With Deborah's quiet summon to the dining hall for dinner, Jessica reluctantly allowed Davis to lead her out of the nursery after she lingered for a while more.
With slow, steady steps, they descended the staircase. Davis had earlier intended to take her on a tour around the estate, but since their first visit to the nursery had taken over the whole day, it had to be done another day.
"Do you care for a bath before the al?" Davis asked her midway down the stairs, his tone light.
Jessica glanced towards the direction of the living room and shook her head. "So many people are already waiting, and going over to take a bath wouldn't be right." She reasoned.
"It doesn't matter. They can wait." He smirked as he glanced towards the sitting room, his eyes glinting with mischief.
Jessica suppressed a laugh, "Davis Allen, have you never been taught to be polite and filial to your elders…"
Davis chuckled, "Soone taught that once, but she later sent her elder to the hospital…with my expensive wine."
Jessica's gaze narrowed, "Who was that?"
Davis glanced at her playfully, "You did."
Jessica gulped awkwardly, "I did?" She asked, her face already screaming impossible, but then Davis nodded.
She sighed with a shrug, "Too bad. Then he must have done sothing wrong, I am not that unreasonable."
Davis shook his head in resignation. He couldn't help but laugh at the glaring truth before him; though Jessica might have lost her mory, her traits were still intact.
Davis wanted to persuade her more, but she shook her head lightly. "Have dinner and then a bath." She said, her voice firm with no chance of debate.
With her firm resolve, they continued their descent, and Davis gently took her hand in his. Jessica glanced at him lightly but kept quiet.
Alighting the last step, Jessica took a calming breath and stepped forward into the sitting room with Davis's hand loosening around her wrist, but just as she looked up to talk to him, a sudden shower of petals rained down on her.
Jessica felt her breath hitch as she halted mid-step, but just as she was trying to understand what was happening, the resounding voices of so many people echoed unanimously through the sitting room, "Welco ho."
Quietly, her eyes scanned through the sitting room as she took in the dazzling sight before her.
It seed the sitting room had been transford as it now carried a gentle festive charm, though cozy and holy.
Colorful strears were hung loosely across the corners, and a handful of colourful balloons were tied together and set in clusters near the walls.
A "Welco Ho" sign, handwritten and decorated with bright markers, hung proudly around every corner of the sitting room, giving the room a personal and heartfelt feel.
The sofas were pulled closer together, covered with soft silky throws that added to the touch of the strear.
On each of the coffee tables, a mix of light snacks and pastries, juice, fruit cups, and finger foods were neatly arranged on trays, ready for anyone who wished to nibble before dinner.
A soft sound of background music filtered through every corner of the room, setting a calm and peaceful atmosphere that made one want to drown in the mont.
The faint aroma of food wafted into the room, making everyone's tummy grumble for a fill. Her eyes stung as she stared at their sincere smiling faces, short of words.
Her lips quivered, unable to form a proper word of thanks. Davis stepped forward with a large, beautiful bouquet of her favourite white lilies.
With a relieved, charming smile, his lips parted softly. "Welco ho, wife."
Her tears fell, several emotions warring in her heart… with no recollection of how they had lived, what they might have experienced together, Jessica felt at a loss, and her heart tugged with pain.
Davis gently pulled her into his embrace, his hand caressing her back as he whispered softly, "Babe, thank you so much for making it through the empty void, for coming back to alive, and for the wonderful gifts."
"But I don't rember anything?" She winced, her voice cracking bitterly.
She didn't dare to imagine how she could learn to appreciate the present if she didn't recall how beautiful, painful, or heartbreaking the past had been.
"I can keep the mories intact for us both… while we build new mories, free from stress, pain, and void of plots, is much more beautiful."
After a brief pause, Davis stepped back and held her hand, leading her into the sitting room where both familiar and unfamiliar faces were present.
Bella ca forward with a small plate of carefully picked snacks and a glass of juice. "Sister-in-law," she called warmly.
Jessica's gaze narrowed, "Too early to throw away a sister and grab a sister-in-law." She smirked.
"Good for , it's the sa person." She retorted, earning a chuckle from Jessica as she flicked her forehead. "Sweet mouth."
Bella laughed softly, "Welco ho, sis." she said in a warm embrace.
While they chatted, Deborah ca into the sitting room, a bright, warm smile plastered across her face. "Let's proceed to the dining hall."
Unanimously, they filed their way into the dining room. A gentle hum of their voices filled the room, laced with excitent, anticipation, and warmth.
The long dining hall of Davis's estate glowed with soft lighting spilling from the chandeliers hung above, bathing the room in a soft ambience, its light reflecting on the wares and cutlery.
The table was adorned with fresh lilies and roses, their fragrance mingling with the savory aroma of the dishes laid out…bowls of rich soup, plates of vibrant food, and steaming platters that promised comfort.
Elder Allen took the head of the table. Davis guided Jessica to her seat with quiet care as he pulled out a chair for her to sit down before settling beside her.
The rest settled into their seats accordingly.
Elder Allen prayed and they dug into their als, silent at first, but gradually the silent etiquette flew out the window as they conversed lightly with laughter and gentle toasts.
Servants moved gracefully, filling glasses with wine, while plates were passed around, each dish plated with care and according to preference.
Deborah ca over to Jessica's side and placed a carefully made dish. "Your favorite," she smirked.
"Thank you," Jessica smiled.
With each recounting a brief of their encounter with her, Jessica found herself adjusting to the warmth and the sense of belonging slowly creeping into her life.
Her heart fluttered, and though her mories posed a barrier, this welco dinner with family and friends wrapped her in a sense of ho she didn't think she could feel again.
As the al neared its ending, Elder Allen raised a toast. "To a new blissful life."
"Cheers." They echoed unanimously.
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