Free Web NovelChapter 701: Still Single
Michael and Wendy looked at each other and smiled when they saw Milo and Yonina engage in a rapid exchange of messages.
"Time for some z’s," Michael announced as he reached out to turn off the bedside lamp and laid down with his arm around Wendy.
He took the precaution to rest his hand lightly around Wendy’s waist to avoid crushing her belly.
It was past ten when Wendy woke up the next morning.
Emerging from the bedroom, she noted that a small group of people, all dressed up to go out, had been waiting in the living room for her.
A grinning Leah ran over as fast as her short legs could go when she saw Wendy.
Hugging Wendy’s legs, Leah looked up at her and chirped happily, "Mommy, you’re finally up!"
"Ooh, pretty braids! Who did these for you?" Wendy tugged at Leah’s braids and smiled.
"Grandma did," Leah replied sweetly.
"Oh, you guys are all dressed to go out," Wendy uttered.
"Why didn’t you wake me?" she asked apologetically.
"Daddy said to let you sleep in," Leah responded.
Caressing Wendy’s belly gently, she added, "My little brother needs his sleep too."
"How do you know that it is a baby brother?" Wendy caressed Leah’s head as she asked. "Would you like a little brother?"
"It doesn’t matter if its a little brother or sister. But I have a feeling that it is a little brother. Hehe..." Leah giggled.
Then, releasing her hold on Wendy’s legs, she urged, "Quick, Mommy. Eat your breakfast so that we can go. It’s past ten already."
"Ok. Just wait a tad longer. I will wash up before breakfast," Wendy replied.
"Take your time, Mommy. Make sure you eat up." Despite her desire to leave as soon as possible, Leah was concerned that Wendy might not have a proper breakfast.
Zess had put her breakfast in the warmer so Wendy could enjoy a cozy, hot meal.
Having washed up, Wendy tucked into her breakfast after which Zess began clearing the table.
Pulling her hand, Wendy said to Zess, "Leave it. Clear the table when we get back."
"I’ll just stay home," Zess replied.
Smiling, she continued, "I’ll clean up here and head out to the market to buy some groceries for dinner tonight. I presume you’ll be back for dinner tonight?"
Since it was past ten, Zess assumed that the family would eat lunch outside.
"What are you saying? Of course you’re coming with us," Wendy said. She pulled Zess towards her as she spoke and removed her apron, "Let’s go." fɾēewebnσveℓ.com
Zess was about to protest when Michael and the grandmothers chimed in, inviting her to join them.
Zess had been keeping house for Wendy for a few years now. She cared for Wendy, looking after her every need as she would a daughter. In turn, Wendy was really good to her as well.
Nodding happily, Zess looked visibly touched.
Wiping away her tears, she said, "Ok, let’s go."
"Oh my, why are you crying?" Wendy reached out and helped to wipe away her tears.
Mr. York was their driver for the day. Since he had a group of people to transport, he had opted for an eight-seater.
Seated in the back row, Michael turned to Wendy and said, "Milo and Yonina chatted till early in the morning."
"Oh really? They chatted for that long?" Wendy’s eyes lit up with curiosity.
Smelling juicy gossip in the making, she suggested, "Let me check in and see what they talked about."
Pulling out her phone, she opened the chat group and noticed that there were over 99 messages.
Too lazy to read through all the messages, she scanned through them quickly.
She soon realized that all the conversation revolved around the foundation.
Laughing at the pair who had spent half the night discussing work-related matters, she commented, "It is no wonder that these two are still single at their age."
...
Forty minutes later, the carload of people arrived at the theme park.
Upon entering the park, Leah immediately took Jake’s hand and ran inside.
Wendy feared that they might fall and hurt themselves seeing how fast they ran.
She called out to them, "Be careful, don’t trip."
"We won’t trip, Mommy..." Leah replied smilingly.
She had barely finished speaking when she took a tumble.
Jake immediately helped her onto her feet and checked her over for any injuries, "Are you hurt?"
Wendy and the rest of the adults hurried over to them.
Although her knees had hurt a little, Leah put on a brave face and shook her head, "I’m ok. I’m not hurt." She did not want her Mommy, who was expecting a baby, to stress over them.
"Mommy, Jake and I will join the line for the carousel," she informed Wendy.
Chuckling happily, she tugged at Jake’s hand and dragged him along.
Wendy grimaced when she noticed that Leah was limping slightly on her left leg.
She felt comforted that her kids were very considerate but seeing that they were already standing in line, she did not fuss further.
Instead, she turned around and smiled as she linked her arm with Michael’s grandmother, "Take it easy, Grandmother."
Pushing her away, Grandmother urged, "You should go and have some fun too."
"I will find a place to sit and watch you guys play," she added.
At her old age, Grandmother would surely not be able to enjoy any of the rides.
"No, I won’t go on any rides since I’m pregnant," Wendy replied.
"Let’s go to that cafe over there and sit down and relax," she added. frёeωebɳovel.com
"Oh my, that slipped my mind! At my age, even my memory is failing along with my slow reflexes," Grandmother chuckled a little helplessly.
