Chapter 3: A Sullivan Family Dinner

Casey POV

"Mom, you look stunning as always," Casey says as he hugs her and kisses her cheek.

"Thank you, darling. Such a flatterer, you get that from your father. But your punctuality you get from me," Christine responds, beaming at her eldest child.

Christine Sullivan is a beautiful, statuesque woman wearing a sleeveless emerald green sheath dress and nude stilettos. Her auburn hair is done up in a stylish chignon and her neck is adorned in the diamond necklace her husband gifted her for their thirtieth wedding anniversary.

Casey has enjoyed being around his family again, but the pressure they put on him is a large part of why he joined the military. For as long as he can remember Casey has known that it is his duty to take over as CEO of Sullivan Solutions when his father retires. He tried to be the good son and heir that his parents demanded. Casey kept out of trouble and graduated with honors in high school, college, and business school. But when it came time to join the family company, Casey couldn't do it.

Instead, he enlisted in the army and wrote his parents a letter explaining it to them. They were not pleased, to say the least. However, being able to brag about their war hero son allowed them to accept it as Casey's career, temporarily. When he was medically discharged after being wounded last year his parents were ready to throw a party. Finally, their son would be taking his place at the family company and start preparing to take the reins from his father.

It has been quite a period of adjustment for Casey. Leaving the army after over a decade of service to return to the opulence of his family and their extravagant lifestyle. The world seems too soft to Casey, whether it be his mattress, his clothing, or that his sister's greatest worry is how many followers she has.

Family dinners have long been a staple in the Sullivan household. His mother demanded their presence each evening at seven o'clock. Only, his father had an easy time escaping her wrath when he was absent.

"Have you seen your father or your siblings?" his mother asks him as she sits primly by the fireplace in the living room attached to the dining room.

"I have not seen anyone else, but I am sure they will be here soon," Casey responds nonchalantly, while in his head he is desperately pleading with his siblings to appear.

"Well until they get here you can tell me what is going on in your life." Christine hones in on the opportunity to interrogate her son.

"Of course, mother. Can I get you a drink, first?" Casey asks, trying to avoid the inquisition.

Before his mother can answer a booming voice interjects:

"Well, I'll take a drink and make it a double. I don't care what it is as long as it's alcohol."

Casey rolls his eyes as his younger brother, Aidan Sullivan, makes his entrance.

The total antithesis of Casey, Aidan has always been the life of the party and practically allergic to taking anything seriously. He has the green eyes that all the Sullivan children inherited from their mother, along with her auburn hair. A few inches shorter than Casey, Aidan is also of slighter build. He knows he is attractive and charming and uses it to devastating effect with the woman of Boston. Aidan works at Sullivan Solutions in the public relations department, often used as the face of the Sullivan family.

"Aidan, please lower your voice and try to behave like a respectable gentleman." His mother admonishes, but without any real ire in her voice.

"Of course, mother. For you anything. Now since my brother seems to be lacking in capabilities as a respectable gentleman, may I get you a drink, my lady?" Aidan finishes his request with a bow before making his way over to the bar.

"I was offering her a drink before you interrupted," Casey informs his brother.

"I believe you entirely, dear brother. You have always been the more respectable child, but I worry all those years in the military may have made you forget your chivalrous duties," Aidan sarcastically responds.

"You sound utterly ridiculous, Aidan. Casey is the personification of chivalry." That mocking declaration comes with the entrance of Molly.

The youngest of the Sullivan children and the only girl. Aside from her mother's green eyes, Molly takes after her father with dark brown hair and alabaster skin. She is short standing at 5'3" and quite slight thanks to her years of studying dance. She is currently in her second year of law school at Harvard.

"Thank you, Molly. How about a drink to help you deal with our brother?" Casey asks, glad to have another sparring partner for Aidan.

"Yes and that is why you are my favorite," Molly replies with a flutter of her eyelashes.

"Mom can't you hear how they are picking on me," Aidan whines.

"Children please no fighting, teasing, or whining. I finally have all three of my children living under one roof again and I would like to enjoy it. So play nice and come sit down."

