Once the day rose, Lola was woken up by the twins’ bubbly morning greetings. Thankfully, before she finally passed out last night, she had put on clothes — a habit she had learned to keep, knowing the twins always barged into her bedroom early in the morning.
"Oh, babies~" her voice ca out coarse as she welcod the children into her arms lazily. "Good morning, my babies~"
And as usual, the twins took the space between her and Atlas, nearly kicking him off the bed. If not for his morning threat the second they climbed in, he would’ve already been thrown out of the mattress.
They had a flight today for their honeymoon, but there was no rush.
The family of four lazed in bed the entire morning, as if their vacation had already begun. Lola listened happily as the twins recounted the dreams they had — dreams where they apparently saved the entire universe. According to them, they shared the sa dream.
Lola wasn’t sure if they were making it up or if their imaginations really worked in sync. But it didn’t matter. She engaged with them, even though her body wanted to remain paralyzed after all the "activity" last night.
While the trio lounged comfortably, Atlas left for a mont to bring breakfast to the bed.
Truly, a slow morning. A slow start to the day — one no one complained about.
When lunch approached, a knock ca at the door. It was Butler Jen — the Bennet family’s head butler — calling them for the midday al. Jessa and Allison had cooked for everyone. So they ca down, arriving to see the entire family already gathered at the long dining table, ready to eat together.
Unlike usual, the table was full. Everyone was present — even Amala, Haji, and Silo were there. Sohow, Amala had gotten along well with the ladies of the family and looked more at ho than expected. As for Haji, he was busy trying to snap Silo back to his senses.
Surprisingly, not only was Slater trying to diss Silo, but Finn seed to have gotten along with Haji. The two talked from ti to ti, like they had known each other for years.
A soft chuckle escaped Lola as she watched the table filled with chatter. Her eyes lingered on Amala, Haji, and Silo.
They even welcod my friends, she thought, her gaze softening. Her friends looked at ho with Atlas’s family.
See, Lola? You don’t have to worry about anything.
"Dear, you should eat plenty." Allison’s voice snapped her back to reality. "Your Aunt Jessa is watching."
"I am watching, always," Jessa smirked from beside her. "Eat. You need to be rounder, like Penny — the little beggar."
Lola chuckled and nodded, only for Charles to chi in.
"Just enjoy the food," he reassured her. "Don’t mind Jessa. I can handle her."
"Oh?" Jessa arched a brow. "You would, huh?"
"She listens to her big brother," he added confidently, completely ignoring her.
Jessa scoffed and leaned forward. "Ali, your husband. He’s getting on my nerves."
"Jessa, how can you be so low?" Charles scrunched his face at her, glaring. But when he turned to his wife, his expression instantly lted into sothing soft and obedient. "Honey, darling, sweetheart, you should stop hanging out with her. She’s a bad influence."
And that started an endless bickering session between Charles and Jessa. Lola knew they weren’t related by blood, but they treated each other like siblings. Hence, even at this age, they still fought like children.
Lola ntally laughed. Their children would definitely grow up bickering like this — Penny and Slater were already showing early signs.
Allison sighed heavily and looked at Lola. "See my problem, dear?" she humd. "Just ignore them—"
She paused, then finally turned to her husband and Jessa. "Enough now, you two. Charles, stop fighting her."
Charles stopped instantly and nodded. "Sure, honey. She’s not worth my breath."
"Hah!" Jessa scoffed, her fist shaking as if she were about to rise. But Hugo held her arm down. "Hugo, don’t let go of my arm or I’ll bury your father alive."
"Aunt Jessa, a funeral is costly even for the living," Hugo said calmly. "Just think of all the bags you could buy instead of hosting his funeral."
On the other side of the table, a bet was already forming. Penny slapped her palm lightly on the table.
"Just put in your bet — damn it!" she hissed, glaring at Amala, Slater, Haji, Finn, and Zoren. "What? Are you scared you’ll lose again?"
"Is she an addict?!" Haji gasped, staring at her in disbelief. He then glanced at Zoren and Finn. "How is this woman successful if she’s addicted to gambling?"
"She keeps a balanced life," Zoren answered proudly, then turned to his wife with adoration. "And she always wins. Her losses are calculated losses."
Finn leaned slightly toward him. "He’s a lost cause. Just think of their money stream. It’s twice what they burn daily."
But as Finn said that, Nina happily placed a coin on the table.
"I’m betting."
Everyone froze and stared at her. Her brows lifted innocently as she smiled.
"What?"
"Nina, a coin?" Silo scoffed — the target of the bet himself. Nina didn’t even intend to insult him, yet she hit him right in the ego. "How evil of you — huhu — ack, my head, it’s throbbing."
"I don’t think we should be betting when the bet is right here listening," Amala said gently, only for Penny to ask, "Are you betting or not?"
"I’m betting three weeks before he moves on." Amala smiled confidently.
"Two months for !" Haji jumped in. "Winner takes all, right?"
"I’ll bet four days," Slater declared, slapping his hand on the table. "He’s fickle. He’ll forget this heartbreak in a blink."
Lola bit her lip as she watched the chaos unfold. On one hand, it was insulting — betting on when Silo would get over his heartbreak. On the other, in this strange family, it was sothing else entirely. It ant Silo had beco everyone’s project — to push him forward, whether he wanted it or not.
"Sis, are you joining the bet?" Penny asked, making everyone look at Lola.
"Don’t you dare..." Silo warned her. "She’s the reason for my heartbreak. How could you bet on my moving-on phase too?"
"I’m betting," Atlas said calmly.
And instantly, Silo changed tone.
"But we’ve been friends for so long, so I guess that’s acceptable!"
Everyone shook their heads, and Slater imdiately changed his bet. Clearly, this man wouldn’t be moving on anyti soon.
And so, another chaotic family lunch continued — lively chatter, good food, and children laughing and running around.
If heaven had a place on Earth, then this was probably it.
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