Chapter 367 Unboxing Gifts
"You're still young, but Mitchell isn't. He's in his thirties. Since he's your chosen husband, don't you think about him? Matthew already has two kids, and Mitchell is only a year younger than him."
"Mom…" Willow shyly clung to Mother Nelson's arm.
"Alright. You've grown up and should make your own decisions. Your father and I are very open-minded. Regarding marriage, it's up to you to decide. Whatever you choose, we will support you." Mother Nelson patted her daughter's shoulder, smiling gently.
"Thank you, Mom." Willow held onto Mother Nelson.
Mother Nelson helped Willow set up her room and attic bed. After coming down from the attic, Father Nelson was still lecturing. Mother Nelson asked Mitchell to help her assist Father Nelson into the room and lay him on the bed. Soon, Father Nelson's snoring could be heard.
Mother Nelson took care of her husband while Willow took Mitchell to the attic.
Willow, leading a somewhat tipsy Mitchell, took him to a small room in the attic. This room was usually unoccupied and was filled with stuff when she last visited. Now it was clean and tidy, indicating that her parents had tidied up in advance. Mitchell, a bit tipsy, obediently let Willow lead him up the stairs. Willow reminded him to watch his step as they climbed a short flight of stairs, taking over ten minutes to reach the top.
Mitchell, with a dazed look in his eyes due to the alcohol, kept staring at Willow. His smile seemed a bit silly and naive. Willow muttered, "Why don't you drink a little less? Are you feeling uncomfortable?"
Mitchell sat on the freshly made bed, looked up at Willow with a smile, then shook his head and said, "I am happy…" He then turned to look around the room and asked, "Am I sleeping here tonight?"
Willow nodded. "My mom and I just made the bed. The sheets have been aired out. Smell them; they've got that sunshine scent, right?" She handed the sheets to Mitchell. Lowering his head, Mitchell earnestly sniffed them and said with a charming smile, "Yeah, very fragrant." Willow prepared to sit down, but Mitchell, with a strong arm, pulled the smiling Willow into his embrace.
"Ah!" Willow exclaimed and ended up sitting on Mitchell's lap in an awkward position.
Willow lowered her head and blushed at the slightly tipsy and flushed-faced Mitchell in front of her. The smell of alcohol on Mitchell's breath made Willow feel as if she were tipsy herself. Mitchell, with a bewildered look, unexpectedly touched Willow's lips and then asked, "Where are you sleeping tonight?"
"Downstairs," Willow replied softly, her face turning red.
Mitchell suddenly lifted her up and they both lay down on the bed. "Let's nap for a bit," he said.
"No, we'll be found out by my mom." Willow tried to get up slightly. With his eyes closed, Mitchell lay beside her, holding onto Willow firmly, and pretended to be aggrieved. "We can't sleep together at night, but let's nap for a bit now. Your parents are probably napping too."
Willow looked at him with a tired expression. Mitchell had stayed up late the previous night for work and had caught an early flight to Seaspring Valley City this morning. Willow felt a bit sorry for him. Her parents did have a habit of napping, so they were probably asleep now.
So, she decided to nap with Mitchell for a while and set an alarm for half an hour. She planned to quietly get up later.
Following Mitchell's lead, Willow lay down beside him. The summer afternoons in Horizon City were always a bit hot, but Seaspring Valley City was particularly cool. They needed a thin blanket over them. Father Nelson and Mother Nelson had settled here because they liked the climate of Seaspring Valley City.
It was very comfortable, with warm winters and cool summers.
After lying down, Mitchell held onto Willow's hand tightly, as if afraid she would run away. Soon, Willow heard his steady breathing behind her. Mitchell had fallen asleep so quickly.
Willow had visited Seaspring Valley City many times before. Whenever she had a break, she would fly over to accompany her parents. She loved the weather in Seaspring Valley City and the youthful atmosphere near the courtyard her parents had bought. Life here was slow-paced. Back when Mitchell and Laura were on a blind date, she had seriously considered settling down here to be with her parents.
Looking back now, she was grateful they hadn't missed each other.
Willow lay with Mitchell for half an hour, then gently withdrew her hand and went downstairs. Father Nelson, having drunk earlier, slept longer than usual and was still not up. After wandering around the house without seeing her mom, Willow was about to make a call when there was a knock on the door.
The delivery had arrived from Horizon City, with all the gifts Mitchell had prepared. There were several large boxes. Willow asked the delivery guy to help move them into the yard, then fetched scissors and began to unpack them one by one, unable to contain her surprise.
She had thought that with the gifts from Mitchell and his parents, there would be quite a few things, but she hadn't been involved in sending them or inquiring about what Mitchell had prepared. She was truly surprised by the amount.
Suddenly, Willow felt the joy of unwrapping gifts, becoming happier with each box she opened, akin to unboxing surprise packages. Finally, there was only one box left. Willow picked it up, scissors in hand, feeling its weight. It wasn't too big, so she hoped it wasn't another tea set, as she had already opened three.
With swift and precise movements, Willow cut open the box's sealed tape. Inside, there were several layers of protective bubble wrap. After struggling to open it, she was stunned by what she saw.
It was a very beautiful crystal ball, seemingly customized, with two figurines inside that looked like her and Mitchell. She carefully lifted the crystal ball into her palm and sat wide-eyed on the steps of the courtyard, her heart filled with warmth as she silly smiled.
The crystal ball had a switch. When Willow pressed it, a beautiful piano melody played, and the two figurines inside began to dance gracefully, illuminated by the stunning lights within the crystal ball.
After the song ended, Willow placed the crystal ball aside, still grinning foolishly. She now had a gift too.