Changying's Anxiety

"Wah-Wah! Congratulations!" Maryanne burst through the door and began talking rapidly. "I always miss all the good family stuff, but I don't mind missing what happened with Baozhai. Are you okay? Man that must have been a bad scene," she paused for breath spotting, Changying. "My new sister! Oh, my god! Show me the ring," she grabbed Changying's hand and inspected the ring. "Wang always did have good taste. You did well Wah-Wah," she said over her shoulder not letting go of Changying's hand.

"Congratulations," Lucia said as she followed Maryanne in a moment later. She kissed Wang on both cheeks and smiled. "I am so happy for you both."

"Lucy, I am so glad to see you," Wang picked her up in a bear hug. "Are you staying long, can we find a moment to talk later?"

"You're as bad as Maryanne," she laughed lightly and moved to hug Changying. "Congratulations and commiserations to you," she smiled sadly as she released the woman. "The trial isn't pleasant, and I won't sugar-coat it like everyone else," She said in a friendly way. "I probably know that better than most, but if love gives you wings, then you will fly through it."

"Thanks, Lucy," Changying returned the hug. "You're the only one who hasn't ignored the elephant in the room."

"Yeah that's not my style," she chuckled. "I have decided we are going to be BFF's because you're about the bravest bitch I know aside of me." Wang raised an eyebrow at his straight-talking sister. "Don't look at me like that Wang, you know it's true."

"You're not usually so laconic," he chuckled.

"Dino's on leave for the holidays," she said as if that explained everything. "The man talks and swears like a sailor, it rubs off after a while."

"Maybe because he is a sailor, duh?" Maryanne said making them all laugh. "He's here too and Paulo so we came to bring you to the party."

"Who is Paulo?" Wang furrowed his brow.

"My new boyfriend, gosh keep up will you," she gave him a cheeky smile.

"Oh right, sorry, should have known that I guess," Wang laughed. "Are you ready?" he asked Changying who nodded and moved to take his hand. Maryanne took his other hand, and he looked at Lucia apologetically, "Not enough hands sorry."

"That's okay I would rather hold her hand anyway," she laughed again, and the four of them walked hand in hand back down the track to the main house. To Wang's surprise, several of his other siblings were there as well, and an impromptu engagement party ensued ensuring that Changying and Wang's last meal together was full of laughter and merriment.

"It's a long story brother of mine, I already told you in a way. Best you read that novel you wheedled out of me," Lucia said when Wang found a moment alone with her to ask about her time in the facility. Then she turned and went in search of Dante. Her dark and brooding brother was possibly the only one aside of Izabella that she had confided in about what had occurred all those years ago, and she wanted to tell him about the book and that she had given it to Wang.

She found Dante in surprisingly good humour talking quietly with Changying out on the deck. She watched to two of them together curiously before interrupting and asking to steal Dante away.

Changying wandered back inside to find Wang; this had been a lovely surprise, but as the time ticked away, she felt the need to be with him. Finding him talking to Ben, she smiled and went and burrowed under his arm so he would wrap it around her.

"It's about that time," She said quietly. "Do you think we could just sneak off without any fanfare, I am feeling a bit anxious," she put her hand on her belly and looked up at him.

"I got you covered," Ben said easily, "We'll have another one of these in a couple of months to welcome you back," he whispered and bent to kiss her cheek.

"Thanks, Ben," she smiled glad he had not wished her luck or said the word goodbye.