Chapter 175: Staying Put
Thea walked about half an hour from one pharmacy to another because the two of the medicines were currently unavailable there...
Finally she got the medicines from that shop.
She was about to head back when someone called out to her from behind. "Thea..."
Sarah stood behind Thea, gripping her daughter’s hand. Thea turned around to see who had called her.
"Sister Sarah..." Thea exclaimed.
"Sister Thea, you haven’t talked to me yet," Julia said in her childish tone, looking up at Thea with big eyes.
"Julia..." Thea smiled and looked at her. "You came here to buy medicines?"
Julia observed the packet in Thea’s hand and asked.
"Hmm... these medicines are for my grandma.." Thea replied.
"Thea.. Julia was talking about you this morning," Sarah said, "saying that you two haven’t seen each other for a long time."
"And see, now you two meet again.." Sarah said with a smile, her pregnancy clearly visible as her rounded belly protruded from beneath her clothing.
"Sister Thea, we’re going to a restaurant... why don’t you come along with us?"Julia asked, a hopeful smile spreading across her face.
Thea’s expression softened as she looked at Julia. "Julia, next time I promise I’ll come with you.."
"Sister Thea, please?" Julia pleaded, her childish voice filled with hope.
Thea’s expression softened, and she stepped aside to make a quick call to her grandma. After a brief conversation, she returned with a smile. "Okay, I’ll go with you."
The three of them headed to the restaurant, a familiar spot that Thea had previously visited with Charlotte.
As they sat down, Thea’s gaze fell upon Sarah’s belly. "Sister Sarah, is this your second trimester?"
Sarah chuckled. "Hmm, my belly does seem more pronounced than other pregnant women I’ve seen at this stage."
"I just can’t wait to welcome my baby brother or sister to the family!"
Their meal arrived shortly. Sarah, who was pregnant, had chosen a nutritious grilled chicken salad with a side of steamed vegetables.
As they began to eat, Sarah’s expression turned solemn."Thea, I’m deeply sorry about what happened that day..."
Thea’s eyes met Sarah’s, filled with understanding. "Sister Sarah, it’s okay. You don’t have to apologize for something that wasn’t your fault."
A woman appeared at Sarah’s side, bearing a beautiful bouquet of red roses. "Madam, these are for you.." she said softly.
Sarah’s eyes sparkled with surprise as she looked at the bouquet "For me? But who could have sent them?" she asked.
"You’ll find the answer in the letter, Madam.." she said, before turning and disappearing into the crowd.
Sarah’s gaze fell upon the bouquet.
"Mommy, if you get a bouquet, that means someone is proposing to you!"
"If Daddy finds out you’re getting a proposal, he’ll leave his important meeting right away to see you!" Julia’s voice trembled with suppressed giggles as she placed a hand over her mouth to stifle her laughter.
"Sister Thea, we intended for the three of us to be together today, but at the last moment, Daddy was needed at an important meeting. Therefore, only Mommy and I came here. " Julia clarified.
Sarah’s hands moved lightly as she took a letter from the arrangement of red roses. She cautiously unfolded it and started to read. A gentle blush appeared on her cheeks as her eyes moved over the text, and her expression became gradually more affectionate.
"Mommy, your cheeks... they are red.." Julia said, turning her attention to her mother.
"Mommy, is this flower sent by your pursuer? It’s going to break that person’s heart on learning you are already married."
"Julia, you’re becoming too naughty... I will give you a nice beating once we arrive home."
Sarah folded the letter back into her purse and gave her daughter a stern yet loving look.
"The flower?" Julia asked.
"It’s sent by your Daddy.." Sarah uttered.
"Daddy is again pursuing Mommy.." Julia said with a smile.
"Daddy!" Julia exclaimed.
"Julia, I’m not falling for your little trick this time," Sarah replied with a chuckle.
Just then, Julia’s father called out from behind, "Honey!"
Sarah turned around, her eyes widening in shock. "What are you doing here? I thought you had a meeting?"
Ronan smiled mischievously. "Honey, are you not happy to see your husband? Or did I disturb a special moment?"
