Chapter 52
With Faye's arrival, the house came alive.
Every day was filled with laughter and joy. I looked forward to going home after work each day. For a whole week, even Levi's social obligations seemed to decrease, and most of the time, everyone was at home joking around together.
When the weekend came again, Faye said she wanted to experience a picnic. But the weather had turned cold, making it unsuitable to go out.
Indigo suggested setting up in our little garden at home - pitching a tent and moving all the tables and everything outside to create that picnic atmosphere.
Levi bought a set of inflatable mats, so Celestia could play without getting too cold.
When I came out, they had already set everything up. Indigo told me that Levi had actually helped out, assembling many of the toys for Celestia himself.
I was really pleased that Levi was being a present father. Whether he loved me or not, he loved our daughter, and that was enough.
"Blair, come on over! We're about to start grilling."
Faye was great at organizing activities like this. She often organized parties with friends abroad, and you could tell she handled this kind of family picnic with ease.
She pulled me over to the grill. "Who's going to eat these peppers?"
"My brother, of course. Levi says he can handle super spicy food. Do you believe that?"
I almost rolled my eyes. Levi had really been talking big lately.
"Mom, Dad's spice tolerance is way too low. He's totally bluffing." Celestia pointed at Levi and laughed. "Dad, I've noticed you've been super exaggerating lately. You usually only eat bland food."
"He goes for strong flavors occasionally."
The words just slipped out. What I meant was that he liked Jessa's type - that kind of strong flavor. I found her tiresome to even look at. Anyway, I could never learn Jessa's way of acting all cutesy and flirty.
Levi smiled lazily. He was lounging in a deck chair. "Faye, you're too slow."
"You're just sitting there waiting to eat and still complaining. Just you wait - it'll smell so good you'll be drooling." Faye said confidently.
Having Faye around was like having someone speak for me. Every time she roasted Levi, it was just right.
"Dad, I want to eat what you grill. Come on, get involved."
"Okay, coming."
Levi melted at his daughter's words. Only Celestia could get him wrapped around her finger like this.
"Levi, you should get moving. Look at you being all aloof." Faye teased him again.
The reverse psychology seemed to work. Levi picked up the tongs and started grilling with proper form. I grabbed an apron from the side, ready to tie it on him.
"Lift your arms a bit."
He cooperatively raised his arms, and I reached around from behind to tie the apron on him.
"Blair, you two are so sweet together. Watching you makes me want to date someone."
"What nonsense, you're just a kid."
"You're still young..."
Levi and I said it almost simultaneously. Faye put her hands on her hips. "See, you two are pretty in sync."
We had been interacting quite a bit lately, all thanks to her, constantly dragging Celestia along and making Levi and me keep them company.
"Indigo, I ordered a cake. Hasn't it been delivered yet?"
"Not yet, Mrs. Morgan."
Faye hugged my arm. "Blair, you're like a mind reader. How did you know I wanted cake?"
"You mention your preferences eight hundred times a day. I know them all."
Levi grumbled while flipping the meat.
Faye glared at him. "Well, I'm still better than you. Unlike you, who's just a workaholic with no life at all. Only Blair can put up with you."
That killed the conversation. Levi was speechless.
Celestia's laugh froze on her face. Seeing me signal her with my eyes, she walked over to Levi's side.
"Dad, how about we play chess? Let Auntie Faye grill the meat. If she's busy, she won't pick on you, hehe..."
Faye pouted. "Celestia, you'd better pick the right side, or I won't take you out to play."
"Auntie Faye, you don't have many friends here. Don't threaten me, or I won't keep you company."
These two clever ones were really quite a pair.
Suddenly, we heard someone talking at the entrance.
Everyone looked over to see Jessa taking the cake from the delivery person.
Seeing this, Indigo walked over to help.
"Miss Greer is here. Let me take that."
Jessa smiled. "It's fine, I can handle it. We just arrived at the same time. It's no trouble."
As she spoke, she handed the cake to Indigo - just putting on a show, really.
"Levi, who's that?"
"Jessa."
Levi stared at the chessboard without looking up.
"That's Jessa?"
Faye seemed to know about Jessa and Levi's situation, and didn't seem very surprised by Jessa's arrival.
Jessa walked toward us with a catlike stride, smiling. "You're grilling! I actually came to bring Levi something, but I ran into this."
She clearly came at just the right time. If Levi hadn't told her, I would suspect she had planted a spy in our house, specifically picking the time to come.
"This is Faye, right? You've grown so much. You're beautiful."
"Jessa, are you saying I wasn't beautiful before?"
Faye was straightforward, joking with her.
Jessa looked embarrassed. "Oh, I said that wrong. Faye, you've blossomed more and more beautifully."
"Well, thanks for the compliment."
Faye took a plate and put several pieces of meat on it for Jessa. "Freshly grilled. Try some."
These pieces of meat seemed a bit overcooked, slightly charred.
Jessa didn't want them but couldn't refuse without losing face with Faye.
"Okay, I'll try some."
Indigo and I unwrapped the cake, and I cut a slice for Faye.
"Thanks, Blair, this cake looks delicious."
"Yes, this cake needs to be pre-ordered. Mrs. Morgan ordered it yesterday."
I cut a piece for Indigo, too. "You try some too."
Indigo declined. "Mrs. Morgan, I shouldn't. That wouldn't be appropriate."
"What's inappropriate about it? We're all family." I handed her the cake. Here, she was like an elder to me.
Celestia messed up the chess pieces. "Dad, let's go eat cake too."
Everyone gathered around, eating and chatting.
Faye wiped her mouth. "Oh, right, Jessa, you can get tickets to my idol's concert, right? Can you get me two?"
"What?"
Jessa didn't expect Faye to make such a request. She looked at Levi.
Faye pursed her lips. "You're in similar circles, shouldn't be hard, right? Look, this is the big bracelet Blair gave me, all sparkly and shiny."
"I'm actually not that close with them..."
"Jessa, you're so stingy. Just get the tickets, Blair will pay for them, okay?"
Jessa looked to Levi for help. "Levi, do you know anyone..."
"Forget it, I thought you had connections. I'll just ask my brother to help me instead."
Jessa hung her head, dejected.