When they arrived at the Thompson residence, Frank and Emma were already there.


    Frank was sitting with Mr. Thompson Sr., drinking tea and reading the newspaper, while Emma sat nearby.


    "Grandfather, Dad, Mom," Bet said, leading Yvonne over to greet them.


    "Bet, Yvonne, you''re here. Have a seat," Mr. Thompson Sr. said, gesturing for them to sit down.


    Bet took a seat beside Mr. Thompson Sr., and Yvonne naturally sat down next to Emma.


    Perhaps because Yvonne was pregnant, Emma seemed to view her more favorably now and was far less likely to give her a hard time.


    “Bet said you''re over a month pregnant. How are you feeling? You don''t look very well," Emmamented. It was a rare urrence for her to speak so much to Yvonne, let alone initiate the conversation, as she was usually so aloof.


    "I''ve been vomiting a lot and can''t eat much," Yvonne replied.


    Emma nodded. "It''s like that at the beginning of a pregnancy. It''ll get better in a couple of months. Have Helen make you more nourishing foods. You have to eat something, even if you don''t have an appetite. These nine months will be tough."


    "I will, Mom," Yvonne said with a nod, her demeanorpliant.


    "Were you like this when you were pregnant with me?" Bet chimed in.


    "What do you think? Did you think you were delivered by a stork?" Emma retorted, though without any real heat.


    "Well, thanks for putting up with me," Bet said with a smile.


    "It''s true what they say: you don''t know the sacrifices parents make until you have a child of your own. Now that Bet is about to be a father, he''ll finally understand us," Frank added with augh, holding his teacup.


    Mr. Thompson Sr. remained silent, but his usually stern face had softened noticeably.


    A new baby was always a wee cause for celebration.


    Just as the atmosphere in the living room was at its most pleasant, Noah and Cynthia walked in.


    "Grandfather, Uncle Frank, Aunt Emma," Noah and Cynthia greeted them politely.


    "Noah, Cynthia," Bet and Yvonne said in return.


    "Bet, Yvonne." Cynthia, with her usual graceful demeanor, offered a smile as perfect and precise as


    measured with a ruler. She then took a seat beside Yvonne.


    "Congrattions on bing a mother. How are you feeling? Is the morning sickness bad?” Cynthia asked with concern.


    "The vomiting has been pretty intense," Yvonne answered honestly.


    “I''ve heard the first trimester can be rough. It should get better soon," Cynthia added.


    "Yes," Yvonne nodded. The early stages of her pregnancy were taking a toll on her. She was pale and lookedpletely drained.


    Cynthia noticed Yvonne wasn''t feeling her best and wisely decided not to press the conversation.


    Noah sat down on Bet''s side, joining the conversation with Mr. Thompson Sr. and Frank.


    Noah, recently married, looked well. It seemed his life with Cynthia was going smoothly.


    A smart, gentle, and thoughtful woman like Cynthia would have no trouble fitting into the role of Mrs. Thompson.


    Tobias was away on duty, and Dana had gone to stay with her family for a few days, so they weren''t present.


    At lunch, the table was set for Mr. Thompson Sr., Frank and his family,


    and Noah and Cynthia


    from the eldest branch


    the the couple


    Swamily


    Mr. Thompson Sr. opened a bottle of fine wine, a clear sign that he was in a good


    mood.


    Naturally, the conversation at the table turned to Bet and Yvonne''s wedding.


    "Bet''s work with the military


    keeps him busy, and Yvonne is pregnant and can''t be overworked so the two of you need to handle the wedding arrangements. Bet''s position is sensitive, so try to keep it from bing too extravagant !!! trust you to use your discretion," Mr. Thompson Sr. instructed.


    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and


    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!