Chapter 162 031
THE living room was washed in the soft glow of mid-afternoon light, curtains drawn halfway to let the sun spill lazily across the tiled floor. Two elderly women sat comfortably on the plush couch, knees angled toward each other, fancy porcelain teacups cradled in their hands as thin wisps of steam curled into the air.
Mrs. Harlow lifted her cup carefully and took a small sip.
“This tea always tastes better when I have company,” she said with a pleased smile. “I swear, when I drink it alone, it is just… tea.”
Mrs. Ellis chuckled, setting her own cup down on the saucer.
“That’s because you add too much sugar when you are lonely,” she teased. “You are compensating.”
“Oh please,” Mrs. Harlow scoffed lightly. “As if I’m the lonely one here. You are the one who suddenly remembered she had a best friend after months of disappearance.”
Mrs. Ellis laughed, the sound full and warm.
“Don’t exaggerate. I called you last week.”
“And promised to come visit two weeks ago,” Mrs. Harlow countered, arching a brow.
Mrs. Ellis waved a dismissive hand.
“Life happens. Besides, I had to hear all about Amelia’s big news in person. These things are not meant for phone conversations.”
Mrs. Harlow’s lips curved into a knowing smile.
“Ah. So you ‘have’ heard.”
“How could I not?” Mrs. Ellis replied. “You sounded like you had just won a lottery when you mentioned it. A proposal does that to a mother, I suppose.”
Mrs. Harlow sighed happily, leaning back into the couch.
“You have no idea. After everything she has been through… seeing her smile again, seeing her hopeful, it does something to my heart.”
Mrs. Ellis nodded, lifting her cup again.
“And the children? How are they taking it?”
“They are children,” Mrs. Harlow said with a soft laugh. “Hazel acts like she knows everything already. Always watching, always analyzing. And the twins, oh goodness, one moment they are angels, the next moment they are plotting chaos.”
Mrs. Ellis laughed.
“That sounds about right. Ryan was the same way growing up. Quiet on the outside, but his mind? Always running.”
Mrs. Harlow tilted her head.
“Still quiet, that one.”
“Still,” Mrs. Ellis agreed. “But he is grown into his own. Too serious sometimes, if you ask me.”
Mrs. Harlow smiled knowingly.
“That seriousness shows at work. Amelia always mentions how dependable he is.”
Mrs. Ellis raised a brow, amused.
“Does she now?”
“Yes,” Mrs. Harlow said, sipping her tea. “Always saying how he handles things so calmly. I suppose that is why he puts up with that girl of his.”
Mrs. Ellis groaned dramatically.
“Don’t get me started.”
Mrs. Harlow chuckled.
“Still living together, right?”
“Still,” Mrs. Ellis replied, shaking her head. “Students, they say. Studying what exactly, I don’t know. Every time I visit, she’s cooking in my son’s kitchen like she owns the place.”
Mrs. Harlow laughed.
“At least she cooks.”
“She should,” Mrs. Ellis said pointedly. “She practically lives there.”
Mrs. Harlow dabbed her lips with a napkin.
“Young people these days move fast. Different times.”
“Different indeed,” Mrs. Ellis agreed. “But I won’t lie, Ryan seems… content. That is something, I suppose.”
Mrs. Harlow smiled softly.
“Contentment matters.”
They sat quietly for a moment, sipping their tea, the comfortable silence of old friendship settling between them.
Mrs. Ellis broke it with a grin.
“So, when do I get to meet this new man in Amelia’s life? You know I still haven't.”
Mrs. Harlow chuckled.
“Soon, I hope. He seems charming. Very attentive.”
Mrs. Ellis hummed.
“Attentive is good. Necessary, even. Especially with grandchildren involved.”
“Exactly,” Mrs. Harlow said. “Hazel watches everything. She needs to see consistency.”
Mrs. Ellis nodded.
“Urrghh, teenagers have sharp eyes.”
“And sharper tongues,” Mrs. Harlow added, laughing.
Mrs. Ellis joined her laughter, lifting her cup again.
“Well, here is to hoping everything falls into place nicely.”
Mrs. Harlow raised her cup slightly.
“To hope.”
They clinked their cups gently, porcelain tapping softly.
Just as their laughter began to fade and the conversation lulled, Mrs. Harlow’s phone rang.
She reached behind her on the couch, fingers brushing against the device before lifting it. Her eyes dropped to the screen, and instantly, a small, motherly smile tugged at her lips.
Mrs. Ellis noticed and took a quiet sip of her tea as Mrs. Harlow swiped to answer.
“Hello, son. How are you doing?” Mrs. Harlow asked, her voice softening the instant the call connected.
From the other end came a warm laugh, deep, masculine, and easy.
“I’m fine, big mommy. And how are you?”
“Mmm.” She leaned back into the couch, eyes crinkling with delight. “Happy… happy and contented,” she laughed. “What more can I say?”
Mrs. Ellis, seated beside her, watched the exchange with fond curiosity, a smile tugging at her lips.
“I see,” the person at the other end replied, speaking lightly, “You are really being taken care of.”
Mrs. Harlow laughed heartily.
“You can say that again.” Then she straightened slightly, her tone shifting into that unmistakable motherly eagerness. “So tell me, have you finalized it? When are you finally coming home? When are we going to see you, Valentine?”
The questions came tumbling out one after the other.
“Oh Lord,” Valentine groaned dramatically. “Ahh! Mommy! Cool it. All these questions for me?”
She waved a hand in the air, even though he couldn’t see her.
“Yes, for you. Who else should I ask?”
His laughter crackled through the phone.
“Alright, alright. Give me two weeks. Just two weeks, and you will see me at your doorstep.”
Mrs. Harlow rolled her eyes theatrically.
“Famous words,” she said, though her smile betrayed her excitement. “Anyway, we can’t wait to see you.”
“I know, mommy,” Valentine replied warmly. There was a brief pause, then his voice returned, slightly hesitant. “By the way… big sis hasn’t been returning my calls or replying my DMs. I hope she is okay?”
Mrs. Harlow’s smile faltered just a fraction. She glanced sideways at Mrs. Ellis, who raised her brows in silent interest.
“Really?” Mrs. Harlow said carefully. “Maybe she is just so busy—”
“Busy to speak to me?” Valentine interrupted, mock-offended.
She chuckled.
“You know how she is. I will talk to her, okay? Don’t disturb your head over that.”
He laughed again, the sound easing the tension.
“Alright then. I trust you.”
“Good,” she said warmly. “Take care of yourself.”
“You too, big mommy. I will call later.”
“Alright. Bye.”
“Bye.”
The call ended, and Mrs. Harlow slowly lowered the phone, a pleased sigh escaping her lips as she placed it back behind her on the couch.
“Hmph. Valentine,” she murmured fondly, shaking her head.
Mrs. Ellis leaned forward, eyes bright with excitement.
“Wow! So you mean he’s finally returning home? So what I have been hearing aren’t all lies?”
Mrs. Harlow laughed, nodding.
“No, my dear. They are very much the truth.”
Mrs. Ellis clapped her hands together softly.
“Oh, this is wonderful news! It’s been how long now?”
“Too long,” Mrs. Harlow replied. “But finally… he’s coming home.”
Mrs. Ellis smiled, lifting her teacup again.
“Well then, that calls for celebration.”
Mrs. Harlow chuckled, reaching for her own cup.
“Indeed it does.”
They shared a knowing look, the kind only old friends could exchange, one filled with memories, anticipation, and the quiet joy of things finally falling into place.
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