Page 70 of One More Time

‘Well then.’ Grace waved them down the hallway. ‘Enough dilly-dallying, come into the kitchen and you can meet the rest of the gang.’

Once the rest of the introductions were done, laughter and chatter soon filled the house, along with Sharni and Rose’s squeals and giggles as Charlie chased them around the lounge room. Hearing his granddaughters’ joy made his happy heart sing even louder. By dinnertime, the table was groaning beneath the weight of their epic feast with every trimming imaginable – along with everyone’s requests, they also had crispy roast potatoes, a mountain of Yorkshire puddings and thick, meaty gravy made with the pot roast juices. Grace had gone all out, with him as her kitchen hand, and he’d loved every second of cooking beside her.

Taking his seat at the head of the table, with Grace alongside him, Charlie revelled in the atmosphere of family and love. They ate until their bellies were full then, after cleaning up, retired to the sitting room.

Nestled in beside him on the lounge, Grace leant into Charlie’s ear. ‘Do you think it’s time to announce our surprise?’

‘Yes, it’s the perfect time.’ He addressed the room. ‘Everyone, your mother and I have something to tell you.’

‘Oh my god, you’re pregnant,’ Bryn chimed in, inciting a roomful of laughter.

‘Stop it, you cheeky sod.’ Grace threw Bryn a playful glance, then held out a set of keys. ‘Hudson and Bryn, this is for you.’

Seated closest to her, Hudson took her offering and turned the keys over in his hands, confusion tugging his brows. ‘What are they for?’

Grace grinned ‘The teahouse.’

Hudson tipped his head. ‘But I already have my own set of keys.’

Regarding Charlie’s grin, Grace took the cue to speak. ‘We’ve decided it’s time that you and Bryn took over the business, with your sisters coming in as silent partners.’

‘Are you serious?’ Delighted surprise was written all over Hudson’s face.

‘Holy cow! Mum, Dad, this is … just, wow.’ Bryn’s eyes widened to saucers. ‘Did you two know about this?’ He looked from Hope to Ava, who both nodded.

‘Yes,’ Hope replied. ‘Mum and Dad got us both to sign the paperwork a few days ago, so it’s all legit and ready to go.’

Bryn rubbed his face. ‘I … I honestly don’t know what to say.’

‘That’s a change,’ Ava said lightheartedly.

The room filled with laughter again.

Hudson rose and came to his parents, giving them a joint hug. ‘Thank you so much.’

Bryn took his turn next. ‘You won’t regret it.’

Emotions welling, Charlie sniffled. ‘I know you two boys have been running the teahouse for quite a while now, along with your mother’s guidance, but it’s about time she hung her apron up once and for all, don’t you all think?’

‘Yes,’ was the resounding reply from everyone.

‘Now you can change things to suit your visions for the teahouse.’ Grace regarded both her boys. ‘Like your desire to open it for dinner, Hudson, and your idea to start making wedding cakes and the like, Bryn.’

Bryn and Hudson both looked to each other.

‘Let the fun begin!’ Bryn said, rubbing his hands together and grinning.

‘God help me,’ Hudson replied good-naturedly.

‘Right, with that being said.’ Charlie came to his feet. ‘Now, it’s my turn to make an announcement.’ He turned to Grace. ‘And this time, it’s all about you.’

‘Charlie?’ Grace offered him a look of confusion. ‘What are you doing?’

Taking what he’d been dying to give her from his pocket, Charlie handed over the gold envelope. ‘This gift is from all of us to you, for being a wonderful wife, mother and nanna.’

Grace looked at it as though it were made of real gold. ‘What is it?’

Ava came to her mother’s side and wrapped an arm over her shoulder. ‘Open it and you’ll find out, Mum.’