Brady & Autumn Dove

"Awesome, that's my favorite. You always make the best steaks."



"Even better than mine?"



"Yup, sorry Dad."

"Ha! Mom points for me." I teased Brady and sat down to eat dinner with them.

"I can't believe you don't like my steak."



"Hey now, I never said I didn't like it. I just said Mom's is better."

I smirked "I wasn't always a good cook. I've burnt plenty of dinners in my lifetime. Especially when we first got married."

I smiled at her. "I remember. They were still good to me though, because you made them."

Brady

"See? He knows which side to butter his bread."

"Always have, always will," I said and kissed her.

I smiled "I love you." I told him and took a bite of my food. "Would you like to talk about anything else?" I asked Chad. "We're here for you if you need us."

I shrugged. "Not really. Just what we talked about outside," I said, picking at my food a little then taking a bite.



"Have you thought about... maybe moving into the village? I know it's probably nice living out there with Owen, not a lot of people and everything, but... we miss you. So does your sister, and the rest of your family. We'd like to see you more."



"I know," I said quietly, looking down at my plate. "I don't... think I'm ready for that yet. Maybe someday, but... not yet. I'm gonna try to come around more though okay?"



I nodded. "Take all the time you need. I wasn't trying to make you feel rushed. Just don't want you to feel like you're alone. We're always here for you. I know it hasn't always seemed like I have been in the past, but I am now. And I'm always gonna be."



"I know. I never thought you weren't."

"Owen can come too. We won't bite too hard."

"He might like it if you do, I think he thinks you're hot." Dad made a noise almost like a growl and I raised my eyebrows at him. "Geez Dad, I was kidding."



"Maybe he shouldn't come for dinner."

I smirked "Not to be vain but I don't look bad for my age." I said, teasing Brady.

"No you don't, you're smoking hot baby. But that ain't the point."

"Oh, please." I rolled my eyes at him playfully.

"Oh please what? You're a knock out. If he thinks you're hot, you really think I want him ogling you at the dinner table?"



"Oh geez," I said and rolled my eyes. "I was joking Dad, and even if I wasn't, he would not ogle Mom at the dinner table. Or anywhere else. Or... fuck. Can we talk about something else please?"

"Plenty of men have "ogled" me but my heart beats for you. You have nothing to worry about."

"I know that's the truth," I said and kissed her as a knock sounded on the door then it opened.



"Hey, I just came by to see how you guys were and to - oh my god, Chad!" I said and hugged him hard. "How are you? I haven't seen you in forever."



"You act like I just flew in from the moon or something. It hasn't been that long," I teased, hugging her back. "I'm fine sis, how are you?"



"I'm doing good. How are you two?" I asked, hugging them too.

"We're good, baby. Sit down and I'll feed you too."

"Oh my god, you made steak, I haven't had your steak in years," I said and got myself a plate then sat between mom and Chad.

"Indeed I did. If I knew you guys liked it so much, I would have made some a long time ago." I said with a smile.

"I love all your cooking Mom."

"Thank you, I'm glad."

"How's Aunt Adalee doing?" I asked while we ate.

"She seems to be getting better, Brayden won't leave her side much."

"That's good, she needs him. How is everyone else doing? I haven't seen very many people around lately. Seems like everyone's keeping to themselves."