Seeing the room packed with people who''de just for her, Queenie shed a heartfelt smile. "Thank you."

    Her eyelids grew heavy; she hadn''t the energy for a long conversation.

    Everyone understood. Cecilia arranged for Queenie to be taken to her room to rest.

    Elliot trotted along, determined to make his grannyugh.

    Queeniey in bed, gazing at the lively child. Her eyes brimmed with contentment.

    She beckoned Cecilia close and whispered, "Ceci, I feel I''ve been very lucky and blessed in this life.”

    Cecilia held her mother''s hand and pulled the quilt to her shoulders.

    “Mom, get well soon. Then you can y with all four of your grandkids together.”

    "Yes... Of course..."

    After repeating her promise, Queenie''s strength faded. She closed her eyes and slipped into deep sleep.

    Cecilia watched her mother''s peaceful face for a long time, then turned to Elliot. “Eli, let''s step outside so your granny can rest."

    "Okay."

    Elliot nodded vigorously and followed Cecilia out, slowing his steps in respect.

    Downstairs, it had been ages since everyone gathered like this. Taking advantage of the weekend, they decided to make dumplings and cook together.

    Nathaniel acted as Cecilia''s sous-chef, asionally causing small disasters that made everyoneugh. “You''ve got flour all over your face!” Cecilia sighed, wiping his cheek with her thumb.

    Embarrassed, Nathaniel turned away. "It''s fine. I''ll wash up in a minute."

    He spoke while kneading the dough.

    He tried, again and again, to adjust the water and dough portions. After several rounds, a single pound of flour had mysteriously stretched into more than three.

    Mason stared, astonished that his once-immacte boss was kneading dough like a line cook.

    "Mr. Rainsworth, maybe let me handle it? I''m great with dough," Mason offered, unable to watch any longer.

    Nathaniel waved him off. "No need. I''ve got it."

    To prove himself, he worked until both hands and half his shirt were dusted white. Though he finally seeded, Mason still had to salvage the excess.

    Lucille waddled over, cradling her belly. "Let me see how it''s going."

    Mason hurried to seat her. "You''re expecting. Sit and rest, please."

    Lucille shook her head and insisted, "I''ve only been pregnant a little while I''m perfectly fine," then stubbornly remained standing.

    Vivian arrived next, her own belly round with pregnancy.

    The moment Zachary saw her, he hurried over and barred the doorway, saying, "How many times have told you? You''re not going anywhere right now. Go stretch out on the couch and rest."

    ?

    "I''m not a farm animal that has to lie around all day," Vivianined. "If I did I''d blow up like a balloon. I''m already in my second trimester, the baby''s stable, and I''m fine, so stop blocking me."

    Zachary frowned. "No. You are not setting foot in this kitchen. You are not doing anything at all."

    When she still tried to squeeze past him, he scooped her up without another word and carried her out of the room.

    Mason and Lucille watched their retreating backs, momentarily dumbstruck by the disy.

    Lucille turned to Mason with bright eyes. "I want to be carried, too."

    With a resigned smile, Mason dried his hands and came over to lift her into his arms.

    Across the counter, Charlotte looked on, wide-eyed, while the two couples shamelessly unted their affection.

    Sven had been off on some errand for days and still hadn''te back; Charlotte felt as though the two of them had lost all contact.

    To make matters worse, every other person in the kitchen-Cecilia and Nathaniel, Madeline and Darren-was paired off, leaving her the lone single.

    After folding dumpling wrappers for a while and watching everyone else show off their love, she slipped the pot onto the stove and then walked out alone, her face clouding with worry.

    Cecilia noticed the change in her mood and followed her outside.