351 Christmas 1 (1/2)
11:57 AM
Liz and Max arrived at the Anderson family's villa and asked the staff to help them carry presents inside. Other than Christmas presents, they also had souvenirs from their vacation.
Max immediately got busy arranging presents under the Christmas tree in the living room. Based on the number of packages, he guessed that Mia and Hunter contributed to the pile as well.
”How come you are here?”, Liz asked Mia while giving her a hug.
Mia and Hunter were supposed to spend Christmas with Mia's family.
”I can ask you the same thing.”, Mia returned the question.
Liz shrugged like it's not a big deal. ”My dad is here, and it would be a pity to miss this gathering due to a few days of vacation that we can have later. Now your turn. I asked you first…”
”Two days with my father grinning and Roberto sulking, are plenty. For the first time in ages, my father didn't have a woman by his side. I thought that is a good thing until I realized that now he has more time to suffocate me. I wanted something normal and relaxing.”
Hunter chuckled and pointed at Madeline whose smile stretched from one ear to another. ”You call that normal?”
Mia rolled her eyes jokingly. ”I think you forgot that there is a big difference between your crazy and my crazy. I will take yours anytime.”
Nathan overhead Mia and he was not happy that she called them crazy. ”What was that?”
Liz laughed. ”Mia said that she prefers spending time here with you instead of with her family.”
”Father.”, Mia corrected Liz. ”Others are not family. It's just my father and as much I want to bond with him, it's more challenging than I thought it will be.”
”I'm sure that he is missing you. Don't get me wrong, I love that you and Hunter are here, but as a parent, I can tell you that you leaving probably broke his heart.”, Madeline said. ”If you can give me his contact information, we can make sure he is invited to our next gathering. I would love to meet him before you kids tie the knot. It will be sad if we meet for the first time at the wedding.”
Mia was not sure how to respond to this. Does she even want Fabricio at her wedding? Her carefree life and happiness are partially due to her keeping the distance from her father. If Fabricio meets the Andersons, Mia fears that he might corrupt this pink and shiny world she created with Hunter.
Also, Mia's idea of a perfect wedding is Hunter and her, and a handful of selected friends. Hunter does not mind it one way or another, but Madeline and Sabrina are pushing for something grand with hundreds of guests.
Luckily, Sabrina and Ashton made their entrance, and Mia skipped on responding about Fabricio's contact information because Madeline was distracted. Everyone's attention was on the pregnant woman in the room.
Sabrina does not like these belly-rub sessions, but when she sees how much her mother and Mia are smiling, she can't refuse them. However, it's the first time for Liz to do such a thing.
”Didn't you say that touching a pregnant woman's belly brings good luck, is a baseless superstition?”, Sabrina asked Liz. ”You know that you are rubbing my abdomen and that if I do the same to you it would be weird and inappropriate, right?”
Liz giggled. ”Well, it can't hurt. Besides, I didn't believe in many things before I met your brother. Max opened my eyes and made me feel and see things beyond my wildest imagination. Right now I am at the stage when I can say with confidence that anything is possible.”
Mia whistled. ”Someone had a good time on their vacation.”
Sabrina and Mia observed Liz's face as it was getting redder. It was obvious that Liz is remembering something naughty.
”Oh, I will have another grandchild soon!”, Madeline exclaimed.
Hunter and Max both perked up their ears and exchanged confused 'not me' glances.
Based on Sabrina and Mia laughing, Max understood that they are teasing Liz. He had to step in.
”Mom, don't put pressure on Liz. We love each other, but we are still dating and it's too soon.”
Madeline was never the one to stay silent. How she sees the current situation, Max needs to seal the deal with Liz before she changes her mind, and only when Max and Liz are married and their bond is reinforced by a child, Madeline can sleep peacefully.
Madeline narrowed her eyes at Max. ”Too soon? Why don't you look at Liz's reaction? It's obvious that she is not opposing the idea. As for the two of you still dating… that is your fault. When are you going to show your sincerity? It is obvious that you are a perfect match, how much more dating do you need? Did you buy a ring, or do I need to teach you how to do those things? If you don't know, ask your father!”