"They must be really close."
"Rumor has it they dated once upon a time, but I never believe in rumors."
But the problem with rumors is that most usually had a kernel of truth in them.
Chapter 18
Thalia
NOLAN HAWTHORNE SR'SNew York City townhouse was both grand and understated. It was built during the gilded age, and the old man had maintained the style and only modifying it to meet current day standards. The townhouse was to be the stage for the annual Hawthorne family thanksgiving dinner. It would be the first time I attended. I couldn't make it last year, because I was taking care of my mother. This year, I had no excuse.
All of Nolan Hawthorne's children were there except three. Ivy, who, according to Carey ran away from the family and chose to do it on her own sans the family fortune. Her name was banned from our lips. Levi was at Cambridge working on his Masters, and Raine, the youngest of the family, was at boarding school. The rest, Nolan Jr, Carey's oldest brother, Ty and Seb, Carey's youngest brothers were here.
Nolan Sr sat at the head of the table, while Jacqueline sat on the other end. Carey sat next to Jacqueline and I next to him. Beside me was Seb. On the other side, Nolan Jr sat next to his father and Ty next to him. The two Nolans had been preoccupied with each other ever since we arrived, and whenever I caught snippets of their conversation, it was always business related. Ty and Seb had their own thing going on while Carey forgot Iexisted. Jacqueline was content simply observing people around her and occasionally fishing complements for the food.
"Wonderful food," Ty said to Jacqueline. Seb snickered. Jacqueline beamed. "Thank you, Ty. I love cooking for all of you." if she caught the mocking tone in Ty's voice, she didn't show it. The food was good, but it wasn't because of her cooking. Three chefs in the kitchen were busting their balls to make this meal.
"And you Thalia, you look like you're enjoying your food?"
I was in the middle of grabbing a bowl of stew and felt like I was a glutton caught at the buffet. I flashed my best smile. "It's amazing. You did great work."
"Thanks. The menu is my mother's. She's Greek. You've been eating a lot. Are you eating for two perhaps? Your belly looked a little…" She made a curving gesture at her stomach.
Was my stomach that big? I had gained a little weight after losing a considerable sum when my mother died. I was only gaining the weight I had lost not much more. Beside me, I felt Carey stiffen and turned to him. He was probably thinking about the deal I made with his father. I glanced at Nolan Sr and he seemed oblivious to our conversation. His head was leaning over to his eldest son and listening intently to what he was saying.
"Uh… There's no baby. Yet." I flashed a weary smile.
"Oh." Jacqueline looked a little disappointed. "You look a little round, I thought it had something to do with a baby." Heat crept into my cheeks. "You should be careful you know," she continued, "one donut a day and you will find yourself in the plus size section of the clothing store. Your people especially tend to balloon at the hips."
Carey slammed the table bringing everyone to silence. "Leave my wife alone."
Jacqueline choked. "I was simply stating facts darling, I didn't mean anything by it."
"Her body is perfectly fine the way it is. Now can you get off her back?"
"Carey?" she sounded wounded.
"Jacqueline." Carey's voice was hard and unyielding.
The silence deepened. You could hear a pin drop. I had hard time chewing the food that was already in my mouth in case I made too much noise. All eyes were on Carey and Jacqueline. All waiting to see who folded first.
Jacqueline's mouth widened into a tight smile and she leaned over to me. "You look like a million bucks darling. I was only wondering when we will see the first of the next Hawthorne generation."
"There's already one child around," Ty muttered. Few heard him or everyone did but they all pretended not to. They must be talking about Ivy's child. All I knew, and most of it was from Darcy, was that Ivy cut herself off from the family and had a child soon after. Darcy doesn't believe she had the child after, but before. She thinks Ivy was cut off from the family because of an affair she had with an employee of the family. But the father of the child was either too poor or too chicken shit to take care of the baby. Whatever the case, Nolan Sr pretended the child did not exist.
"I hope you're trying," Nolan Sr boomed, "Time's ticking." His gaze landed on me for the first time that day. Was he threatening me? It certainly sounded like a threat even though he was chuckling as he spoke.
"There's still time," Carey said, his tone as steely as it was when he was addressing Jacqueline.
Nolan Hawthorne seemed to begrudgingly pull back. We were soon forgotten as the conversation around the table moved to other topics. I leaned over to Carey and whispered, "Thank you."
"It wasn't for your benefit." He didn't turn to face me. His gaze was solidly on his plate. "I don't want them harassing meabout a child I am never going to give them. They need to know that."
"Well, thanks anyway."
Carey and I didn't speak after that. My attention turned to Ty who seemed more than happy to talk to me about anything and everything regarding his degree. Ty and Seb were both majoring in architectural design and planned on opening a firm together after they were done with school. Out of the four brothers present, Ty and Seb were the ones their parents cared the least to interfere in their lives. I don't think I remember Nolan Sr asking after them.
After we finished lunch, we moved into what I could best call a sitting room. There was a large fireplace in the middle of the wall. Above it was a Picasso painting. Picasso was one of the few artists I could recognize, and just like the rest of the townhouse, this room was reminiscent of Old New York. Mahogany panels, red sofas and oak, bow legged tables.
