"Really? Who is it? When will I meet her? This calls for a family dinner!"
"Soon, mom. Soon", he promised.
Their conversation was interrupted by the sound of footsteps. Zach and Amy came walking hand in hand. They were having a conversation and Amy was seen smiling and blushing as Zach spoke with a dotting gaze peeled on her. It was such a beautiful sight of young love.
"Awwww", Victoria could not help but stare in awe.
"Good morning Mom", Amy greeted with a smile.
"Good morning. Careful with the steps dear", she gently instructed.
Xavier shook his head. His mother was a goner with Amy's arrival. He was sure she would get worse when the baby arrives. Henry walked back in in fresh new clothes. He barely exchanged a glance with Xavier before the latter gave Amy a side hug and exchanged greetings while Zach greeted his parents.
"Welcome back sis!"
"Thanks Xavier", she smiled before she felt Zach peel her away from him.
Xavier gave him a stinky look while Amy chuckled as she looked at Henry.
"Good morning, Mr. Frost", she greeted. She was not sure what to call him.
"Why so formal? You can call me Henry or Dad, whichever makes you comfortable", he said with a laid-back attitude to which Amy nodded.
Edmund arrived to announce the table was set and led everyone there. They all settled down with Henry sitting at the head, to his left were Zach and Amy while to his right were Victoria and Xavier. Amy's eyes lit up when she saw the food. Is this what it means to wake up to a feast? She looked at Zach and he was just as amused. There was a bowl for everyone.
"Carrot soup as a starter", She announced.
"This looks delicious", Amy made a genuine comment.
"Dig in", she announced and everyone raised the spoons to try it. "I made it myself."
Xavier froze. He turned to look at his mother with a smile. "Just the soup?"
"No, I made everything else. I remember how my mother-in-law, bless her soul, made my meals while I was pregnant with these two. I wished for that and here I am doing it for you. Try it dear", she urged.
Everything? No wonder George bailed when he could. Now that he thought about it, his phone had not even rung that time. Sneaky bastard.....
Amy was moved by Victoria's gesture and dug in without noticing nobody else doing the same. She shoved in the spoon and it did not come out. Strange. She pulled it but the thing was stuck like glue. She tried again with her brows furrowing.
"Anything the matter dear?"
"No, it's just.....", She turned to the man next to her and whispered, "Zachery."
He took over and scooped up a huge orange lump. Xavier snorted when he saw Amy's eyes widen in shock. When Victoria looked at him, he rubbed his nose and faked a sniffle. Henry was unbothered as he made himself a cup of coffee and watched on.
,m Amy looked at Victoria and she had a troubled expression. "I heard starch is a good soup thickener but I didnt think it would come out like that....."
"I'll try it", Amy said as she took the spoon from Zach. He wanted to say you don't have to but seeing as she wanted to, he was quite pleased at the same time felt sorry for her.
The lump disappeared between Amy's lips before she started to chew. Yes, she was chewing carrot soup. Not because there were lumps of carrot but because the whole soup was a lump.
Zach's brows knitted when he heard the squashy sound coming from her chewing. Xavier brought his hand to his mouth and bit his finger to suppress his laugh. It sounded like she was chewing a rubber toy. Everyone heard the gulp when Amy swallowed the soup.
"I think I was just too nervous.... I haven't cooked in a while. My cooking used to be great, right Xavier?" She asked nervously who instead nodded.
"Is that's the case, maybe we can do it together. I can learn a few things from you, if you don't mind?" Amy suggested.
Victoria's eyes lit up at the idea. "I would love that! Actually, I would have loved for us to start today but I made prior plans to go somewhere with a friend. She just came back to the city and is thinking of moving. So we're going house hunting. She's actually coming over to get me, is that alright Zach?"
He nodded. "Plus Amy is yet to recover. How about you start your cooking lessons next week?"
"Oh! Yes! Is that alright with you, dear?" Victoria asked.
"Of course, mom", she replied with a smile.
"Mom, you shouldn't bother yourself with such things. Why didn't you ask me for help?" Xavier disapproved.
"We just want to hang out. I get bored doing nothing at home", she confessed.
"Who's the friend you're going out with?" A jealous Henry asked as he finished clearing up his bowl of soup. Amy smiled when she saw this.
"Excuse me, sir", Edmund went to Zach. "A Miss Nicole Oswell is here for Madam Frost."
The said person walked in wearing jeans and a turtle neck with matching bag and shoes. She had a polite smile as she walked in with confidence oozing with every step she took. when two people she recognized and surprise flashed her features when they called her name out at the same time.
"Nicole."
"Victoria? Xavier?"
The mother and son exchanged a look of surprise as they spoke at the same time.
"You know her?"
Xavier looked at Nicole with mixed feelings. The latter felt her heart beat in anxiousness. She was not ready for such a situation. What will she do now? Worse yet, how will she explain herself? As though reading her mind, everyone gave her a curious gaze waiting for her to speak.