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I sat on the chair next to hers and was just starting to relax when Mrs Dixon came out onto the patio

She placed a hand on each of our shoulders and squeezed

"You two have a nice walk?"

"We did," Alexa said "I hope it clears up soon"

"It's supposed to later this afternoon Your father will be here soon, and yours as well, Luke I'm sure we'd all love to have supper on the patio How does a barbecue sound to you?"

"Sounds fantastic," I said, glad to have the entire fa to have a full house, so I hope you have enough food Dana and Jaht, as is Candace "

"It'll be a real party," she replied "Don't you torry about a thing I've got everything under control"

"Thanks, Mo "You've been a godsend since we got home"

"That's what mothers-in-law are for," she said happily

Of course, that didn't apply to my mother, who still hadn't corandson

I hoped that one day she wouldthose videos, and I didn't intend to forgive her without a real show of contrition, but if she did, I knew that ould welcome her back

I believed in redemption

So, while Mrs Dixon busied herself in the kitchen, getting things ready for our barbecue, ere able to welcoht One by one, they arrived, and I showed theot them drinks

By the ti Candace's boyfriend, Nate, who she'd been seeing since before Leif was born We sat around the large table, the patio lanterns lit and adding a festive feel to the setting I sat at the head of the table, Leif in my arms while I finished my beer, and felt incredibly thankful that I ht ale my life

There were still a lot of uncertainties in our lives: ould happen to Blaine, whether Eric would stop his vendetta, and how Alexa's next year in her PhD would go, or whether the partnership with Seneca would pan out as we hoped, but one thing was certain