Looking down at Tessa it was like seeing what Em would look like in twenty years. She was a very beautiful woman. Richard cleared his throat.
“Finn, it’s nice to see you son. I hear you’ve been doing well.” He reached his hand out for me to shake.
I gladly took it, and let the warmth of his greeting wash over me. I hadn’t heard him call me son in ages. Now that I was hearing it again, I realized that I’d actually missed it. Just like Kyler’s Dad, Richard was a man that I looked up to and respected. After my Father died, he had stepped in and made me feel like I was a part of this family and started calling me ‘son’. Not wanting to get emotional, I greeted Richard with a hello.
“Nice to see you too Richard. Business has been doing well.”
“I’ve heard some of your songs on the radio. I’ve got to say, it’s kind of neat that I know that you wrote them.” Richard complimented me.
“Oh yes, and I’ve even caught him singing along to them in the car.” Tessa said grinning at her husband.
“Can it Tessa. The boy doesn’t need to know all of my secrets.” They smiled at each other in a loving way.
Em laughed and looked up at me with her radiant smile. The conversation between the three of them continued until the doorbell rang.
Emilyn went to answer it, while I stayed in the kitchen and offered to help Tessa with setting the table. She handed me some plates and I made my way in to the dining room table. I walked back into the kitchen to be greeted by a very annoyed looking Harper swiftly followed by Kyler—a shit eating grin plastered all over his face. Tessa clapped her hands excitedly.
“Oh my, it’s my lucky day! Another handsome boy to sit at my table. Kyler honey, how are you?” She gave him the same hug she gave me.
“Hi Mrs. Tucker, how are you?” Kyler actually lifted her off the ground.
Emilyn covered her face with embarrassment.
Harper walked over to kiss Richard on the cheek.
“Hey Dad, dinner smells good.” She leaned in to whisper in his ear, but what she said was loud enough for all of us to hear. “You going to let that asshat manhandle your wife like that?”
He chuckled. “Eh, let her have some attention from a younger man. Does her good sometimes.”
Harper grinned at him and he gave her a look of a loving father.
Ky walked over to the stove and picked at the ribs, before licking his fingers. “Mmm… this tastes amazing Mrs. T.”
“Ky man, would you get your fingers out of the food?” I shook my head at him.
“What?” he said innocently. Harper rolled her eyes.
“Why don’t you kids go sit down and Richard and I will bring the food through in just a second.” Tessa said.
We walked into the dining room. I pulled the chair out for Em and took the seat next to her while Kyler and Harper went to the other side. Ky sat down leaving Harper still standing.
She grabbed her chair and pulled it out for herself. “Rude.” She said under her breath, flopping down in her seat. Ky didn’t even notice.
“Hey, Shorty?” Ky leaned across the table toward Em.
“What?” She said.
The look on his face said he was about to say something genius. “Did you ever realize what other meaning your Dad’s name has?”
She looked at him confused. Oh shit, he was so not going there. Okay, he actually was.
“What’s another name for Richard?”
“Jesus.” Harper said.
“What are you getting at Ky.” Em still wasn’t catching on.
“Dick. Dick is short for Richard. So did you know that your Dad’s name is also Dick Tucker?” His shoulders started shaking from laughing so hard.
Being male I couldn’t help myself… I may have laughed silently as well.
“Ow!” Ky yelled from across the table. He was rubbing the back of his head where Harper had slapped him.
“Now that’s funny!” She laughed.
We were all laughing at Ky as Em’s parents came into the room. Dinner went fairly smoothly after that. Harper got a few more digs in at Ky, and Em shared her news about the ultrasound. The girls all gushed and asked questions. Richard sat back beaming at his daughter, clearly happy and excited to be a grandpa.
“Oh my god, my baby is giving me a grandbaby.” Tears filled Tessa's eyes. “Richard, our baby is having a baby.”
“Baby’s having babies.” Harper teased while laughing.