Bittersweet Moments by Kimberly Thomas

Author:Kimberly Thomas
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Kimberly Thomas

Chapter Sixteen

Valentine’s Day

* * *

Jules’s ears perked up at the sound of car tires crunching against snow-covered gravel. Putting down the bowl of red- and white-colored popcorn she’d been stringing on the nylon cord, she slowly raised herself from the couch and walked toward the large French window in the living room. Pulling back the heavy curtain, she peered through the transparent glass. Several cars were currently lining up along the designated parking spot.

“They’re here!” Her voice carried to the kitchen where her mother and aunts were busy preparing food for the Valentine’s Day family cookout. She walked out into the hallway to see Aunt Jo a few meters ahead of her as she made her way toward the foyer and the front door. She continued after her.

“Hey, kiddo. How’s my favorite niece?” Uncle Luke greeted as he stepped through the door, Aunt Maria and Aunt Stacey coming in behind him. He swept Jo up in his arms, completely dwarfing her with his large frame. Jules remained by the stairs, watching their interaction.

“You say that to all your nieces.” Jo chuckled as she tilted her head back to look at him.

“That’s because you all have a special place in my heart,” Uncle Luke rallied with a wide grin.

“Good save,” Jo snickered, earning laughs from the others. “I’m glad you guys could make it, short notice and all.”

“Are you kidding me? We wouldn’t miss it for the world,” Uncle Luke responded, finally setting Jo back on her feet. He beamed down at her. Laugh lines framed his mouth, and the corners of his eyes crinkled.

“Hi, Aunt Maria,” Jo turned to greet the short woman beside him. She leaned over and placed a kiss on the woman’s cheek, then turned to Aunt Stacy. She bent lower and placed a kiss against the older woman’s cheek. “I’m glad you were able to come today, Aunt Stacy.”

“There’s no way I would turn down a well-cooked meal and the best company money can’t buy,” she quipped with a toothy smile.

“That’s true,” Jo agreed, and the others shook their heads in agreement. A brief moment of silence passed around them.

“I’m going to visit with Becky if you don’t mind,” Aunt Stacy spoke up. The others inclined their heads in acknowledgment and watched her motorized scooter roll across the foyer.

“Hi, Aunt Stacy,” Jules greeted the woman as she came close to where she stood.

“Hi, dear,” her great-aunt said kindly. Her eyes went to Jules’s belly. “How’s the little one?” she asked.

A grin played on Jules’s lip. “She’s fine. Although she is kicking a whole lot more, and I live in the bathroom now,” she informed the old woman.

“That’s a good thing, or else you’d be wondering if something’s wrong, be happy,” the woman advised.

Jules inclined her head in acceptance.

“I’m headed to visit Becky.”

Jules nodded, moving closer to the steps to give her wheelchair enough space to pass. She turned to see Uncle Luke and Aunt Maria headed her way.

“Hi, sweetheart,” Uncle Luke said. Jules smiled in greeting as he enveloped her as he had Jo.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.