She had not actually gotten this far in envisioning this moment. Taking all the confidence she had - which was usually a lot, but family gatherings had a way of sapping it from her - Zelda stood up. "Can I talk to you in the hallway for a minute?"

She had to end this. She had to end this so that Alfred could leave before he got both of them in trouble. She had to end this so that there was any potential of him asking that question and Brannon saying yes.

"Mr. Darrow can have my seat for the moment," she added. And maybe on her way out she would have an opportunity to kick Ari in the shins.

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