“She does know what family she is dealing with, right?” Finn laughed.
“Oh she does,” Landen replied with a chuckle. “But she is forever the optimist that she will make us the perfect family. For Christmas, she plans on having us all in matching Christmas jumpers.”
“Never going to happen!” Finn replied as he threw his head back, laughing out loud.
“Yeah, maybe not,” Landen replied with a sigh. “I don’t see Callum wearing acrylic jumpers with Santa on his chest. Maybe if it was made of cashmere, you might have a better chance.”
Both brothers laughed at this thought.
“So, can I tell her you will come tonight?” Landen pushed. Finn knew that saying no was not an option.
“Sure, I’ll be there,” Finn replied as he checked his watch. “But right now, I need to get ready for my next class.”
“Okay,” Landen said, and Finn heard a trace of excitement in his brother’s voice. “I will see you tonight. Seven o’clock.”
“See you then,” Finn said, before he hung up the phone, returning to his day. He had a class to get ready for, and a busy day ahead. All thoughts of Ms. Warner and dinner with his family were quickly pushed to the back of his mind. At least, for now.
Chapter 2
It was a little before seven, when Finn pulled his car up the long, winding driveway of his brother’s home, then came to a stop in front of Landen’s two-story house. He switched off the engine, releasing a long sigh. He felt tired and would have liked nothing more than to go home, have a cold beer, then head to bed, but that would have to wait.
Starting back to the routine of classes after a quiet summer was always tiring. He had spent the last few weeks of the summer planning and preparing for the semester ahead, but even so, getting back into the classroom could be exhausting. Still, an evening with his family didn’t seem like such a bad idea. He liked that they had all grown closer. Even Callum, who was so serious all the time, seemed a little more laid back these days.
Finn pushed open the door, climbing out of his car. As he slammed the door shut, hitting the central locking, the roar of a motorbike came from behind him. Before he even turned, he knew it was Dylan on his donor cycle, as his father called it. Sean Murphy could not understand how a surgical resident, someone who put people back together after road traffic accidents, could ever think riding a motorbike was a good idea.
When he turned, he smiled as he walked slowly towards his brother, as Dylan pulled his bike to a stop behind Finn’s car.
“Hey,” Dylan shouted through his helmet, as he reached up, opening the strap beneath his chin, then lifted the helmet from his head. “I see you got summoned here too. I wonder what’s going on.”
“What do you mean, what’s going on?” Finn asked as his brother handed him his helmet before he climbed off his motorbike. “Amelia just wanted us all to get together.”
“You are so naïve, Big Brother,” Dylan laughed as he unzipped his leather jacket. “They summoned us here for a reason, and I think I know what it is.”
“Oh,” Finn laughed. “Do tell.”
“I think Amelia is going to try to fix us up with her friends once again,” Dylan said with a grin. “She was at Mom and Dad’s last week, she was saying that maybe it was about time we all settled down too.”
“You think she has four single friends in there,” Finn laughed out loud, totally amused by his brother’s crazy theory. “Like she has them lined up, waiting for us to arrive. How will it work, first to arrive, gets the pick of them?”
“It could happen,” Dylan said as he reached out, taking his helmet back. “You know Amelia when she gets an idea into her head.”
“Relax Romeo,” Landen said suddenly from behind Finn and Dylan. “Amelia doesn’t have a steady supply of friends for you losers. She just wanted to have you all come to dinner, so you can stop planning your escape before you even get here.”
“Hey Loser,” Dylan said with a grin as he turned, smiling at his eldest brother. “You look happy.”
“That’s because I am happy,” Landen replied as he greeted both his brothers with a hug. “And I’m also impressed you two are both here early. I was sure we would need a search party for at least one of you.”
“Miracles can happen,” Finn laughed as he followed his brother into his home, followed closely by Dylan.