The children, who are all grown adults, swiftly listen to their mother. Armed with liquid courage, they are ready to endure a Sullivan family dinner. An event where each member is both ally and enemy, depending on the topic at hand.

"Isn't father joining us tonight?" Molly asks.

"He can't tonight Molly. Your father has an important meeting with an investor." Christine declares.

"I didn't know anything about a meeting with an investor." Casey is curious about this because his father has been insistent about including him in as much as possible.

"I don't know Casey. I don't question your father about his business dealings. If it is such a problem you can ask him about it when he gets home," Christine responds with a sharp tone.

Casey's return has led to a greater emphasis on the Sullivan family dinner and everyone knows better than to miss dinner without a good reason or face the wrath of Christine Sullivan. He does not know why his father is missing this dinner as it is clearly upsetting his mother. But asking his father about his whereabouts or business dealings can be like walking through a minefield. You never know what could set off an explosion. Casey decides to put aside his questions and just enjoy dinner with the rest of his family.

While they eat the four diners carry on a vibrant conversation with Aidan and Molly doing most of the talking. Gentle ribbing about Aidan's past exploits and Molly's current bemoans about her classes and homework.

"I understand it takes a lot of reading to become a lawyer, but I feel like I am spending all my time in the library. How am I supposed to have any kind of social life if I can never put my books down." Molly complains.

"Date a nerd. Problem solved." Aidan gleefully offers.

"Aidan, that is not a solution! How could you even think that?" Molly glares at her brother as she scolds him.

Listening to his little sister's complaints, Casey cannot help but note that at 23 she is the same age as Heather Winters. The brilliant accountant who captivated him was the picture of professionalism during their meeting and there was a gleam in her eye that suggested she is eager for the challenge his investigation presents. Heather seems older than her 23 years and he wonders what made her that way. He cannot imagine her complaining about her workload or how it affects her social life. Casey is so caught up in thoughts of Heather that he does not realize that his siblings' bickering has ceased and his mother is talking to him.

"I'm sorry mom I zoned out while these two were fighting. What did you say?" Casey asks while also throwing his siblings under the bus to avoid getting in trouble.

"I was asking when you last spoke to Meredith Dillon. I saw her last week at a charity luncheon. She looked absolutely lovely and she is single. You two were so happy together. Why don't you call her and set up a date?" his mother asks innocently with a gleam in her eye.

Casey should have seen this coming. His mother has wanted him to get back in touch with Meredith ever since he got home. If it had been up to her he and Meredith would have been married years ago and made her a grandmother. He has known Meredith almost his entire life and her father, Vincent, is the CFO of Sullivan Solutions. But Casey has no interest in getting back together with Meredith.

"Mom, I am still adjusting to working at the company and am not looking for a relationship right now. It wouldn't be fair to Meredith or any other woman." Casey responds calmly and reasonably.

"I understand that you are working a lot right now Casey, but that isn't going to be changing. Do you think you will work fewer hours when you become CEO? Believe me, you won't. Meredith works for the company and understands the demands of your career. She is the right choice for you, son. Plus, you aren't getting any younger. Don't you want to settle down and start a family?" his mother's tone is bordering on condescending.

"Yeah, Casey. You are 34, that's practically decrepit. You will be lucky to find a woman willing to put up with your downer of a personality and your advancing age. Thankfully, you are a billionaire so you should be able to find someone willing to put up with you." Aidan adds to the conversation, enjoying seeing his brother in the hot seat.

"Thank you, Aidan. That was very reassuring. Mom, I will think about calling Meredith." Casey decides to appease his mother to put an end to the conversation.

"Casey, it is time you think seriously about settling down. You have a duty to the Sullivan name. Meredith is an appropriate choice for a wife." his mother annoyingly reiterates.

"Mom, you sound like the Queen of England right now. Not that she's wrong. Meredith's great." Molly adds.

"Molly, as much as I appreciate your opinion, I can find a girlfriend." Casey's frustration is clear in his tone.

Molly's response is a question that brings Heather to mind, but Casey knows he won't share that with his family.

"Do you have anyone in mind, brother?"