Early that weekend morning, Roxanne awoke to a knock. She assumed it was Archie and Benny, her usual morning visitors, and admitted them without a second thought. To her surprise, she found Estella and the boys at the door. Estella, in a pink skirt and carrying a small bag, looked especially charming. Roxanne, still drowsy from a restless night spent worrying about her upcoming hot springs trip with Lucian, felt momentarily disoriented.
"Ms. Jarvis!" Estella greeted brightly.
Roxanne's mind cleared. Estella was really there. "Essie..." she murmured, rising and glancing around. Lucian was absent. "Why are you here? Where's your daddy?"
Estella pointed downstairs. "He's waiting!"
Roxanne blushed. They were to leave for the hot springs together, yet Lucian had already arrived. Archie and Benny chimed in, "We heard a knock and saw Essie, so we let her in!" They'd deliberately ignored Lucian, knowing he'd follow.
Roxanne patted their heads. "Okay. Go wait downstairs. Mommy will be ready soon."
The children obediently left. Roxanne, exasperated, slapped her forehead and hurried to prepare. Lysa had already made breakfast, and the children sat patiently at the table when Roxanne finally descended.
Lucian lounged on the couch, seemingly lost in thought, casually glancing up as she entered. Their eyes met, and Roxanne panicked. Before she could look away, he asked, "Ms. Jarvis, did you not sleep well last night?"
Roxanne instinctively touched the dark circles under her eyes, hastily covered with light makeup after she'd noticed them while washing. Lucian added gently, "It's almost eight o'clock."
Her hand froze. "Sorry to keep you waiting," she apologized, trying to mask her embarrassment.
Lucian, sensing her discomfort, remained silent. Roxanne breathed a sigh of relief only when she finally sat at the dining table without further comment from him. The children immediately piled food onto her plate.
Noticing Estella, Roxanne asked, "Essie, did you eat breakfast?"
Estella shook her head. She'd been so eager to see Roxanne that she'd urged Lucian to leave immediately after she woke.