Chapter 457: It’s Too Early To Have A Child Now

As soon as Agnes saw the young couple, her excitement was palpable. She looked as if she might rush over to them.

“Grandina, take it easy,” Madelyn said, noticing Agnes’s thrill. Her own face lit up with a warm smile.

Sebastian, ever thoughtful, greeted the rest of the family with a polite nod. “Grandpa, Grandma, Dad, Mom.”

The elders nodded in return.

At a glance, Madelyn’s increased maturity was evident. Steven nodded in approval, standing up and leaning on his cane. “All right, now that everyone’s here, let’s get started with the meal.”

“Yes, yes, time to eat!” Agnes chimed in. “Oh, look at me, seeing you two lovebirds has made me so excited I nearly forgot we haven’t even had dinner! Let’s sit down, quickly!”

At her cheerful urging, the family gathered at the dining table. Steven sat at the head, with Agnes beside him. Nigel and Marsha sat on the right, while the young couple sat to the left, comfortably near Agnes.

The dinner spread was truly impressive—a feast of land and sea fare so abundant it was hard to take it all in at once.

Agnes, radiating happiness, eagerly served the young couple. “Come on now, you two need to eat more!”

“Thank you, Grandma,” Madelyn said sweetly. Sebastian also seemed to be in high spirits.

As the meal progressed, they heard Agnes murmuring, “I’ve been waiting day and night for this. Seeing you two makes me so happy I could cry. I wish I could see you every single day.”

Before she could continue, Steven scoffed. “In your dreams. These kids are living their own lives. You think they have time to hang around with you all day?”

The table erupted in laughter.

Agnes retorted, clearly offended. “Really? All I said was one thing, and you’re already scolding me? I know the kids are busy. I was just joking.”

“Daydreams won’t get you anywhere,” Steven grunted. “Let’s try to live in the real world.”

“You’re such a pain, Steven,” Agnes snapped. “Always running your mouth. Not even a good meal can shut you up.”

Their banter had everyone chuckling.

Madelyn laughed, finding Agnes adorable. She grinned and said,

“Oh, my!” Agnes exclaimed, laughing and hugging Madelyn. “You always know the right thing to say. You’ve made me so happy.”

“Heh, talking’s easy,” Marsha interjected from her seat.

Madelyn’s smile vanished, and she straightened, ceasing to laugh.

Marsha continued, with a hint of annoyance, “You and Sebastian are the same. If we don’t invite you, you wouldn’t visit on your own, would you?”

“I’m sorry…” Madelyn said quietly.

Sebastian quickly intervened. “Mom, don’t blame Madelyn. If anyone’s at fault, it’s me. I’ve been swamped with work and haven’t thought to visit. That’s on me, not her.”

Marsha was taken aback. Her son’s swift defense of his wife left her feeling resentful. “All right, all right,” she said, flustered. “Looks like your wife’s the only one who matters to you now. Your poor mother doesn’t count anymore.”

“Mom, that’s not what I meant,” Sebastian hastily clarified.

Nigel sighed and frowned. “Marsha, seriously? How old are you? Still arguing with the kids like this? Grow up, will you?”

Marsha faltered, unprepared for her husband’s rebuke. Her composure wavered.

The room fell quiet, the tension easing. Agnes piled more food onto Madelyn’s plate. “Come on, Maddie, eat up.”

“Grandma, that’s plenty,” Madelyn said, flustered. “I really can’t eat any more.”

Agnes relentlessly piled more food onto Madelyn’s plate until it overflowed, while also enthusiastically loading her own. Madelyn could only stare, inwardly groaning.

Her stomach was small—how much did Agnes expect her to eat?

“You can’t eat?” Agnes said disapprovingly. “That won’t work. You’re going to be pregnant someday, you know. You’ve got to eat well. If you can’t finish this, how are you going to manage carrying a baby?”

Madelyn was speechless, watching her plate become a mini-mountain. Agnes then squinted at Madelyn’s midsection.

“Huh, that’s strange,” she said. “You two have been engaged for a while. How come there’s still no baby bump?”

Without hesitation, she put down her fork and gently touched Madelyn’s stomach, which was flat.

Agnes frowned. “Oh, you two. I really don’t know what to say. I ran into some old classmates the other day. They all have grandkids—plump, chubby ones, some even seven or eight years old! But you two? Not even a whisper of a baby!”

They were careful to prevent pregnancy, and both agreed it was too soon. Besides their busy work lives, Madelyn hadn’t even graduated from university yet. Having a child now was unthinkable.

So she chuckled and said, “Grandma, you might have to wait a little longer. Sebastian and I aren’t ready to have kids just yet.”

“What?” Agnes gasped, clearly upset. “You’re not ready? Then when will you be?”

“We…” Madelyn cleared her throat. “We figured we’d wait a year or two. I haven’t even finished school, so-”

“Oh, heavens,” Agnes interrupted, dramatically despairing.

Only the heavens knew how badly she longed to hold a grandchild—a little one she could spoil.