Chapter 56 - The Family Dinner
Dinner was a massive, loud, glorious affair.
The long mahogany table in the formal dining room was completely full. The crystal chandeliers cast a warm, brilliant light over the faces of our family.
There were no empty, polite conversations. There was genuine, roaring laughter, passionate debates about art and politics, and the beautiful, messy reality of a family that truly loved each other.
I sat at the opposite end of the table from Alexander.
Through the sea of faces, through the candles and the crystal wine glasses, my eyes met his.
He raised his glass just a fraction of an inch, a silent, private toast shared entirely between the two of us. I raised my glass in return.
"To family,"
Julian announced, standing up and tapping his glass with a silver spoon.
"To the foundation you built, and the love that holds us all together."
"To family!"
May you like
The entire table echoed in unison.
I took a sip of the rich red wine, letting the warmth settle in my chest, completely overwhelmed by the absolute perfection of the moment.
