CHAPTER SIXTY-TWO (62) Christmas Gift [I]

The mother and child heard the sound of a car entering into the Chen compound and Rose turned to inquire from her mother.

"Did Dad go out?"

Mrs Chen shook her head while assuring her that he was in his study. After much thought she said. "I'll go have a look,"

Rose bobbed her head twice and continued to eat her cookies.

*

Butler Qin opened the big wooden doors to welcome the guests, he joined his hands on his stomach to bow and stepped to the side.

"Welcome back Old Master and Old Madam." He bowed again after his greeting.

"You're doing fine, so no need to ask." The Old Master said with a grin.

"It's all thanks to you two," Butler Qin stated.

Zheng Yue arrived at that moment, she was taken aback when she saw whom her guests were and at the same time gladdened.

"Mother, Father. What a lovely surprise."

The old couple gave her a big smile.

"How have you been?" The Old Madam asked first.

"Fine," Zheng Yue answered then urged them to come in. "Please, come in. It's cold outside."

The couple entered the house still wearing the big smile on their faces.

Zheng Yue collected the Old Madam's coat and passed it to a maid, whom in return went to hang it in the laundry room.

The Old Madam's eyes scanned the living room, and she went ahead to ask. "Where's my granddaughter?"

"I'll go get her," Zheng Yue said and strode into the kitchen where Rose sat, drinking milk after finishing the cookies. "Did you not eat all day?"

Rose set the empty glass down and flashed the woman her brightest smile. "I don't remember..."

Zheng Yue didn't comment on that, as she was sure Ren Jiayi would never allow Rose leave without having breakfast. "Your grandparents are here," Zheng Yue informed her child, waiting for her to understand what she meant.

A crease formed on Rose's forehead, "Are you referring to...?" Rose clasped her mouth upon realization. If it was her mother's parents, she'd refer to them as her parents, but if it was her father's parents then... "Grandma and Grandpa Chen?"

Zheng Yue answered with a lift of her eyebrows twice.

Rose's voice carried a tone of excitement and she sprang up from the chair and took large steps into the living room.

While Zheng Yue followed suit.

Rose saw the two people sitting with their back turned to the kitchen area.

"Grandma?" There was doubt in her voice until Chen Katherine Wen, pivoted her neck to the back. "Grandma!!!" Rose screamed in happiness and ran forward. Giving the woman no room to react, she wrapped her hands around her. "Granny."

"Hahaha," Katherine laughter filled the whole living room. "Yes, my little girl. It's me... hahaha."

Rose hugged the woman for a long time then recalled her grandfather was also present, so she let go of Katherine and sat on the couch armrest and enveloped the man in a hug. "Grandpa?"

"Yes, yes. Did you miss us?"

"Yes, I did. I missed you two so much... why did you take so long to come back?"

Rose straightened up and whined with a sad face. "It's like you two forgot about me. My existence didn't matter to you two, at all..."

"Don't say that," Katherine grabbed Rose's hands. "You matter to us a lot more than you can imagine. Okay? Please forgive us for taking so long to come back, okay?"

"..." Rose hesitated as the couple watched her. Exhaled and inhaled thrice before answering. "Alright then, but on one condition..."

"What is it?" Chen Edmund Yun asked, ready to do anything to please his grandchild. "Tell us, we will do it."

"That you won't leave again."

"Is that all?" Chen Katherine Wen acted as if she expected more. "It's such a simple request that I'm willing to grant it to you."

"Really?" Rose would be lying if she said she wasn't surprised they were agreeing to her request.

"Yes." The husband and wife chorused.

Rose bent in front of them and wrapped her hands around the two. "You two are so sweet."

"You're sweeter," Katherine face beamed with happiness alongside her husband's.

Zheng Yue watched with tear filled eyes. It was unlike Rose to show her soft side, but she always did when she was around her family.

She blamed her heart for failing, and blamed 'him' for causing them unimaginable pains. But, could she really blame 'him'?

"Oh finally, you two decided to come back." A voice boomed from upstairs, causing all eyes to turn to him.

It was none other than Chen Mogan Yan, the older couple's first son.

He slowly climbed down the stairs, with a majestic aura spreading around him, Chen Edmund Yun nodded. 'That's my son.' He said in his mind.

"Mogan," Katherine called out. "Don't you like my Christmas gift to you?" She gave him a sly smile which caused Chen Mogan Yan to almost frown.

"You call this a gift?" He paused, two feet away from his parents. "I can't believe you two."

His statement wasn't new to the couple.

"Hahahaha," the older couple giggled.

Katherine dragged Rose up from her bent position to sit beside her. "And you my little girl, do you like my Christmas gift to you?"

"Yes." Rose answered without hesitation. "I sure do."

Hearing her answer, the older couple laughed more.

Chen Mogan shook his head and took his single chair. "What are you doing standing there?" He directed his question at Zheng Yue, and she flashed him a smile in return.

"I'll go bring tea," she made to leave but heard Butler Qin saying.

"Don't worry, madam. I already did that." Butler Qin alongside two other maids served tea to everyone there.

"Yue, my child." Chen Edmund Yun called out to his daughter Inlaw. "Stop standing there, already."

Zheng Yue smiled then took the two sitter couch.

Rose clutched Katherine's right hand like her life depended on it.

"Lan'er," Zheng Yue made a gesture for Rose to let the woman have her tea, but Rose raised and dropped her shoulder in defiance.

"Let her be," Katherine watched the mother and daughter's interaction and couldn't conceal her smile.