Chapter 51 A Family of Four
After a hearty breakfast, Matthew drove the family to a home custom design store, where Quentin and Hannah chose furniture for their rooms and placed their orders, which the store promised to deliver in a week.
With plenty of time left, Matthew took them to the mall's toy store. The two kids were thrilled. "Dad, can we buy a few toys?" Young, clever Hannah asked in advance, following the rule their mom had set that she and her brother could only get one toy each visit.
"You can buy whatever you like," Matthew said with a smile, holding his daughter's hand.
Delighted by his answer, the children dashed off, piling items into their shopping cart. Madison and Matthew followed behind, looking like a warm, happy family on a shopping trip. Madison couldn't help but intervene as the kids enthusiastically filled the cart to the brim.
"Quentin, Hannah, that's probably enough. You've got so many toys here, and it should keep you both busy for a long time."
"It's okay. Buy anything you want and take your time playing with it. I'll go and grab a cart for us," Matthew said as he walked over to where the carts were kept.
Madison watched his retreating figure with a sense of resignation. Was he planning to make up for several years' worth of unmade purchases in one go today?
Matthew returned with a shopping cart, looking quite unlike the CEO of JK Group at this moment. The cart was filled with excessive purchases—Legos, toy cars, Barbie dolls, and an assortment of little toys. There was no way they could fit everything into the car, so Matthew had Carl arrange for another car to come and transport the purchases.
After finalizing home furnishings and buying toys, Matthew planned to take them out for dinner. Still, Madison remembered how many groceries he had purchased that morning and suggested they should go back home to cook instead. She had no illusion that Matthew would offer to cook, of course, so that task would naturally fall to her.
The two little ones, Quentin and Hannah, were fond of their mom’s cooking and had no objections. Deep down, Matthew was thrilled he wanted to eat the meal Madison would prepare, but since they were already out, it wouldn't seem right for him to suggest they head back so that Madison could cook.
Trying to maintain a façade of calm, he hesitantly replied, "Sure, that works."
The family of four agreed to head back home and have home dishes. As soon as they parked their car at home, the delivery vehicle arranged by Carl, carrying the toys, arrived. The driver helped bring the gifts inside, with Quentin and Hannah eagerly showing the driver into their respective rooms to place their new toys before excitedly starting to unwrap them.
Madison went into the kitchen to start on the meal. Opening the refrigerator, she surveyed the ingredients. Planning the portions for four, she swiftly took out sufficient vegetables, meat, ribs, and other ingredients and got to work.
She was busily engaged with the cooking and did not notice when Matthew walked in. Turning to grab a bowl, she saw him leaning against the doorframe, already changed into black home wear, with his hair still damp—likely from a recent shower that had yet to be dried. Madison didn’t know how long he had been standing there watching her silently.
His gaze made her feel self-conscious, slowing down her movements and causing her to reach for the wrong items occasionally. Seeing that he had no intention of leaving, she mustered up the courage to nudge him along, "Did you take a shower? Your hair is still wet. Why don’t you go dry it? I’ll call you once dinner is ready."
Matthew, freshly showered, descended from upstairs and headed straight to the kitchen in search of Madison. As he reached the kitchen doorway, he caught sight of her bustling about and paused, leaning against the doorframe, his gaze fixed upon her busy form. In the early days of their marriage, he hardly ever came home for dinner, and even when he did return, it was invariably late. Madison would always have the meal ready, waiting for him. Then, after he initiated a divorce, she left.
He realized he had rarely had the chance to watch her at work in the kitchen. It's wonderful, he thought, she's back, and she brought with them two adorable children. The house was filled with liveliness once again. This is what a home should feel like.
Matthew didn't leave. Instead, he stepped forward, "Don't bother, what needs to be done? I'll help."
Madison stiffened at his sudden offer to assist. It was as if he had become a different person overnight. Seeing that he had no intention of leaving, she handed him the vegetables, "Then you can help wash these."
"Sure," said Matthew, taking the vegetables from her.
Their fingers brushed unintentionally, startling them both. His hands were slightly cold, which made Madison nervously retract hers and hastily pass him the basket, "Here, take this."
With one hand on the basket and another on the vegetables, Matthew watched the shy woman in front of him as she cut meat, her ear tips and cheeks flushed red. He couldn't help but smirk that their kids were already grown, and yet she was still so easily embarrassed.
Turning on the faucet, Matthew began to wash the vegetable leaf by leaf carefully. Madison felt increasingly warm, confident that her complexion was radiating crimson, all because of the man next to her, earnestly washing the greens as if handling fine art.
"What's wrong? Is there something on my face?" Matthew noticed the stolen glances from the woman who was cutting vegetables. While he was secretly pleased, he couldn't help but express concern that she might cut herself.
Caught in the act, Madison jumped at the sound of his voice, "Ah! No, nothing." Embarrassed beyond measure, she thought, “Why, after four years, am I still so nervous and my heart racing around him?”
"You should go dry your hair when you're done washing, don’t catch a cold," Madison quickly urged him again to leave. If he kept lingering in the kitchen, who knew when the meal could be ready? She could hardly focus on her cooking.
“All right, I'll go up first and later call for Quentin and Hannah to come down.” Matthew noticed her embarrassment, set aside the washed greens and turned to go upstairs.
After Matthew left the kitchen, Madison could finally get back to her usual cooking pace. She quickly finished cooking the meal and had just placed the last dish on the table when Matthew returned downstairs with the two kids.
"Go wash your hands and come to eat," she said.
"Wow, Mom made my favorite ribs," Hannah exclaimed cheerfully.
"And my favorite mashed potatoes," Quentin chimed in, not wanting to be outdone.
The family of four sat happily at the dining table, enjoying their meal.
Matthew ate the most. It had been years since he had a chance to enjoy a meal cooked by Madison, and it really was delicious.
As they were finishing up, Matthew spoke, "This weekend, we should visit our family home to check in on Grandpa."
Madison paused for a moment. She knew he was speaking to her and replied, "Okay."
She knew that visiting Grandpa was the least she should do.
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