Sarah’s face flushed as she protested, "It’s not like that."
Sister Thea had met Ronan three times, including this current encounter.
Ronan, in his early thirties.He took a seat beside his wife.
"Daddy, I’m so happy you came!" Julia exclaimed. "Both my wishes got fulfilled today."
"Both?" Ronan asked, his curiosity piqued.
Julia smiled. "Hmm... early this morning, I was saying to Mommy that I haven’t met Sister Thea for a long time, and now we even got to meet her on the road..."
As they chatted, Thea gazed at the happy family before her, feeling a sense of joy and contentment. She silently wished that they would always remain this happy.
Thea’s thoughts briefly drifted back to her own childhood, when she and her parents had shared similar happy moments. But destiny had different intentions
Julia’s voice broke into Thea’s reverie. "Sister Thea?"
Thea smiled, refocusing on the present. "Hmm?"
"Would you like to have ice cream?" Julia asked.
Thea politely declined. "Ice cream... no, thank you."
Sarah smiled warmly. "Thea, let us drop you at your home."
Thea hesitated, not wanting to inconvenience them. "Sister Sarah, you all will get late..." she replied, her eyes shining with appreciation.
Sarah would go visit her parents, knowing that Thea didn’t want to delay their visit. As the car departed, Thea waved goodbye.
She then headed to the bus stop to catch the bus home.
As Thea entered the house, she found Grandma Grace sitting at the table, enjoying her lunch.
"Thea, you’re back.." Grandma Grace said, smiling.
"Hmm, Grandma.." Thea replied, taking a seat opposite her grandmother.
As Grandma Grace continued eating, she asked, "Are you feeling hungry?"
Thea pouted slightly. "A little."
Seeing her grandmother’s meal, Thea’s appetite was sparked. "Seeing the dishes you cooked, I’m feeling like eating again.." she said, laughing.
"I only cooked for one, dear."
Thea’s expression softened,"It’s okay, Grandma."
"Thea, go to the kitchen.." Grandma Grace said. "I forgot to bring one dish."
"Okay, Grandma," Thea replied, pushing her chair back to get up. She headed to the kitchen.
"Bring that white porcelain bowl," Grandma Grace called out.
"White porcelain bowl.." Thea muttered to herself as she entered the kitchen.
She quickly scanned the kitchen, and her eyes landed on the exact white porcelain bowl her grandmother had described.
Thea carefully picked it up and made her way back to the table. As she approached, she noticed that the bowl was covered with a lid, concealing its content.But she didn’t lift the lid, instead setting the bowl down in front of her grandmother.
"Please lift the lid.." Grandma Grace request her with a smile.
Thea lifted the lid, and a savory aroma wafted out. "Grandma, it’s noodles. Are you going to eat it now?"
Grandma Grace’s eyes twinkled. "Didn’t you like it? Then pass me the bowl, I’ll have it."
Thea’s face lit up with amusement.She continued, "No, no, I...whatever. As you’ve specially made it for me, how can I not taste it?"
Thea slumped down in her seat, a smile still on her face.
"Grandma, your noodles are the best."
Grandma Grace chuckled, her eyes twinkling with delight. "Hmm, continue with your noodles.." she replied, savoring her own meal.
Thea took another bite, then her expression turned contemplative. "Grandma, Sister Sarah is so lucky. I’m happy that her family is happy, and I wish they remain like this in the future."
Grandma Grace’s gaze softened, her voice filled with empathy. "It reminded you of the time with your parents, didn’t it?" she asked gently.
Thea nodded slowly, a mix of emotions on her face. "Hmm.." she whispered, her eyes gazing downward, lost in thought.
Thea turned to her grandmother with a considerate glance."Grandma..How about bringing Great Uncle here to live with us? He’s living alone, and Mr. Norris is his only companion."
Grandma Grace’s expression softened, her voice filled with a quiet sadness.. "I have asked my elder brother to come live with us many times, especially lately, but he’s refused.He is unwilling to leave the house."
