Chapter 53 Return to The Family Home
On an early Saturday morning, Matthew drove his family back to Grandpa’s house without telling the old man in advance. As the car pulled over, Matthew led the way, with Madison and their two children trailing behind. In Madison’s hands, she carried a tea set that she had gone out to buy a few days earlier. Knowing her Grandpa's fondness for tea, she had felt it inappropriate to return without a gift in hand after such a long absence. When they were leaving that morning, Matthew had noticed her with the package but didn't comment on it.
As the four of them entered the main gate, the butler Carter came out to greet them. It had been quite some time since Matthew had visited, especially after his divorce. Matthew and WilTristan would have heated exchanges whenever they saw each other, though it was mostly the old man doing the scolding while Matthew listened. Over time, he grew reluctant to visit, not wanting to upset Grandpa, yet he would regularly call to inquire about the old man’s well-being.
No one had anticipated Matthew would suddenly return, much less with the Madison, whom they hadn't seen in four years, and two adorable children in tow.
“Hello, Carter," Madison greeted, "This is a tea set we bought for Grandpa. Please, take it.” She then guided her two children to greet him, saying, “Quentin, Hannah, say hello to Carter.”
“Hello, Carter,” the two children said sweetly. Visibly moved, Carter took the tea set from Madison and, struggling to contain his excitement, asked, “Are these...?”
Madison didn’t answer directly, unsure of what to say. So, she looked to Matthew, who caught her glance and informed Carter, “These are my children with Madison.”
Carter trembled with excitement as he held the tea set and quickly went upstairs to call WilTristan.
Sylvia, hearing the commotion, also rushed out and overheard Matthew’s introduction. She, too, was visibly thrilled. They had both worked for the Nelson family for the better part of their lives and never imagined they’d see Matthew’s children.
“Are these... are these your kids? They’re so lovely,” Sylvia said, her voice choked with emotion.
“Hello, Sylvia. Quentin, Hannah, say hello to Sylvia,” instructed Madison as Sylvia came over.
“Hello, Sylvia.”
“That’s wonderful, how wonderful. WilTristan will surely be overjoyed.”
Upon seeing the four still standing at the doorway, she hurriedly invited them into the living room to sit down and then went to prepare drinks for them.
Madison saw Sylvia bustling about, making coffee and juice for them, and spoke up, "Sylvia, please don't fuss over us. We can take care of ourselves."
"Madison, please take a seat and rest. I'll wash some strawberries for the children to eat. They're freshly delivered this morning."
Madison led the two children to sit down on the living room sofa.
Both children looked around curiously, left and right, “Mom, is this great Grandpa's house? It's so big, even bigger than Dad's place.” Little Hannah thought her dad's house was already quite big, but Grandpa's seemed even larger.
"Yes," Madison replied, looking at her two curious kids with a gentle smile.
Upon hearing Hannah's remark, Matthew also spoke, "Dad used to live here too. After we meet great Grandpa, I'll give you a tour."
"Really? That's awesome! I just saw there's a rockery and a swing set in the back. I want to go there," Hannah said excitedly.
Quentin didn't say anything, but he was also curious about the place where his dad grew up and wanted to explore.
Upstairs.
Carter, clutching the tea set, excitedly burst into WilTristan's room, "WilTristan, Matthew is back."
WilTristan Nelson was sitting on the sofa in the room, reading a book with his reading glasses on intently.
"That rascal is back? So what? Is such a big fuss necessary?"
Out of breath, Carter stood at the bedroom door. WilTristan took off his glasses, placed them in their case, closed his book, and slowly got to his feet.
"No, it's not just Matthew who's back. There's also Madison and two kids. Look, this is the tea set she brought for you." Carter was still thrilled, his hands trembling as he handed over the tea set.
The book fell from WilTristan's hands onto the carpet, and he quickly moved to the door, gripping Carter's arm urgently, "Who did you say has arrived? Is it really Madison?"
"Yes, indeed. Madison has come back with Matthew, along with two kids, a boy and a girl. Oh dear. If you only knew how adorable those kids are."
Trembling with excitement, WilTristan took the tea set gift box, "This...this is Madison’s gift for me?"
"Yes, Madison said it was particularly for you."
"Let's go, let's hurry downstairs," WilTristan strode past Carter and headed out.
"Please slow down," Carter cautioned from behind, watching WilTristan's pace with some concern.
Just as WilTristan reached the staircase, he saw a family of four seated in the living room downstairs. Matthew was sitting by himself, with two children nestled up against Madison.
Master still couldn't quite believe it. He descended the stairs quickly, not yet in the living room, when he called out, "Madison!"
Seeing Grandpa come down, Madison rushed over with the two kids, and Matthew stood up, following.
"Grandpa!"
Madison's eyes reddened as she looked at Grandpa, who seemed to have aged quite a bit.
WilTristan was also choked up on hearing this “Grandpa.”
"It's good that you’re back. It's been a while."
Madison pulled the two kids closer.
"Say hello to great Grandpa."
"Hello, great Grandpa," the two little ones greeted in unison.
WilTristan watched the two cherubic children call him great Grandpa, even more moved than when he heard it from Carter just now. "These are...?"
"Your great-grandchildren," Matthew said from behind Madison.
WilTristan looked at Matthew, then back at Madison, who nodded and said, "Yes, Grandpa."
Overcome with emotion, WilTristan leaned back.
"Your parents would be so glad to know the Nelson family lineage continues." Carter rushed to steady WilTristan, genuinely concerned that the excitement could make his blood pressure spike and cause him to faint.
"Grandpa, let's go sit on the sofa," Madison also approached to help WilTristan to the living room, where they took seats on the couch.
WilTristan, with a smile, reassured Madison, "I’m fine. I’m good as long as no young rascal bothers me." Delighted by the two children surrounding Madison, he added, "Come here to, great Grandpa, let me have a good look at you."
Quentin and Hannah took an instant liking to their great Grandpa upon their first meeting—the power of blood relations is indeed magical. Each child sat on one of Grandpa's knees, one to the left, the other to the right, as he held them in his lap. Madison was initially worried that Grandpa might get too tired, but seeing his joy, she didn't intervene.
"Come on, tell your great-grandpa what your names are."
"I'm Quentin's Great-grandpa. I'm the older brother."
"My name is Hannah, Great-grandpa. I'm the cute younger sister."
"Ha-ha-ha, such good names, very nice indeed."
Then, with a voice full of vigor, he called out, "Get some more snacks for my two precious great-grandchildren."
After a hearty lunch, Matthew had originally planned to show the two youngsters around Grandpa’s house, and WilTristan gave up his nap and insisted on joining them.
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