Chapter 105: Leaving for the Evening
"Darling, won’t you take me with you?" Elder Edward asked his wife, his eyes sparkling with hope.He chuckled while glancing at his wife affectionately.
"Grandpa, if you join us, then you’ll snatch Grandma from us again." Lydia protested, her brow furrowed in mock seriousness.
"But you two are going to snatch my dear wife from me. I won’t allow it."
Melanie’s eyes sparkled with mischief. "Grandpa, we think the other way around. Remember that trip five years ago?"
Elder Edward’s expression turned sheepish.
"Last time when we three went, you came to tag along with us," Melanie continued, her words voiced with tongue-in-cheek irony. "What happened at night, you remember it well, don’t you?"
Brenda’s eyes narrowed. "What’s the story? You’ve been keeping secrets from me."
Melanie’s grin widened. "Grandma was sleeping in our room, but Grandpa was so mean that he took her along with him to his room, depriving us of Grandma’s love."
As Harrison and Anderson descended the stairs, accompanied by Elizabeth, Ryder’s mother, they couldn’t help but overhear Melanie’s playful accusation. The room was abuzz with tension, but the moment Melanie finished speaking, it erupted into a fit of laughter.
Grandma Rosie’s face flushed a delicate shade of pink.Elder Edward’s sheepish grin only added fuel to the amusement.
Harrison chuckled, shaking his head affectionately. "Looks like we walked into something."
Elizabeth and Anderson exchanged amused glances, their faces mirroring the entertainment.
"Ah, I see." Brenda said, smiling knowingly. "So, that’s the real reason you two don’t want Grandpa to join you."
Lydia and Melanie exchanged glances, their giggles fueling the lighthearted atmosphere.
Grandma Rosie chuckled, shaking her head affectionately at her husband. "Edward, you’re in trouble now."
"Yes, I can allow my darling to accompany you in the morning," Elder Edward said with a sly smile, "but at night, she’s reserved exclusively for me."
Melanie’s eyes rolled inward, her mind whispering, "Nothing can stop Grandpa from being shameless."
"Grandpa, why can’t Grandma stay with us at night?" Emerson asked innocently.
Elder Edward’s sly grin faltered for a moment before he replied, "Well, because at night, Grandma and I are...ahem...we.."
He was interrupted by Grandma Rosie’s warning, "Darling..."Elder Edward rubbed his shoulder, feigning discomfort. "Don’t corrupt our grandchildren’s minds," Grandma Rosie replied.
"Emerson, don’t listen to Grandpa’s nonsense," Ryder said with a chuckle.
Elder Edward’s eyes turned mischievous. "Nonsense, you say? I’ll see what nonsense you’re up to in your future."
He winked, continuing, "If I didn’t do this ’nonsense,’ where would you all be born? You should feel grateful that your grandfather is still in his prime."
"Grandfather, are you going to be a father again?"Brenda’s eyes widened in surprise. "Emerson, what nonsense are you speaking?"
Emerson’s innocent voice filled the room. "I was walking by Grandpa’s room this morning, and he was yelling, ’My baby!’"
"I saw on TV that when a woman gets pregnant, her husband calls her ’my baby’," she explained.
Harrison seized the opportunity, his smile playful. "Dad, are we getting a new sibling?"
Grandma Rosie’s cheeks reddened, exasperation etched on her face. "Harrison, dear, your father is already taxing my patience. I’d appreciate it if you didn’t add to the chaos."
"Dear, we should try hard to give them another sibling."
Grandma Rosie shot him a warning glance. "Yes, then you should look for another woman."
"No no..you are only enough for me..."
He then turned to Emerson and gently said.."Emerson, dear..Although I’m still active, at my age, it’s not convenient."
Emerson looked up at him with curious eyes, too young to fully grasp the nuances of the elder’s words.
Elizabeth stepped in, changing the subject."Ryder and Liam, you’re running late. Time to go."Emerson’s eyes lit up when she heard they should go. Forgetting everything else, she excitedly rushed to Ryder’s side.Throwing her arms around him. "Carry me, Brother Ryder."
Elizabeth turned to her. "You’re going too?"
Emerson nodded enthusiastically, "Hmm."
Ryder chuckled, explaining, "She overheard us and wants to come along."
"Liam, you should hurry up and give me great-grandchildren along with Ryder." Elder Edward said with a chuckle.
Liam smiled politely. "Grandfather, I have no plans for that at this moment."
Elder Edward’s eyes twinkled. "Did your grandfather know about your plans?"
Liam teased, "He’s too far behind me, just like you."
Harrison jumped in, laughing. "Father, you and your friend will end up the same way only."
"Grandma, we’re heading to our room to do our homework." Lydia said.
Rosie smiled warmly, reassuring them. "Don’t be sad, kids. I’ll keep my promise."
Emerson chimed in, "Elder sisters, I’ll share all the details with you when we get back."
She nodded enthusiastically, "Hmm."
With that, the twins headed to their room.
Meanwhile, seizing the opportunity, Liam, Ryder, and Emerson bid their goodbyes before departing for their dinner event.
The two friends were particularly eager to escape, as they knew their grandfathers would likely nag them again about getting married.
"What happened to our twins?"They’re doing their homework during vacation?" Anderson asked his wife.
"They’re a bit down because I didn’t let them join Liam and Ryder to the dinner event." she replied.
Anderson’s gaze shifted to his mother-in-law. "So, Mother will accompany them instead?"
His wife nodded, "Hmm. And I am not invited on their trip."
Anderson chuckled, "Serves you right."
Brenda’s tone dripped with sarcasm. "You’d think that, wouldn’t you? My parents favor you over me, as if you’re the true child."
Anderson nodded in understanding. "I know how that feels. At my house, my parents treated you like the favorite, making me feel like an outsider."
Elder Edward smiled warmly at Brenda. "Let the girls enjoy their vacation. Once they’re back, they’ll return to their routine. I don’t want to see you scolding my granddaughters again, understood?"
Brenda nodded obediently. "Okay, Father. I won’t."
Elizabeth stepped beside Brenda, placing a gentle hand on her shoulder. "Why don’t we prepare something special for the girls?"
Grandma Rosie’s eyes sparkled. "That sounds wonderful, Eli."
Anderson chimed in, "I haven’t tasted your cooking in ages, Sister in law."
"My wife will make it for me, and your wife – I mean, my sister – will make it for you."
Grandma Rosie chuckled. "Like father, like son."
"But I’m more shameless and romantic than him, right, darling?" Grandma Rosie said, smiling at Elder Edward.He winked affectionately at his wife.