"No, you’re not old. You’re still physically fit," Wendy stated as she helped Grandmother towards the cafe. She continued, "Tell me that at Leah’s and Jake’s weddings."
"Hahaha..." Grandmother chuckled happily. "Sure thing. I will say that when the time comes."
"I’ll go keep an eye on the kids," Mary said with a smile.
After Mary had left, Wendy placed an order for some beverages and sat down to watch Jake and Leah enjoying themselves on the ride.
Grandmother’s eyes were trained on the kids, never leaving them for a second. She never let them out of her sight, her eyes followed the carousel as it went round and round.
Before she realized it, tears had welled up in her eyes. Her gaze moved from the kids to Wendy.
Sounding solemn, she said to Wendy, "Thank you so much for giving birth to this pair of wonderful twins. At least, I will not be too embarrassed when I see our family’s ancestors again after I die."
Since her own son, Anthony, had been a major disappointment, she had once fretted about the repercussions from the Lucas family’s ancestors when she met them again in death.
Fortunately, Michael was not a chip off the old block and both his kids were smart and well brought up.
She was very thankful that she had insisted that Michael married Wendy all those years ago.
"Oh stop it! Grandmother, you will live to a ripe, long age," Wendy responded immediately.
"All right, I will live to a ripe, long age," Grandmother agreed with a tender smile.
Nonetheless, tears began welling up again in her eyes.
Reaching out to wipe her tears away, Wendy asked with concern, "Grandmother, what is it? Why are you crying" "Grandmother?" Michael was also concerned.
"Oh, it’s nothing. I am just feeling blessed, so blessed," Grandmother replied as she beamed with happiness.
...
Wendy and her family spent the entire day at the theme park.
In fact, Leah was the only one in the group who had loved the rides, Jake was not really interested. He was there just to keep Leah company.
As for Wendy and the others, they were just happy to watch the kids enjoy themselves.
By five o’clock, Leah had tired herself out.
Taking her by the hand, Wendy saw the perspiration on her face. She took out a napkin, preparing to bend down and wipe the perspiration off Leah’s face.
But before she could bend over, Michael quickly took the napkin from her hand and said gently, "Let me."
Wendy knew that he did not want her to bend over and strain herself in her condition.
She nodded speechlessly, her heart surging as she felt a sense of love and comfort at his considerate gesture.
Having wiped the perspiration off Leah’s face, Michael turned and noted that Jake was also sweating.
However, before his father could reach him, Jake had sidestepped, saying, "I’ll do it myself."
Michael’s smile faded somewhat at Jake’s rejection.
In the next instant, however, Michael recovered from his disappointment and passed Jake a napkin, "Here you go."
Watching from the side, Wendy reminded Jake gently, "Your Daddy loves you, you know. Stop pushing him away and give him a chance to care for you."
Jake had originally intended to take the napkin from Michael to wipe his own perspiration.
However, he hesitated at Wendy’s words, his hand suspended in mid-air.
In the next instant, he stepped forward, back to his original position.
He looked up at Michael and said, albeit a tad unwillingly, "Thank you, Daddy."
All he wanted was for his Mommy to be happy. Nothing else mattered.
If by mending fences with Michael, he could put a smile on his mother’s face, he would do so gladly.
Michael’s face lit up instantly, "You’re welcome." He gently wiped the perspiration off Jake’s face.
That actually felt really good, Jake thought to himself.
"Any photos as souvenirs?" A man in his forties had walked over to them asking with a smile.
"Photos?" Wendy looked questioningly at the others. "Any takers?"
"Me please," Leah exclaimed excitedly.
"Let’s have some photos taken then," Grandmother agreed smilingly.
"In any case, we’ve never taken a family photo before," she added.
"Sure, we’ll have a few taken. How much do you charge for a photo?" Wendy asked.
"It’s free of charge," the man said sincerely, smiling radiantly.
"Free?" Wendy frowned as her instincts kicked in.
The man replied, "Ms. Stewart and Mr. Lucas, my wife is a fan of yours. She would be over the moon if you could gift her an autographed photo of yourselves."
"Do you know us?" Wendy’s suspicion dissipated.
"Sure I do. My wife loves the clothes that you design," the man replied, ruffling his head a tad awkwardly.
"You and Mr. Lucas are not only always just in the financial news but have also been reported on in the entertainment segments as well. "I dare say that you are well known not only in Lake City but also nationwide."
Indeed, both Michael and Wendy had been searched many times over on social media.
At this time, Wendy noticed that many people around them had used their phones to photograph them.
In fact, earlier in the day, she had been aware of people discreetly taking snapshots of them. However, none of those people had overstepped and invaded their private space.
"May I, Ms. Stewart?" the man asked, a picture of sincerity.
"Of course you may," Wendy smiled.
"However, we will still pay you your regular fee."
Relenting, the man nodded immediately, "Sure thing. Thank you, Ms. Stewart."
