Chapter 58: Sibling Chat

 "Martin, you mentioned your law firm earlier—so you're a lawyer now?" Claire, ever the caring older cousin, pried into his career. 

"Yeah. After majoring in history, I got into Harvard Law five years ago. Just earned my JD this year. Now I'm a senior associate at Pearson Hardman." Martin laid out his academic and professional journey without holding back. 

Claire and Phil listened in growing astonishment, barely recognizing the shy, awkward boy from nine years ago. Coming from wealth, Claire knew the prestige of the "Big Four" law firms. A 25-year-old JD grad? A senior associate in six months? Unheard of. 

When Martin mentioned handling a $100 million hotel merger, Claire fist bumped him on his arm. "Oh my God! I always knew you were smart!" 

Phil merely smiled, unfazed by his wife's antics. 

Martin could also only smile, not like he could beat his own trumpet or worse tell the truth. Glancing around, he gestured broadly. "This place is great. You guys… you've built a happy family." 

"Absolutely!" Phil seized the spotlight. "A gorgeous wife, three amazing kids—all gifts from God. And let's not forget the hardworking, *perfect* dad who keeps it all together!" 

Martin said sounding happy for the couple . "Phil, I could learn so much from you. You'll have to be my marriage counselor someday!" 

Phil puffed up, mimicking an Italian bow. "Anytime, Martin!" 

The conversation turned to Martin's love life. Claire's blissful marriage clashed with his libertine ethos. In past lives, he'd ditched girlfriends for suffocating rules. Now? Strictly "no strings attached"—a truth too crude for family. 

"Work's just… hectic," Martin deflected, stirring awkward silence. 

They skirted the real elephant: the family rift from Mitchell's coming-out fiasco. Phil's rambling about Luke's birthday mishaps failed to lighten the mood. 

Martin cut through the tension. "How's Uncle Jay?" 

Claire hesitated, glancing at Phil. Martin recalled *Modern Family*'s plot: Jay, now 63, had divorced and remarried a Colombian bombshell decades younger, with an adopted son to boot. Mitchell, the gay lawyer, rounded out the "modern" chaos. 

"I heard Jay remarried a stunning woman. And Mitchell's with his partner now? Can I see photos?" Martin blurted. 

Claire gaped. "How did you…?" 

Martin shrugged. "We're still family. I kept tabs." 

Claire spoke up looking very sad and on the verge of crying. "Martin… We wanted to reach out. Mitchell regrets ruining your party…" 

"We're family," Martin echoed, while shooting Phil a *help me* look. 

As Claire gushed, Martin mused: *This family's drama rivals Leonard and Penny's future.* 

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*(End of Chapter)*