A Warm Invitation

The scene was beautiful. The warm light from the setting sun filled the room.

It shone through the large windows, lighting up the marble floors. This made the space feel soft and dreamlike.

Outside, Crescent Ridge was quiet, with its beautiful lawns and grand homes creating a peaceful scene.

Inside the Coles' new home, however, the air buzzed with a quieter excitement—a feeling that joy had not yet been dulled by doubt.

Ethan stood by the large windows in the living room, his hands in his pockets. He looked thoughtfully at the estate outside.

Jessica stood at the entrance with her bag over her shoulder. She seemed unsure as if something invisible kept her from fully embracing this moment.

From the kitchen, Elise walked quickly toward the entrance. "Jessica, are you sure you won't stay for dinner? I'm making something special tonight. It would mean a lot to us—you've done so much for our family."

Jessica glanced over, ready to decline politely as she often did. But something in Elise's voice—genuine and warm—made her hesitate.

This felt different from other invitations. It was real, and for a moment, Jessica paused. Still, she managed a polite smile. "Thank you, Mrs. Cole, but I wouldn't want to intrude. It's your first evening in your new home—it should be a special time for your family."

Elise exchanged a quick look with Ethan and smiled playfully. "Jessica," she said, leaning against the counter, "Ethan told us how much you've helped him. He said he was deeply sorry for pushing you around a lot."

Ethan turned around, surprised. "I didn't say that!" he quickly said. "I meant she was helpful. Very helpful. But I didn't mean—" He stopped, realizing he couldn't take it back without sounding ungrateful.

Elise smiled as she enjoyed watching her son feel embarrassed. "Please, Jessica," she said, ignoring Ethan's protest. "You've worked hard—you deserve to relax. I'm sure Ethan has kept you busy."

"I did not!" Ethan said, his voice a bit higher. "Everything went smoothly. No problems at all."

Jessica raised an eyebrow and smiled slightly. "Oh, really?" she said casually. "I thought those late-night calls and urgent paperwork meant something different."

Before Ethan could muster a reply, Lily bounded into the room, her energy as bright and uncontainable as the evening sunlight spilling through the windows.

"You have to stay, Jessica!" she declared, her enthusiasm shining in her wide smile. "Mom cooks the best food in the world. You'd seriously regret it if you left now."

Jessica hesitated. Her professionalism wavered under the warmth of the child's invitation. Besides, she hadn't enjoyed a home-cooked meal in years.

Her dinners were usually quick meals—something reheated and eaten alone, with only the sound of the microwave for company.

Jessica hesitated. "I don't want to impose," she said softly.

"No," Elise replied kindly but firmly. "It's no trouble at all. I would be happy to cook for you."

Jessica looked at Ethan, hoping he would help her, but he just smiled and spoke gently. "Come on, Jessica. You've earned this. Stay."

There was a long pause before Jessica sighed. A small but genuine smile appeared on her face. "All right," she said softly.

Lily smiled, clearly relieved. "Great. Let's make sure Mom has everything she needs, Ethan."

Ethan chuckled at Lily's request. He quickly took out his phone and ordered groceries from Crescent Ridge's well-known 24-hour mall. By the time the delivery arrived, the kitchen looked like a place for cooking great meals.

Fresh produce in vibrant colors, fragrant herbs, and cuts of meat so fine they might have been selected for a royal banquet filled the space.

Jacob stood by the counter, watching his mother with mock seriousness as she sorted through the bounty.

"You could be on TV with all this, Mom," he said, gesturing toward the neatly arranged ingredients. "Next thing we know, you'll be hosting a cooking show."

Elise laughed, shaking her head. "Let's not get carried away," she said, picking up a jar of saffron and holding it up to the light with an almost childlike wonder. "But I will admit—it feels a bit magical cooking with all this and here."

The laughter rippling through the room softened the grandeur of the space, making the high-end appliances and gleaming countertops feel less imposing and more like part of a home.

Elise moved through the kitchen with the quiet confidence of someone who had spent years feeding her family, her hands steady and sure even as the luxury around her felt almost surreal.

When dinner was ready, Elise called everyone to the table with warmth that made it feel special.

"Dinner's ready!" she said, and the family, together with Jessica, gathered quickly, excited by the delicious smells in the air and the first meal at their new house.

Jessica paused for a moment before sitting down. She looked around at the happy faces at the table. The laughter and warmth felt familiar, bringing back memories she had avoided for years.

As the family passed plates and shared lighthearted jabs, she felt an unexpected lump rise in her throat. It had been far too long since she'd been part of something like this.

The moment swept her back to memories of her own family in Novan City—meals shared around a humble table, the quiet camaraderie of people who loved one another despite life's imperfections.

The nostalgia was so sharp it nearly brought tears to her eyes.

Elise noticed Jessica seemed quiet. She walked gently and pulled a chair next to her. She put a hand on Jessica's shoulder and asked, "Are you okay, Jessica?"

