“Let’s have a baby,” Donald said with a teasing grin. “That way, you’ll have another family member to keep you company.”

Jennifer frowned, taking him seriously. “Don’t say that. I don’t want kids, and I don’t want to give birth. Right now, I just—”

“Alright, alright,” Donald cut her off before she could finish, a flash of disappointment and sadness in his eyes that he quickly hid. “You’re being too serious again.”

Seeing this, Jennifer said nothing more. She wasn’t going to have a child, regardless. She liked Donald, but that didn’t mean she was going to have his baby. She wasn’t the type to lose her head over a guy.

A little while later, Cheryl entered. Donald looked his sister up and down, his gaze lingering on her noticeably rounder waist, looking confused. Cheryl quickly shot Jennifer a pleading look.

Jennifer interjected, “Cheryl’s just put on a little weight. She should probably go on a diet. Alright, let’s get going.” She linked arms with Donald, who didn’t think much of it.

When Cathy heard Jennifer was coming, she finally managed a small smile. Even Hayden came over, leaning on Werner for support. Irene showed up too. Cheryl glanced around and asked, “Irene, where’s Jonathan?”

“He’s on a business trip in Everport. He won’t be back,” Irene replied.

Cheryl sighed in relief. With Jonathan away, he wouldn’t be here to bring up her buying that shop in Lonisburg.

Donald held Jennifer’s hand and said, “This is my dad, and this is my grandpa.” Then he turned to Hayden. “Grandpa, this is my girlfriend, Hannah Johnston.”

Jennifer shot Donald a look, frowning slightly, and then said, “Hello, nice to meet you all.”

Hayden took Jennifer’s hand, looking her over. “Hannah, Teresa’s sister, right? You do look like Teresa. Where’s Teresa? Didn’t she come?”

Jennifer felt a bit awkward, but Donald quickly said, “Grandpa, Jonathan isn’t here, so how could Teresa come?”

Hayden didn’t seem to mind. He just looked a little regretful, then smiled and said, “Come on, have a seat.”

“Happy birthday, Mrs. Lynn,” Jennifer said, handing over her gift.

Donald grinned. “Mom, Jennifer asked me what size you wear, and I told her purple, so she picked out a purple one just for you.”

Cathy’s eyes crinkled with a smile, but before she could say anything, Irene snatched up the sweater and sneered, “A sweater for your future mother-in-law’s birthday? Seriously? And it’s not even good material. Didn’t she give you a gold necklace worth tens of thousands?”

Jennifer clenched her fists. She’d known Irene would find a way to pick on her today. Donald squeezed her hand, giving her a “just let it go” look.

Jennifer took a deep breath. Cathy smiled and said, “I really like this sweater. It’s the thought that counts, not the price. Alright, everyone, let’s sit down.”

Cheryl, who was behind Jennifer, sat down quickly, loosening the straps of her denim dress for relief.

Irene turned to Cheryl and asked what birthday present she’d brought, since she hadn’t seen Cheryl take anything out. Cheryl explained she’d already given Cathy a bracelet. Irene asked, “How much did it cost? Was it more expensive than what your future sister-in-law got?”

“All you ever talk about is money,” Hayden said, clearly annoyed. “They just graduated. How much cash do you think they have? If you’re so loaded, how come I’ve never seen you buy me an emerald piece?”

Irene pressed her lips together, holding back her irritation, and didn’t say another word.

“Eat, Hannah,” Hayden said, putting some food in Jennifer’s bowl. Jennifer thanked him, not standing up or acting the least bit flattered.

Donald was busy peeling shrimp for Jennifer, removing the shells and heads before putting them in her bowl. He even painstakingly peeled a Crystal Lake crab for her, bit by bit, and set it in her bowl too.

Cheryl piped up, “Donald, I want some crab too. Peel one for me.”

But Donald’s attention was all on Jennifer. “Ask Dad to do it for you. My hands are full.” Cheryl grumbled, “But I want the one you peel. Come on, just get me a crab.”

Jennifer shot Cheryl a look and glared. “You can’t eat crab.”

Cheryl suddenly remembered something and nodded. “Alright, I won’t eat it.”

Jennifer glared at her again. “Just sit still, will you?”

Cathy watched, a little stunned. She took a sip of water. ‘Well, my future daughter-in-law, who hasn’t even married in yet, just glared at my daughter twice right in front of me. Honestly, it feels a bit…’ she wondered.

Irene, sitting next to Cathy, smirked. “What a great daughter-in-law, huh? Dad serves her food and she doesn’t even bother to stand up. Even Cheryl has to watch her mood. Wow, she’s not even married in yet and already acts like the lady of the house. Guess everyone in the Lynn family is just here to wait on her.”

Jennifer’s face darkened. She shot Irene a look, telling her to shut up. She really didn’t want to argue here.