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Amelia's POV
"Where is Xavier?" My father asked walking into the kitchen.

"Around the back on the grill," I replied watching as my mother removed Ace from his highchair holding him in her hands.

"I'm going to say hi," he announced kissing my cheek walking out.

"Mommy how is he?" I asked referring to my father as she walked around the counter standing infront of me.

"He's doing okay baby, I don't want you worrying about your father, he's lived a long life, " she said kissing my cheek and I forced her a smile as she walked through the back door, joining him, leaving me alone with my thoughts.

"Are you okay?" I heard Xavier ask after a minute of silence and I nodded as he moved over to me, pulling me into his embrace.

"You don't look okay," he whispered kissing my forehead.

"I'm okay, I'm just tired,"

"Why don't I ask your dad to work on the grill and I'll stay here and help you,"

"I'm okay," I said pulling away pecking his lips watching as his frowned deepened.

"I'm just tired," I said he sighed moving over to the fridge grabbing the barbecue sauce. I watched as he walked over to me once more placing the sauce on the counter his eyes staying with mine, as his hand moved to chin, his thumb running against my skin.

"Just appreciate him being here right now," he whispered kissing my forehead before walking out and I smiled. A knock sounded on the door and stepped away from the counter walking down the hall towards the front door pulling it open to see Samantha, Sebastian and Brent.

"Hey sweetheart," she greeted pulling me into a hug that I returned it, I pulled away as my eyes caught a fimiliar face walking towards us.
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Xavier's POV
I continued to flip the burgers as Amelia's father Alexander laughed at my joke.

"How are you feeling?" I asked him changing the mood of the conversation.

"Better than expected," he said and I nodded.

"When are you going to tell her it's no longer working?" I asked the thought of him dying hurting more than I would have liked, but over time the man became the father I never had.

"I've been trying to gain the courage to, but-"

"I understand," I said

"Can you tell her?" He asked

"I can barely tell her no," I said amused and he chuckled allowing me to change the topic once more.

"I'll probably have to ask Leonard to do it," he said tapping my shoulder, I was about to reply when the sound of Ace crying caught my ears.

"I'm going to make him a bottle," Amelia's mother said lifting him off the blanket he was sitting on and I nodded turning back to the grill.

"He eats as much as his mother," I told him chuckling and he laughed taking another sip from his bottle of water. I closed the grill my eyes catching Amelia as she walked towards us a male beside us who assumed to be Leonard and my family behind her.

"Hey Xavier," My mother said as Alexander and I moved over to them, I wiped my hand in the apron that was wrapped around my waist before pulling her into a quick hug.

"How are you Brent?" I asked pulling away to shake her husband's hand.

"Kiss the cook?" Sebastian asked amused looking at the words printed across the apron and I chuckled shaking his hand.

"It doesn't apply to you," I replied smiling.

"Need any help?" Brent asked.

"You can stock the cooler," I said and he nodded walking away with Sebastian, my mother trailing behind.

"You must be Leonard," I said outstretching my hand and he took it giving it a firm shake.

"Nice to meet you Xavier, I've heard a lot about you,"

"You have?"

"Yes Emerald speaks very highly of her big brother, the entire family does," he said as I released his hand.

"Good to know,"

"Xavier," I heard the voice I've grown to love screamed and I looked behind Leonard to see Emerald running towards me, I kneeled pulling her into a hug.

"You've gotten much taller," I said removing myself from the hug looking at her.

"I've grown three inches," she replied proudly and I chuckled

"Thirsty?" I asked and she nodded.

"Your parents are in the kitchen, I bought your favorite," I said and she smiled running off.

"I'm going to say hi to your parents," Leonard said to Amelia walking off.

"Okay so what do you think?" She asked and I opened my arms silently asking her to move into my embrace and she did wrapping her hands around my torso.

"He's okay," I said kissing her forehead and she laughed.

"What time is your dad getting here?"

"I don't didn't ask I just invited,"

"You would be a horrible party planner,"

"And that's why I have you," I whispered

"I'm hungry," she mumbled and I pulled away chuckling.

"Go get the plates," I said allowing her to leave. My eyes stayed on her appreciating the sway of her hips as she left.

My phone began buzzing and I quickly moved over to the table taking it into my hands, reading the message from my dad saying he wasn't going to make it, I sighed not really expecting any better.
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