CHAPTER 9: FAMILY TIME

Rose: (picks up her phone) hey good morning Alex.

Alex: Good morning Rose, how are you? Did you sleep well last night?

Rose: Yes, I did thank you, you? Did your parents say or ask you anything?

Alex: I slept very well. My parents asked how our dinner was and where we went for dinner and if we had a great time that’s all. How about your parents?

Rose: Nice. They also asked similar questions about our dinner date. They were quite happy that we enjoyed ourselves and had a good time.

Alex: That’s good. I thought to check-up on my girlfriend and see how she was doing. What are you doing now? Any plans for the day?

Rose: That’s very nice of you Alex. I’m having breakfast with my family and after that plan on spending the entire day with them. We are celebrating my success for the signing of my first family contract, plus will be going out to spend the day with my brothers.

Alex: Oh yes, I remember Jeffrey and Thomas mentioning about that at the luncheon yesterday. My family is also going to have a small family gathering to honor and celebrate my first year accomplishments at Brighton University and my success in getting a contract signed with your family’s business company; The Anderson Construction Business something that had never happened at The Everton Bright Company in the last ten, fifteen years.

Rose: Wow, that’s going to be quite a celebration for your family (both laughing) especially for your grandparents, but you should be proud of yourself, you are going to do great things Alex.

Alex: That’s very nice of you to say Rose. Do you have any plans for tomorrow afternoon?

Rose: Hold on, Mum Dad, Jeffrey and Thomas do we have any plans tomorrow afternoon after church and our Sunday family lunch?

Mum: Why do you ask sweetie?

Jeffrey: Mum, its obvious Alex and her want to make plans to meet up.

Mum: Oh, oh, oh, we don’t have any plans after our Sunday family lunch, so go ahead with your plans dear.

Rose: No, we don’t have any plans; I think you heard the conversation.

Alex: Cool, how about we catch a movie then dinner afterwards?

Rose: Sounds good. What time? Where shall we meet?

Alex: Let me arrange everything and will send you the details in half an hour.

Rose: Great, chat soon.

Alex: Chat soon

After she hung up the phone, she turned around to find everyone had been looking at her while eavesdropping on their phone conversation.

Rose: (looking at everyone suspiciously and was feeling a bit shy, face blushing) He’ll text in half an hour with details of our date tomorrow afternoon.

They all quickly gathered and started pretending like they were doing something; dad got his newspaper, mum doing the dishes, Jeffrey and Thomas drinking their coffee. Rose joined her brothers at the breakfast table for another cup of coffee (all laughing) chatting while finalizing their plans for today. Thomas, Jeffrey and Rose decided to spend the morning playing tennis, then shopping to buy gifts for Rose and each member of their family, and then have a family lunch at The Crown Plaza Hotel (a hotel that was designed and constructed by The Anderson Construction Business Company which belongs to The Anderson Family). Finally Mother and daughter would spend the afternoon together while Father and sons would go play golf at The Brighton Golf Club which is only for the elite, rich and famous people in Brighton City. In the evening they would enjoy a nice, quiet family dinner at home to continue their celebrations. When all the plans were finalized, it was time to get ready and start their family day.

Exactly half an hour later, Alex had sent all the details that included the meeting venue for the movie, the name of the movie they were going to watch and what time to meet. He also sent her the details for their dinner plans including the name of the restaurant and the location. Rose was very impressed with how detailed Alex was with everything even planning and making arrangement for their dates. She was truly happy and excited saying, “This is great, can’t wait for us to meet tomorrow afternoon. Thanks for making all these wonderful arrangements Alex.” He replied, “You are welcome, you are my girlfriend so it is important that you have fun, enjoy and are happy. Take care, enjoy with your family and will see you tomorrow my dear Rose.” “That’s so nice of you Alex dear. Thanks. Have a wonderful day and celebration with your family and will see you tomorrow, take care Alex.”

She was off to her room to prepare herself and after forty five minutes, she had her handbag, tennis bag and was ready to start the day with her brothers. They drove in Jeffrey’s car to The Bright Club where they were warmly greeted and welcomed by the staff. They changed, warmed up and played for almost three hours. After spending a wonderful morning with her brothers and enjoying a lovely game of tennis, they went shopping bought all her favorite luxury things which were gifts from her brothers. She also took her time in the mall and bought some wonderful memorable gifts for her brothers and parents. After shopping they arrived at The Crown Plaza hotel shortly after one o’clock in the afternoon to join their parents for lunch. The hotel manager had organized and prepared for them a private VIP room. The Anderson Family enjoyed an elegant lunch ordering and eating their favorite meals discussing how they spent their morning. As they were enjoying their lunch Jeffrey and Thomas gave Rose the gifts, and also receiving gifts from her parents. The gifts she received ranged from a new iPhone to a MAC laptop to jewelry and other accessories. She loved each and every gift, thanked and hugged her parents and brothers so much; she was in tears and so touched by their nice gesture and appreciation. Rose also gave everyone a gift she had bought for them; For Jeffrey, Thomas and her father she bought them two ties and two pairs of cufflinks. For her mother she bought her a bag, a pair of earrings and a matching bracelet. They all loved their gifts thanking Rose with hugs and kisses. They were very appreciative of her gifts and the fact that Rose had given them something they had always wanted. After lunch, Jeffrey, Thomas and Mr. Anderson went to the Brighton Golf Club to relax and play golf for the afternoon while Rose and her mother decided to spend the afternoon together and do some grocery shopping as they had planned to have a home cooked family dinner later in the evening.

At 5:30 in the late afternoon, The Anderson Family was already at their family residence preparing for the evening. They started off with a toast of champagne thanking each other for all their support, accomplishments and achievements and their successes individually and as a family for the past years. Mr. Anderson proposed a toast to his wonderful daughter for all her accomplishments and achievements and successes not only at Brighton University but also in signing one of the biggest family business contracts for the next five years with The Everton Bright Company and now having a boyfriend. After a wonderful toast with wishes and blessings from everyone, they each helped Mrs. Anderson with preparing the dinner and setting up the dinner table. Mrs. Anderson cooked the favorite family meals which included roasted chicken, mashed potatoes, some Italian cuisines, salads, fried rice with vegetables which came with a fruit salad and dessert. The entire family sat together at the dining table as dinner was to be served at 7:30pm. Mrs. Anderson said grace then the feasting and celebrations continued everyone sharing wonderful stories, taking pictures and videos to commemorate this day, a wonderful family celebrating joy, success, and happiness not only for all they had accomplished thus far but for the more achievements and successes that were to come in the future.