Evelyn halted her tracks, her eyes were on stalks, and she did a double-take when she saw a girl talking with the family members.
"Leena!" Evelyn muttered under her breath, her mind trying to process if she is imagining things due to the lack of sleep. In an astonishing voice, she exclaimed. "Rick, can you pinch my cheek."
For a second, Rick looked at his wife in embarrassment. He knew she is freaky in bed but it's not the time to get into the mood when they are about to meet their daughter-in-law."Eve, let's confine our bedroom activities to_"
"O"
Evelyn pinched his cheek as she muttered. "Indeed, it's not a dream. She is my Leena." With a broad smile, she stepped down the stairs hastily.
Fredrick looked at the moving figure in disbelief rubbing his cheek. Is she gone crazy just like me?
"Get your hands away from my Leena, morons." Evelyn stepped down the stairs and pushed Sharon and Callison aside and hugged Leena tightly.
"You have become more beautiful." Eve released herself from the hug and squealed clapping her hands
Leena was stunned seeing the woman in front of her. She did not expect that she would be embraced in a warm hug. Citing her hazel eyes, Leena could tell it's Devin's mom. She must say, she is beautiful just like her mom. But the way she has addressed her earlier, she seems to know her. But I haven't met her anywhere.
In her stupor, Leena also forgot to introduce herself. "I am sorry, Aunty. I haven't introduced myself_"
"Oh my, Leena! Skip the formalities. Call me mom or better, Eve." She flashed a wink and turned to Devin. "Is she the one you were talking about in all the calls?"
"She is," Devin said in uncertainty. Watching her eyes are dancing in mirth he was certain Leena was the one mom has selected for him. For a long time, she has been nagging him and he has been escaping with excuses.
"You brat!" Evelyn pulled and twisted Devin's ear. "Why didn't you tell her name?"
"OWWW Mom! Release my ear." Devin yelped when the sharp pain was numbing his senses.
Leena was gleaming observing a lovely family bond they have created, unlike the toxic ones she heard in other houses. Everybody in the home is very sweet. She was planning ways to lure her mom-in-law, but it seems they don't require anymore now.
"So, are you talking about Heather all the time, Eve?" Francis butted in pulling out Devin from her grip. He knew Evelyn and Heather are best friends but the idea did not cross his mind since she has never mentioned the name when he asked for it.
"Of course, my darling Heather," Evelyn said.
"I thought you liked the girl in the leaked pictures," Sharon exclaimed.
"Who would like that disgusting pig." Eve Snickered. She has seen the pictures leaked on the internet and felt nauseated by them and her mood dampened by then and she did not feel like watching the press conference. She made a note to watch it tonight peacefully now that it's her Leena.
"You know my mom, Aunt Eve?" That was a big surprise to Leena.
"Heather is my best friend, Leena," Eve explained. "We studied medicine together.
Suddenly remembering something, she hit her forehead. "Oh, my muddy brain. I did not even prepare anything. Sit here, Leena. I will make something and will be back in Jiffy." She left the place hastily and appeared back again. "Come with me. We can talk in the kitchen while I prepare food."
Once they both left, everybody sighed in relief. They were afraid that Eve would give a hard time before approving Leena but it proved them otherwise.
In no time, Leena got a homely feeling around Evelyn and Sharon. She was sitting on the kitchen countertop munching on carrots while listening to the university stories Evelyn was telling. The more she heard of it, the more she was intrigued to know. From Eve's words, she understood that her mom's personality was just like her, sharp-tongued and strong. She has never had a chance to have a heart-to-heart talk with her mom because she was confined to bed when she was little. Her heart sewed in pain when she thought of her state. Is there a day, she would get up and hug me?
"Don't worry, Leena. Sister Heather will get up soon." Sharon said with a smile.
Evelyn patted her head like a loving mother. "I can see a lot of progress in her health. It's only a matter of time, she will get up."
"Thank you." Leena nodded her head with a positive thought.
Just then Devin appeared in the kitchen. From the morning, he has been abandoned by Leena and he has become the least attention member in the family. Sensing Devin's arrival, Leena took a peek at him and then ignored him.
"Mom, Leena got a call from Reese. She wants to talk about something urgent. I will take her to my room."
"It's Sunday and there is no office for Leena," Eve said, seeing through his son's tricks. "Go and talk with your dad and grandfather for today."
"Leena!" Eve turned to face Leena. With a sly smile, she added. "Shall we go to my room? I will tell stories about your mom."
Hastily, Leena nodded her head and went along with him leaving Devin alone again not before giving a flying kiss aggravating him.
Leena was smiling at hearing their stories and eventually, Eve started talking about mischievous deeds Devin did when he was a child.
"Do you have photos of him, aunt Eve?" Leena asked to tease him in the future if she gets any naughty photos.
"Give me a minute." Evelyn rushed and came back with a big album.
Leena grabbed the album and when she opened it, the first picture was of Devin when he was a small baby.
"He must be a year old. He is so cute." When she flipped the album sheet, a particular photo caught her attention. A small baby's hand was held by a little boy. The boy was Devin but the girl.....