The warmth of autumn

They both knew Matthew was still weak in expressing his feelings, especially worries. That was the reason they had to send Joy away first. "You have been a good companion to your daddy isn't it?" She could feel he was hugging her tightly although releasing all his worries in relief as he nodded in her arms.

"Sorry for worrying you…" Xue Ting apologised while caressing her baby boy's cheeks. "I'm alright now. You don't have to worry. Grandma already banned me from working at his rate… I will have more time now to come visit you in the store and catch up with the aunties in the restaurant…" She comforted him as he finally smiled.

"Now, tell me more about Diane. How's she doing?" She teased him to change the topic as he blushed. "Come on boy… When are you making her my daughter-in-law? Great grandma is very excited too although she doesn't say it…" She continued to tease him as Qiu Wen chuckled.

"Mum, don't…" He denied her as they laughed together.

That night after Matthew left, Qiu Wen was coaxing Xue Ting who was caressing his face to sleep.

"The customised orders operations in the company were doing well now… You shouldn't overexhaust yourself…" He gently said to her.

"The production is slower than the company's main product line though…" She retaliated.

"It's part of the effort to ensure quality." He pointed out.

"I know mum although she doesn't say it, she was hoping to expand but she knew we wouldn't be able to cope. Why don't you two brothers return to help?" She coaxed while blinking sweetly at him.

He stole a kiss. "It's not going to work you know that…" He teased her as she chuckled.

"With May recovering with a stronger womb in her second trimester, sales may have boosted along the way but the orders are already queuing till year-end… We had to reject several good deal orders to ensure quality was kept up… At this rate, I am just trying to find ways to expand the production without compromising the quality…" She explained as Qiu Wen sighed.

"Don't do the impossible… Live within this capacity. Dad would hope so too." He said gently.

"Speaking of which, it was very surprising that he had been coming often for dinner. I know he was there for the twins but it feels different… something is just…" Xue Ting was searching for the right word when Qiu Wen laughed.

"Tell me was it him who helped out during all the crisis?" She demanded as he chuckled. 

"Indeed so it was him… Is he trying to get back with Mum?" She pestered as he kissed her again to keep her smitten and forget about all that she had spoken.

"So, I am right… Hmm… Shall we?" She asked in a husky seducing voice.

"Ting Ting… You're supposed to rest and no… It's not a negotiation to have another baby." He protested and wanted to get away only for her to kiss him skillfully and they ended in a night of love but he was prepared this time with protection wherever he went as he never wanted to risk her life bearing another child for him. He could not bear the losses and pain as she was his everything. 

Because of the recent exhaustion scare from Xue Ting, Mrs. Tang decided to take the ladies alongside Grandma Tang on a holiday to keep May from boredom and to let Xue Ting rest. 

"What's with this sudden break, Mum?" May asked while hooking her arm with Mrs. Tang. Xue ting sometimes could not believe May was the closest with Mrs. Tang now since May once boycotted her. 

"Don't you worry Ting Ting will break down again someday if she continues to work like a machine?" Mrs. Tang said while adjusting her sunglasses. Grandma Tang laughed while gently patting Xue Ting's hand.

"Yes, my precious Ting Ting had worked so tirelessly yet the boys still do not want to return… I must teach them a lesson." Grandma Tang defended. 

"Ma, not bringing them along this trip is already driving them all crazy!" Mrs. Tang concluded as the ladies laughed. 

"That includes Dad too isn't it?" May teased her mother-in-law as they all knew Mr Tang had been trying to get closer to Mrs. Tang over the past few months but Mrs. Tang was trying to stay oblivious although he had joined the family dinner several times with the excuse to get closer to the twins. 

Mrs. Tang frowned. "Who are you talking about?" May and Xue Ting chuckled with Grandma Tang.

"It's time you reconcile for your own benefit. Don't keep denying love when it's in the air…" Grandma Tang teased as they giggled and stepped inside the homestay May had made reservations for. 

"Yes Mum, you look very well standing next to Dad…" May teased as Mrs. Tang hushed her.

