Chapter 192
The Picnic Lunch.
“Celine, Sterling, Silas!” Bianca greeted. “I’m glad you came p>
“I prepared everyone’s favorite food and tea,” Bianca said, glancing at Sterling. “Serena tells me you love fruit tea p>
Sterling nodded, turning to his wife. “Celine and I both love fruit tea p>
“Perfect,” Bianca said, ushering them to the table where a huge tree provided shade.
“Grandma! Grandpa!” Sebastian greeted from afar. He was playing at the playground with Alisa.
Nathaniel was watching them.
Serena, on the other hand, sat with her family.
Sterling smiled at the children.
Celine blew them a kiss.
Silas took pictures of them. “Looks like they’re having fun p>
“They love to play,” Bianca remarked. “But of course, they also miss your home. They’re returning tonight. I just thought it would be nice to have lunch with everyone p>
“Ma’am, the Hartleys are here,” the bodyguard said from afar, guiding Alice and her family in. Xavier followed behind them.
Bianca had set up a picnic lunch for everyone on a Sunday. She invited Serena’s family and Alice’s family as well. Of course, Xavier came as an extension of Alice’s family.
“These are your ordered pastries, Mrs. Thorne,” Lena said, offering Bianca the box of baked goods.
“I heard you bake well, so I’m excited to try them,” Bianca remarked, taking the box and handing it to the maid.
“Set this up on the table,” she instructed.
From then on, Serena noticed how Bianca was trying her best to please everyone maybe a little too hard.
While waiting for the food, she kept asking if everyone was comfortable, if they needed water, or anything else.
Then, right before lunch started, the maids came out with boxes of gifts. Bianca said, “I prepared a little something for everyone, including Alice’s family and Xavier. It’s just my way of saying thank you – thank you for welcoming Nathan and me and just… letting us be with the kids p>
Celine received a collection of signature-brand scarves.
Sterling and Silas received cufflinks.
Alice got a new bag, while Xavier was given limited-edition fountain pens.
Landon and Bernard got new pairs of shoes – ones Serena had helped pick out through a secret shopper.
And Lena received a brand-new mixer for her bakery.
“Grandma! Grandma!” Sebastian called, rushing to her. “What about my gift p>
Bianca pinched Sebastian’s cheek and said, “Of course, you have a gift. You and your sister have new toys in your room p>
“You hear that, Ali?” Bastin turned to his sister. “We have new toys p>
Then Sebastian hugged Bianca, saying, “Grandma Bianca is officially my favorite today p>
Laughter echoed around them at Sebastian’s words.
“I want to open my toys, Grandma! I want to open my toys!” Sebastian insisted.
Alisa also rushed to their side, tugging on Bianca’s hand.
“Oh, but sweethearts, we have guests,” Bianca explained.
“It’s okay, Bianca,” Serena said. “We can handle ourselves. We’ll wait for your return p>
“I’ll just accompany them,” Nathaniel said before he walked back inside with the kids and Bianca.
In that moment, Alice remarked, “Bianca is trying too hard to please us p>
“Sometimes, trying too hard is one’s way of apologizing,” Sterling remarked, and they all agreed.
“Still, I guess it isn’t that bad,” Bernard added.
“Of course,” Serena said.
“Yes,” Celine acknowledged. “We can see she’s trying p>
Xavier, who had been quiet, nodded. “I guess everybody has to start somewhere p>
It did not take long for the kids to return with Nathaniel and Bianca. When they did, all the food had been served.
They had lunch, discussing what
had transpired during the kids’ family activity at the center, the improvement in Alice’s leg, and the bakery Lena and Bernard were about to open.
“I’m getting stronger – I can feel it. Sometimes I don’t use the cane anymore,” Alice shared eagerly. “Of course, I thank Xavier for accompanying me every day p>
“Xavier really brings miracles. He first saved Serena, and now Alice is getting better with his help,” Bianca remarked.
“I’m not the one who gave the treatment. I just made sure Alice made it to her sessions,” Xavier said humbly.
“Well, you help me with my daily walk,” Alice replied.
“Um-huh. Only you have the patience to walk Alice for an hour, knowing the kind of
things she’d talk about,” Serena teased.
“What does that mean?” Alice frowned, and giggles erupted again.
“Well, that means you should be
ready for work, Alice,” Silas
suggested. “We need more trustworthy people working for the company. You too, Xavier. Hope you can go back to work soon
५
They ate Lena’s pastries for dessert, and Serena and Nathaniel thought it was the perfect moment to announce their decision.
“Everyone,” Nathaniel said, putting an arm around Serena, “we have an announcement to make p>
“I knew it, my daughter is already pregnant,” Celine remarked.
Serena looked horrified, and seeing her father’s eyes widen, she scolded, “Mom! That’s not it p>
“Oh. Oh!” Celine flushed. “Sorry p>
“What is it, Serena, Nathan?” Sterling asked, his eyes narrowing.
Serena glanced at Nathaniel first before looking down at her hands Then she turned to the kids. Seeing ther hopeful smiles she finally said ve decided to give Nathan a chance p>
She smiled and added, “We’ve survived the worst of each other. And somehow, we’re still here. So we’re choosing to try again. I hope you can stand with us p>