40 The Preparations

It was fast approaching Chinese New Year's. Normally it was one of Charlotte's favorite times of the year. This year was supposed to be especially happy because it was her first New Year's to be married and have the reunion meal with her husband's family.

However, Charlotte was heavily weighed down seeing how sick her mother was. She knew it would be her mother's last time celebrate the New Year.

It was customary to return to the husband's family, but Anna called Charlotte to discuss this.

"Hello Mom!" Charlotte greeted.

"Hello my daughter. I want to discuss the New Year's reunion meal with you. I know it's customary for you to come to us, but since your mother is so sick, would you be opposed to us coming to you? I can send my people over to help your kitchen staff." Anna hurried to explain.

"Oh Mom, thank you! I was worried about how to coordinate this with Mommy being sick. Yes, we'd love to have you here for the reunion meal."

Charlotte was grateful for Gordon's family being so understanding.

"Mrs. Zhou, Young Master Andrew is here and requests to speak with you and Mrs. Xia." Their butler, Uncle Arthur, announced.

Charlotte was surprised but agreed.

"Please show him to my mother's sitting room. We will join them momentarily." Charlotte instructed.

"Yes, Young Mistress." Uncle Arthur said.

Charlotte went to her mother's room to help her.

"Mommy, Andrew is here and asked to see you. Let me help you." Charlotte said.

She gently changed her mother's dress and helped her put on a head scarf to cover her hair loss. With the help of her mother's nurse they lifted her up and put her in her wheelchair. Charlotte tucked a blanket around her mother's lap and pushed her into the next room where Andrew waited.

"Hello Andrew, sorry to keep you waiting. Cora is still at school right now." Charlotte said.

"Yes, that's why I'm here now so that I can talk with the two of you privately. Thank you for agreeing to meet me, Mrs. Xia, Charlotte." Andrew said.

"You should call me Mom." Mary said softly.

Andrew smiled. "That's actually what I'm here to discuss. I'd like to ask you both for permission to be engaged with Cora." Andrew said.

"She will be nineteen just before graduation. It will be at least another year before she's of legal marriageable age." Charlotte said.

"Yes, it would be a longer engagement." Andrew acknowledged.

"What about college? I want her to have a good future." Mrs. Xia said gently.

"As my wife she wouldn't need to work unless that was her choice. I'm more than able to provide for her. But if she'd like to attend college I support her endeavors completely. I will pay her tuition as well. I would like for us to marry when she's twenty though." Andrew explained.

Charlotte and Mary looked at each other. Mary nodded slightly.

"When would you be proposing to her?" Charlotte asked.

"During the Spring Festival holiday. Maybe even at the reunion dinner if I'm permitted to take her with me." Andrew said hopefully.

"If Cora is in agreement then we give you our blessings." Charlotte told him.

A smile broke across his face.

"Thank you, ladies!" Andrew said.

————————

It was New Year's Eve and the servants at the Zhou villa were busy hanging red lanterns, red couplets, and other decorations.

Charlotte was busy in the kitchen with their chef. She loved cooking, and she knew Gordon loved her cooking so she wanted to make several of the traditional dishes for him to enjoy.

"Young Master is home!" Uncle Arthur announced. Gordon appeared in the kitchen soon after. He approached Charlotte from behind, wrapping his arms around her waist, and burying his face into her soft neck.

"Something smells delicious." Gordon whispered in her ear.

"It's all the food for the reunion dinner." Charlotte said.

"I was referring to you." He said as he nuzzled her neck. Charlotte giggled. He began kissing and sucking at her neck.

"Mmmmmm! Tastes delicious too. I definitely plan to eat you later." Gordon announced.

"Gordon, we aren't alone." Charlotte scolded.

"I heard nothing!" The chef hurriedly said as he rushed into the pantry.

Charlotte laughed. "You scared him away." She told Gordon.

"Good, because now I can do this." He said as he spun her around to face him. He kissed her as though they had been separated for months instead of only a few hours. It made Charlotte's knees weak and she leaned into his arms, content.

He tightly hugged her, not wanting to let go.

"Would you like to help me finish this up?" She asked him.

"I wouldn't know what to do." He said.

"I have seen you confidently oversee your company and you are a decisive and astute businessman. I have confidence in you!" Charlotte said, handing him a knife and guiding him to the counter. She wrapped her arm with hers and guided his hand to neatly chop vegetables.

Gordon smiled. If she was going to teach him in such a hands on way, this would be very enjoyable indeed!