Chapter 7 - 7

"Elizabeth, are the gifts ready?" William asked.

William Lockwood wasted no time in getting expensive gifts, jewels, fruits and chocolates to be taken to the Carter House.

From what little he heard from Alessandro Carter, he understood they are not out for Lockwood fortune. That makes their daughter a good bride for his son.

"Yes. But aren't we going a little overboard William. We are going to ask for their daughter's hand. What if they rejected the proposal?" Elizabeth asked, not sure about taking the gifts along.

"Reject? Why would they reject? Would they get a better son in law than our son Elizabeth. He is handsome. He is responsible. He is well settled. And he is humble and compassionate, unlike some spoiled brats in our social circle. Above all that, he is no playboy. What more could they ask for in a groom from their daughter?" William asked in disbelief

Benjamin walked into the living room and stopped on tracks seeing the amount of gifts arranged.

"Dad? Mom?" He looked at his parents in horror.

"Everything is set Benjamin. Let's go?" William said

"Dad! Are you crazy? They would definitely think we are crazy if we walk into their home with all these"

"What is wrong with you two. Why would they think so? This has been a tradition in Lockwood marriage fixing for centuries Ben" William said waving his hand dismissing his wife's and son's worries

"But we are going to ask for their daughter's hand in marriage. We are not going for to fix the wedding"

"I don't believe in wasting time Benjamin. As soon as they agree, we can proceed further" William said with a shrug

"Dad. Listen-"

"No you listen. Let's not waste time. Come on" William said and walked out instructing the maids to carry the gifts to the car.

Benjamin and Elizabeth shared a helpless look

"Benji?"

Benjamin looked down to see Sapphire grinning at him ,with something held tightly in both her chubby little fists.

He picked her up in his arms.

"What have you got there?" He asked

Sapphire grinned and hid her hands behind her

"Hiding from Uncle? Show me what it is!" Benjamin said and took her hands in his

He pried open her fists and saw one Hershey kisses chocolate in one fist and a dry fruit in another.

"Where did you get this from?" He asked

"Sapphy" she said telling him that it's hers.

"Okay. But where did you get them from" he asked and then it clicked

"You bad girl. You stole it from the gifts" Benjamin asked

"Sapphy no bad" she said adamantly

"Sapphy bad. Sapphy stole chocolates" Benjamin said in a baby voice

Sapphire's lips curled down in an angry pout

Benjamin chuckled as he took the chocolate from her hand and peeled open the foil.

"Who wants to each chocolate?" Benjamin asked loudly looking around

"Sapphyyy" Sapphire screamed wanting to her get uncle's attention back on her

"Aww. Sapphy wants chocolate? Then give uncle a kissie" Benjamin asked pointing his cheeks

Sapphire planted a loud slobbery kiss on his stubbled cheeks and giggled as his whiskers tickled her skin.

Benjamin rubbed his cheeks against hers earning another bout of giggle

"Okay. Open you mouth" Benjamin ordered and Sapphire followed

"Now let's go meet Isabella" Benjamin said cheerily

"Bell-Bell??" Sapphire asked with a squeal

"Yes. Let's go meet your Bell-Bell"

****

"We have to get the child." Lillian Thompson seethed at her elder son.

"Eleanor has specified it in her will that the child should be looked after by the Lockwoods, Mom" Peter Thompson said.

He is tired of his mother's machinations and manipulations. She ruined his brother's life. If he let him, she will ruin his too.

What is the point in making an enemy out of rich and powerful Lockwoods. He is far out of their league. And he wouldn't be able to fight them even if he wants to.

"The Lockwooda never once visited Eleanor or her child during last three years. They don't deserve to raise her" Lillian argued.

"Lillian, I think it is better to let the child grow up with her maternal family" Allison, Peter's wife said

"You don't get to decide that" Lillian snapped at her daughter in law and walked out of Peter's house angrily.

Peter let out a sigh and sat next to Allison.

"Your mother is going to ruin everything. She ruined John and Eleanor's life. If she hadn't interfered, manipulating John at every point of his life, they would have had a happy life" Allison said

"What's the point in worrying over it now" Peter said

"If I even had a slight idea on how your mother is, I wouldn't have married you and come into this family" Allison said

"Ally."

"I'm scared for our kids Peter. I'm scared that she will ruin them. By making enemies out of the Lockwoods, she will ruin our life too" Allison said

"We won't let her ruin our life.. Let's move away from here" Peter said and Allison was only too happy to get away from her evil mother in law.