's Pers

g table was filled with lively conversations and the joyful sounds of Khan's laughter. Our family had a longstanding tradition of com

here. Too tired to change, I made my way

d me and giving my cheeks a playful squeeze. She then passe

und the table, refusing to sit down and eat. Closing my eyes once more, I rested my chin on top of Khan's head, struggling to ke

ate with two pancakes toward me. I let out a sleepy hum, opened my eyes, and looked down at Khan

him on his lap with his back facing the table. "Now I've go

on to his mouth, offering him a bite despite his

grabbing Derek's shirt and leanin

oulder, saving Derek's fancy shirt from any mess. Laughter filled the room

d Shirley. "How do you expect a two-year-old to eat o

is good f

exclaimed, grabbing fi

k cried out in frustration

ed to me, "H

ced over at Khan as I took my fork and knife in hand. "I

me over his shoulder, h

yo

rek set him down and

oatmeal from Shirley, ignoring his pout. "If you finish the littl

ing my son,"

" I ground out, g

He stared at me skeptica

tly opened his mouth and swallowed it down. In return, I looked ov

usement before he retu

a?" Dad asked, glancing at me. 'Whe

ared my throat and replied, "Ho lasciato l

y?' "All my friends were praising

y tired from wo

home or back to The Fortress

of my eye. "I couldn't stand being at that p

to last a little longe

with. I wasn't invited; the people invited were De

choose whether you want to attend with your husband or not, but with us, you a

your daughter?"

nt. "Because you are my child. The inv

added, teasing me, "if you want to get out of these

his direction. "One day I will," I huffed, "bec

Dad la

re a part of. Where all people care about is weal

iela. You're one of u

bing my knife towards him before feeding Khan the last bite. "I'll get you ice cream in a little

hteous," Derek s

ral..." I glanced at Khan in frustration, "crap that you guys

point," D

d you we should stop before our kids got too old an

g her, "it wasn't always a choice. But if we're here

l right," I snickered

th arguments," Shirley spoke up, gath

brows at her

some drinks. Do you want to come along? I'm

have to-" D

d hired straight from Dad's company after Khan was born. He mostly stuck with Shirley and Khan whenever they went and even cha

widely and mischi

n over. Khan ran around the table, yelling as he jumped onto Derek who picked him up, faking a

ur sight" Dad told Shirl

scoffed in disbelief, shoving the

eeks as I ate before excusing himself to take a call as his phone buzzed. Khan came running back in and tugged at my M