Finn loved Landen’s new house. It was so different from the penthouse he used to live in until he met Amelia. It was warm and welcoming, unlike the sterile, cold penthouse. Finn could never understand how Landen liked living so far above the rest of the world. He preferred the comfort a house offered, which is why when he decided to buy somewhere to live, he chose his townhouse not too far from Stanford.
It was small compared to Landen’s house, but it was perfect for him. His favourite part was the little patio in the back of the house. The back of the house was south facing, meaning his little piece of paradise got the sun all day long. Finn loved to sit on the patio, working on the weekends, looking out over his beautifully manicured back garden.
Unfortunately, despite Finn’s many qualities and talents, and his extremely high IQ, the one thing Finn didn’t have was green fingers. It was a standing joke between his brothers that Finn was the only person who could let a plastic plant die.
Because of this, Finn paid a gardener to come in once a week to tend to his garden. He also had a cleaner that came in two times a week. Callum always insisted that Finn needed to hire a full-time housekeeper, but Finn didn’t like the idea of having someone always there in his home. He like to be alone sometimes, plus he was happy with his world as it was.
“You made it!” Amelia exclaimed as she appeared through the doorway to the living room. “And you’re early.”
“I’m always early,” Finn sighed and smiled, as he hugged Amelia. “I can’t say the same about Dylan though.”
“Hey, I’m busy saving lives,” Dylan grumbled as he too hugged Amelia. “So I think I should get a pass for even showing up at all.”
“How do they ever manage without you, Little Brother?” Landen laughed as he slapped Dylan on the back. “But we are grateful that you could grace us with your presence tonight. And for the fact you showered and changed, instead of turning up in bloody scrubs again.”
“It was one time,” Dylan sighed, as Finn and Landen laughed.
“Oh leave him alone,” Amelia said as she linked arms with Dylan, giving Landen a scolding look. “He came, that’s all that matters. I just hope Callum and Liam make it too.”
“Is Mom and Dad here?” Finn asked as he looked at his older brother.
“They are,” Landen replied, nodding towards the living room. “They got here a few minutes ago.”
Landen led Finn and the others into the living room, to where Nell and Sean Murphy were waiting for all their children to arrive. The minute they saw Finn and Dylan walking into the living room, they were on their feet to greet their two sons.
“Hello, Sweetheart,” Nell said as she hugged Finn tightly. “You look tired. Are you getting enough sleep?”
“I’m fine, Mom,” Finn replied with a smile. “I’ve just been busy with school.”
Finn knew that while his mother loved all her children equally, she had a special place in her heart for him. He knew she saw him differently than the rest of his brothers. Growing up, Finn wasn’t rough and ready like his four brothers. They were all about sports and anything that involved the great outdoors. Finn, on the other hand, preferred books and knowledge.
They discovered at a young age that Finn was gifted. He was reading by the time he was two, solving complicated equations by the time he was five. They had considered sending him to a school for gifted kids, but Nell had insisted that she wanted him to have a normal life. By the time he was in the third grade, he had jumped two levels in school and was now in Landen’s class.
Most boys Landen’s age would have hated to have his kid brother being in his class, trailing behind him
everywhere he went, but Landen didn’t. Instead, he took care of Finn. At least he did until Finn left for college at fifteen, a whole year before Landen did.
It didn’t matter that Finn was now six foot one, with broad shoulders and a body like Thor. Nell still saw the little boy who was quiet and shyer than the rest of her boys.
“Just tell me you are taking care of yourself,” Nell said as she held her son at arm’s length. “I do worry about you.”
“I promise, Mom,” Finn assured her before he turned to greet his father, while his mother turned her attention to her youngest son. “Hey, Dad.”
“Hey, son,” Sean said as he hugged his son too. “How’s work? Have they made you department head yet?”
“Not yet, Dad,” Finn replied with a smile. “I need some of those old dinosaurs to retire before that can happen.”
“I will keep my fingers crossed,” Sean promised before his eyes traveled up to his son’s hair. Finn sighed, knowing what was coming next.”