"Welcome to Happy Home!" Greeted the owner of the homestay as the ladies stood in front of a familiar figure, flabbergasted. May gasped as she fumbled to turn around and leave but Mrs. Tang stopped her.

"What a small world…" Grandma Tang said while chuckling.

"Mum, Grandma, Ting Ting, I'm so sorry! I didn't know! Let's leave!" May urged but Mrs. Tang firmly held her hand and made her stay by her side while they both observed Xue Ting's reaction. 

Francesca looked away guiltily from the four guests. 

Xue Ting wanted to greet her when she noticed Francesca's baby bump and Alfred walked down from the second floor. 

"Is our guest here, honey?" Alfred asked in his casual wear, holding a broom and dustpan looking startled at the four guests while nearly tripping down the stairs only for Mrs. Tang to help stabilise him.

"Be careful…" She mumbled before standing back next to May. "Thank you…" Alfred mumbled while meeting with Francesca's worried gaze.

"Aren't any of you checking us guests in yet?" Xue Ting finally broke the awkwardness as Alfred nodded to Francesca to get to the counter and pass them the room keys. It reminded Xue Ting of the way Francesca first came to the restaurant and tripped but ended up being herself as a victim.

"How many months are you now?" Xue Ting asked trying to sound natural, keeping her smile, amused by the past memory. 

Mrs. Tang and Grandma Tang were waiting eagerly by her side while May sat on a chair by the dining table feeling bad. The old ones really loved children and they get very excited with pregnant mothers. Though they had a past grudge against Francesca, her baby bump got the ladies over-excited.

"Seven months…" Francesca said nervously as she handed over the keys to Xue Ting who smiled.

If the little one was with me, he or she would have been the same month, isn't it? Xue Ting questioned herself as Mrs. Tang quickly nudged Xue Ting knowing she must be thinking too much again.

"Hurry, decide which room we should get for the pregnant lady there…" Mrs. Tang said while keeping her eyes on Francesca's baby bump. 

Xue Ting chuckled knowing Mrs. Tang was trying to comfort May who was guilty. "Mum, you should leave the room at the lower ground for Grandma and May… Let's take the room up there alright?" Xue Ting decided while passing the key to her.

"Good idea! Alright, let me head up there first to freshen up!" Mrs Tang cheered before heading there.

"Mum… I want to head up there to see too…" May pouted and called out to her from afar as Mrs. Tang rushed to her side and accompanied her to walk up together while chatting happily about the interiors of the house.

"Take good care of yourself till delivery. And you, be a good father and husband to her." Grandma Tang nagged walking past Alfred who nodded respectfully to Grandma Tang after sharing a warm smile with Francesca who caught her staring at her baby bump before she headed into her room. 

Xue Ting shared a smile with the couple. 

"Don't feel too awkward. After all, we are your guests. You're running a business. I hope you can help me give them all a memorable relaxing break." Xue Ting said as Francesca held her arm before she could leave the counter.

"Sicily…" Xue Ting hummed in acknowledgment. "What happened…" Francesca's eyes darted to the first floor. 

"May's Qiu Yeh's wife and she is in her second trimester. I was pregnant too but my womb wasn't strong so I miscarried during the early few weeks. Mum was there to rescue me when Qiu Wen was away on a business trip. So, the rest is history. I'm helping out Mum in the office as the Tang brothers still refuse to return to help." Xue Ting appeased the couple with brief insights as Francesca was nearly emotional. 

"I'm sorry…" Francesca apologised as Xue Ting's eyes reddened and went to hug her as she stepped out from the counter.

"I'm so sorry…" Francesca apologised profusely as Xue Ting gently tapped her back.

"It's all good…It's just not meant to be. I am happy for you…" Xue Ting gently rubbed Francesca's stomach and felt a movement as both ladies jumped in glee.

"Oh, this little one is so active!" Xue Ting praised as Francesca giggled. Alfred watched them both and could not believe he would live to see such a day when these two nemesis could reconcile over pregnancies. A part of him was grateful that Xue Ting was magnanimous towards them as at least it would give Francesca some peace and closure to live a happy life with him and their little one.