The mention of food broke the tension, and a chorus of "Me!" went up. We migrated to the kitchen, the heart of our home, with Ivy and Captain trailing behind us, their hopes high for any dropped morsels. As Dad started pulling the foil-covered dish from the fridge, and Leo began a dramatic monologue about the proper cheese-to-sauce ratio, my phone buzzed in my pocket.
I pulled it out, my heart doing a little flip-flop at the name on the screen: Fiancé. Yes, I changed his name from peacock to fiancé.
Fiancé: Everything okay? Did you get home safe? I miss you already.
A smile bloomed on my face, genuine and warm.
Me: Home safe. The welcoming committee was... enthusiastic. I miss you too.
Fiancé: Good. I can't wait for our families to meet. I took the liberty of making a reservation for Saturday night. Hope that's okay. The private room at The Celestine.