“Maybe if you cut your hair,” Sean said, with a grin on his face. “They might not think you’re one of those hippy guys and make you department head sooner.”
“I don’t think that’s how it works, Dad,” Finn laughed as he walked to the sofa, sitting down.
Finn and his Dad were close too. Sean Murphy was a strict, but a caring father. He had been a cop most of his life until he was made Police Commissioner about ten years earlier, but after a health scare three years ago, Sean retired. Now he spent his days, golfing, playing tennis, and worrying about his five sons.
Finn knew that his dad hated his long hair. Not that it was as long as it used to be, now it was just above his shoulders. Finn liked his hair longer, he also liked his beard, even if his dad didn’t. His hair was a light brown colour, with some blonde highlights, bleached from the Californian sun. His green eyes stood out beneath his long hair. Finn knew he was attractive, though not in a big-headed kind of way. He knew all his brothers were attractive, but he lacked the confidence that the others had. He preferred books to people. You always knew where you stood with a good book.
“So why have we all been summoned here?” Dylan asked as he took the spot on the sofa next to Finn. “And more importantly, when are we being fed? I haven’t eaten a thing all day, I am famished.”
“We are just waiting for Callum and Liam,” Landen said as he sat down on the other sofa facing his two brothers. Finn picked up an edge in his brother's voice, as he caught a glance between his brother and his wife. There was something they weren’t saying yet.
Finn was about to question them when the doorbell sounded.
“Speak of the Devil,” Landen said. He was immediately back on his feet. Something was definitely going on with him, and Finn’s curiosity was piqued. Landen quickly hurried out to answer the front door, then moments later he returned followed by Callum and Liam.
“You’re together,” Sean said as he stood up to greet his other two sons.
“I was out at a business lunch,” Callum explained. “And I had a couple of beers, so I asked Liam to collect me on the way.”
“Good boy,” Nell said with a proud smile. “I’m proud of you for leaving the car behind.”
All the boys knew how much their mother detested drink driving. It was the one thing that was guaranteed to piss her off when they were teenagers learning to drive. Especially after Landen was hurt in a car accident while he was in high school.
While he was pretty beaten up, his injuries thankfully weren’t life threatening, but that didn’t change how freaked out Nell had been. After that, she drilled it into them every chance she could that drinking, and driving was never an option.
Once everyone had said their hellos, Amelia suggested everyone moved into the dining room, as dinner was almost ready. When everyone was seated, Landen’s housekeeper, Carla, began serving dinner.
While they ate, they all chatted about how they were getting on in their jobs. Landen and Nell were talking about a court case Landen had, Sean and Liam were talking about the latest case Liam was working on. Finn knew that his dad loved that Liam had become a cop like him, even if Nell wasn’t quite so happy about it.
Callum and Dylan were deep in conversation about some guy they both knew.
“So, Finn,” Amelia said as she turned to Finn during dessert. “How are things with you?”
“Good,” Finn replied, giving his sister-in-law a warm smile. “It feels good to be back in the classroom.”
“And what about in the love department?” Amelia asked with a grin. “Are you seeing anyone?”
“No,” Finn replied with a laugh. He found it funny that Amelia was almost as obsessed as his mom was when it came to Finn and his brothers’ love life. She was determined to see them all settled down. “I’m not dating anyone, and I don’t want to date anyone either.”
He knew that wasn’t strictly true, but he also didn’t want to be fixed up with some random woman either.
“I have this friend…” Amelia began to say, but Finn quickly stopped her.
“Amelia, I don’t want to be set up,” he insisted, but Amelia wasn’t going to be put off that easily.
“But she is so lovely,” Amelia pushed. “Her name is Louise. She is a primary school teacher. I met her in my yoga class. She was living in Seattle, but she moved down here a couple of months ago…”
“I said I’m not interested,” Finn insisted, but he knew from the look on her face, Amelia was never going to take no for an answer.
