“Absolutely not. I agree with small and intimate, but not dingy,” Kennedy said, her first bite of tiramisu halted in midair. Since that was her favorite of all the handmade desserts, Robert knew she meant business.
“Nonnie, we don’t have a lot of time. We’re moving permanently to Minnesota. I’m making Minneapolis my home office and leaving the DC office to Sebastian.”
Robert nodded, surprised. Autumn loved the hustle and bustle of DC. She never showed much interest in moving back to their childhood home. The DC law firm had started as a partnership between Autumn and their father shortly after she finished law school. Sebastian had been with them from the beginning, so he could more than handle running the office, but that didn’t change the fact that Robert was just stunned.
“There’s one last thing. I’ve decided to run for Dad’s former senate seat.” This time the smile on her face was as genuine and sure as he’d ever seen. The same burst of enthusiasm had the members of the table standing again. Robert stayed back, watching his family make a big deal about her choices. He couldn’t be prouder of Autumn. She was made for the political world. His father had been grooming her since she was a little girl. She’d do great. He was more than certain she would make a difference in this world, just as his father had before her.
“Oh, there’s more,” she said as they all took their seats again.
“Oh, honey, I’m not sure I can take more,” his grandmother said, the spoon back in her hand.
“This is the easy part. Well, easy for you, harder on me. Cam and I would like to have a large family.” Her face flushed with what he could only see as happiness, and she lifted her glass of ice water, taking a long drink.
“Oh, honey,” Kennedy said. The wonderment in Autumn’s expression seemed to hold Kennedy spellbound. “You’ll be an excellent mother.”
“Autumn, these are big changes,” Sophia said.
“I wanted to wait until we were all together to tell everyone.” Possibly the relief of venting her secrets had Autumn lifting her spoon and taking a hearty bite of the dessert. The bliss of the taste had her looking at Robert, giving him a wink he interpreted to mean their daddy had been on his A-game when he’d created that recipe.
“When’s your due date?” Thomas asked.
“You’re not going to believe this, but it’s December seventh. Dad’s birthday.” She beamed as if she couldn’t have planned it better. “I’ll need help finding an OBGYN around here,” she said to Sophia, which was right up her alley as a gynecologist.
“Absolutely. I know someone perfect; I’ll get us in next week,” she nodded happily, fitting herself into Autumn’s good news.
“What does Cam think about all this?” Robert asked. He’d known Cam for many years. He would have never paired his lively sister with the quiet, focused physician, but clearly opposites attracted. They were perfect together.
“He doesn’t say a lot.” That got a round of laughter as a huge understatement. “But he’s excited and on board with everything. I’ve tried really hard not to bulldoze all this over him.” That got another round of laughter because Autumn was a force when she wanted something. Good thing Cam seemed ready to strap in for the ride.
“What about his DC practice?” Robert asked.
“He’s sold his half. That’s why he went back suddenly,” she explained with a wave of her fork as she dug in for another bite.
“One month from now, everyone mark your calendars. We’ll have a wedding on the balcony of my summer home,” Kennedy announced, placing her spoon on the small plate, lifting a hand to the waiter to clear her dishes. “It’ll be a lovely affair with the view of the Atlantic as the backdrop. I wanted your father to marry there. The St. Croix is stunning, but nothing compares to the Atlantic.”
“Nonnie, don’t go to the trouble,” Autumn started.
“Of course, I’ll go to the trouble.” She turned toward Robert at the same moment the waiter tried to sneak between them to clear her plate, causing his grandmother to give an irritated huff and shoo him away. “Call my driver, dear. There’s much to be done.”
Autumn rolled her eyes, sitting back in her seat. “Nonnie.” She looked hard at her grandmother who was standing, ignoring her wishes completely while pointing down to her purse, silently instructing Robert to hand it to her.
“However this plays out, we’ll make sure we’re free. My vote is a summer trip to the Cape sounds amazing,” Sophia said, placing her napkin on the table beside her plate, turning to Thomas. “Are you ready?”
“Whenever you are,” her husband replied.
“Just let her do it,” Robert urged Autumn when she looked like she was digging in her heels, preparing her protest.
“I’m thinking an afternoon wedding…”
Autumn’s protest didn’t matter. Kennedy was already in preparation mode. Robert rose to walk her out when Sophia stopped him.
“We’ll follow her out.” Sophia looked over at Rodney who was getting to his feet too. “Put this on our tab?”
“Tonight’s on me,” Rodney said, gathering some of the remaining dishes off the table. “I needed the Adamses back home. It’s been a great night.”
“Thank you, Rodney. I always liked you,” Kennedy said, turning away from the table, and with slow, sure steps, she started for the front doors, leaving them all behind.
“I got her,” Rodney said, putting the dishes back on the table. “Mrs. Adams, hold on.” He was once a young, twenty-something bartender who had been with La Bella Luna since the beginning. Rodney had to be in his mid-sixties by now. His steps were a little slower getting to Kennedy, but
