Chapter 44

JULIA

Whatever they'd said to each other in the bedroom, apparently settled them. Master and Cindy no longer looked like they were stepping on a hot plate barefooted. The house got clean, the food got cooked, and everything was ready when people started showing up. All the parents rubbed my belly like it was good luck when they came in. The meal went well, everyone eating until they couldn't eat another bite, except Cedric. He was more interested in the presents. I was so excited; maybe as excited as he was. I was hoping to really surprise Shasta with her gift and hoped Cedric would love his.

There were lots of hands in the kitchen to clean up after. Master made eggnog in a punch bowl and set it out to drink as we opened presents. The first present Cedric opened was a baseball glove and soft rubber ball Cindy gave him. He immediately wanted to play catch with someone. Dan said he'd play catch, but they'd have to wait until everyone opened their presen