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Ashley shook her head in mock disgust. Are he and Keldon still glued to the television?
Ingrid rolled her eyes. You know they are.
Frederick kissed all three women, one on the lips, one the on the cheek, and the last on the
forehead. And I m about to go and join them.
Ashley laughed. Now, that is shocking.
She watched her brother disappear through the doorway before turning to her sister in law.
So how are McKenzie and Patrick?
Ingrid smiled. The kids are fine. They re staying with my parents for the week.
I ll have to make sure to swing by and see them this week.
The last time she had seen her niece and nephew was when she had first gotten into town. So far
she d had dinner at all of her siblings' houses since she had been back in town. It felt good to sit
around the table with everyone once more. Now everything was coming to a full circle.
Everyone was gathering up over at her parents tonight for dinner.
They would love that.
So would I.
Mackenzie and Patrick were nine and six years of age and carbon copies of Frederick. She loved
being an aunt to all of her brothers children. The kitchen door swung open and Ashley let out an
excited shriek as Raymond entered the kitchen followed by his wife, Tamara. Ashley laughed as
he picked her up and swung her around. She and Raymond were the closest of the six Bennett
children. They were all close in age, averaging two years in difference, but six between her and
Raymond. He was the third son to be born, the laidback, peace-making son.
It s good to see you, baby girl.
It s good to you, too.
He set her down and stopped over to greet his mother and Ingrid while Tamara embraced
Ashley.
You know, if I didn t know that you two were siblings, I swear I would be jealous.
Ashley laughed. She liked Tamara a lot and she was perfect for her brother. Believe me the part
of his heart I have is one that I am okay to have when a man has a wife.
It was Tamara s turn to laugh. All of her brothers who were married or in the process of getting
married had chosen good women in her opinion. Tamara had given her brother three wonderful
children. When she didn t see or hear them, she looked at Tamara quizzically.
Where s the trio?
Vanessa is at a sleep over with friends from school. Yvette is at her godparents house. Alisha is
with my best friend and her husband, who say they are practicing.
Ashley s eyebrows furrowed together in confusion. Practicing for?
She s pregnant.
Deborah laughed. I should call her and tell her not to waste her time. All children are different.
Hopefully, she s just trying to get the basics.
Tamara smiled. That s why I gave the mildest tempered child of the trio.
Good choice.
Tamara looked over at Ashley. We still have to get together for lunch.
Babe, you know it s hard for her to get away for lunch while she has a patient.
Deborah s eyebrows rose for hopefully the last time for the evening. Do you know who the
patient happens to be?
Raymond was smart to look away from his mother before answering. I plead the fifth, he
stated as he backed out of the kitchen.
Deborah looked over at Tamara, who held her hands up in surrender. I have no idea who the
patient is, I promise.
That is why I always tried to keep you two separate, Deborah muttered under her breath. You
two always did manage to keep each other s secrets very well.
Ashley laughed. Mom, I never meant to
She broke off in mid-sentence when a loud pop was heard in the living room. They all rushed out
of the kitchen only to find Carl making his entrance. His fiancé, Ebony, stood behind him
shaking her head, while Quinlan and his wife, Kathy, came in behind them.
Sometimes, I wonder why I am marrying you, Ebony said.
Everyone in the room laughed and Ashley looked at Carl suspiciously as he headed in her
direction. He was four-years older than her and the clown of the family and always had
something up his sleeve literally. The night she d had dinner at their house had been
interesting. Still, he had only been able to pull one stunt when Ebony threatened to make him
sleep on the couch for a month. Carl paused when she held up a hand, motioning for him to stop.
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