“Okay, heathens! Time to eat!” Petal called, standing behind her chair at the head of the table and facing Horace’s on the opposite end. Four chairs lined each side of the table, and she smiled when Heir and Harlee came racing in. Viggo and Pierre weren’t far behind, and there was an odd exchange between him and Prischa that Giselle noticed.
“Horace, bring one more chair in for Pierre!” Petal called to her husband as Toussaint and Heavy entered the room. “Giselle, you four can sit on this side.” Petal waved to the chairs near the row of windows. “Everybody else on the other side.”
Horace brought in an additional chair and set it between his and Viggo’s at the table. Prischa sat beside him, with Henna and Toussaint in the last chairs.
“Come on, you two. Have a seat,” Giselle encouraged the twins.
“Mama, I want to sit next to Daddy Heavy!” Harlee requested.
“Of course you do, Harlee.”
Shaking his head at his bossy ass daughter, Heavy pulled out the chair next to his for her to sit while Giselle pulled out the one beside her so Heir could be near his twin. When she moved to her own chair, surprisingly Heavy stepped up to pull it out for her.
“Thank you.” She smiled at him.
Henna rolled her eyes and cut them toward Prischa as Pierre settled in his seat.
“Horace, bless the food,” Petal instructed.
“Bless this table. Bless this meat. Bless my stomach ’cause I got the munchies and I’m ready to eat,” Horace recited, hands steepled together and eyes closed.
“Lord!” Petal hollered while everyone else chuckled.
A hot roast with veggies and potatoes sat in the center, surrounded by mashed potatoes, a gravy bowl, and a wicker basket filled with fresh butter biscuits. Giselle made a plate for Heir, and Heavy did the same for Harlee, and soon everyone was stuffing their faces.
“Petal, this roast is like butter, practically melting in my mouth,” Giselle complimented.
“Thank you. I’ll have to give you my recipe instructions. Not everybody can do a good roast or brisket.”
“I want more mashed potatoes!” Harlee voiced.
“Make sure you eat those carrots too,” Heavy instructed.
“Good luck with that,” Giselle muttered. “I have to trick them into veggies by slipping them in smoothies.”
“So… what did everyone do last night?” Petal questioned, picking up her glass of tea and taking a sip.
Tension suddenly cloaked the air, swirling around everyone. Prischa cleared her throat, and Viggo picked up his drink andsipped. Horace peered around at the faces that all seemed to tell a story and chewed pensively. Something was damn sure up.
“Why does everyone look like they’re about to confess to a crime?” He chuckled, picking up a napkin and wiping his mouth.
Prischa flinched and shifted in her chair while Henna smirked into her glass. She watched it all with quiet delight, enjoying the chaos as much as she did a good dessert. Prischa and Viggo going at it was a surprise, and part of her wanted to see Heavy’s reaction to it. He might not want to be with her, but that didn’t mean he wanted Viggo sliding up in her. If him reacting the wrong way also set Giselle off, even better.
“What’s going on?” Petal questioned.
“Yes, Pri, anything new with you?” Henna inquired, peeking at her girl over her glass when she took another sip.
“New like what?” Prischa moved her potatoes around on her plate, avoiding the many eyes on her.
“I don’t know. Maybe got that back cracked recently.” Henna cackled.
“Now why would she want to share that with the table?” Petal queried. “I swear, Henna, sometimes I wonder about you. There are children present.”
“Exactly.” Prischa cut her eyes at Henna.
She had no idea that she’d witnessed her and Viggo going at it last night, and the curious stare from Heavy across the table left her flustered. Giselle picked up on him going rigid before looking at Viggo, then Prischa. Something was damn sure up with them. Although sitting side by side, they hadn’t said a word or even interacted with each other, and that wasn’t normal. Viggo would normally compliment her or tease her about something, but they were both quiet as church mice.
“You fucking with her,” Heavy blurted, causing his sister to spit her drink out.
