Page 128 of The Fallen Man

“A little bit,” said Caitlin. “This is a lot of people for me. I usually just eat by myself in front of the TV.”

Olivia smiled. “I like being here, but Evan and I usually go home and collapse on the couch.”

“Oh, good. It’s not just me.”

“If you wait long enough, they’ll all go find couches to nap on and then it gets quieter. I mean, not quite all the way quiet because I don’t think Aiden can do that, but quieter.” Caitlin laughed. “What I like, though, is Eleanor.”

Caitlin glanced at the head of the table where Eleanor sat with a smile on her face. She thought Eleanor looked incredibly pleased.

“She looks happy?”

“Every Sunday dinner. I think this is her happy place.”

“Sunday dinner?”

“We usually eat dinners here on Sundays,” said Olivia. “And I think we’re her happily ever after.”

“It must feel weird that I’m here then.”

“No, you’re included,” said Olivia. “Jackson has to be happytoo.”

“I’m not sure I believe in happily ever afters,” said Caitlin.

“Neither does she. That’s why I like seeing her have one,” said Olivia.

“Olivia…” Caitlin trailed off, not sure of what to say. Olivia smiled at her inquiringly. “Happily ever after scares me,” Caitlin blurted out.

Olivia reached out and grabbed her hand. “I know what you mean, but I just hang on to mine real tight and ignore him when he says he wants to breathe.” Caitlin giggled, but suddenly found Dominique grabbing her other hand.

“You never know when people will disappear from your life,” Dominique said, leaning close. “You have to love them all you can when you have them. Don’t let anyone or anything scare you away because you’ll regret it later.”

Caitlin took a deep breath and found the butterflies in her stomach settling. “Thanks,” she said. She looked over at Jackson and he gave her a wave with his fork that lost him the mashed potatoes to Max. Caitlin smiled. They were such a strange family, but she couldn’t imagine finding a better one.

Eleanor

The Deveraux Legacy

Eleanor Deveraux looked around the ballroom and took a deep breath. The wedding had gone off without a single hitch. The children were having a lovely time. Evan and Olivia looked radiant. Ralph looked surly, but everyone was ignoring him. Which was probably why he was disgruntled. Caitlin was checking in with the catering staff for the hundredth time. She was a very dear girl. Eleanor found that she was quite pleased with Jackson’s choice in partner. Caitlin had an endearing sweetness; of course, the way she so obviously loved Jackson was enough to make her welcome. But having spent several months with her, Eleanor found that Caitlin was also quite intelligent and much more interested in making changes in the world than any of the other children. Eleanor thought it might be wise to shift some of Dominique’s charity work to Caitlin. Perhaps Caitlin could rebuild the Junior League into something useful. That might be a bit much to ask—Dominique had rather sewn the earth with salt there—but it was a thought.

“Well, Mrs. Deveraux,” said Hannah Nowitsky handing her a small plate with a piece of cake on it. “Is this what’s called a social triumph? Because I have to say, it kind of feels…”

“We had press, presidents, movie stars, and a national poet,” said Eleanor, allowing herself a bite of cake. “It’s acolossalsocial triumph.”

“Zoe says it got a mention on the national news and Entertainment Tonight.”

“I’m sure she’s elated about that,” said Eleanor, taking a deep breath to quell the flutter of nerves in her stomach. She didn’t like having the children in the spotlight so much, particularly Evan, but it was unavoidable for this event.

“She was,” agreed Hannah.

“Young lady,” said Eleanor, scrutinizing her young intern. “Has Jackson spoken to you about more permanent employment once you graduate?”

Hannah froze, a bite of cake halfway to her mouth.

“I don’t wish to discuss it again, but it would be nice if you agreed to it. It will make things easier for him.”

“Yes, ma’am,” said Hannah.

“Good,” said Eleanor feeling relieved. When Jackson was content, he didn’t pry into things. It had been a near thing the previous year when Evan had started poking into the plane crash documents. She didn’t need Jackson, who was more level-headed than Evan, prying into why she had real estate investments in Florida. Eleanor looked around again. “They all look so very happy.”