The Supper, Part I

The days had shortened in the blink of an eye. When Conan and Sassara exited the metro, the public lighting was on. They walked fast under their umbrella, but it wasn't enough to protect them. 

A massive facade finally came into view. The rain and night fed the magnanimous light of the red, neon sign. 

'Brasserie George'. 

They hurried under the letters. Left behind the cold and the darkness. And the nightmare turned into a dream. A feast.

The brasserie was grand. Both in size, and ceiling height. Extravagant. With large chandeliers, a mosaic floor and filled to the brim with countless upholstered benches. The white linen of tables disappeared under meats, sauces and deserts too beautiful to eat. Grapes, harvests and beer danced on the painted ceiling. 

People ate, laughed and drank while meticulous waiters meandered through tables. 

Conan was not sneezing anymore. He hoped the rain had not made it worse. He removed his black coat. A dark grey costume under. Sassara wore a black dress and heels. Conan looked down at her stockings and soaked feet. They had ran in a couple puddles.

"I'm sorry about your feet, beautiful."

She shook her head, and water droplets flew. "I could run with you under the rain all night, you know?" And kissed his cheek.

He knew. So would he. Conan wrapped his arm around Sassara's waist. They reached the reception. "Good evening Sir," said Conan. We apologise for being late. The rest of our party should already be seated under the name, Walsh."

The waiter checked the book, hair plastered to the back. He tilted his head. "Yes, let me show you the way."

They followed the waiter across the restaurant. Conan spotted Fiona long before they arrived. She sat at the head of the table. 

In another life, his Dad would be seated there. 

Fiona had Dave on her right, and Orla on her left. His sister was not accompanied by Mr. Jokes. Bummer.  Rian sat next to Orla. There was nothing yet on the table, aside from a few drinks, and a small flower pot.

There were a lot of people, and Sassara lagged. But only an instant. She smiled in anticipation. Conan had longed for this moment as well. 

Arm still around her waist, they hurried to his family.

Fiona and Dave stood up first. His mother kissed the both of them. "Oh Sassara darling you're soaked!" 

Sassara laughed. "It's ok Fiona. I'll dry my shoes under the table."

 "Still! Conan why on Earth did you not take a taxi?"

 "I didn't want to spend money." 

Orla came up to them. She was like her mother. Red curls and freckles. "Ah look at you, saving up on taxi money like a greedy old Dwarf." She hugged Conan. 

"Jokes on you Orla." He looked at Sassara. "Dwarves are the new sexy."

Sassara contained her laughter. "I'm so happy to finally meet you Orla," she said kissing her.

"And the boogie girl finally appears!"

"Oh Conan told you?" She turned to the culprit. "How much did you tell her?"

"I'm sorry beautiful, that falls under brother-sister confidentiality."

Rian, approached them. He looked a lot like Conan. Except for his man bun. Conan hugged his big brother, and realised they were now the same height. Rian's slender silhouette disappeared in his arms. 

"It's been a long time," Rian said as he sent a few pats on his brother's back. "Did you eat someone to grow this big?"

"I wouldn't tell you if I had," Conan checked around the table. "Lisa couldn't come?"

"No she stayed behind with our friends in Savoy."

Of course she did.

"Ah." He paused. "Alright." 

Sassara bounced in, trying to alleviate the conversation. "Tell her Sassara says hello when you see her. I wish I could've met her tonight."

Rian smiled and greeted Sassara with two kisses. "Thank you. I will. And thank you for taking care of my brother."

He was so happy to see her chat with his family. They were all dressed well, and Sassara looked beautiful. It was hard to keep his hands off her. He moved from her waist, to the crease in her lower back. 

"I won't lie to you. He's a pain most of the time." She turned to Conan. "But he does my math homeworks. So I forgive him."

Conan laughed and caressed her back with his thumb. He felt her shiver. Rian looked at the two youths enamoured with each other. "Alright," Rian said. "How about you guys sit? Like this we can order."

The tardies sat next to each other. 

They caught up about their lives. The menus arrived.

"Is it ok to order the kids wine," asked Orla to their mother. Rian smiled.

"Orla, they're eighteen, and your little brother is twice your size."

"Thank you Fiona," Conan said.

"Let's order a bottle of champagne to toast, darling," Dave said. Conan liked him. He was everything his Father was not. Soft, compassionate, and British. He never talked much. But that's not what Conan asked of him. He took good care of his mother. That's all that mattered.

"Dave, you are a man with great ideas," Sassara said.

"Why, thank you Sassara. Alas, I'm never invited to play UNO with you guys."

"What," asked Orla and turned to Fiona. Both her and Rian appeared confused. 

"I sometimes play UNO with Sassara and Conan," she answered and chuckled. "But I forget to say Uno. So I mostly lose."

"Oh," said Orla. Rian looked at her. Impassive. "That's great. Wish I had seen it myself."

Conan frowned. Her tone was light.  But there was something of a remark. Rian was still expressionless. Conan gazed at Sassara who listened and watched his family drama slowly unravel. 

Her eyes locked in his. They asked if things were ok. So she could feel it too then. Of course she could. 

As the mother, Fiona felt it too and, recentred the topic on Orla. "How is William? I wish he could have come."

"Me too. But our boss called him last minute." Orla said. She checked Conan. To see if he would comment like he always did. 

But no. Conan was happy with Sassara. He had no need to stomp on his sister's happiness anymore. Orla could marry tomorrow, or in fifty years, it wouldn't make a difference to him.

"Oh fair enough so you're both in the same company," said Sassara, curious. "What is it like to work with your fiance?"

"It's a lot of fun." She laughed. "And when things turns sour, it's always a good test for the relationship. Makes us grow." She started playing with her engagement ring. It seemed unconscious. 

The champagne arrived. They raised their glasses.

Fiona did the toast. "I thank all my children, for freeing up their busy schedules so we could have a nice diner all together. Let's also toast for Conan and Sassara, and wish him the best of luck for their final exams. You too, Sassara" 

"They're still quite far away," Conan argued, but he raised his glass nonetheless.

They were about to clink their glasses.

"Wait," Orla said. "I want to make a toast as well."

Conan looked at Rian. Did he knew something? Rian shrugged. Dammit why was he always so passive about everything?

"First of all, I want to thank Sassara for taking good care of our little brother. Rian and I cannot be around much. But if you stay by his side, then I don't have to worry about him anymore."

She worried?

Sassara, not wanting to interrupt her, nodded fast with a big smile.

"Second, I am proud to announce William and I have finally set the date for our wedding." She rummaged in her bag, and handed to each of them a wedding invitation. 

Fiona looked like a kid unwrapping her Christmas gift. Conan read the letter. His eyes opened wide in surprise. 

Her mother was bewildered as well. "December? But how come? It's so soon! And cold! And you always dreamed of a spring wedding!"

"I know, I know," said Orla. "That is because of the third and last toast I want to give." She turned to Rian. "Can you pass me the flowers?"

Rian did so, confused, like the rest of them. She grabbed the flower pot.

And dumped her champagne inside.

Conan placed both his hands on the table. 

Wait. 

 Rian panicked as well. "What?"

Fiona grabbed the table's corner. "Honey?" Her voice shook.

"I can't drink," she shouted. I'm pregnant!"