that’s a new record for the amount of time that you’ve spaced out.” Shanna chimed in, the girls giggling with each other.
“Hey,” Scott interjected, disrupting their mocking. “I was just in a mild state of shock. I wasn’t exactly expecting this one to show up out of nowhere.” Scott lightly shook Astraea before looking down at her, the top of her head barely grazing his chin. “Someone texted me this morning and told me they were currently in the capital of France.”
“I’m sorry I tricked you. I just thought it’d be a nice surprise, that’s all.” Astraea gave him an innocent look. “You didn’t really think I’d miss the eighth most important day of the year, did you?”
“Um, excuse you? What are you talking about the eighth most important day? Today should be number one. As a matter of fact, where is this list you speak of? I demand to see it.” Scott huffed in playful frustration before the broad form of his older brother caught his eye.
Scott looked at Chris, and then he looked at Astraea, his eyes going back and forth between the two people before his thoughts finally connected. “Oh my God,” Scott inhaled a breath in excitement as his hands came up to cover his mouth, “It’s finally happening.”
Chris barely avoided knocking into the table as Scott hauled him up out of his chair and brought him over to stand in front of the gorgeous blonde. They stood there in silence, their eyes crossing every once in awhile as they waited for something to happen, but all Scott did was heave a deep breath and close his eyes as a serene smile came across his face.
“Scott-” Chris started, but his brother just shushed him, his eyes still closed.
“Don’t ruin this moment for me, Chris. Just let me take it in.”
“That’s what she said.” Astraea whispered quietly under her breath, but not quiet enough, apparently.
“Astraea Rayne,” Lisa scolded while Carly and Shanna tried to suppress their laughter. Robert just shook his head and continued to eat, used to the girls' antics.
“What? I’m sorry!” Astraea defended herself. “It just came out. That’s what she said. I’m sorry!” Astraea covered her mouth with her hands. “I can’t help it.”
Chris couldn’t help but burst into laughter at the girl across from him. His hand escaping Scott’s to slap over his left pec.
Scott gave the blonde a stern look. “I said don’t ruin it, Astraea. Now’s not the time for your filthy jokes.”
“Scott, a good moment for me requires about 50 inappropriate jokes. Now, can you hurry your moment along? The food is getting cold and everyone has started eating.”
Chris looked over at the table to see exactly that had happened. It seemed that the rest of the family had quickly gotten bored of Scott’s antics and continued on with dinner.
“Guys, what the heck?” Scott whined. “This is my birthday dinner; why are you eating without me?”
“Like Raea said, the food was getting cold,” Shanna said, cutting into her chicken.
“And we’re hungry.” Carly added as she scooted some green beans back on Miles’ plate that he tried to shove off. “And you’re being entirely over dramatic about this whole situation.”
“I am not being overdramatic,” Scott exclaimed. “I am being the perfect amount of dramatic. I have been waiting for this moment for nearly three years, and God damn it, none of you are going to take this away from me!”
“Scott, they already met,” Lisa bluntly said, taking a sip of her tea while taking the moment away from him.
Scott paused. “Come again?”
“Yeah… about that…” Chris started, feeling a little guilty at the look on his brother’s face.
“We kind of already met.” Astraea finished slowly.
Scott looked back and forth between his friend and his brother. “You have got to be kidding me.” He plopped down in his chair at the head of the table, Chris doing the same on his left. Lisa had scooted towards the center of the table towards Shanna, leaving the space on Scott’s right open for Astraea to set a chair which she promptly sat down in. “Three years of anticipation and I completely miss it.” Scott said in disbelief.
Astraea grabbed his hand, squeezing it lightly. “It’s ok, Scott. It was just a meeting.”
Scott took his hands away to run them down his face. “It wasn’t just a meeting, it was the meeting,” he groaned into his palms. He uncovered his face to look at them both expectantly. “So, what happened? How did you guys come across each other?”
Chris looked over at Astraea, his cheeks warming a bit as he caught her smirking at him, a twinkle forming in her beautiful ice blue eyes. He just couldn’t decide if it was evil or endearing.
Astraea’s smirk slid from Chris over to Scott. “Oh, nothing happened. Just your regular, run of the mill meeting.”
Scott gave her a whatever look. “Come on, this is you we’re talking about. Something interesting had to have happened.”
“Astraea, I don’t know why you’re covering for him. I’m honestly still appalled by that entire situation.” Lisa shook her head as she placed some dinnerware in front of Astraea, the blonde silently thanking her with a smile.
Shanna gave her mom an interested look. “What exactly happened?” Robert and Carly looked at them in curiosity as well. Ethan, Miles, and Stella were too preoccupied by the food to care. Their little eyes gazing up at the adults every once in awhile.
