“I wouldn’t hear of it.”

Oliver gushed with sincerity. “That’s so kind of you.”

“You betcha.” She gently touched Oliver’s shoulder and left.

Marge said, “What some people won’t do for a free doughnut.”

“We offered to pay. She refused.”

“I offered to pay,” Marge corrected.

“Yeah, you’re the good cop, I’m the bad cop. We’ve already established that. Can we move on, please?”

Marge smiled. “Make sure she puts in a maple cruller.”

“I have to make sure?”

“You’re the lady-killer, Scott. If you ask nicely, I bet she’ll put in two.”

CHAPTER FORTY-SIX

THE GROUP HAD just polished off the chocolate cake—with half the restaurant joining in for an off-key happy birthday—and was sipping coffee when Cindy clinked her spoon against a water glass to get the table’s attention. Decker regarded his first daughter and all of his children with love and pride. The time had gone by too quickly. Even Cindy’s pregnancy seemed to be flying by. Over the past week, she had popped.

She said, “As the eldest of the Decker clan, I thought I’d go first.” She and Koby exchanged smiles. “I’ll make this quick because I know that the boys have a plane to catch. As you all know, Koby and I are expecting.”

“Here, here,” Decker said, hitting the table. His skin felt moist and he was in a jolly mood, no doubt from the wine. But it was his birthday and a big one. Rina insisted that she’d drive home so he should enjoy himself.

Jacob said, “And it’s about time, I might add.”

“You should talk.”

“What do you mean? I’m not married.”

“Exactly. Your brother got with the plan. What’s your excuse?”

“I’m psychologically immature.”

“It hasn’t stopped me,” Decker joined in.

Rina said, “Can Cindy finish, please?”

“Thank you, Rina,” Cindy said. “We have some other news.”

Decker perked up. “About what?”

“About the baby, of course.”

The table went silent.

Cindy said, “Last month when Koby and I went to the OB for my routine visit, the OB picked up two heartbeats.”

“Oh no!” Jacob said. “Your baby has two hearts?”

This time she slugged his shoulder. “I’m having twins.”

The group erupted into a hearty round of mazel tovs. “What a wonderful birthday present!” Decker exclaimed. “You may have taken your time, my girl, but you sure did it right.”

“Thank you, Daddy.”

“I am so happy!” Decker exclaimed.

“I’m glad.” Cindy laughed. Dad was a little tipsy. “We have other news. Do you want to tell them, Koby?”

“You do all the work. You tell them.”

Okay.” Cindy paused. “The babies are sharing the same placenta.”

Rina said, “So they’re identical twins.”

“Oh my God, that’s crazy!” Hannah exclaimed.

“Crazy?” Decker asked.

“Crazy as in so neat!”

“Neat for you, but expensive for me,” Koby said.