Stephanie chimed in. “I spoke to you about Cecily and Fabi. You don’t remember?”
Katherine Hinsdale waved her hands back and forth. “It’s fine. A lot has been going on so; I’m sure it just slipped my mind. I can set out a couple more place settings. You guys go on into the dining room. I’ll be there in a moment.”
Mr. Hinsdale felt it his place to cover for his wife’s rudeness. “Katherine is a fantastic cook. I haven’t had a home-cooked meal in a long time, so let's go eat.”
*****
The formal dining room hadn’t been used for guests in far too long. James Hinsdale sat at the head of the table and Katherine at its opposite. Braylee sat in the middle of Alexandro and Cecily while Stephanie sat next to Fabi doing their best not to make googly eyes at each other.
The room was lively with discussion. Stephanie, Fabi, Cecily and Mr. Hinsdale kept it going. From time to time, Alexandro would chime in, but Braylee and Katherine remained quiet. He squeezed her hand under the table.
Braylee leaned over and whispered, “How long has Stephanie and Fabi been a thing?”
“Not sure. I just found out a couple of days ago, but I’m not surprised.”
“I’m shocked. They couldn’t be more different.”
“Well, opposites attract is what they say.”
Braylee had been starving but after a couple of bites, she mainly picked at her food. It was good, but her stomach had been finicky since she’d been pregnant. She took a sip of water from her glass and immediately started to choke when Mr. Hinsdale put Alexandro on the spot. “So, you and Braylee are living together. I can’t say I’m pleased with that arrangement. If the relationship is serious enough to share the same bed, then shouldn’t it be serious enough to discuss marriage?”
Braylee turned three shades of red and wanted to dissolve into the floor. “Dad, there’s a teenager here.”
“I know. She’s watching the two of you shack up every day, so this conversation shouldn’t offend her sensibilities.”
Alexandro nodded. “I can’t say that I disagree, but you know Braylee better than anybody else. She’s stubborn. She didn’t even want me to come to dinner tonight. I had to practically invite myself.”
Mr. Hinsdale tilted his head. “Yes. She has always been headstrong. So, what about my question?”
Braylee turned to Alex. “You don’t have to answer that. Dad! Are you serious?”
“Sweetheart, I have no problem answering your father’s question. I even welcome the chance to do it.” Alex focused like a laser on Mr. Hinsdale. “Honestly, I was going to wait a little while until you had a chance to get settled but if you want to know my intentions, let me make them absolutely clear. I’d like to ask permission for your daughter’s hand in marriage.”
Braylee felt her bones turn to jelly. Was this happening?
James put his elbows up on the table and rubbed his hands together as he looked between the two. “Do you love her?”
She held her breath. Alex had already declared his love for her but to do it in front of everyone was something else entirely. “Yes, I do.”
Her dad appeared thoughtful while taking his time to answer. “Braylee, do you love him?”
Alex turned to her with intense eyes waiting for her response. He knew in his heart that she loved him, but Braylee had never said it out loud. She was so guarded with her feelings; he wasn’t sure she’d do it here.
Braylee saw the depth of his love burning deeply inside, and she felt the same. More certain than she’d ever been in her life, Braylee didn’t answer her father. Instead, she spoke to Alex. “Yes. I love you.”
His heart accelerated. Alex would die for this woman. He already held her hand in his and brought them up to his lips. More than anything, he wanted to pull her to him and kiss her senseless, but that would be disrespectful to her father. Considering, they were still waiting for Mr. Hinsdales’ answer. Braylee never had the safety net of family, and he wanted her to have that. In this case, it also included asking for her hand.
Mr. Hinsdale watched the entire exchange somewhat wistfully, but more than anything, thankful. Grateful, because Braylee had stumbled upon a love that no one in the Hinsdale family had experienced. Today, she was breaking a chain. He was lost in his thoughts until he realized everyone was staring at him.
It almost felt as if a glacier melting would be quicker than waiting for him to answer. Eventually, a slow smile spread across his face. “If you love my daughter the way I think you do, then yes. You have my permission. Now that I’m clean and sober, if you hurt her, I promise I’ll hurt you.”
Alex was able to let out the breath he’d been holding the entire time. “I wouldn’t expect anything less.” The room erupted with congratulations from around the table. Fabi whispered into Stephanie’s ear. “I had a feeling this might happen. He said if things weren’t going well, he didn’t want Braylee to leave here without some good memories. That’s why I wanted to come tonight. If he proposes, I want to get it on my phone.”
“Oh, one more thing.” Mr. Hinsdale pointed towards Stephanie and Fabi taking them out of their private conversation. “I’m old but not too old to notice all that madness of new love blossoming on that end of the table. Take some lessons from your brother,