“Yes, Christopher,” his mom said, her piercing gaze going straight through him. “Why don’t you tell everyone what happened?”
Chris saw everyone’s eyes looking at him expectantly. He froze, not knowing what to say, but kind of wanting to laugh at the whole situation. The blonde sitting across from him certainly wasn’t helping the situation as she sat back with her full lips pursed and her arms crossed over her chest, her crystal blue eyes on him as well. She looked to be waiting in anticipation to see how he would explain himself out of this. He looked at her, silently pleading with her to help him out. She just dropped her head towards her chest and her shoulders started shaking with silent laughter. He was about to go on defensive mode when Astraea started talking instead.
“Lisa, it’s ok. You don’t have to put him on the spot like that.” She lightly waved her hand. “Like I said, nothing happened.”
“It is certainly not ok,” his mother said sternly. “You could have gotten really hurt.” Lisa’s blue eyes that all her children inherited softened as she looked at the musician on her left. Chris saw his mom’s eyes quickly dart to Astraea’s head, no doubt thinking about the minor bump the girl sustained.
“But I didn’t and I’m fine.” Astraea reassured, laying a hand on Lisa’s forearm as she drew the woman’s eyes back to her own. “It was just an accident; and besides, I now have another hilarious memory to add to my book of unforgettable first impressions.” Astraea said with a sly smile.
Lisa looked the musician over with a critical eye. “Ok, fine, I’ll let this one go,” she sighed. Turning to Chris, she pointed her fork in his direction. “But don’t you think you’ll be getting off this easily in the future, young man. You’re lucky Astraea is so pretty.”
Chris threw his hands up, chuckling in disbelief. “Ma, it was an accident.”
“What does her being pretty have to do with you forgetting Chris’ folly?” Scott interjected, giving a jokingly snide look at his friend.
Astraea stuck out her tongue. “You’re just jealous of me and my good looks.”
Chris watched as his mom reached over and tapped the underside of Astraea’s chin. “Pop that back inside your mouth, young lady.”
The blonde immediately slipped the appendage back behind her teeth and gave his mother an innocent grin. Scott started taunting her for being admonished like a child and Astraea reached underneath the table and did something to Scott that caused him to yelp in surprise.
Chris couldn’t help but watch every interaction Astraea had with his family. From the way his mother treated the blonde like she was her own child to the way Scott teased, laughed, and loved her like she was just another little sister. This girl fit so effortlessly within the dynamics of his family. Watching her with his family was way more different than hearing about all they would get up too. He was glad to finally be in the fold, a part of him always feeling a little left out when he heard the newest memory they had all made together.
Scott rubbed at his thigh. “She pinched me! Ma!” Lisa just ignored him, continuing on with her meal. Scott halfheartedly glared at the blonde. “Real mature, Raea. How old are you again?”
Astraea’s voice seemed to turn to steel. Despite her stern tone, there was nothing but humor in her eyes. “You really wanna bring age into this, Evans?” Astraea leaned towards Scott, her arms crossed on the table “Cause at least I’m old enough to know the difference between water and vinegar.”
The rest of the table laughed at Scott as he covered his face in embarrassment. “Oh my God, that was one time!”
“One time was enough, sweetheart,” Lisa told him.
“Yeah, how do you even get those two mixed?” Astraea laughed. “Vinegar has a crazy distinct smell.”
“I told you I was sick! My nose was all stuffed up!”
“Guys, come on. Scott’s stupidity isn’t anything new,” Shanna interrupted. “I still really want to hear about what happened between Chris and Astraea?” Her comment received an indignant “hey” from Scott.
Chris leaned his elbows on the table, the fingers of his right hand stroking his beard at his chin as he focused his attention on Scott. “You know, I’m really interested in this vinegar story.”
“I’m interested in both those stories,” Robert added. “And you and I are gonna have a more in-depth conversation about this vinegar situation, son.” He addressed Scott who groaned in embarrassment.
“We’re getting off track here.” Scott said, slouching in his chair. He sat up quickly though as he leaned towards Chris. “The main issue is what you, brother, did to our darling Astraea that has caused mother dearest to be so irked with you.”
“Why is everyone so eager to hear about my failings?” Chris asked defensively as his family ganged up on him. He felt like his lips were about to crack with how much he was smiling.
“We like to knock you down off your pedestal every once in awhile.” Carly grinned at him. “Keeps you humble.”
“Ok, everyone, it wasn’t that big of a deal.” Astraea interjected, her tone light as she waved away their questions and teasing. “Chris just startled me that’s all. I was in the garage trying to reorganize the fridge so I could fit Scott’s cake inside, and I saw Chris out of the corner of my eye, and as I turned around, I tripped and fell back, then hit my head on one of the shelves inside the fridge.” Astraea finished, giving a matter of fact look at everyone at the table. “Can someone pass me the green beans?”
“You forgot about the part where he was holding a bat,” Lisa said dryly.
“You were what?” Scott nearly yelled as he rounded on his brother.
“Oh my God, that is too good.” Shanna laughed, holding her hand over her mouth to stifle her giggles. Carly had just taken a sip of water and was trying to hold it in without it coming out her nose, and Chris caught his dad trying to hide a grin behind his napkin.
Chris massaged his index finger and thumb over his eyes trying to prepare himself mentally for the backlash he was about to receive. “I didn’t know there was anyone else in the house aside from mom, and when I heard noises in the garage, I grew concerned.” Chris explained, his palms flat on the table. “The bat was just a precaution.”
“Yeah, because Astraea looks like she’s gonna just come at you with all her 130-pound strength.” Carly teased.
“Hey,” Astraea whined. “I can be threatening.”
Scott gave her look. “Sweet cheeks, you are about as threatening as a bunny rabbit in a field of flowers on a spring day.”
Astraea lightly flicked some of the potatoes that she had plopped on her plate at Scott in retaliation. Scott dodged the small bit of food and laughed as he picked up the tray of chicken that was near Chris and held it out for her. “Here you go, Rae. Don’t want you to sprain those twigs you call arms.”
“Ha, ha, very funny.” Astraea grumbled, snatching the tray from Scott’s hands as he held it out to her. “I can hold my own if the situation calls for it.”
Lisa speared some beans with her fork. “Scott, stop messing with Astraea.”
Scott guffawed as he looked at his mom, waving his knife and fork around. “Ma! She messes with me all the time!”
The family laughed as Lisa just continued eating, acting like she didn’t hear what Scott said and Astraea gave Scott a little smirk before it disappeared behind a bite of chicken.
The jokes continued amidst the meal, the family laughing at the banter that Scott and Astraea continued to throw back and forth and each other. Chris thought it was particularly funny how Scott received so much heat from their mom for teasing Astraea, but she turned a blind eye towards the blonde’s teasing towards his brother.
And throughout all this, Chris couldn’t stop the way his eyes trailed right back towards the blonde. He tried not to stare at her, he really did, but there was something about her that just caused his eyes to gravitate towards her every move. The way she properly held her utensils, how she delicately cut into her food, the way she covered her mouth when his family made her laugh, and how her eyes would twinkle when his nephews and niece got her attention across the table. He especially studied the way she looked at his parents. The pure respect and admiration that showed in her eyes gave him pause, and especially the pure love that emanated from her when she looked at or spoke with his siblings caused his heart to still. He felt a slight nudge on his shin and looked over to see that Scott had just looked away from him. His brother shoveled a forkful of green beans in his mouth, but Chris saw the small smirk he was trying to suppress. Thankful for his brother in that moment despite his minor teasing, Chris hadn’t even realized that he had once again been staring at Astraea for far too long. Fortunately, she was too engrossed in making lunch plans with his dad to realize he had been staring at her like a creeper. He caught a small grin that his mom had thrown his way though, knowing she she had caught him, but she quickly went back to her conversation with his sisters.
Unfortunately, not looking at her didn’t really help him either. The sound of her voice was just as captivating as watching her was. Her voice was as smooth as glass and had a velvety undertone. He could freely say that he loved listening to her laugh and, from the little he had learned about her so far, laughing was one of her favorite things to do. There seemed to be a musical quality to her laugh and her giggles reminded him of the serene sound of tinkling bells.
Ethan, who was sitting on his left, pulled on his sleeve just then. Though he tried to give the 5-year-old his full attention, he really did, he just couldn’t help the quick little glances that his eyes constantly made towards the musician.
He watched as she joked with Scott, her hand brushing her hair over her left shoulder, her slender digits running through the smooths strands. Her hair looked so soft and the color, God, the color is what he imagined would be if you could physically capture sunlight. He felt his fingers twitch in a sudden urge to run them through the silky looking strands as well, wondering if it was as soft as it looked.
Ethan quickly caught his attention once more and he strived to be more engaged with his nephew.
As dinner wound down, Lisa urged everyone to stay seated and relax as she started clearing the table. Astraea completely ignored her though as she stood and started collecting empty plates. She gathered hers and Scott’s, and when she got around to Chris, he tried to stand to help her but she blocked his way and promptly seized his empty plate. He quirked his lips in resigned defeat as he watched her glide into the kitchen after his mother and Carly. The table was quickly cleared and as his mother walked into the dining room holding ice cream, dessert plates, and utensils, right behind her was Astraea holding the aforementioned cake.
