C204 We Agree

The proposal Peter had just made lingered heavily in the hospital room. For several moments, no one spoke. Mary and Quinton exchanged uncertain glances, each trying to process what they had just heard. Living together with the Mooney family? It was a generous offer... But it was also an enormous decision.

Quinton slowly cleared his throat before speaking. "Mr Mooney..." "If we were to move in with the Mooney family..." "...what would happen to our house?" He paused before adding honestly, "And... we're no longer working." "We don't have a steady income anymore." "How would we contribute to the household?" "Our savings are enough to keep the two of us comfortable..." "...but we can't compare ourselves to wealthy families like yours."

Mary nodded in agreement. "That's true." She looked toward Alicia. "My daughter..." "Just now you transferred thirty thousand dollars as though it were nothing." She smiled helplessly. "But to ordinary people like us..." "Thirty thousand dollars can comfortably support our family for nearly a whole year." The room became quiet. Peter suddenly laughed. His warm laughter immediately eased the tense atmosphere. "My in laws..." "Who told you that family is measured by money?"

He leaned back comfortably before continuing. "We are the ones inviting you to live with us." "So why should you worry about contributing financially?" "A family should never be divided into who earns more..." "...or who owns the bigger bank account." His eyes slowly swept across everyone in the room. "Our children now manage Lucia Goods together." "The company has a bright future." "The income it generates alone is enough to support every member of our families."

He smiled proudly toward Alicia. "I still receive my military pension." "Mark has a permanent government salary." "And Georgia and I have enough savings to enjoy the rest of our lives." "So if there's one thing none of us should lose sleep over..." "It's money." Mary lowered her head. She hadn't expected Peter to think that way. Beside her, Quinton also remained silent. Alicia suddenly spoke. "Why does everyone always think money is the answer to everything?" Everyone turned toward her.

She smiled sheepishly. "I know I'm still young..." "But I don't think family should be built around wealth." She gently looked toward Mary. "Aunt..." "I've never cared whether someone is rich or poor." "If I did..." "...I wouldn't have fallen in love with Mike." Peter chuckled. "Well said." Alicia looked back at Mary. "When Grandpa first suggested this..." "I honestly wasn't sure." "I've always imagined Mike and I having our own little home."

She smiled softly. "But..." She instinctively placed her hand over her stomach. "After what happened yesterday..." "I realized something." "I won't always know when something is wrong with me." She lowered her eyes. "If my father had been delayed by only a few more minutes..." "I don't even want to imagine what might have happened." The room fell silent. She continued quietly. "Before I collapsed..." "Mike and I were already looking through the empty rooms." "We wanted to choose one that would be comfortable for the two of you."

She smiled toward Mary and Quinton. "So..." "I've changed my mind." "I think staying together..." "...and letting our parents look after us..." "...might actually be the happiest choice." Mary's eyes immediately became moist. "My child..." "You've already been thinking about us?" Alicia nodded. "Of course." "You've always treated me like your own daughter." "How could I not think about you?"

Mary reached over and gently held Alicia's hand. "My daughter..." "You've truly entered our family." Peter smiled in satisfaction. "That settles another concern." