At the dining table, Nanci kept placing various delicious food on Olivia’s plate, happily saying, “Since Olivia is living with us, our house will be even livelier from now on! Olivia, you should eat more. These are Jenny’s specialties, and they are very tasty.”
Olivia smiled and said, “Alright, you should eat too. My plate is already full. I can’t eat that much! Why aren’t you eating?”
Hearing this, Nanci noticed her plate was also filled with food. She turned to Edward, who said, “Grandma told you to eat too. You eat while I serve Grandma food.”
“Oh dear, both of you eat by yourselves. Although I’m old, my hands still work fine. Everyone hurry up and eat. Don’t feel restrained because of me.”
Jenny and Rhys were eating quietly, unsure of what to say. Olivia’s eyes crinkled with joy.
After dinner, Jenny cleared the table while Nanci went to an empty room to organize things. Edward and Rhys stayed in the living room with Olivia watching TV. Olivia said, “Edward, go help Nanci. Rhys and I are fine here.”
After Edward left, Olivia began asking questions to get to know him better. She kindly turned and asked the little boy, “Hello, Rhys. Where are your parents?”
“I don’t have a dad. My mom is busy with something and said she would come back for me when she’s done.”
Olivia felt she had touched a sore spot and quickly comforted him, “It’s okay, it’s okay. Until your mom comes back, stay here with us. We are all your family.”
The little boy smiled and took out a piece of candy from his pocket, offering it to Olivia, “Grandma Olivia, I’ll give you a piece of candy.”
Olivia accepted it and said, “Thank you!”
Nanci came over and said, “Olivia, I’ve prepared your room next to Rhys’. Are you tired? Do you want to rest?”
“I’m not tired yet. I want to watch TV a bit longer. You sit down too. Where is Edward?”
“He just did some heavy work and got sweaty, so he went to shower first. Let me take you for a bath. Otherwise, it won’t be comfortable sleeping tonight.”
Olivia quickly refused, “I can bathe myself. Young people will start disliking me soon enough. You go wash up and sleep too!”
“Everyone gets old. How could I dislike you? I’ll go upstairs to get some new toiletries for you. Sit here for a moment.”
“Grandma Olivia, why haven’t I seen you at home before?”
“Because I was sick before and just got better enough to come home.”
Hearing about illness made the little boy anxious. He asked urgently, “What kind of illness? You won’t disappear like my grandparents did suddenly, right? My mom told me they went somewhere else to enjoy themselves, but I don’t believe it!”
Tears welled up in his eyes as he spoke.
Nanci came downstairs to find the little boy in tears, while Olivia was using a tissue to wipe his face. She rushed over and asked, “What’s wrong, Rhys? Why are you crying all of a sudden? Are you missing your mom?”
Olivia felt guilty and said, “I must have brought up memories that reminded him of his grandparents…”
“It’s okay, Olivia. Let me comfort him,” Nanci quickly reassured.
She squatted down in front of the little boy, gently wiping away his tears. “Don’t cry. Your eyes can’t be watery right now, or it’ll take longer to heal. Don’t you want your mom to come back and see you soon? Your grandparents are surely watching over you, wanting you to be strong, brave, and kind. So please don’t cry. Live well for their sake, alright?”
Hearing this, the boy looked at Nanci with determination and said, “I will! I won’t cry anymore. I don’t want my grandparents to see me sad from somewhere else. I want my mom to come back soon!”
Olivia lovingly patted his head and said, “Get some rest. Tomorrow will be a new day, and that means we’re one day closer to seeing your mom.”
“Yeah, have you taken your medicine today? Don’t forget that!”
“Not yet. I just finished dinner and was about to rest for a bit, then forgot.”
“Then let me get you the medicine. After you take it, go wash up and get some sleep.”
Nanci walked into the kitchen and saw Jenny still wiping the counter. “Jenny, you can head back now. Otherwise, your family will get worried.”
Jenny replied, “No problem! I just need to finish this spot, and I haven’t brought Rhys his medicine yet! Sometimes I feel like I’m losing it with my age!”
“I came to get Rhys his medicine, so finish up and go home. Tomorrow you’ll need to make extra breakfast since Olivia might wake up early. Please keep an eye on things. With more people at home, there’ll be more to handle. I’ll raise your pay starting next month.”
Jenny finished her last task and smiled, “You’re already treating me so well. No need for a raise. Thank you, Ms. Ross. I’ll be off now.”
“Be careful on your way home!”
