Luke prepared the rice, while Luca did the cooking.
They teamed up and divided their work. It was quick.
Lanie held his phone in his hands. Tommy and Rainie urged Lanie to record it down with his phone.
Lanie stood at the kitchen door, recording the sweet and cute moment between Luke and Luca.
After Lanie finished recording, he tiptoed his way back to the living room and sat on the sofa.
Tommy asked excitedly, “Lanie, did you record it?"
Rainie took Lanie's phone from him and said, "You don't have to worry if Lanie recorded it. He must have. Let me see."
Rainie opened the phone gallery and saw that the latest video recorded showed the scene in the kitchen.
Tommy exclaimed, "Daddy is actually helping out in the kitchen. How fascinating..."
"That's not the main point. The point is, Daddy and Mom—Ms. Luca, they're a match made in heaven!" Rainie looked at the
phone, feeling envious.
Would she meet a perfect match meant for her in the future?
Rainie turned to look at Lanie and handed him the phone. Then, she asked, "Right, Lanie?"
"They're meant to be together," replied Lanie. He was not as surprised as they were.
"Lanie, could it be that you're the kind of guy who doesn't know how to be romantic?" Rainie rested her hand on her cheek and
looked at the cool-headed Lanie.
Lanie heard her and kept his phone away.
Then, Rainie said, "Lanie, I want the video. Send it to me."
"No," replied Lanie. He remembered how Rainie had described him just now.
"Lanie, don't be so petty. I'm just saying that my elder brother has such a high IQ, so how could he be someone who doesn't
know how to be romantic?" Rainie bragged.
Tommy, who was sitting beside her, said in a disdainful tone, "Rainie, you're lying."
"Do you want the video?" Rainie glowered at Tommy.
Tommy nodded. He wanted the video too.
"Then praise him!" Rainie smiled and looked at Lanie.
Tommy understood at once and immediately complimented, “Lanie, you're incredible!"
Lanie was rendered speechless by his younger brother and sister. His little face was slightly red as he asked, “That's enough."
"Lanie~" Rainie whined and acted cutely.
Lanie picked up his phone and sent the video to her.
Rainie held her phone and watched the video twice. She smiled with satisfaction.
"Don't let Daddy and Ms. Luca know about it," said Lanie. He would feel embarrassed if they found out that he was forced to
record the video secretly.
“I promise not to tell!" Rainie assured him.
Tommy promised too. “I won't tell them either. Don't worry, Lanie."
“What do you promise not to tell?" asked Luca. Luca happened to be coming out from the kitchen when Tommy said that.
Tommy was surprised. He turned around, smiled, and shook his head. Then, he said, "Ms. Luca, we're not talking about
anything."
“The kids have grown up. They have their own secrets now," Luca let out a sigh and said.
“Heh-heh." Tommy refused to tell her. He turned around and winked at Lanie and Rainie.
After the Hoppin' Jack was prepared, Luke helped Luca to serve it on the dining table.
Tommy could smell the fragrance of the Hoppin' Jack in the air. He ran toward the dining table happily, looking at the dish
hungrily, and said, “It smells good."
“Sit properly and get ready to eat your Hoppin' Jack," said Luke. He helped to make the Hoppin' Jack this time. It was rare for
him to go into the kitchen and help out. He wanted to listen to the kids' reviews even though he only helped to do some easy
tasks while Luca was the one who did most of the work.
Luca carried a bowl of warm chowder from the kitchen and said, “It's too simple to just have Hoppin' Jack for lunch, so I made
some creamy seafood chowder."
“That's great, Ms. Luca. How did you know I wanted to have some chowder?" Tommy smiled.
“Ms. Luca can read your mind." Rainie took a bite of the Hoppin' Jack. It tasted good, and she said contentedly, “It's yummy. Ms.
Luca, teach me how to make Hoppin' Jack next time."
“Sure. I'll teach you if you're willing to learn." Even though Luca thought that Rainie was too young to learn cooking now, if Rainie
was willing to learn, Luca would not discourage her.
“Okay!" Rainie smiled and took a sip of the creamy seafood chowder. “I'm going to learn how to cook from Ms. Luca!"
“Sure. You're such a clever girl. You'll be a fast learner," Luca assured.
Her child would naturally inherit her cooking talent too.
Rainie nodded. She was confident in herself.
Luke asked, “Have you all packed your stuff?"
“Daddy, don't we have our clothes at Crawford Manor? Why should we pack?" Tommy was puzzled.
“Silly Tommy. We should be wearing the new clothes Ms. Luca bought us on New Year's Day. We don't have any new clothes at
Crawford Manor," Lanie reminded him.
Tommy patted the table and said, “Oh. I haven't started packing!"
Tommy stood up as he was about to pack his stuff.
Luca said, "It's not too late to pack after lunch."
"Yes, Tommy. We're not in a hurry. Daddy won't leave you alone here," said Rainie.
Tommy looked at Luke. He smiled and said, "If Daddy leaves me here, I won't have to go to Crawford Manor. I can keep Ms.
Luca company and ring in the new year with her."
"Your great-grandpa asked all of you to go back." Luke ate a mouthful of Hoppin' John. It tasted better than the ones made
outside. The ingredients were fresher too.
"Ah, okay. Then I'll accompany my great-grandpa after I finish packing," said Tommy.
After lunch, Luca headed to Tommy's bedroom and helped him to pack a set of new clothes and pajamas. He would be able to
put on the new pajamas when he celebrated the new year at Crawford Manor. Then, he could put on the new clothes on the
second day.
She could not help but get emotional when she placed Tommy's new clothes and shoes into Tommy's backpack.
Luca wanted to celebrate the new year with the kids too, but given the circumstances now...
It had been so many years, and she could finally spend the new year together with Luke and the children.
After that, it was either she or Luke were busy or something came up.
"Done packing?" Luke's voice came from outside the door.
Luca came back to her senses. She picked up Tommy's backpack and walked to the door. She smiled and replied, "We're done
packing. Here's the backpack."
Luke took the backpack from Luca, looked at her, and asked, "Are you really not going over?"
"I shouldn't be going. Besides, Madam Susan doesn't welcome me either. I'll stay here. You'll be coming back after lunch
tomorrow anyway," said Luca.
"I've already told the kids we're not having lunch there. We'll be coming back on New Year's day," said Luke. They did not want
Luca to be alone here. That was why they planned to come back on New Year's Day after having their breakfast there.
"Old Master Crawford won't be happy if you come back so early." Luca was worried. Elders always looked forward to family
reunions during the new year.
"He'll be coming along with us too. If he doesn't want to go back, you might have to clean up a guest room for him," replied Luke.
Allison had come back, and she would surely head to Crawford Manor on New Year's Day.