to join the family. But when I come down the stairs, a shocking scene greets me. Michelle is trying to ride Reese like a horse, pulling on his hair as if they’re the reins of a pony. At the same time, Ryan is trying his hardest to keep her from falling, but it’s hard given that she’s a wriggly baby. Finally, their luck runs out and Reese collapses on the floor, causing Ryan to quickly grab Michelle to keep her from tumbling to the ground.
Laughing, I join them. Meanwhile, Ryan whispers into Michelle’s ear, “I think Mommy wants to be visited by the tickle monster. What do you say, Mich?”
She squeals her excitement.
“Ga! Ga! Mommy!”
I make a face of mock fright, as Ryan and Michelle come closer to me. They begin their tickle torture and I howl in mock agony. Thankfully, I’m saved by the bell as Dad comes in, asking, “Where’s my favorite, girl?”
Michelle squeals again, waving her little fists. Mike comes into the living room, trailed by Toni, who has a weird look on her face. But I don’t have time to digest it because as soon as Mike sees Michelle, he picks her up.
“Hi sweetheart,” he greets with a big sloppy kiss on the baby’s cheek. “How’s my little chuckles?”
Michelle squeals again, waving her fists and gargling loudly.
Meanwhile, I greet my friend.
“Hey, Toni. What’s up?”
For some reason, she blushes.
“Oh nothing. I just happened to arrive the same time as your dad. I mean, our cars literally pulled up to the curb at the same time, so we came in together.”
I stare at her.
“Of course, that sounds totally normal. Why?”
She blushes hotly again.
“No, nothing. Hey Michelle!” she says gaily, waving to the baby. Do you miss your Aunt Toni?”
Soon, we proceed to the dining room table. Michelle sits in a baby seat while the four of us gather around the large wooden slab. After the food is served, Toni leans forward and says, “Amelia, did you get the updated email about the conference call on Friday?”
Ryan quickly turns around and mock frowns.
“No, none of that at the table. Every time we get together you two spend most of the time talking about work. This time we’re going to have a nice family dinner with normal family talk.”
Toni laughs.
“What? Who me? I would never.”
At this we all start laughing.
“Yeah, right, Toni. You can’t wait to have a baby yourself,” I tease. “Then you’ll have free baby models for our children’s clothing line.”
At my words, Toni inhales quickly and shoots a look at my dad. Michael looks just as flustered, and his face is growing red. What is going on with those two?
But Toni gets a hold of herself and sits back with a smile on her face.
“Well, since we can’t talk about work, then tell me about my favorite godchild.”
Reese looks up as he asks wryly, “Isn’t she your only godchild?”
Unfazed, Toni chuckles. “Exactly. That makes her my favorite. Now give me the goods. I feel like I haven’t seen you guys in forever.”
Rolling my eyes, I interrupt, “Antoinette, stop being a brat. Dad’s going to think we don’t love you or something. Dad, don’t listen to her. She was just over last Friday, and Michelle hasn’t changed that much in seven days.”
“Am I still her favorite auntie?” Toni asks in a pretend-wail.
Ryan turns and stares at Toni as he deadpans. “I’m pretty sure you’re her only auntie, so I think your position is secure.”
We all laugh merrily and the dinner continues as usual. But then Ryan mentions in a casual voice. “By the way, Roger Money applied for a job at Burger Heaven, did you know? But we rejected his application on the spot.”
I gasp and look at him.
“You didn’t tell me.”
Reese shrugs.
“It only happened yesterday, sweetheart. And we have no intention of hiring that asshole after what he put you through.”
I take a deep breath and nod.
“But you didn’t have to do that for me. From what I hear, he hasn’t really done anything with his life since graduation. He probably needs the job, to be honest. Was he applying to be a management trainee?”
Reese nods.
“Yeah, but he doesn’t have the aptitude. His grades are terrible, and he has no work experience. At most, he’d be hired to work the griddle in the back.”
I shake my head.
“How the mighty have fallen.”
Toni snorts.
“Roger was never mighty. I always thought he was a twerp, to be honest. But do you know if he’s still with Carmen?”
I shrug.
“I’m not sure,