“Please,” Amelia said, giving Finn that look she always gave him; the one he just couldn’t say no to. “It’s just drinks.”
“Fine!” He sighed, then laughed when he saw the biggest grin spread across Amelia’s face. “You know, my big brother has his hands full with you.”
“Oh you have no idea,” she chuckled as she looked across the table at Landen, and her smile widened to one of complete happiness and love.
Landen gave her a knowing grin before he took a deep breath and stood up.
“Can I just say a few words?” He said as he looked suddenly beyond nervous. “I just want to say thank you to you all for coming here tonight at such short notice. Amelia is right; we really don’t do this enough. However, there is another reason why we asked you all to come here tonight.”
“Is everything okay?” Nell asked as a worried look settled onto her face. Finn knew his mother still worried after the problems Landen and Amelia had from the year before. While Pete Reynolds was no longer an issue, she knew given Landen’s job and his reputation, he often crossed people, so she was scared for them. He knew it was something she would always worry about. Being a Lawyer, and living with a cop, she knew only too well, lunatics like Pete Reynolds could appear at any time. If he was honest, Finn could understand her fears because he remembered how scared he had been for them both too.
“Everything is fine, Mom,” Landen assured her as he walked around the table to where Amelia was sitting, with the biggest grin on her face. “We just have some news that we really wanted to share with you all.”
“Oh!” Sean said as he set his napkin down on the table. “Then spit it out, Son.”
“Well, Dad,” he said as he set his hand on Amelia's shoulder, smiling at her before he turned back to the rest of his family. “Amelia and I were wondering how you and Mom would feel about becoming grandparents?”
“Are you serious?” Nell said as she was on her feet within seconds, walking around the table to her eldest son. “I would love it more than you could even imagine.”
She hugged Landen, then Amelia, as she fought to hold back the tears of happiness that were dancing in her eyes.
Finn watched his mother closely. He loved how happy she seemed. Then he looked at Landen, and the look of pure joy that shone from his brother’s face was unlike any he had ever seen before.
Maybe meeting this Louise girl for a drink was not the worst idea in the world. If she was friends with Amelia, Finn was pretty sure she was a nic
e girl.
Everyone was on their feet, hurrying around the table to congratulate Landen and Amelia.
“I think this calls for a celebration!” Sean exclaimed with pride as he wrapped his arm around Nell’s shoulder.
“We have champagne,” Landen replied, just as Carla, Landen’s house keeper appeared in the doorway, carrying a tray with champagne flutes, and a bottle of Bollinger. Sean insisted that he did the honor of popping the cork to celebrate his first grandchild.
“To Amelia and Landen,” Sean said once they all had their glasses filled. “May this be the first of many grandchildren, may the baby always know how much it is loved, and how welcome it is.”
“To Amelia and Landen,” everyone repeated as they all raised their glasses.
“So, I will tell Louise that you will call her?” Amelia asked as she and Landen walked Finn to the front door a couple of hours later.
“You’re not trying to fix him up again, are you?” Landen laughed as he reached for the handle of the door.
“Actually, I don’t mind,” Finn said, and he could see the surprise on his brother’s face. “Tell her I will call her tomorrow.”
“See, sometimes I do have good ideas,” Amelia said, as she gave Landen a playful slap on the arm then stuck out her tongue.
“Are you sure you should be driving,” Nell said as she followed them all to the door. “You were drinking champagne.”
“I had half a glass, Mom,” Finn assured her, as he kissed her on the cheek once more. “I’ll be fine.”
“Call me when you get home,” Nell pleaded with her son.
“I will, I promise,” Finn replied as he walked down the front steps of his brother’s home, to his car. He turned back, looking up at his older brother and smiled. “I’m happy for you, Landen. Be sure to take care of her. You’ve definitely got a keeper.”
“Thanks, Finn,” Landen replied with a nod before Finn turned to climb into his car.
Finn Page 2
