Chapter 44: Chapter 44: New Year’s Eve
Serena shook her head.
She looked at him and Old Madam Lancaster, "Thank you, Mom, thank you, Elias."
Elias Lancaster tenderly hugged her and comforted her, "From now on, we are your family."
Old Madam Lancaster wiped her tears beside them, "Serena, things will only get better for us."
New Year’s Eve.
Serena wore a red Korean-style coat that made her look petite and adorable.
"It’s snowing!"
She looked excitedly at the floor-to-ceiling window.
Elias gazed at her with gentle eyes, "Want to go out and play?"
"Mm~"
He smiled indulgently, then went upstairs.
When he came down again, he had an extra scarf, down jacket, and gloves in his hands.
He carefully helped her put them on, took her hand, and walked outside.
A snowman was completed by Elias and Serena’s hands.
The two stood behind the snowman, happily embracing, looking into each other’s eyes.
Old Madam Lancaster had just heard from the servants that Elias took Serena to build a snowman, and hurriedly got up, intending to scold Elias.
In this weather, how could he take Serena out to play in the snow? If she got cold, it wouldn’t be good.
But when the beautiful scene presented itself to her eyes, she forgot what she wanted to say.
Realizing this, her first reaction was to take out her phone and capture this beautiful moment.
The dinner was full of joy and harmony.
For the New Year’s Eve dinner, Serena noticed it was all her favorite dishes.
She recalled every time she spent New Year’s at home before. Since getting up in the morning, she was busy, and in the end, she didn’t even have time to eat.
Even during the New Year, she would be scolded.
But now, looking at these people in front of her, they were not related to her, just because of the two children in her belly.
They sincerely treated her well, especially Elias, who treated her with all his heart and loved her.
At this moment, she felt happy.
At this time, Elias also received a message.
Henry Fletcher: Master Lancaster, it’s confirmed, Madam is the lost daughter of The J Keaton Family.
Elias Lancaster: Mm, keep it a secret for now.
He looked up at Serena, seeing her smiling face, unsure if she wanted to find her parents or not. Better to wait a bit longer.
After dinner.
Old Madam Lancaster took out a big red envelope and handed it to Serena, "Serena, Happy New Year!"
Old Master Lancaster also took out an envelope and handed it to her, "Happy New Year!"
Serena accepted it, "Thank you, Mom, thank you, Dad."
She then turned and gave the envelope to Elias, "Elias, save it for the babies’ milk money."
"Alright~" Elias patted her head.
Old Madam Lancaster, "..."
Old Master Lancaster, "..."
The two elders wondered if their daughter-in-law had some misunderstanding about their Lancaster family?
They glanced at their son, questioning with their eyes.
Elias shrugged helplessly with a smile.
The two remembered how The Yeats Family couple had treated her before.
They understood and tactfully said nothing, happily sitting together on the sofa to watch the Spring Festival Gala.
After a while.
Several large boxes were carried in.
Old Madam Lancaster laughed and pulled Serena over, "Serena, come and open the gifts."
Serena’s eyes were full of surprise.
Seeing three boxes of the same size, she wasn’t in a hurry, slowly tearing off the wrapping. She carefully unwrapped them, revealing a perfect gift box.
Once it was out, she saw a painting.
This painting...
It was from the day Elias was at home kissing her belly when Nanny Livingston accidentally captured the moment.
Serena was so touched that tears fell, unable to speak, just raising her head to look at Elias.
Seeing her tears, Elias felt a tightness in his heart. Initially, he wanted to make her happy, not realizing it would make her cry.
He quickly hugged her, gently stroking her back to comfort her.
"Darling, don’t cry; if I had known, I wouldn’t have painted it."
Elias said regretfully.
His words had just fallen.
Serena’s tears abruptly stopped, she looked at him in shock.
"You... painted it yourself?" She asked while sobbing.
Elias nodded.
He thought the crying stopped, feeling relieved.
But the next second...
She cried even louder.
Old Madam Lancaster watched with a heartache.
Slap...
She slapped Elias on the hand.
Old Master Lancaster also glared at Elias.
Serena hurriedly protected him, teary-eyed looking at Old Madam and Old Master Lancaster.
She wiped her tears with the back of her hand, "Dad, Mom, you can’t hit Elias. This is the first time I’ve received such a wonderful New Year’s gift, I’m very moved."
Old Madam Lancaster listened, her heart aching, feeling pity for this child.
She stepped forward, holding her hand, "Serena, you have us from now on. Come, let’s take a good look at this painting; when he was little, he wouldn’t even draw, this is our first time seeing him create a work."
Serena was amazed, a bit in disbelief.
Not willing to draw, yet it could be painted like this?
Old Madam Lancaster glanced at her son, "You didn’t hire someone to ghostwrite, did you?"
Elias, "..."
Old Madam Lancaster looked at the painting in front of her, realizing if someone wasn’t cherished in one’s heart, they couldn’t paint such a vivid representation, especially that expression, it was meticulously drawn.
Her eyes held admiration.
Serena dumbfoundedly walked out and reached out to stroke the picture before her, her eyes red. This painting must have taken a long time, right?
So he had prepared her New Year’s gift a long time ago.
The atmosphere in the entire living room was warm and loving.
After a while.
Elias checked the time, it was nine o’clock in the evening.
Outside, many places were bustling.
The Lancaster Family on the hillside was far from the noise of fireworks and the roar of firecrackers, but it was brightly lit, as bright as daylight, with lanterns hung everywhere.
He held Serena’s hand and led her outside.
As they neared the yard.
"Darling, close your eyes," Elias gently said.
"But..."
"I’m holding you," Elias said, his large hand gently covering her eyes.
Serena felt a bit nervous inside, but she trusted Elias and let him guide her along.
After a while.
They came to a stop, Elias released her hand.
She felt Elias leave, tentatively calling out, "Elias?"
No one responded to her, she quickly opened her eyes, and saw herself standing inside a giant heart-shaped wreath surrounded by candles.
Not far away, a projection screen played, looping through warm photos of her and Elias.
Surprised, she covered her mouth, looking at each picture.
Suddenly.
A line of words appeared before her eyes.
[Serena, will you marry me?]
Then.
A long, melodic tune began to play.
She turned to look behind her, seeing that tall figure, dressed in a custom suit, handsome face, the man holding a bouquet of her favorite blue roses, slowly walking toward her.
Tears began to fall uncontrollably.
Elias looked at the petite and lovely woman standing inside the heart-shaped wreath.
In his heart, he had determined she was the one for this lifetime.
He walked step by step toward her, and when he was two steps away, he knelt down on one knee.
He looked up at Serena, his voice gentle and clear.