Page 106 of Unwrapping Love

She turned her head to see Aileen Carlisle sit in Rowan’s seat. Her boyfriend had gone to the bar five minutes ago and she was positive he was chatting with family since that was all that was here.

“I am. I have to admit, it’s a lot to take in.”

“But she’s handling it like a champ,” Talia said, her hand on her lower back. She was happy to be sitting with Nelson, Talia and Jace, and Elias’s fiancée, Phoebe.

West, Braylon and Laken and their significant others were at a table next to them. Close enough to chat but not be on top of each other squeezed in.

“My husband won’t leave my side, but having Saylor close by, he felt like he could get up and go mingle some,” Talia said. “So, thanks. It relieved his mind that you’ve worked in a maternity ward.”

“I’ve touched pretty much every department at one point or another,” she said. “Are you getting excited?”

“I am,” Aileen said. “I was sad that Talia moved out months ago. I’ll admit the house is empty and lonely.”

“Mom,” Talia said. “I come back to work. You made me do it.”

She hadn’t heard that. “What?”

“I told Talia that she could continue to use the basement apartment as her office so that she could get out of the house. She’s been coming back a few times a week.”

“That’s kind of sweet.”

“I don’t have a lot of room for an office at Jace’s just now and it’s working out.”

“It will stop soon,” Aileen said. “I know. Then I’ll have to figure things out.”

“Mom,” Talia said, rolling her eyes. “Only while I’m taking time off of work and you’ll be at the house nonstop.” Talia turned to her. “My mother will watch Stella for us. Jace is only at the firehouse two days a week and one day is normally a weekend. He works with his father doing construction on his days off too, but will cut back. He’ll have Stella on days off. When I’m working, I’ll be going back to my mother’s and she’ll be watching the baby while I’m downstairs if Jace is at work.”

“Sounds like it’s perfect for everyone,” Saylor said.

“It is,” Aileen said. “While Talia is on maternity leave, I’m going to fly back here for a month to spend time with Laken. Shehas a nanny already set up for Jamie’s daughter, Penelope, but I’m going to want to see my grandson. Both of them.”

“The way your family is marrying and growing, you’ll be flying all over the place like Rowan does for family gatherings.”

Aileen patted her hand. “I know Rowan hates doing that, but he decided to move so far away. I understand he needed it.”

Talia laughed. “Rowan hated the noise more than anyone but never let on until years later.”

“Really?” she asked. “He always has people around him.”

“That’s different,” Aileen said. “Those are friends that share his interests. All my children are unique and they need the space more than others.”

“I understand that. My sister and I don’t get along. It’s horrible, but I don’t like her and I’m positive she feels the same.”

“I’m sure you still love her though deep down,” Aileen said. “Because she is your sister.”

Saylor forced a smile onto her face. She didn’t think she did, but wouldn’t argue with Rowan’s mother.

“Mom,” Rowan said, moving out. “You better not be starting trouble.”

“I wouldn’t think of it,” Aileen said.

“Your mother and I are just chatting.”

“My mother hardly everjustchats, right, Talia?”

“Unfortunately, Rowan is right, but in this case, she is,” Talia said.

“I know it’s getting late,” Aileen said. “You will probably leave soon. We are all on for breakfast before your flight in the morning, right?”