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Hiswith anticipation, which meant that she had a surprise for them all He just wondered what the hell it was

Excitement was in the air It permeated the entire lunch His brothers and their wives smiled and the conversation was anilued solidly to one another, Sarah giving the big man a smile that likelyas she sat between her husband and their daughter, Charlotte Sam touched her often Just a brush with his hand Or he’d loop his arm around the back of her chair and pull her in close as they ate and laughed

Joe seemed unaffected by the love and intimacy that was so evident between all their brothers and the women they loved But Donovan was envious He wanted that for hier than Donovan and his older brothers Though Nathan, his twin, had settled doith Shea, Joe had shown no signs of wanting to do the same He was in his early thirties now Nathan had been thirty when he and Shea had met in a very unconventional fashion

Donovan shook his head It was still hard to believe that Shea had such extraordinary abilities That she’d saved his brother More than that, she’d taken his torture and his pain Absorbed it and made it her own Donovan couldn’t fathom a woman ould be that selfless for soer that she’d reached out to over thousands of miles that separated the and lasting It had lasted until Nathan had found her And it was still present Unbreakable

And yet the fahter– and sister-in-law Norly oblivious to the fact that she had telepathy and shared a mental pathith both Nathan and Joe That they could speak through their minds in a much more intimate fashion

Donovan envied that too Wished he shared that kind of bond with a woman he loved and who loved him

"You seem preoccupied today, man," Ethan murmured at his side

Ethan and Rachel sat to Donovan’s right, while Rusty had taken the spot on Donovan’s left Perhaps because she wanted his support once she announced what she’d done to the family And there would be a hell of a lot of questions

The tere sleeping in their bassinets just a few feet away so that if they awakened, someone would be instantly there And any one of the familyThat hat his fa, unconditional love and support

Donovan shook his head "We’ll get into it later Ma has so up her sleeve She’s about to coure soon she won’t be able to stand it another ether for today"

Ethan grinned "You noticed too, huh"

"Kind of hard not to," Donovan said dryly "She’s fidgeting with iure we should all brace for impact"

Ethan smiled even as he slid his arm around Rachel and pulled her close to his side Rachel sent a smile in Donovan’s direction, and Donovan marveled at the joy in her eyes Eyes that had once been darkened by pere of the past All she’d endured Finally Finally, she’d stepped into the light She was happy Loved But ain

Donovan s all the love he felt for her fill his heart Ethan was a lucky son of a bitch to get the second chance he’d gotten He’d da that would haunt Ethan--and the entire faood, sweetheart," he said affectionately "Hard to believe you gave birth not so long ago"

A blush rose in her cheeks, but she looked back at hi love and affection

"It’s been nearly a year! Can you believe it? I swear the twins are growing by leaps and bounds I can’t even keep up with the his best to catch up to Ian in the walking department, and God help me when they both cut loose"

An ache settled into Donovan’s chest Yes, ti older It was hard to savor these moments when they went by so quickly

"Are you okay today?" Rachel asked in a low voice so she wouldn’t be overheard But then the rest of the conversation was loud and raucous At least three different conversations were ongoing at the table as everyone bantered, laughed and joked, so it was doubtful anything Rachel said would be heard

Donovan s about so I’ll tell you about it later I "

Concern immediately darkened both Rachel’s and Ethan’s eyes

"You know all you have to do is ask," Rachel said

Ethan nodded his agreement as they both stared intently at Donovan

"I know And I appreciate it It’s notafter Ma tells us what’s on her mind"

On cue, the table quieted and Donovan turned his attention to where his father had held up his hand He marveled at the fact that his father commanded absolute respect in their farown men Had families of their own And yet Frank Kelly was still the patriarch When he had so to say, his children listened He cole Kelly toed the line when it came to their father or theirshe wants to share with you all," he said in his gravelly voice "It’s why she wanted all of you here today All of you," he said pointedly, looking down the table to where Sean Cameron and Swanny sat Both adopted by his wife into the Kelly fold Just as Rusty had been

All eyes went in theirSome worried, some just curious It was evident by her expression and the s to share wasn’t bad So there was no need to worry

Marlene Kelly glanced at her husband and then reached above the table to grasp his hand where it rested by his plate She squeezed and sent hi sone by SoIt was a constant in all their lives and had shaped the lives of every single person Marlene and Frank had ever coive you the news in person I know you’ve all wanted us to move into the compound, and I’ve resisted It’s just that I love this house It’s where randchildren corandpa WeI’ll ever willingly part with"