In the room, she was already dressed only she had her shoes to put on. Stooping in front of her, "Let me do that?"
"You don't have to do that," seeing she pull her feet, "Hello will you just relax, you are tired and I know that. So please allow me and the dress is making you look so radiant."
When Thomas finishes attending to her shoes. Looking at her seeing her lip between her teeth and her face was pink.
Afraid to lift her eyes and look at him, when he stood up and walk to the wardrobe, and took out a jewel box.
Holding, her hand to stand up. "Here hold this while I hook the chain."
Going in front of the mirror admiring the gold chain. "Now put on the erring." When I did he turn me to face him. "Honey, today completes our second month anniversary since we got married.
I know my gifts cannot compensate for my mistakes and I am sorry."
Seeing her eyes widen just glaring up to him, thinking, 'He calls me honey before and now again. and why did I kiss him earlier? Did I want his approval so much I was willing to stoop so low?'
Hearing a voice in her head, "Hello, he is wooing you, and remember he is your husband."
Feeling the touch Christa blink back the tears and said, "We must hurry everybody must be waiting."
"Just, one minute."
"What now?" Christa asks.
When he took out his handkerchief and dab the tear by her eyes then said. "Christa my family can be irritable and mean at times, but be patient with them please, I beg you?"
Walking down the stairs reaching the last step. Thomas whispers, "You are looking very attractive, I feel we could go back to the room?"
Hearing him whispering romantic words when we heard voices. Tucking her hand by the elbow as the family came into view. Looking down at her, Thomas knew that she was up to something.
When Jerome said, "At last you are here."
Christa, responds, "I am so sorry for the delay."
"We understand you being the new bride and everything," Jerome responds
"I suppose so, and I apologize, now let us begin seeing tomorrow is a working day, and where are the children? Dad, didn't you tell them we were preparing for the whole family?"
"Sorry child."
"Well never mind, maybe they don't want me to." But then she stops remembering what Thomas asks her.
Thomas notice she wipe her forehead, and then said to Mrs. Marva, to hold just one minute.
Seeing that everyone was seated and ready to dish out without giving thanks. Asking everyone to close their eyes, ignoring the few grumbles, Christa prayed.
Thomas held her hand as she prays, then when she finished praying he signal Mrs. Marva, to continue dishing out.
Aliza said, "Christa you look amazing this evening, if the girls were here they would be dumbfounded and blown away."
"Thank you, Aliza, your brother got this dress for me, knowing we had an engagement this evening. But since Aunty is here we cancel, so I didn't want to disappoint him."
"Mrs. Marva what a combination of food you have prepared this evening." Jerome replies, "I am amazed you never prepared this for our Sunday lunch."
"Sorry Sir, but the Mistress had those prepared and it seems you like the chicken and baked potatoes a lot."
"It is really good I must say, Larissa needs to learn to prepare her baked potatoes like this. I hope you don't mind sharing your recipes?"
"I am sure the Mistress won't mind young Sir. Our new Mistress is quite a cook, your brother made an excellent choice.
She is fully aware of attending to the herd, and now as we can see she is a very good cook."
Thomas observes his parents looking at Christa then the others.
Wondering 'What must they be thinking now?' When Dad said, "Christa, you did an outstanding job in that short space of time."
"Thanks, Dad!"
"In all the years, I never heard Mrs. Marva praise anyone cooking before. Nether allows any of them in the kitchen.
I recall Larissa and Sybil only going into the kitchen and she put them out.
So, tell me Mrs. Marva how did Christa manage to succeed?"
Everyone heard Mrs. Marva laugh. "Sir, she is a pretty determined young Mistress. She insisted to fix her meals as you all know. Also, she makes a list of our young Sir meal.
She cleans up when she finishes in my kitchen. I will need to do like Jerome Sir., and get her to teach me how to prepare some of the meals seeing how you enjoying it so much.
And she can also join the family at the dinner table."
"Mrs. Marva, Christa is free to join the family anytime," Jerome responds.
"Yes, young Sir, but how will it look if she is not eating. I am so glad she is sitting with the family tonight.
You may not know this but today completes two months since our Young Sir has gotten married.
And look how happy he is, having our Mistress at his side and they are having dinner with the family together."
With Christa's head bent eating the noodles thinking. " This was easier than I thought, I did not have anything to do, Mrs. Marva is doing an excellent job.
Now she is letting the family know of both of our affairs without us having to say anything. I wonder how the few who were degrading him earlier are feeling now?'
Slightly glimpsing at Jerome, then the other three, they all look so disappointed. 'Well, my job for tonight is done, Thomas looks happy and so is his dad.
But the others look wounded, I am pleased with the outcome.' Looking at Jerome's wife, "Excuse me, Larissa, anytime you want to make any of the dishes.
Feel free to come and we could make a few things and please bring the children when you are coming."
Standing up, seeing everyone looking at her. "I must thank you all for coming this evening, it is truly a privilege.
I am sorry for the short notice, but before Aunty leaves we should have a day of fellowship.
Now if you all will excuse me, I am sure that you have heard I was not keeping so well these few days.
Now Mrs. Marva will serve the desert because I cannot partake, so I am going to bed."
When Thomas stood up Christa said, "Please you remain, both of us cannot leave them. And I am a bit weary from my walk and the little hustling.
Bending Christa kiss her in-laws, Thomas's Aunt then takes her to leave.