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Carly’s arm, attempting to tease her out of her gloom. She jolts in surprise and gives him a dirty look. A second later, her heaviness eases and she gives him a little smile.
    As soon as everyone has food on their plates, Ahsan stands at the head of the table. “Well, since we’re here to celebrate Kiran and Anna’s engagement, I’d like to say a few short words, if I may.” With a glass of wine in his hand, he looks to me. “Anna, we couldn’t be happier to have you as our daughter.”
    “Thank you.” I nod and smile at Kiran, who sits beside me.
    “In you, Kiran has found a kind and compassionate soul, who also comes packaged with two grandchildren that Geena and I thought we may never have.” He eyes Carly and Hayden as everyone chuckles politely. “Granted, we didn’t get to watch them grow, but with any luck, we’ll have that opportunity with the little one in the next room. And Hayden, if you would also like to contribute a great-grandchild at some point…” He leans forward for emphasis. “But no pressure!”
    That gets Hayden some ribbing from everyone, and he actually blushes. The boy never blushes. “Ah, I think you may be waiting a while on that one.”
    “We can always dream,” Luke says.
    “I’d also like to thank Kiran and Anna for their hospitality,” Ahsan continues. “You’ve let us invade your home, longer than originally planned, and now you have yet another one of our family members as a houseguest.” Ahsan lifts his chin toward Seth. “Seth, I hope you’ll behave yourself.” He says this in jest, but there’s a hint of sternness to his words.
    Seth feigns a sober expression and raises his right hand, swearing to be on his best behavior. He then winks at Kiran, and Kiran is clearly amused by his cousin.
    Ahsan raises his glass. “To Kiran and Anna!”
    “To Kiran and Anna!” everyone echoes.
    A few minutes later, once everyone is absorbed in dinner and conversation, I lean into Kiran to interrupt his chat with Seth. “I’m gonna go check on Claire.”
    Hoping to discover that Claire has forgotten all about the loss of her iPad, I’m disappointed to find her on the couch lying on her side, still weeping quietly.
    “Claire, honey.” I sit on the floor beside her. “Don’t you want to come eat now? Grandma Geena made some really yummy lamb chops.”
    She breathes through her mouth as her chest rises and falls. “No.” Her voice is so full of emotion, she barely gets the word out.
    “Why not, sweetie?”
    She covers her eyes and her face contorts. “I just don’t, Nana!”
    I sit on the sofa beside her. “Come here, pumpkin.”
    Though still crying, she tries to hold in her sobs as she leans into me and I put my arm around her. The poor thing’s face is a red, blotchy mess. Carly appears at the edge of the room and watches silently with her arms folded in front of her.
    “I want… my… music,” Claire says between heavy breaths.
    “That’s okay. But you still have to eat.” I kiss the top of her head. “I’m sure Mommy and Daddy will let you have your music after dinner.”
    “Why?” she cries desperately. “I’m not hungry!”
    “Well, maybe you are and you just don’t know it.”
    Scowling, she looks at me like I’m crazy. However, the connection is very brief before her gaze wanders past me.
    “Come back with me and eat some dinner. Then I’m sure you can have your music.”
    She exhales one last shaky breath. “Okay. But I’m not hungry.”
    Standing up, I hold out my hand to her and she takes it. As we pass Carly, she and I exchange a silent conversation. I think she’s right; Claire needs to be evaluated. For what, I’m not exactly sure. Maybe she’s just a little high strung and that’s all, but if not, the earlier the problem is found, the better.
    ***
    “Do you think it’s normal, for her to be so obsessed with one thing like that?” Carly asks me as she takes a bite of ice cream. She and I sit at the kitchen island, while