After Jenny left, Nanci brought the medicine to Rhys.
Olivia quickly pulled out the candy the boy gave her earlier. “Here, eat this. Is it bitter?”
The boy shook his head, smiling. “Not bitter. This candy is for you, Grandma Olivia. Goodnight!”
Olivia watched as he closed his room door, saying, “This child is so understanding at such a young age.”
Nanci agreed, “Yeah, it must be because of his circumstances. Come on, Olivia, let me take you to your room so that you can sleep early.”
After helping Olivia settle down, it was already ten o’clock. Olivia hurriedly said, “Thank you, Nanci. You should head back to your room and rest too. Don’t wear yourself out.”
Nanci helped her into bed, tucked her in, and called out, “Goodnight.” Then she turned off the light and left.
Edward, noticing that Nanci had finally returned, began to complain, “Why did you take so long downstairs?”
Nanci shot back, “Well, you should have come down and helped instead of just lying there talking!” She plopped down on the bed, irritated.
Edward wrapped his arms around her from behind, saying helplessly, “But I thought it’d be more trouble for you if I went down! Grandma likes you more! Are you exhausted? Let me massage your shoulders.”
Nanci let out a contented hum, but after a moment, she said, “I need to go shower. You rest for now.”
“I’ll wait for you.”
By the time they fell asleep, it was already midnight. They tightly embraced each other for warmth.
The next morning.
Olivia rose early, washed her face in the bathroom, changed her clothes, and headed out to find Jenny busy in the kitchen. She walked over with a smile, saying, “Good morning! Why are you here so early?”
“I’m used to it. My family woke up early, so I made them breakfast before coming here. I didn’t want you all to wake up hungry, especially since the younger ones have lost the habit of having breakfast!”
“Haha, that’s true! Is there anything I can help with? I’ll join you in the kitchen.”
“No need. Just sit in the living room and watch some TV, Madam Clarkson. What do you usually have for breakfast?”
“I could go for some porridge and bread or something light.”
Jenny nodded in acknowledgment. “Okay, you could spend some time with the cat in the living room. It hasn’t had breakfast yet.”
“Good idea!”
As Olivia walked into the living room, she noticed Rhys’ bedroom door was open. He rubbed his eyes and said in a soft voice, “Good morning, Grandma Olivia!”
“Good morning, sweetheart! Why are you up so early? Do you want to sleep a little longer?”
The boy shook his head and replied, “I’m not sleepy anymore. Mom said that waking up early is good for health.”
Olivia couldn’t help but smile at the boy’s wisdom. “Then let’s go feed the cat together! It hasn’t eaten yet.”
The cat was pacing beside its bowl, eagerly meowing as they approached. Olivia laughed, “Looks like it knows we’re here to feed it!”
Watching the cat wag its tail happily, the two of them squatted beside it, enjoying the moment.
Nanci woke up and checked the time, thinking Olivia was awake. She called out to the person sleeping soundly next to her, “Edward, wake up! We need to get ready and join Olivia for breakfast. It’s her first day here. We can’t let her eat alone. We’ve never had breakfast with her, right?”
Hearing Nanci’s call, Edward opened his eyes groggily and sat up with a sigh. “But I still feel a bit tired. I really don’t want to move…”
Seeing how exhausted he looked, Nanci felt sorry for him. “Alright, you can sleep a bit longer. I’ll head down first and tell them you’re not feeling well and will get up later.”
Edward flashed a charming smile and quickly kissed Nanci on the lips, saying, “Now I’m motivated! Let’s go.”
Nanci blushed and lightly swatted him, saying, “You haven’t brushed your teeth yet!”
Edward picked Nanci up and carried her to the bathroom. After a quick wash and getting dressed, they headed downstairs.
Olivia heard them and looked at the two, saying, “Good morning!”
“Good morning, Olivia! Rhys, have you had breakfast yet?”
“Not yet. Breakfast is much more enjoyable when the whole family is together, so come sit!”
While eating, Olivia asked, “Do you two have any plans today?”
Nanci replied, “I don’t have anything planned. I thought I’d take you out for a stroll today, Olivia.”
“I need to go to the office. You two can go out and have fun, and I’ll pick you up for lunch,” Edward offered.
Olivia said, “I don’t have anything to buy. Going out will just cost a lot, and I’d rather not waste money!”
“How about we go to the office with Edward? What do you think, Olivia?”
“That sounds good! I haven’t been to the office since Edward’s grandpa passed away!”
“Alright then, we’ll check out what’s changed since then.”