Chapter 7

Jordan's POV

I got out of the backseat of my Chevrolet in a bit of a hurry. I was late as hell, and I was very quite sure what was going on in my mind right now was no joke. I knew that mom would have a lot to say about it. I'd honestly tried to be a bit earlier today, but the work just always seemed so much. 

I went through the back door of what was known by most as the Kingston mansion, and hurried to my room in a quick rush.

I had a quick shower, and donned a black pair of trousers and a grey cashmere sweater. Mom has said it was okay to look a little casual. I tussled my hair, and selected a cologne that the girl from LA last summer had said smelled like home- whatever that meant. 

It didn't take me any time beyond what I had already planned to use. When I briefly glanced through the time once I was done, I saw that I had only been inside there for ten minutes. As I walked down the stairs and towards the living room, I saw Evangeline's face brighten from her seat at the table. She hopped down from her chair and ran forward excitedly.

She threw herself in my arms, and right on cue, I caught her. 

“Uncle Jordan!"

“Hi, Princess!" I responded excitedly, placing a loud kiss on both her cheeks.

Mom cleared her throat in a mock cough, and I braced for the reprimand that I knew would follow. I had been expecting this all along. In fact, I was literally waiting for it to happen. And just as I had expected, she didn't disappoint at all.

“Jordan Thomas Kingston, you're late. Again. What's your excuse this time?”

"I'm sorry, Mother. I got caught up in–"

“Oh, don't call me that!" She snapped, just like I knew she would. She hated it when we called her ‘mother’.

“I'm sorry, mom. There was a lot of work at the office today." I said, dropping Eva back in her seat, and placing a soft kiss on mom's cheek.

“There's always a lot of work at the office. You should learn to put your family first." She said grudgingly.

“Always." I said, winking at my sister, Lilian. She smiled back.

The table was full. My dad sat at the head of the table with my mom to his right. They'd left the chair on his left for me, and I settled into it now. Next to mom was Lilian's daughter, Evangeline, and then Lilian. Devon, her husband sat at the foot of the table, and Caleb and his most recent love attraction filled up the other two seats.

As I dived into the food, dad and I got into talk about the business, but mom soon cut us off by starting off a conversation with Caleb's girlfriend. Her name was Sam, and she looked like all the girls caleb ever dated; tall girl, glossy black hair, sultry voice. Mom soon got bored. 

“I wish Jordan would bring someone home too.” Mom said, pretending not to look at me.

I smiled. I was used to it. "Soon, Mom.” I said, biting into a large shrimp. Everyone else seemed to be done with their food. 

“That's what you always say!” She shot back.

“Leave the boy alone, Amanda.” Dad said.

“Oh, but that's the point, Alan! He's not a boy anymore.”

I shifted uncomfortably. It's not that I cared about the direction that this conversation was taking, but I didn't like having my personal life talked about in front of outsiders. Samantha was an outsider.

Thankfully, Lilian came to the rescue. She clanked her fork against her glass to quieten everyone at the table. “Attention, everyone." She said and we all turned to look at her.

“We've got news.” She said, and her eyes filled as she placed a hand over Devon's. She had our attention now, but she held it, and just stared back at us.

"Come on, Lily! Spill!” Caleb broke the silence, and she laughed before speaking.

“Devon and I are expecting!” She said excitedly. I heard a small cry escape my mother's lips.

Caleb broke into a big smile, and I followed suit. The mood at the table suddenly changed into that of joy and excitement.

Dad was the first to get up and gather a beaming Lilian into his arms. Everyone else followed suit, even Samantha. I clapped Devon on the shoulder, and pulled him in for a hug.

“Congratulations, man!"

Caleb left the dining room and came back out with a bottle of champagne. “This is the part where we celebrate, people!" He said.

“You know I can't drink that, Cal." Lilian answered.

“I know, which is why we are going to be drinking it for you." He said and we all laughed.

This was great. This was one of the many reasons I loved these family gatherings. They were a break from my usually serious, busy routine. 

Eva ran around as we celebrated, and was picked up by someone every five minutes. She sure as hell wouldn't like it when she was no longer the baby in the house, but Eva was a great kid. She would love her brother or sister fiercely. That, I could say.

Lilian was the first to leave with her family. I was next. Caleb would stay the night. Mom hated that we'd all moved out, so we made sure to spend time at home with them whenever we could. Our rooms were still as we had left them. 

As I lay in bed later that night, I thought of the last few days at the office. Marissa was catching up fast, and work was going as it should.

My last assistant had almost driven me mad, and with Marissa's inexperience, I hadn't expected much difference. But she was a surprise. She was a fast learner, she was efficient, and she had a really nice backside. Not that I'd been looking, but it was pretty hard to miss.