There were lots of oohs and aahs that went around as the cake was brought into view, and once Astraea had set the cake down in front of Scott, he just burst out laughing.
“Oh my God,” Scott laughed, “did you make this?” He turned to look at Astraea, wiping a tear from his eye.
The blonde smiled as she started to lite the candles that were placed on top of the cake. “Sure did. All from scratch as well.”
It was a round, three-layered chocolate cake, covered in cookies and cream-colored frosting, sprinkled with Oreo dust, with chocolate Oreos sticking out of swirls that were placed on the top edge of the cake. Needless to say, it looked like heaven.
“What’s the joke?” Shanna asked.
“Inside joke, only cool people are allowed to know,” Scott answered quickly. Shanna stuck her tongue out at him, which Scott quickly returned. That caused an immediate chiding from Lisa about where tongues are supposed to be, the appendages disappeared quickly, but not without the two youngest siblings swapping snooty looks at each other.
“I also can’t believe that you went out of your way to place 31 individual candles on top of the cake,” Scott added, an amused look on his face. “You do know that they’ve invented those numbered candles right?”
Astraea raised her eyebrows at him. “I think it’s funny you thought I’d make this easy for you. Gotta work for that wish. And besides, you do it to me every year.” Scott playfully rolled his eyes in return.
“Astraea, you’re trying to kill me,” Carly groaned as she gazed at the cake.
Astraea laughed. “I know how you feel. I swear I gained like 20 pounds just by making this thing.”
Chris looked at the cake longingly as well. “My trainer is going to kill me.”
“And won’t it be a sweet, sweet death.” Astraea sighed at him then grinned. “Literally.”
Ethan and Miles once again started a chant which revolved around the cake, that both Scott and Chris joined in on. Stella just laughed along with them, her little hands clapping off beat.
Lisa settled everyone down so they could start the birthday song. With everyone back in their seats, Lisa dimmed the lights so the glow of the candles was the only prominent light source.
“Everyone ready?” Lisa asked.
As the song started, Chris’ ears honed in on Astraea’s voice. While the rest of the family was singing loud and boisterous as only they would do, Astraea was singing gently, a smile on her face as she watched his brother and, though she was infinitely quieter than everyone else, God did her voice stand out among the rest. Her voice didn’t falter, it didn’t crack, not even on the high part at the end of the song did her voice sway from the key that the song was started in. He knew she was a music producer and composer, but he didn’t know that she also had ‘the voice of an angel’ on her resume as well. He could listen to her sing all day if it was possible.
Astraea’s eyes found his across the table and, though he was embarrassed that she had caught him staring at her, he could have sworn he saw a slight blush rise on her cheeks right before she looked away. It could have been a trick of the light though. The glimmer of the candles caused a warm glow and small shadows to dance across her face.
As the song came to an end, everyone clapped as Scott blew out his candles. Lisa turned the lights back on and walked over to help Astraea start serving the cake and ice cream.
Scott took a bite out of his cake and his eyes promptly rolled into the back of his head as he moaned in delight. “Oh my god, I think I just entered heaven's gates.”
“This is wicked good,” Chris exclaimed as he dug into his own piece. “No one tell my trainer about this please.”
Astraea slipped her fork from her mouth, lightly swaying back and forth in happiness at hearing everyone’s praise of her baking skills. “Thank you and you’re welcome.”
“So, Scott, what did you wish for?” Carly asked.
“That’s for me to know and for you to never find out.” Scott said, crumbs from an Oreo falling from his mouth.
“Oh, Scott,” Shanna said in disgust. “Can you please chew with your mouth closed?”
Scott shoved a chunk of cake into his mouth. “Don’t tell me what to do.”
“Remind me to never let you babysit,” Carly commented as she wiped frosting off of Ethan’s cheek. “You set a horrible example.”
Everyone else at the table nodded in agreement as Scott whined in offense.
“Astraea, promise me that you’ll make my birthday cake next year.” Chris pleaded around a mouthful of the delicious dessert.
Astraea laughed, as she scooped some vanilla ice cream with the cake onto her fork. “Sure, just tell me what you like and I’ll do my best to make it.”
“Oh, I think this one wins already.”
Astraea shrugged and gave him a look. “Well… you never know. You just might stumble upon something even better that you never expected to find.”
She looked back down at her piece of cake, her attention going back to her food, but Chris’ eyes never left her. He didn’t know if there was a double meaning behind her words, but by God, did his heart start beating faster.