Finley was surprised. He had expected resistance. A request to postpone. Maybe even a polite excuse involving medical restrictions. Instead, Axel agreed as if he'd been waiting for this call.
"…Alright then," Finley said slowly. "We'll arrive around lunchtime."
"I'll ask the chef to prepare a family lunch," Axel replied. Then he paused, his voice lowering just slightly. "But Finley, can you warn them not to ask her about her pregnancy?"
Finley winced. He could already picture his father's blunt mouth and his grandfather's emotional questions.
"I'll try," Finley said honestly. "Though convincing them might require a miracle, not a warning."
Axel's low chuckle came through the line. "Do your best. I'd rather not throw anyone out of my house today."
Finley laughed. "Noted. I will make sure you won't do that today."
"Thanks..."
They ended the call.
Finley turned back toward the main room, bracing himself. Negotiating with a bunch of hungry politicians was easy.
