Chapter 105 - No
Bernie had glanced into the kitchen and saw that the dinner was almost ready so she went into the kitchen and smiled as she spoke to April, "Everything looks so tasty, I can't wait to eat."
April replied, "Only a little." She wasn't used to praise and felt it was unwarranted; it was only basic home cooking.
Dean and April then picked up the serving plates and started to carry them out to the dining table. Bernie had already laid the table with glassware and cutlery. Everything was set up beautifully for a family Sunday dinner.
April smiled and turned to thank Bernie for her help in setting the table for dinner, "Thank you the table looks lovely."
"No problem, it's my job after all," Bernie replied simply.
They all sat around the table together to enjoy dinner.
Joseph sat at the head of the table and although he did not want to share April's company or her cooking he had always eaten with Robert, Sam and Bernie so he couldn't tell them to disappear now even though he felt aggrieved about it.
"Hope you don't mind, it's not four stars or anything, just simple home cooking." April was sure that Joseph would not normally eat something so simple as she had cooked for him.
April had cooked grilled surf and turf with spicy garlic and shallot butter, for the sides she had cooked some asparagus, broccoli and creamy mashed potatoes. It was just as she said, simple but delicious home cooking.
April was seated beside Joseph as he had requested and Dean sat on the other side of her. She placed a bit of everything on a plate for Joseph handing it to him. He thanked her and tucked in which she was pleased to see, she then felt a nudge at her side, she turned and saw Dean handing her his plate.
She couldn't help but smile, he could easily help himself as that was what they were used to at the condo but seeing Joseph be taken care of it seemed that Dean wanted the same treatment. Taking his plate she did the same for Dean as she did for Joseph.
But then Dean started to plate up for her and she let out a small laugh, he wanted to be looked after but also would take care of her. It was sweet and very cheesy which is Dean's overall style.
Joseph was merrily eating but he didn't miss their interactions. His usually idiotic and aloof grandson who usually never smiled or chatted was smiling and taking care of April like they were an old married couple. He was very pleased and felt he may not need to aid Joseph in winning over April as he had thought.
They all helped themselves and quickly started to praise April for her cooking but she brushed it off.
Joseph wanted to know how far along the couple were so he would know how long it would be before he got an adorable mini version of April, "So you both live together?"
Dean responded first, "Yes."
"We are renovating our condos and merging them into one," April answered at the same time as Dean.
Dean sighed he didn't want the old man to know too much, the more he knew the more he would take over their lives and interrupt their alone time.
"Getting work done, well now that takes time. There will be a lot of workmen in and out also with construction work comes dust and dangerous items." Joseph remarked.
foreseeing where this was headed Dean interrupted him quickly, "I have a home not too far from here we can move into for the time being."
April wasn't sure what was going on and her head snapped from one to the other as they spoke.
"That home has other people living in it, it's far from the City. Doesn't April work for your friend in town?" Joseph explained to Dean he then turned to April, "April you don't want to kick out a family from where they are living and also you will have to get up earlier in the morning to journey into work."
April shook her head, she didn't want to kick a family out just so she could move in and neither did she want to wake up early. April loved her sleep so getting up early just to travel to work was a deal breaker, she glanced at Dean, "Let's find somewhere closer."
"That's settled then," Joseph answered as he beamed at April.
"No." Dean refused straight away.
"What's settled?" April asked as she glanced between the two who seemed to be having a silent conversation between them. She then turned to the others at the table but they were busy ignoring the two men with their heads down as they ate.
"No." Dean refused again, he didn't want to stay here. There were too many people around and he wanted to be totally alone with April plus his uncle was still on the run and here he could come and go as he pleased.
Joseph turned to April and asked, "Would you like to stay here? This old man would love your company."
April wanted to refuse as she had liked her own space but now she seemed to be part of a bigger family, it was all very sudden for her.
"It's not safe," Dean answered.
That statement halted Joseph's thoughts, he sat for a while contemplating then he answered, "I have already spoken to the security team and all the staff your uncle is not permitted here again."
"And if he shows up?" Dean asked.
"He won't get within a hundred feet of the gated community I promise," Joseph replied.
Yes, he had asked the security team to be vigilant and let him know if his son would turn up but he hasn't said he couldn't come onto the property. But faced with the decision of keeping April safe and under his roof he chose to have her stay rather than let his son return to the family home.
Updat𝒆d fr𝑜m fr𝒆ewebnove(l).com