Jessica blinked. She did not notice that her emotion was affected, and it showed. The rest of them looked at her. They did not notice anything before Elise mentioned it.

"Oh. I'm fine. Perfectly fine," she said with a shaky laugh. "This cooking reminds me of my mother. I miss her, actually."

Jessica continued with a sheepish smile, "And... to tell you the truth, it has been so long since the last time I had a home-cooked meal."

As if in understanding, the Coles gave her a warm smile. Somehow, they could understand what she meant.

Elise's expression softened. A gentle squeeze was given on Jessica's shoulder. With a smile, she said, "If that is so, why don't you come here often?"

Jessica blinked. She was trying her best to understand Elise's meaning.

Elise chuckled, seeing Jessica's reaction. "I mean, if you feel like you need a break or feel like having home-cooked meals, just come by anytime. I'll be home all the time. So, there is no need to call first."

Jessica's expression softened further, and her voice grew hushed as she said, "That's so kind of you, Mrs. Cole. Thank you."

At this, Ethan, who had been half-listening from across the room, straightened in surprise. "Wait... You'll be at home?" he repeated, his brows furrowing. "Mom… have you—have you resigned?"

Elise nodded with a smile that showed she was happy. "I have called the clinic and sent my resignation letter by email this morning. It's time for a new start," she said.

"I want to focus on our family and enjoy this next chapter in our lives. And, of course, I will have plenty of time to cook for all of you," she added.

Aaron cleared his throat. He was sitting at the far end of the table. His action made everyone turn to him. 

With a playful smile, Jacob teased, "What, Dad? Are you going to announce your retirement, too?"

"Not yet," he said with a playful tone, too. "I'm not ready to retire. I believe I have a few more productive years ahead of me."

Lily spoke up from her side of the table with a playful smile. "Come on, Dad! You should start living it up like a proper rich retiree. Isn't that what wealthy dads do? Golf, tennis, sitting on the board of some fancy charity?"

Jacob leaned forward, unable to resist joining in. "Yeah, Dad! Picture it: you on the golf course, wearing one of those preppy outfits, chatting about stocks and sipping iced tea."

Aaron groaned theatrically, rolling his eyes. "Golf? I don't have the patience to stroll and chase a little white ball."

At his remark, the table erupted into laughter. It was something that they were missing for so long. Before, both Aaron and Elise were tense, thinking about money all the time. But now, things were different.

As the laughter faded, Elise looked at Jessica with a playful sparkle in her eye. "So, Jessica, you're a wonderful young woman. Is there someone special in your life?"

Jessica paused, feeling caught off guard. "Oh, um, no," she replied, her cheeks turning red. "Not right now. Before this, I was busy with my studies. And now... I have work."

She wondered, too, why she had never been into this kind of thing. "I believed that I did not have much time for that and... I always think about my family... financially."

Listening to that, Ethan was somehow able to relate. He had never been in a romantic relationship, too. His life during high school was all about football. Then, it was all about working part-time. Now, the system.

Lily, ever the playful one, chimed in. "That couldn't be true! You're so pretty. How is it even possible that no one's snatched you up yet?"

Jessica laughed, more genuinely this time. "Thank you, Lily, but... You'll understand later that life isn't always that simple. Sometimes, other things take priority."

Elise leaned in and whispered, making sure everyone could hear her. "Well, what do you think about Ethan?"

"Mom!" Ethan almost choked on his water. His face turned red as he coughed awkwardly.

The laughter was contagious. Jessica laughed, too, even though she covered her face with her hands, feeling embarrassed.

"I was just joking," Elise said with a wink at Jessica. "But you never know. Life can surprise us in funny ways."

Jacob, always ready to tease, leaned in with a big smile. "So, Ethan," he said, nudging his brother, "when's the wedding?"

Groaning, Ethan buried his face in his hands. "You're all impossible," he muttered, though the hint of a smile tugged at his lips.

As the teasing stopped, Jessica looked around the table and felt happy. She didn't expect the warmth of the Cole family, but it felt like a comfortable blanket. For the first time in years, she felt like she belonged.

Elise leaned closer to her as the meal ended and spoke softly. "Remember, Jessica, you're always welcome here. Always."

Jessica blinked and felt tears in her eyes. "Thank you," she said quietly. "I'll definitely take you up on that."

Later, as dinner ended and Jessica helped Elise clear the table, Ethan stood by the large window, staring out at the serene night sky. The stars seemed unusually bright, scattered like a thousand tiny promises across the vast expanse.

For a moment, Ethan forgot about his worries—the secrets, the dangers, the unknowns. His family was safe, happy, and together.

That was enough for tonight.

Ethan took a slow breath, feeling stronger as he looked at the stars. Tomorrow would bring new challenges, but for now, he was just Ethan—a brother, a son, and a young man hoping for something better.

Author's Note:

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