Dear Lord I hope there won't be that many of us for dinner.
On the wall to the right there is a fireplace with a family portrait of what appears to feature Kellan as a boy while on the wall to the left and the wall directly in front of me are windows with heavy black curtains pulled open.
Suddenly, a dark haired brunette slips into the room from behind one of the sections I just assumed was a wall.
So....They have secret passageways too? Am I in an old Sherlock Holmes movie? Yeah! Yeah! He's British not Doctenn. Geez. You sound like Kellan.
"Kellan!" The woman exclaims joyfully rushing towards him.
"Soph!" He says back letting my hand go to hug his sister in law.
When she pulls back, she gives me a sweet smile. "You look overwhelmed. I'm hoping that's because all of this is a lot to take in and not because of something this asshole said before you arrived."
"Hey," Kellan playfully objects. "I am not an asshole."
We pin him with similar sarcastic expression.
"Fine....Not all the time."
I giggle and she diverts her attention back to me. "It is a pleasure to finally meet you in person."
"You too!" I warmly agree. "And...if it's okay to say, you're even more beautiful in person than you are over the computer." My eyes drink in her thin 5'7 frame that's being displayed perfectly in high neck red romper along with her dark highlighted hair and striking crystal blue eyes. "Not sure I should stand so close to you in pictures. I'd most likely look like a troll."
Sophia tosses back her head in laughter before cooing, "Oh, heavens, you are sweet enough to give me a toothache."
"Is that why mine constantly hurt?" Kellan winks.
I blush yet she slugs him in the arm. "Behave. This is her first meeting of all of us in person. You'll be lucky if she doesn't run from this palace screaming by the time dinner is done."
Her warning flares my eyes again.
Immediately seeing my fright, she reaches for my hand and gives it a comforting squeeze. "I didn't mean that to sound as bad as it did. I simply meant, you've only seen a smidgen of the Kenningston brother's antics over the computer. In person they are so much worse."
I offer her another smile at the same time Kellan asks, "Speaking of those known for ruining a good time, where are my brother and father?"
Sophia's grip on me falls away as she turns completely to him. "They're wrapping up a meeting."
"The kind where they compare terrible tennis scores or tyrant tantrums?"
She rolls her eyes. "They're discussing the annual summer brunch."
"Oh..." My boyfriend's face tightens. "And I supposed Kris is pushing again for more funding to open an additional branch of research?"
"Actually, he's pushing for your program."
I peer up at him with excitement. "That's great isn't it? That would help you expand like you want, right?"
Kellan hesitates before looking down at me. "It would if my father ever actually took the proposal with him to present."
"Doesn't this give you a chance?"
"Highly unlikely," he mutters.
"Don't be such a downer," Soph fusses, slugging him again. "Kris has been adamant about getting your father to give the program more attention. He didn't go in with a separate proposal this time. He wants all of your father's focus there."
Kellan tilts his head in suspicion. "Why? Why the sudden change of heart?"
She pushes her painted lips together in a sealed action.
"For the past four years, Kris has given every effort to his fight, his cause and not mine. Why the sudden change? Why care now? Why give a shit what happens to children whose parents have died? Why-" His voice abruptly halts. "Holy hell, you two are trying to get pregnant!"
My mouth drops with hers.
"Holy hell!"
"Shut. Up." She snips. "It is not common knowledge yet and if you tell Kris I told you, I will turn your collection of Markay suits into lining for Old Red's bed. Do I make myself clear?"