Aurora smiled gently and said, “Good. The cooks have prepared the food. Once they heat the beef stock and mix it with the cheese and onion blend, we can begin the meal. You can warm up with some onion beef soup. We’re having French onion beef soup fondue tonight.”
“Wow, cheese is my favorite. I’m going to eat a lot today!” Eva exclaimed with childlike excitement upon hearing that they would be enjoying a delicious meal. As if on cue, a chef brought out a pot of fondue as if he had heard Eva’s words.
Suddenly, both the dining room and the living room were filled with the mouthwatering aroma of cheese and onions. Luke explained, “Today, we prepared two fondue pots since we have more guests. The children can sit near the onion soup fondue, and those who prefer spicy food can sit near the spicy cheese fondue.”
“That sounds fantastic!” Eva happily took a seat next to Estelle and exclaimed, “I came at the perfect time. Why is nobody digging in? Make yourselves at home. Well, at least I’m going to start with a meatball. It’ll be heavenly with cheese!”
Seeing Eva’s delight, Luke said with a relieved smile, “Eat as much as you want. Just be careful with the hot pot.”
Vincent set down a plate of vegetables and said, “Don’t focus only on the meat. The vegetables are delicious, too. You should also try the onion soup fondue. The spicy one might make you break a sweat.”
“This tiny bit of pepper won’t scare me. I eat super spicy sauce with barbecue all the time,” Eva responded with humor, and the playful conversation between Eva and Vincent gradually lightened the atmosphere in the room, even helping Estelle feel less awkward.
Before long, everyone gathered around the table to take their seats. It seemed like an unspoken agreement that they all left the chair next to Estelle empty for Cristofer.
Looking around, Estelle said to Aurora, “Mom, let me take care of the children. You can enjoy your meal without any interruptions.”
“The kids are all well-behaved, and Luke can help me. I can eat without any issues,” Aurora reassured her. Since her husband’s passing, she had been leading a quiet life, so she appreciated the liveliness in the house.
“Alright,” Estelle conceded, realizing that Aurora wouldn’t swap seats with her. Seated to her left, Cristofer didn’t directly turn to face her, but he sneakily glanced at her from the corner of his eye. After Estelle failed to change seats, Cristofer inwardly breathed a sigh of relief. He then pushed a bowl of soup, prepared in advance, toward her and said, “Have some soup to warm up.”
“Thank you,” Estelle replied in a small voice.
Estelle couldn’t refuse Cristofer’s gesture, so she took small sips of the warm soup with her spoon. Just now, she entirely focused on her children and hadn’t noticed that she felt a bit chilly after being caught in the rain. Meanwhile, Eva and Vincent were engaged in a playful dispute over a meatball, neither willing to yield.
“This meatball is mine! Didn’t you say you wanted to eat vegetables?” Eva declared firmly. “I’ve been waiting for a few minutes for it.”
Vincent, however, held the fondue fork and responded without hesitation, “But you also had your share of vegetables. I speared this meatball into the fondue. Why don’t you take another meatball? Here, use the fork to dip another one into the fondue.”
He clung to the fork as if his life depended on it, and Eva was equally unyielding. She asserted with determination, “Why don’t you give me this one and take another meatball yourself?”
Observing the energetic exchange, the three children were entertained. Not wanting Eva and Vincent to continue their dispute, Estelle swiftly dipped two meatballs into the fondue and handed one to each of them, remarking, “My goodness, how old are you two? Can you set a good example for the kids? Yohan will tease you if you keep bickering over this.”
Estelle, experienced in caring for children, never expected that she would have to mediate a dispute over a meatball between two grown-ups acting like children. As Yohan peeled shrimp, he immediately agreed with Estelle’s remarks, saying, “Sure, Aunt Eva, Uncle Vincent, I can help you dip the meatballs in the fondue.”
Ashamed to continue their squabble after being persuaded by an eight-year-old, Vincent placed the meatball on Eva’s plate and remarked, “Ladies first. You can have it.”
Eva teased, “What a gentleman,” as she promptly popped the meatball into her mouth.
Estelle felt relieved as the two playful adults ended their argument. Cristofer seized the opportunity to explain to Estelle, saying, “I apologize for the deception earlier, but Uncle Luke only intended to help me.”
Estelle responded quietly, “I understand.” She sipped her soup thoughtfully.
“Thank you for your understanding. He just wanted to see us reunited.”
Cristofer said softly, “After my grandfather passed away and I got injured, the house became so quiet. It won’t feel as lonely with the children around, but…,” he stopped himself, realizing he might make Estelle feel guilty if he continued, so he concluded, “He wanted the house to be more lively. I hope you don’t mind.”
The dinner was enjoyable and heartwarming. Since it wasn’t too late after they had their fill, they considered playing a game for a while. Eva and Vincent, after their earlier squabble, were eager for another contest. The three children found a chess set and provided it for their entertainment.
After losing two games, Eva felt embarrassed, while Vincent gloated, “You can’t even win a children’s chess game. Ha, ha!”
Eva retorted defiantly, “Winning a children’s game isn’t something to be proud of,” thinking about how she could leave as soon as possible. She glanced around the room and spotted the window. Suddenly, she exclaimed, “Look! It’s not raining anymore. I need to head home now.”
Eva explained that she had to rush home, fearing a heavy rain shower, and mentioned that she hadn’t fed her cat yet. After bidding everyone farewell, she hurriedly left. Vincent, feeling a sense of hollowness in his victory, was left bewildered and at a loss for words.
Estelle also glanced out of the window and stood up. “Great. The rain has finally stopped. I should head home as well. Mom, let’s go.” She thought that with such heavy rain, she might need to spend the night at the Hans’ house. While fretting over how to remain with Cristofer without feeling awkward, she suddenly noticed the rain had stopped. Estelle even felt as though the weather was cooperating with her.
Aurora, not entirely comfortable staying at someone else’s house, naturally wanted to leave with her daughter. She asked, “Are the children coming with us?”