Watching her grandmother, bent over and trembling as she put things away, Deanna felt a pang of sadness.
Unconsciously, her grandmother had aged so much.
At that moment, she wished time could be kinder to her grandmother, not letting her age so quickly, giving her more time to take care of her.
Because of this, later that day, Deanna returned to her room feeling low.
She had already lost her mother. If one day her grandmother also left her, she didn't know if she could bear such a blow.
When Lance returned from the study, he saw this scene.
Under the bright light, Deanna sat at the bedside, feeling down.
"What's wrong?" Lance asked with concern as he walked over.
Deanna shook her head and explained, "I'm fine, just thinking about some things."
"What things?" Lance persisted.
Unable to avoid his questioning, Deanna finally said, "It's nothing really. I just suddenly noticed how much older Grandma has become. I was thinking about what I would do if one day she's no longer here. She's my only family left."
As she spoke, her eyes reddened again, tears welling up at the corners.
Seeing this, Lance gently wiped away a tear and comforted her softly, "Even if Grandma is gone, you still have me, Gregory, and Chloe."
"I know I have you all, but Grandma is different. She was with me through the toughest times."
Deanna sniffled, looking at Lance with tear-filled eyes.
Lance couldn't stand that look. He pulled her into his arms and soothed her, "I understand what you mean. Life and death are beyond our control. I don't know how to comfort you, but we can try to spend as much time as possible with Grandma in the days we have left."
Hearing this, Deanna felt it made sense.
In the following days, she gradually reduced the time she spent on work and returned to the manor early every day to be with her grandmother.
The two little ones also clung to their great-grandmother even more under her lead.
Seeing how close the three of them were, although Deanna said nothing, Old Ashley could tell that their previous conversation had scared her granddaughter.
She had no choice but to find another time to talk to Deanna with a mix of laughter and tears, "I was just expressing my feelings that day. I wanted to give you my things so that if something unexpected happened, you and Gregory and Chloe would know what I had prepared for you."
Hearing her grandmother's words, Deanna understood her meaning and clung to her arm playfully.
"I know that's not what you meant. But I want to spend more time with you. Like you said, we never know when something unexpected might happen. I don't want to have any regrets like I did with Mom."
By the end of her words, Deanna's voice had grown low.
Old Ashley fell silent too.
She had always known that Olivia's death was a hurdle her granddaughter couldn't get over.
In the end, she didn't say anything more and let Deanna follow her own feelings.
Half a month passed in the blink of an eye. Deanna's days were peaceful and happy as she moved between two points every day.
One day, she and Lance went to pick up the kids from school as usual.
As soon as the family met, the kids excitedly announced, "Daddy, Mommy, the school is having a field trip the day after tomorrow for three days and two nights. We were told to ask our parents if they want to go. If we do, we need to sign up with the teacher tomorrow and leave the day after."
"Mommy, let's go," Chloe looked over with hopeful eyes.
Three days and two nights with school friends would definitely be fun.
Seeing their eager eyes, Deanna and Lance couldn't help but tease them.
"You know that your mommy makes all the decisions at home. As long as she agrees, we will go," Lance said deliberately.
The kids immediately turned their bright eyes to Deanna and started pleading cutely, "Mommy, let's go, please."
Deanna found it both amusing and exasperating. She glared at Lance who had spoken before her.
"Alright, we'll all go," Deanna agreed readily, suppressing her mischievous urge.
Of course, she also shot a triumphant glance at Lance.
Daring to steal her words and throw the decision back at her? She wouldn't satisfy his mischief either.
The kids didn't notice the silent battle between their parents. Hearing that they could go on the trip made them extremely happy.
When they got home, their smiles hadn't faded.
Old Ashley noticed their over-the-top excitement and asked curiously, "What's gotten into them?"
"They're just too happy. Don't worry," Deanna explained briefly and then mentioned the field trip happening the day after tomorrow.
Old Ashley nodded in understanding. "A field trip sounds like a good idea. Have fun."
The kids danced around joyfully and started talking about the trip destination.
"The teacher said we're going to a place where peach blossoms are in full bloom. We'll bring some back for Grandma and ask Mommy to make peach blossom wine."