Saturday afternoon could not arrive sooner. Victoria was over the moon to have three of her boys with their women over for the weekend. They agreed to arrive at lunch since Nora would arrive that same day from West Village.
"Mmm, don't add any spices in this one. George can't stomach spicy foods", she reminded her cook.
"Yes ma'am", the woman nodded.
Victoria looked through and tasted every delicacy that was prepared. Henry came down the stairs following the pleasant aroma that caused his stomach to grumble.
"No", she said with a sternness. She already knew what he wanted.
"What time are they supposed to be here? I'm dying here", he complained.
"Anytime now. Be patient."
"Isn't there something I can eat while we wait?" He opened the fridge to look for something edible.
"No. We'll all eat at the same time", she closed the fridge and ushered him out of the kitchen.
"This is abuse", he muttered while being pushed.
She was about to bite back when the door bell echoed within the house. An excited gasp escaped her lips as both of them stopped and looked towards the hallway leading to the front door. They heard the sound of the door opening and closing before approaching footsteps followed.
"And who is this beauty before me?" Xavier started as soon as he saw his mother making the woman blush. "Who is this Greek goddess reincarnate? Mom, everytime I see you it's like time is moving backwards for you! Your skin looks amazing! You look absolutely beautiful!"
"Right?" Her face lit up as she cupped the sides of it. "Amy and I are on a glowup challenge!"
"Can I even kiss you on the cheek? I don't want to taint this amazing artwork", he said. Victoria broke into a big bashful smile, punching his arm when he came closer to hug her while Henry rolled his eyes at the cheesy remarks.
Lorraine's lips spasmed and she exchanged a look with Oliver who was holding her hand. This amused Henry and he stepped forward.
"You must be Lorraine. I'm Henry, this one's father", he feigned bitterness making her laugh as he extended his hand towards her.
"Hello Henry", she released her hand from Xavier's to shake Henry's while smiling.
"And this must be Oliver", Henry turned to the little man.
"You don't look like Xavier", Oliver commented while shaking his hand. Lorraine gasped and nudged while Xavier and Henry chuckled at the kid's honesty.
"But I look like her, don't I?" Xavier put his arm around his mother.
"Yeah, but she's prettier", he said in honesty.
"Awww, I like him already", Victoria responded with glee and bent down to extended her hand to him. "Oliver, is it?"
He nodded in response as he shook her hand. She gave him a beautiful smile. "Quite a handsome little man you are."
"Th-Thank you." A crimson color graced his cheeks and this pleased the older woman. She gently patted his cheek before standing upright to greet his sister.
"Lorraine", she shook her hand and offered her another smile. "Welcome home."
"Thank you", she could barely suppress her nervousness shaking the woman's hand. "You have a beautiful home."
"Thank you. You must be hungry-"
"I am so sure you did that on purpose", a woman's voice could be heard from the hallway earning everyone's attention.
"You won't need it anyway", George's smug reply was heard next.
"Ooooooh I see. I see", her reply was that of disapproval before the two emerged at the living room where everyone was. She gasped and rushed forward, "Victoria! Mom said you were a beauty but isn't this too much? Are you sure you're real?"
Lorraine watched at Victoria break into a laugh as a girl wearing skinny jeans and a shirt that exposed her arms that had some tattoos on them rush to hug the older woman.
"You're just like your mother described", Victoria laughed.
"Disappointed?" She pulled away and raised a brow at her with a smirk.
"Not one bit", she shook her head.
"And you must be Henry", she gave him a side hug.
"How are you so sure? I could be Xavier", Henry joked.
"This beer belly is not fooling anyone", Nora patted his stomach earning a laugh from Xavier and Victoria.
"Richard did say I would not like you", Henry grumbled giving her a dirty look.
"I like her", Xavier said in amusement.
"Xavier", acknowledged, earning a nod from him. "Oliver, right?" She asked and he nodded too before she turned her attention on Lorraine. Before the latter could think, Nora engulfed her in a big hug. "And you must be Lorraine! I'm Nora."
"Aunt Victoria", George greeted the woman with a hug. Realizing that Nora was still hugging Lorraine, he pulled her away. "Okay, that's enough. Sorry."
"No", Lorraine shook her head at George who was ignoring Nora's glare.
"George", Henry silently complained about Nora only for him to respond with a sheepish smile. He sighed before looking down at his wrist watch. "Geez! Can we start eating already?"
"Excuse me madam", a man announced, earning their attention. "The table has been set."
"Thank you Will", Victoria said before turning to everyone. "I guess we can get started."
Henry paired up with Oliver, walking ahead of everyone, Victoria with the girls while Nora chatted between the two, and Xavier followed behind along with George.
"You're two polar opposites", Xavier commented quietly. "You got your hands full."
"And a lot more", George agreed before a smile bloomed on his face.
Henry settled at the head seat with Oliver to his immediate right while Victoria to his left. Nora sat next to her with George beside her while next to Oliver was Xavier followed by Lorraine. The food was filled with mouth watering delicacies ready to be devoured. The pleasant aroma was killing Henry who joked about it with Oliver.
"Help yourselves", Victoria announced before everyone started serving themselves.
"This is amazing", Lorraine genuinely commented on the taste.
"Thank you", Victoria smiled. "I'm glad it's to your liking."
"You guys started without us, I'm hurt", Amy joked, announcing their presence. She was walking hand in hand with Zach while he carried Roserie in the other.
"Oh my gosh!" Nora gasped seeing the trio.
"I need my camera!" Xavier looked around frantically.
"You agreed to this?" George asked in shock.
"What's wrong with this?" Zach bit back, glaring at him. He was about to sit when Victoria stretched out her arms, asking for her granddaughter. Zach did as asked before going to settle at the end of the table.
Zach wore blue jeans, a white shirt and a black leather jacket with matching sneakers; Amy wore the exact same thing with her hair up in a ponytail and light makeup on with matching sandal heels, while little Roserie was in blue tights, a white top and a little black jacket. It was a cute sight of the family of three.
"This is so cute! You're matching with your parents! Don't you look so cute! So cute!" Victoria cooed at the little one who gave her a brief gummy smile.
"Oooh! She smiled!" Henry exclaimed with a huge smile mirroring Victoria's excited one.
"But you guys look amazing. Was this your idea?" She asked, referring to the matching outfits.
Amy nodded enthusiastically while Zach responded for her, "She's been excited about this since you called."
"Xavie take a picture of them later on", Victoria said.
"Of course! Of course", he nodded enthusiastically.
"I want a baby", Nora whispered a bit too loudly in George's ear making him choke on his saliva.
Everyone laughed at the two while Amy left Zach's side to hug and kiss the old man on the cheek then Victoria before greeting everyone.
"We haven't seen each other in a while and all I get is a hello?" Nora complained.
"Alex told me to tell her if you cause any trouble", Amy said with a smirk as she sat down next to Zach.
"Your wife is bullying my girlfriend", George complained when Nora groaned in annoyance.
"Is she?" Zach arched a brow in challenge.
Amy turned to Lorraine with a smile. "It's good to see you again Lorraine."
"You too. You look amazing", she complimented genuinely.
"Thank you, so do you", she replied before she and Zach helped themselves. Victoria could not help her smile as she looked around the table. She had her sons, her daughters-in-law and her grandbaby, all under one roof. She could not be happier.
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