"So, Nate," my father begins from the table next to ours, and Nate swivels in his chair to face him. "What is it that you do?"
I cringe inwardly. Of course this question was going to come up. Natalie and I share a look before I look back to Nate who smiles at my father.
"I work with Julianne."
"What do you do there?" my dad asks.
"I'm a senior partner, sir."
Dad nods and narrows his eyes at me. "So you're her boss?"
"Yes," Nate states, his eyes not leaving my dad's.
The whole room has quieted now, and everyone is listening to the exchange happening between my dad and Nate. Dad's not being a jerk, but we all know this is the official inquisition.
Nate laces my fingers with his and squeezes gently, reassuring me.
"And what, exactly, is going on between you and my daughter, son?" Dad leans back in his chair and crosses his arms over his chest, his handsome face neutral, but his eyes narrowed.
Without missing a beat, Nate states in a strong, sure voice, "A mutually respectful and loving relationship, sir."
Wow.
"Damn," Matt mutters, and I look around the room to see the girls grinning and the boys looking at Nate with respect on their handsome faces and I feel a wide smile blossom on my lips. My dad continues to eye Nate, sizing him up, and finally nods once and grabs his beer.
"Okay then."
He winks at me and I wink back and we all return to our lunch, chatter breaking out again amongst my brothers.
"So, Jules, I get to surprise you now." Natalie wrestles her way out of her chair smiling at me and I look around the room, confused.
"Huh?"
"Well, it was your birthday this week, and we didn't get to throw you a party, so we're celebrating now." Natalie smiles smugly and walks into the house, Luke and Will following her, and I look around again, to find everyone grinning at me.
"You're all in on this?" I ask.
"Honey, you didn't think we forgot your birthday?" My mom grins at me and I frown.
"You all sent me flowers and texts and called me."
"Those aren't presents, kid, that's just what you do on someone's birthday." Will states as he walks in the room, loaded down with gift bags.
Holy shit.
"This is Nat and Luke's party." I state firmly and shake my head.
"Jules, shut up," Natalie murmurs and leans down to kiss my cheek on her way back to her seat.
I look up at Nate who is grinning delightedly at me. "Did you know about this?"
He shrugs. "Of course."
Well, hell.
Will sets the gifts on the table and takes his seat. "Open them, kid."
"Stop calling me that," I mutter, my usual response to his nickname for me.
"No," he responds with a grin.
I frown at the gift bags and look around at my family again to find everyone watching me. Finally Nate chuckles and hands me a bag. "Open them, baby."
I work my way through the gifts, delighting in the new silver bracelet from Luke and Nat, a gorgeous scarf from Isaac and Stacey, and a wide array of generous gifts from my whole family. By the time I'm done, I have tears in my eyes and a wide smile on my face.
"Thanks, guys. This is fantastic, and unexpected." I loop my pretty new red scarf around my neck and slide the bangle bracelet on my wrist.
"We have one more thing," Natalie says and smiles at me.
"What?" I ask.
"A full day at the spa, you and Natalie, after the baby comes," Luke says with a smile.
"Nice! Thanks, I won't turn that down." I grin at Natalie and she smiles back.
Suddenly, Nate places another small, gold gift bag on the table in front of me. I look up into his gorgeous gray eyes and frown.
"You already gave me my birthday present."
"Julianne, everyone is giving you gifts today. Do you think I'd come empty-handed?"
"But…"
"Stop," he murmurs and cups my cheek in his hand, making me look into his eyes. "I've already told you how I enjoy giving you gifts. Just open it."
I hold his gaze for a moment and then look inside the beautiful gold bag. Nestled inside is a red Cartier box.
"Nate…"
"Just open the box, please."