Chapter 3909
“Everything’s fine at home,” River replied cheerfully. “Grandma didn’t scold you at all. She’s been in great spirits. Brother Kevin brought Sister-in-law Hayden home for the holiday, and Grandma is thrilled. She keeps saying how our family is growing and how happy she is.
“She also mentioned that next year’s New Year celebration will be even livelier. She’s urging everyone to step up—those who are married should start having babies, and the singles need to find wives as soon as possible.”
Tatum chuckled. “Grandma is so relentless! She chose a fiancée for me who lives so far away, and now I can’t even go home for the holidays. It’s as if she doesn’t miss me at all.”
River laughed. “Come on, Brother Tatum, it’s not like anyone’s preventing you from coming back. If you really wanted to, even your boss wouldn’t stop you. By the way, did you hear? Sister Liberty and Brother Don got their marriage certificate, and Mr. Julian is married too. It seems like all the single aristocrats around us are settling down.”
“They’re all married now?” Tatum asked. “What does Grandma think about that?”
“She hasn’t said much,” River replied. “She’s too happy about Brother Kevin bringing Sister-in-law Hayden home. As for Brother Evan, he still hasn’t returned. I think he’s embarrassed. He probably didn’t make any progress with the woman he’s pursuing and doesn’t want to face Grandma.
“Brother Elian, on the other hand, is being unusually secretive. Not even our eldest brother knows who Grandma picked for him. But judging by how much he’s been smiling lately, I’d say he’s doing better than Evan.”
River continued, updating Tatum on their brothers.
Romantic pursuits had become a family affair, largely due to their grandmother’s insistence on finding a suitable wife. River had already discussed this with Alex, their youngest brother; when the time came, they would trust Grandma’s judgment and learn from Evan’s mistakes. Evan’s experience served as a warning: he had pursued someone he liked without even knowing her full name, leading the family to view him as a failure.
“Brother Tatum,” River said playfully, “how are things progressing with Sister-in-law Elora?”
Tatum chuckled softly. “We haven’t made much headway. Your Sister-in-law Elora isn’t the type to fall easily. But I’m in no hurry; I’ll stay by her side and take my time. Sooner or later, she’ll come around.”
Tatum was confident. Even if he missed his grandmother’s one-year deadline to marry Elora, he believed she wouldn’t hold it against him or exclude him from the family.
He had also noticed Elora and her sisters during their playful banter. They often joked about which men they found attractive. Before the holiday began, everyone had joked about sleeping in for three days straight. But now that the break had arrived, they were all waking up earlier than ever.
“It’s funny,” Elora mused, “when we have to work, getting up early feels impossible. Yet, give us a day off, and we’re up before sunrise, full of energy.”
Nearby, the two youngest siblings, Alonzo and his little friend, were laughing and running around in the snow, their cheeks flushed from the cold. Their third sister, Sevyn, watched them with a mix of envy and amusement. “Look at them, having the time of their lives. It makes me jealous. Maybe we should give them more homework—they seem to have too much free time.” Violeta, the fourth…
Sister laughed, saying, “If you give them homework, they’ll cry their eyes out! Let them enjoy the winter break. Alonzo is only in first grade. There’s no need to put pressure on them. They’ll study when the time comes, and they’ll play when it’s time to play.”