FORTY TWO
Julia
The silence in the dining room was resounding as Ryan and I were seated side by side, while I was directly opposite my father.
I stayed so still, almost holding my breath at the intensity of the unspoken words that seemed to hang in the air.
Just when it thought the atmosphere was going to implode from the tension, Mom walked with the twins, who were now clad in a fresh set of warm clothes, their faces lighting up with smiles.
"Grandpa!" Lucien squealed, breaking my father's stoic gaze from us as he turned his attention to Lucien, who was barreling towards him with a wide grin as though he'd only just noticed his grandfather.
"Lucien, my boy, come here!" he chuckled, pushing his seat some inches back to open his arms wide. Lucien giggled in pure joy when he was tickle
