Chapter 104: Trip Trap
"Mom!" The twins exclaimed simultaneously.
"Back to your room, Girls. You’ve had plenty of break time; now it’s time to focus on your studies."
Lydia opened her mouth to protest, but Brenda’s stern expression silenced her.
"Mother, we were preparing to do our homework in our room."
Rosie stepped out of the nearby room, noticing the tension. "Brenda, what’s wrong?" she asked, her eyes locked on her daughter’s resolute face.
Brenda insisted, "I asked them to return to their room to complete their homework."
Rosie countered with a gentle tone, "Brenda, don’t be too hard on them. They’re on vacation; let them have some fun."
Brenda stood firm. "Mother, don’t spoil them. They’ve neglected their studies since returning from Australia."
Undeterred, Rosie smiled warmly at the twins. "Come along, ladies. I have some delightful stories to share."
With a gentle gesture, Rosie led the twins away, leaving Brenda’s concerns unaddressed.
Three of them went downstairs to Rosie’s room, which was located on the lower floor.
"Grandma, Brother Liam has arrived," Lydia exclaimed. "Shall we go say hello?"
Rosie nodded. "Go ahead."
Lydia and Melanie hurried to the living room, with Rosie following closely behind.
"Brother Liam, how are you?" Lydia greeted him warmly.
"Good, how are you two?" Liam replied, glancing at the twins.
"We’re good too." Lydia answered.
Liam’s gaze shifted to Rosie, who was entering the room. "Good evening, Grandma."
"Good evening, Liam," Rosie replied. "It’s been a while since you last visited us."
"Yeah, I’ve been busy since returning." Liam explained.
Elder Edward chimed in, "Darling, Liam is teaching at the university."
"Moreover," Elder Edward added, "he’s teaching at the same university Thea attends."
Rosie’s face lit up. "Really? That’s wonderful to hear."
Lydia whispered to Melanie, "Thea ..This name sounds familiar."
Melanie whispered back, but before she could respond, Brenda, who had quietly joined them, spoke up.
"Thea is Ryder’s childhood friend, remember? You two played with her before."
Lydia’s eyes widened. "Oh, yes! I remember her now."
Brenda gazed at Liam with a warm smile. "Liam, you’ve grown even more dashing. I can hardly recognize you, even though it’s been a while since we last met."
"Aunt Brenda, nice to see you."
Lydia whispered under her breath, "All of Brother Ryder’s friends are dashing and handsome, Mother."
Brenda turned to her younger twin daughter, "Don’t forget I’m standing right beside you."
Emerson, who had been quiet for a moment, looked up and asked, "Who is Thea? Is she another friend of Brother Ryder’s?"
Ryder scooped Emerson into his arms, pinching her cheeks affectionately. "Yes, she’s my childhood friend."
She looked at Ryder with hopeful eyes."I want to meet her."
Ryder smiled. "Emerson, later I’ll take you to visit her. But now, your brother Liam and I have to leave for a dinner meeting."
Liam added, "Thea is also invited to John’s dinner event."
Emerson’s face lit up with pleading eyes. "Can I go, please? I’d love to go with you, Brother Ryder."
"I promise I won’t cause any problems there," Emerson pleaded, her eyes locked on Ryder.
"Brother Ryder, can we come with you and Liam?" Lydia asked, joining Emerson’s plea.
Brenda’s firm voice cut through their entreaties. "Absolutely not. You two will stay behind.Ryder and Liam have important work to attend to."
She turned to Emerson, her expression stern. "You know you’d only be a distraction, Emerson. Let them focus on their works."
Emerson’s voice cracked as she pleaded, "Brother Ryder...I want to go!"
Rosie cut in, "Brenda, let them join."
Brenda started to object, "Mother—"
Elder Edward chimed in, "Ryder, would it be an inconvenience to take Emerson and them with you?"
Brenda’s protest faltered, unfinished.
Emerson’s tear-filled eyes locked onto Ryder’s, brimming with hope.
Ryder’s brief hesitation dissipated as he exchanged a glance with Liam, who nodded subtly.
"No problem." Ryder said finally.
Emerson beamed, elation washing away her tears. "Yeah!" she squealed, bouncing with excitement.
Liam smiled, and Ryder chuckled, the tension dissolving.
"Alright, Ryder and Liam can take Emerson with them." Brenda announced, her tone firm but gentle."But you two are not allowed."she pointed towards her twins.
Lydia and Melanie protested in unison, "Mother..." Their faces fell, disappointment and frustration written across their features.
"When I instructed you two to do your homework, you didn’t obey." Brenda reminded them, a hint of amusement in her eyes. "Now, missing out on this outing is your punishment."
The twins exchanged crestfallen glances, their pleas for mercy silenced by Brenda’s resolute expression.
Meanwhile, Emerson beamed with joy, her tears dried. Ryder’s consent had saved her from sharing her elder siblings’ fate.
Ryder and Liam exchanged a knowing glance, Liam’s subtle nod affirming their readiness to take Emerson along.
Grandma Rosie opened her arms, inviting the twins to come closer. "My dear granddaughters, don’t be sad. Grandma’s here for you."
Lydia and her sibling ran to Rosie, snuggling into her warm embrace.
"I’ll take you on a fantastic trip soon, just the three of us." Rosie promised.
"And," she whispered conspiratorially, "Mommy won’t be invited. Deal?"
The twins’ faces lit up, their eyes sparkling with delight.
Rosie raised her hands, and the twins slapped theirs against hers in a joyful high-five.
"Deal, Grandma!" they exclaimed in unison, giggling.
The three of them shared a tight hug, sealing their secret pact.
Brenda smiled, shaking her head . "You’re going to spoil them rotten, Mother."
"Grandma, can I come with you?" Emerson asked, her eyes shining with excitement.
Melanie playfuly intervened, "No way, Emerson! We’re having a twins-only trip with Grandma."
Emerson turned to her mother, seeking reassurance. "Mommy?"
Brenda smiled slyly. "Actually, sweetie, you’re going with Ryder and Liam now. So, when Grandma takes the twins on their special trip, you’ll stay with me."
Brenda continued, "You see, Grandma won’t take me on their trip, so I’ll need a partner for my own adventure. You’ll be my special companion, Emerson."
Grandma Rosie nodded approvingly. "Fair’s fair, dearie. You get to go with Ryder and Liam this time."
The twins high-fived each other, eager for their exclusive trip with Grandma Rosie.
