299 Dinner for Sabrina and her fiancé (1/2)

”Do you know why Rina asked us to host a dinner with all the kids tonight?” Nathan asked Madeline reluctantly.

The last few times their kids requested a dinner gathering, it didn't end well. Both Nathan and Madeline are anxious about tonight.

Madeline was visibly troubled. ”I still remember the disaster when Rina revealed how her relationship with Jack was based on blackmail and that she is dating Ashton, and Hunter and Rina got violent. Now, I don't dare make assumptions about what is coming.”

Nathan could not believe that Madeline would just leave it open like this, without asking for details in advance. Madeline is not the one who can endure uncertainty, especially when it involves their kids.

”But it's something big… right, Maddy? Are you going to wait until dinner time to find out what it is? What if they fight again?”

”Let's hope that whatever it is, it does not escalate into a fight. But I agree... it must be something big. I told Hunter and Mia that dinner is half an hour earlier than planned so that we can investigate. They will be here shortly.”

Nathan chuckled. He knew that his wife would find a way to extract the information before everyone gathers. He thought of something… ”Why didn't you call Max and Liz to come earlier? Aren't they closer to Rina than Hunter and Mia?”

Madeline agreed. Since Ashton got out of the hospital, Max and Liz visit them often because Liz is checking on Ashton's condition, so they probably know what is the reason behind this dinner. However... ”Max and Liz are closer to Rina, and that means how there is a chance for them to find out that I gave them the wrong time.”

Nathan touched his nose and admired Madeline's wittiness. ”You are smart.”

Madeline lifted her chin proudly. ”Yes, you married a smart woman…”

…

Half an hour later…

”What do you mean, you don't know?” Madeline asked Hunter in disbelief.

Hunter was confused. He was not aware that there is a secret he was supposed to dig out before coming for dinner. Hunter glanced at Mia who was equally helpless, so he decided to confront his mother. ”You told us to come for dinner at six-thirty, and here we are. Why are you looking at me like I did something wrong?”

Madeline was not happy that her little plan failed. Hunter is useless, and Mia is clueless.

”Rina said that she has an announcement so… I hoped that you know something. Are you sure you don't know anything?”

”I am positive. She is staying home and taking care of Ashton.” Hunter responded and added grumpily: ”Even though there is nothing wrong with him. They removed the cast and he is fine.”

Madeline looked at Hunter and gave up on investigating the reason behind Sabrina's request for a family dinner. ”Well, at least she didn't break up with Ashton. And it seems that their relationship is real. Right?”

”Yes, Mrs. Anderson…” Mia responded. ”Their relationship is definitely real. They visited his family over the weekend.”

Madeline looked at Mia apologetically. ”Sorry, my dear. We are usually not like this… nosy…”

Nathan cleared his throat at this comment, but Madeline ignored him. She continued explaining to Mia: ”You see… we were hoping that Rina will come and tell us that she is getting married, and it turned out how that whole thing with Jackson was a lie. Our kids are at an age where they should think about settling down and having their own family, and breakup and starting over is difficult…”

Mia was not sure how to respond to this because she is a part of the 'settling down and having a family'.

Mia and Hunter visited her home, but they didn't talk about the wedding. Mia sometimes wonders if Hunter changed his mind. After all the mess Keith caused, Hunter and Mia ended up hurt, and Mia would not blame Hunter if he is having second thoughts about marrying her. But she is afraid to ask.

Max and Liz arrived one minute before Ashton and Sabrina.

Madeline saw that Ashton is holding onto a gift bag, and she assumed that it's something that Ashton's parents sent. Madeline felt bad. Ashton's parents are nice, and they sent something, and Madeline didn't prepare anything for them when Sabrina went to visit them in Idaho. Did that leave a bad impression? Ah, she is overthinking it again!

They all gathered in the living room.

”Mom, dad… this is for you. From us.” Sabrina said while offering the gift bag to Madeline.

”What's the occasion?” Madeline asked with surprise obvious on her face. She thought that it's something from Ashton's parents, but it turned out that this is from Sabrina and Ashton.

Sabrina and Ashton smiled and held hands while looking at Madeline who pulled a rectangle box out of the bag.

Nathan observed with curiosity while Madeline unpacked the present and then they saw a note: ”I look forward to meeting you in April!”

Sabrina giggled while examining Madeline's and Nathan's expressions: confusion, curiosity, more confusion…

Madeline froze when she opened the box and saw a framed photo of an ultrasound. A few seconds later, her eyes widened in slow motion until they formed almost full circles.

”You are…?” Madeline asked Sabrina in disbelief.

Nathan was looking at the ultrasound photo and trying to understand what it means.

Mia and Hunter approached them, to see what is so baffling in that box.