Chapter 221
Lily smiled, her lips curving up, and turned to glance outside the kitchen.
Seeing her sweet expression, I understood immediately.
It seemed she and Ryan were getting along quite well these days.
"So what's going on with you two?"
I asked curiously.
Lily's face flushed slightly, "Just the normal dating situation."
"Did you come clean about everything?"
"Pretty much."
Lily fiddled with the vegetables in the sink, "I think you were right. Two people should trust each other. We can't give up what we have now just because we're worried about things that haven't even happened yet."
She pressed her lips together and shook her head.
I looked at her closely, "Don't overthink it. At least you're happy now."
"Cheer up. Being down like this isn't like the Lily I remember."
Lily nodded, her smile brightening.
Once all the ingredients were ready, Jason had set up the grill in the backyard.
The charcoal burned bright red, warming our hearts in the moment.
Lila and I grilled together, and Lily came over to my side, taking a deep sniff.
"Smells amazing! When can we eat?"
"Almost ready."
I brushed another layer of barbecue sauce on the beef skewers.
Under the heat of the charcoal, the fat from the beef sizzled , making our mouths water.
Lily's eyes were glued to it.
Jessica also followed the aroma over, looking at me expectantly.
Looking at these two, one big and one small, I couldn't help but laugh.
"Okay, you two take these first."
I handed them the grilled skewers and continued cooking.
Jason walked over and naturally took the grill from my hands.
"I'll do it."
I looked up at him, "You will?"
Jason raised an eyebrow, "What? You don't trust my skills?"
I smiled without saying anything.
Jason narrowed his eyes dangerously, about to speak, when Ryan also came over.
"Let me do it. You two go sit down."
Jason said, "Stealing my thunder?"
Whatever, I letthese two take their time grilling.
Lily and I went to sit and chat.
We hadn't seen each other in a while, so we talked about all sorts of everyday things.
Lily glanced at Jason from afar and lowered her voice to ask me, "Sue, you and Jason have had your marriage certificate for quite a while now, right? When are you having the wedding?"
I thought about it, "Not sure yet."
We got the marriage certificate right after New Year's, and then I went job hunting.
As for the wedding, it just got put on hold.
Lily pressed her lips together slightly and reminded me, "Sue, don't take this the wrong way, but you two just got married and you're still in the honeymoon phase."
"But even so, you should still have a proper wedding ceremony!"
I knew what she was worried about.
But since I chose to marry Jason, I was prepared to spend the rest of my life with him.
And besides...
I looked up, gazing at Jason standing by the grill.
The rising smoke blurred his features.
I smiled slightly, my voice soft but firm, "It's fine. I trust that he'll definitely give me the most amazing wedding."
"Look at you two, already an old married couple and still so lovey-dovey?"
Lily shook her head.
She thought for a moment, "Anyway, as long as you know what you're doing."
I nodded.
I trustJason.
If I didn't, I wouldn't have married him.
The most important thing between husband and wife is trust, isn't it?
"Mrs. Cooper, your juice."
Imogen brought over freshly squeezed watermelon juice and refilled Lily's beer.
Only then did Lily realize there were two new people in the house.
"They are..."
"I'm busy with work now, sometimes working overtime, and don't have time to look after Jessica. Lila and Imogen are people Jason brought from the Old Mansion to help take care of Jessica."
I explained.
Lily looked at me deeply and couldn't help but sigh, "Sue, I've said this many times before, but I have to say it again—you've really changed a lot. Jason has taken such good care of you."
I smiled, "It's mainly because Jessica has grown up a bit. She can tell right from wrong now, otherwise I wouldn't have agreed to having nannies."
"Enough about me, what's going on with you and Ryan? Just dating, no plans to get married?"
Before Lily could answer, Jason came over with a plate of grilled food.
"Ladies, enjoy."
Jason bent down and naturally kissed my cheek.
I smiled and lifted his chin playfully, teasing, "Your service is excellent. Come find me later for your tip."
Jason's eyes darkened, "Deal."
Lily sat across from me covering her eyes, saying she couldn't watch.
It wasn't until Jason went back to grill with Ryan that I continued asking, "Don't change the subject. What are you planning with Ryan?"
Lily said, "Just going with the flow. You know my parents—they can't wait for me to get married tomorrow, but I don't want to rush into marriage."
"Plus we haven't even met each other's parents yet."
Hearing Lily say this, I understood what she was worried about.
The Scott family was wealthy and powerful.
Even if Ryan liked Lily, getting past the Scott family wouldn't be easy.
"Don't worry, worst case, you still have me."
I patted Lily's shoulder.
The family barbecue was really enjoyable.
Lily drank quite a bit, and when it was time to leave, she was swaying when she stood up.
Ryan held her with one hand and carried her bag with the other, saying goodbye to us, "We'll head out now. Let's get together again next time."
Lily hung on Ryan like a koala, her eyes hazy, waving at me, "Bye Sue."
"Drive safe."
Ryan left with Lily, and watching them go, I couldn't help but comment, "Those two are probably getting married soon, right?"
Jason beside me didn't answer. Instead, I felt his arm tighten around my waist.
I turned my head and met Jason's deep gaze.
He leaned down and kissed me.
"I'm here for my tip."
"Not here, let's go to the room first."
The next day I slept until noon.
This was the first time I truly appreciated how wonderful it was to have help at home.
Last night Jason had carried me straight to the bedroom, and Lila and Imogen cleaned up the kitchen and backyard.
They also prepared Jessica's breakfast this morning.
When I came downstairs after getting dressed, Lila had already prepared my brunch.
I looked around and asked Lila curiously, "Where's Jessica?"
"Imogen took her to her horseback riding lesson."
Lila answered.
Then I remembered that Jason had recently enrolled Jessica in riding lessons.
Every weekend she went to a special stable to learn riding.
After breakfast, I went to knock on the study door.
"What's up, honey?"
Jason immediately looked up from his computer screen.
I peeked in, "When will you be done?"
"Anytime."
I looked at him helplessly, "Finish your work first. Want to go out this afternoon?"
Jason seemed surprised, "Just us two?"
"Yeah, Jessica went to her riding lesson. Today is our couple time."