At night, as Allison had said, she prepared sothing special for the family. With the help of everyone in the kitchen and Butler Jen, they were able to prepare a huge feast that could feed the family and everyone in the residence.
"Wow..." Penny’s eyes twinkled as her mouth watered, gulping as she scanned all the food on the table. "... These are my favorites."
Zoren amusingly watched the twinkle in his wife’s eyes, chuckling to himself as he was reminded of the young Penny. That young Penny’s eyes would also twinkle at the ntion of food. She would even bring snacks during their Thursday etings and drool just like right now whenever he would bring snacks.
"These are all your favorites?" he wondered aloud, gazing at the variety of food on the table, trying to rember all of them. However, just as he was scanning the food, Atlas spoke.
"All foods are her favorites," Atlas said flatly, his expression as unchanging as ever, as if nothing in the world could ever change it. "Don’t believe whatever she says when it cos to food."
"Listen to First Brother. He’s never wrong!" Hugo whispered-yelled from beside Atlas. "Especially when she says it tastes terrible, and she gagged, but still swallowed it. Don’t believe it. It only ans she wants it all for herself. Trust . I was a victim many tis before I learned my lesson."
"Mom, this is a lot," Slater, surprisingly, didn’t join his brothers in criticizing Penny. Instead, he focused on Allison, who was placing the last pot on the table as if the table wasn’t already full. "Aren’t you tired?"
Allison flashed her sweetest smile and stroked his head. "It’s okay. Today is worth celebrating, so I’m more than happy to stay in the kitchen the whole day."
"I stayed in the kitchen the whole day too!" Charles huffed, his voice sounding a little exhausted. "Slater, drop the act! How co you all left the house and just ca ho now, huh?!"
"I didn’t leave because of other things, but I had to et Jas," Slater frowned a bit, but in truth, he had left when he saw Atlas and Hugo leaving. When he asked his older brothers, all they told him was that Allison wanted to make a feast. So, he tagged along with them. They just drove around aimlessly for hours.
"I’m your father, don’t lie." Charles rolled his eyes, resting in his seat as he was more sleepy than hungry. He didn’t have the energy to call out his son’s laziness. "Goodness. How co these boys got all my bad traits? It’s a good thing Penny married, but this additional son is just too fragile."
It wasn’t like Atlas, Hugo, and Slater would have made a difference. After all, those three would just have made things a lot harder and slower. Allison and Charles got plenty of help from Zoren’s helpers; even Penny, Zoren, and Haines helped with light work. Besides, Old Mrs. Pierson also sent so people to help. That was how the feast was finished in ti.
Still, it was good to vent on his sons.
"Perfect!" Allison clapped as soon as she gazed at the table. She quickly took off her apron and handed it to the helper, who approached her for it.
Standing near the head seat where Charles was seated, her lips stretched from ear to ear. Even before she started talking, everyone at the table turned their heads to her. Benjamin, Angel, Mark, and a few bodyguards were also there to join them for supper.
"I know yesterday was a very terrifying experience for all of us," she began with her classic soft voice, her eyes scanning the people around the table and then those who were standing by the side. "I know because I felt it. It made realize that everyone here truly cares for Zoren and our Penny. Our family was very worried, but knowing that so many of us here are on our side — that a lot of you were also saying the sa prayers to the Heavens — put my heart at ease."
Her remarks weren’t just to make it sound special or heartfelt. It was the reality of the events from the night before. She saw the look in Mark’s eyes when he first saw Zoren and everyone’s reaction. How they all did their best to offer so comfort to the Bennet Family because it was the least they could do. She also felt how the quiet residence had felt so gloomy and suffocating because everyone was just worried.
"But like they say, there’s always sunshine after the rain," she continued, her eyes softening as she gazed at her son-in-law’s face. "After countless days, infinite patience, and a lot of hard work, Zoren got his eyesight back! Although he still needs to rest and continue his dication and exercise, it is still worth celebrating!"
She paused, nodding at Zoren approvingly. "Congratulations, Zoren. I’m really happy for you... as your mother."
Zoren’s face softened, nodding back at Allison. "Thank you... Mom."
Tears glead in Allison’s eyes as soon as she heard how Zoren called her so naturally. The usual discomfort that had laced his voice whenever he addressed her was gone.
"Mom, don’t cry..." Atlas reminded her, only to trail off when he heard his father sniffing. When Atlas shifted his attention to Charles, his face soured a little. "Mom, can a person truly pass their tears to another person?"
Charles sniffed hard and looked away, wiping the corner of his eyes with a cloth. "Don’t look at ! I think dust just got into my eyes! I’m not crying! Not at all!"
With Charles now tearing up, Allison chuckled and managed to hold back her tears. She gazed at Zoren and Penny again, who were smiling at Charles.
"Congratulations... Renren, Penny." she expressed. "We’re all so happy for you — for the both of you."
Again, Zoren thanked her and turned to Penny with a smile. When they looked back at Allison, she already announced, "Let’s dig in!"
Having said that, everyone grinned from ear to ear, ready to gobble up all the delicacies before them. But just as Allison was about to sit down, they stopped as Old Mrs. Pierson’s voice penetrated the dining room.
"You brat! Do you want to give a heart attack first before the promised quadruplets?!" Old Mrs. Pierson yelled, walking into the dining room, her hand holding a cane while her other hand was holding Butler Hubert’s arm. "How co I didn’t know you couldn’t see all this ti?!"
As soon as everyone saw Old Mrs. Pierson, they rose from their seats to welco her. Allison, on the other hand, smiled in satisfaction and rushed to et her halfway.
"Grandma, I thought you wouldn’t be coming?" Allison asked as soon as she held Old Mrs. Pierson’s arm to assist her.
"How could I miss it?" Old Mrs. Pierson stopped and looked at Allison. "My lovely daughter is hosting a feast. Even if you’re doing it at the end of the world, I would co!"
"Grandma..."
"Besides, that grandson of mine needs a good scolding! You are too precious to be hurting your throat for him. I’ll do it — throat exercise!"
"Way to go, Granny~!" Hugo whistled.
Allison could only laugh while Charles offered his seat to Old Mrs. Pierson. But Old Mrs. Pierson preferred to sit beside Haines. She also scolded Zoren for keeping his health a secret and expressed her gratitude to Penny. Above all, she couldn’t help but ask about the n’s date the day before.
The al was still filled with warmth, gratitude, laughter, and love. They shared many monts of laughter with bits and pieces of their banter. Even so, everyone’s heart was full just as much as their stomach.
The celebration wasn’t grand, but it was all Zoren could ask for. It was the best celebration he had ever had in his life, with his grandmother, who seed so healthy, all these people who genuinely cared, and with the love of his life.
He was grateful for the gift of life.
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