Vanya made her way downstairs, feeling a sense of nervousness wash over her. She had no idea what to expect from her new family, or how they would react to her.
As she entered the kitchen, she was greeted by the sound of Catherine Carter's voice, coming from the phone.
"Good morning, darling," Catherine said, her voice warm and friendly. "I hope you're feeling well today."
Vanya smiled, feeling a sense of relief wash over her. "Good morning, Mom," she said, using the term Catherine had insisted she use. "I'm feeling great, thanks for asking."
Catherine chuckled. "I'm glad to hear that, dear. I was worried you might be feeling a little overwhelmed after yesterday's events."
Vanya laughed. "A little overwhelmed is an understatement, Mom. But I'm managing."
Catherine's voice turned serious. "I'm glad to hear that, Vanya. You know, I was thinking... maybe we could have a little family dinner tonight? Just to get everyone acquainted?"
Vanya's heart sank, but she tried to sound enthusiastic. "That sounds great, Mom. I'd love to meet everyone."
Catherine's voice turned warm again. "Wonderful, dear. I'll make sure to let everyone know. And don't worry, I've already instructed the servants to make breakfast. You just relax and enjoy your morning."
Vanya smiled, feeling a sense of gratitude towards Catherine. "Thanks, Mom. But I think I'll go ahead and help out with breakfast. I'd love to meet the chef and get a feel for the kitchen."
Catherine's voice turned approving. "That's the spirit, Vanya. I'll let the chef know you're coming. His name is Marcel, by the way. He's been with us for years."
Vanya made her way to the kitchen, feeling a sense of excitement wash over her. She had always loved cooking, and she couldn't wait to meet Marcel and see what he had planned for breakfast.
As she entered the kitchen, Vanya was greeted by the sight of Marcel, a tall, imposing figure with a bushy mustache and a warm smile.
"Good morning, Madame," Marcel said, bowing low. "Welcome to our kitchen. I trust you're feeling well today?"
Vanya smiled, feeling a sense of warmth towards Marcel. "Good morning, Marcel. I'm feeling great, thanks for asking."
Just then, the Carter brothers walked into the kitchen, chatting and laughing with each other. Although Vanya had met them before, but they hadn't had a chance to talk much after everything that happened that day.
"Hey, Vanya," Christopher said, flashing her a charming smile. "What brings you to the kitchen today?"
Vanya smiled, feeling a sense of ease wash over her. "Just thought I'd help out with breakfast," she said, shrugging.
Hans grinned at her, his chubby eight years old face scrunched funny"Well, you've come to the right place. Marcel's cooking up a storm in here."
Sam looking so lazy yawned and stretched, his eyes bleary with sleep. "Yeah, and I'm starving. What's for breakfast, Marcel?"
Marcel chuckled, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "Ah, Sam, you're always hungry, aren't you? Well, today we have pancakes, scrambled eggs, and sausage."
The Carter brothers cheered, their faces lighting up with excitement. Vanya smiled, feeling a sense of belonging wash over her.
As they sat down to eat, Vanya couldn't help but feel a sense of gratitude towards Catherine and the Carter brothers. They had welcomed her into their family with open arms, and she was determined to make a good impression.
But as she looked around the table, Vanya couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. Nolan was still asleep, and she had no idea what to expect from him when he woke up.
Would he still be cold and distant, or would he be warm and kind? Vanya didn't know, but she was curious to find out.
As Vanya sat at the table, she heard the sound of Nolan's wheelchair rolling into the kitchen. She quickly buried her face in her cup of coffee, making sure to sit in a position where he wouldn't be able to see her face.
Nolan didn't say a word as he rolled up to the table. He simply nodded at Christopher and Sam, who were engrossed in a heated discussion about sports.
"Morning, guys," Nolan said gruffly, his voice low and rough.
"I'm telling you, Sam, the Lakers are going to take it all the way this year," Christopher said, his eyes shining with excitement.
Sam shook his head. "No way, Chris. The Celtics are going to crush them."
Nolan grunted in response, his eyes fixed on his plate. It was clear that he didn't want to engage in conversation, but Christopher and Sam didn't seem to notice.
"Hey, Nolan, what do you think?" Christopher asked, turning to his brother. "Are the Lakers going to take it this year?"
Nolan shrugged, his expression uninterested. "I don't know, Chris. I don't really follow basketball."
Sam laughed. "What? You're not a fan of the game? That's un-American, Nolan."
Nolan rolled his eyes. "I'm just not into sports, okay?"
Catherine, who was sitting at the head of the table, smiled warmly at Nolan. "Good morning, dear. How are you feeling today?"
Nolan grunted in response, his eyes fixed on his plate. "I'm fine, Mrs. Carter."
Vanya noticed the formal tone Nolan used when addressing his mother, and wondered what had caused the distance between them.
"I'm doing well, thank you for asking," Vanya said, trying to fill the awkward silence.
Catherine turned to her, a warm smile on her face. "I'm so glad to hear that, dear. I was worried you might be feeling a little overwhelmed after yesterday's events."
Vanya nodded, feeling a sense of gratitude towards Catherine. "I am a little overwhelmed, but I'm managing."
As the meal continued, Vanya kept her face hidden, watching Nolan out of the corner of her eye. He was a man of few words, and he seemed to prefer it that way.
But despite his gruff exterior, Vanya sensed that there was more to Nolan than met the eye. She just wasn't sure what it was yet.
As they finished breakfast and began to clear the table, Nolan suddenly spoke up. "I'm going to go work in my study," he said, his voice gruff. "I have some business to attend to."
Christopher and Sam nodded, but Catherine's expression turned disapproving. "Nolan, dear, don't you think you should take it easy today? You're still recovering from your injuries."
Nolan's expression turned cold. "I'm fine, Mrs. Carter. I don't need to be coddled."
Vanya watched as Nolan rolled out of the kitchen, feeling a sense of unease wash over her. What was going on between Nolan and his mother? And what was Nolan's study like?