Joseph called Jenny, when she answered, Joseph immediately began to complain, "When did you become so mean? You only invited Kate to dinner and ignored your nephew?"
"Nonsense, if you want to come, you are welcome at any time," Jenny was thrilled to have Joseph join them. However, Cassie was upset to hear her son would be there, she was afraid that he would find out her secret.
Kate pretended she knew nothing and didn't ask Cassie anything that might seem like she was prying. She most of the time chatting with Noelle unless she had to answer Cassie or Jenny.
Not long after Joseph arrived, still wearing his work suit. Kate figured he would have come right from the office.
"What a fine fellow my nephew is! Just as handsome as my brother," Jenny complimented with a smile.
"Why do you keep praising him?" Noelle complained. She was a little impatient and she was unhappy that Joseph was a bit late so she was starving. She didn't dare to look at Joseph, but said, "It is no use being handsome, a man should also be capable and talented."
In Noelle's eyes, Joseph was nothing more than a cold personality lately.
"Noelle, you should watch what you say. Joseph is older than you," Jenny said.
"Never mind, I do not take a child's words seriously," Joseph laughed.
"You are the child!" Noelle didn't like being treated as if she was younger. She made a face and stuck out her tongue at Joseph. Then she took Kate by the arm and said, "I will not let you sit with Kate today!"
Joseph frowned and turned to Kate as if he was asking for help. Kate pointed to the position next to Cassie, "Sit there."
Joseph's eyes flashed with uncertainty as if he was questioning not sitting next to her but he knew what Kate meant. She could sit with him every day but Cassie didn't have that opportunity; it was the same for her and Noelle.
Having her son next to her would hopefully lift Cassie's spirits, Kate thought. As an insider, Noelle also understood Kate's intentions. She naturally took the position with ease and had no intention of moving seats, leaving Joseph with no choice but to sit next to his smiling mother.
"Joseph, how's your work been going recently?"
"It's okay," Joseph couldn't hide the happiness on his face though," With your future daughter-in-law by my side, everything is much easier!"
"It's the power of love!" Cassie grinned from ear to ear.
"Oh wow! Someone really is a flirt no matter who is around," Noelle mumbled.
Joseph looked over with warning, "Don't you say whatever you want about Kate?"
"Yeah, that's me, and with Kate's support, I could do whatever I wanted. Are you jealous?" Noelle was happy to be annoying Joseph.
Joseph listened, squinting at her from time to time. His eyes were full of displeasure. Yet, Kate couldn't stop smiling, she thought the stories were funny.
After the wonderful dinner, Joseph said that he would take Kate home, he asked Cassie as well. She politely declined and didn't even try to get them to stay longer like she usually did. Joseph assumed she had an argument with Grandpa and was not in any rush to get home herself.
"So, we will see you tomorrow for Thanksgiving, right Mom?" Joseph asked Cassie.
Cassie immediately started to panic, she quickly replied, "I have other plans tomorrow, so…"
"That is okay, if you have other plans, we will take a trip to Phoenix!" Kate interrupted so that Cassie would not feel uncomfortable.
"That's great!" Cassie smiled as a thank you.
Joseph was surprised by Kate's comment but didn't ask her why she suddenly decided she wanted to go away.
Noelle added with a grin, "If you are traveling, are you going to take me? Don't worry, I will be invisible, you won't even know I am there!"
Kate was amused by her, she promised. "Of course, we can be together tomorrow."
"Well, I will prepare all of my travel essentials tonight!" Noelle beamed.
Joseph glanced at her disgustingly, "Don't you need to study hard for university? How do you always have time to join us?"
"Kate, it's late, you'd better go. That way you have time to enjoy your personal time," Noelle whispered then turned away from them. She didn't want to listen to Joseph's preaching.
Cassie and Jenny just stood, laughing as they teased each other.
**
On the drive home, Joseph nervously asked Kate, "Why do you suddenly want to go to Phoenix?"
"Well, don't you like it there?" Kate mentioned casually. She hadn't been there before, and she was curious. Plus, it wasn't that far from Aubi City, so they could take their time.
"I do like it!" Joseph answered, still a bit surprised, he said," Let's go to the Phoenix tomorrow then!"
"Really?" She was not sure if he would really go.
"I will go anywhere with you," Joseph smiled.
"Well, you don't want to have Noelle come with us, do you?" Kate asked.
Joseph frowned when he heard Noelle's name. "Why did she want to come with
us? Doesn't she know that we need time alone?"
"But she's your sister, and she has worked hard to get us together. We should thank her," Kate had always been close with Noelle and would stick up for her no matter what.
Joseph nodded in agreement.
"Well, since Noelle is coming, why don't we ask Lisa and Nick too? The more the merrier!" Kate suggested.