The following morning, the formal dining room was already alive with noise long before Derek and Kira made it downstairs.
Nana sat at the head of the table like a queen holding court, with Declan, Connor and Gavin lined up along one side, and Claire, Jessica, Kai and even Braxton settled in on the other. Maids bustled in and out, arms laden with steaming platters, and the smell of breakfast hung warm and rich in the air.
Then the doors opened, and Derek walked in with Kira at his side. The whole table erupted into a cheer.
Kira went scarlet on the spot, ducking her head, though the wide smile splitting her face gave her away completely. Derek, on the other hand, looked very unbothered, sweeping his gaze around the room with smugness.
"Well," he said, pulling out a chair for Kira. "I see we've got a full house this morning."
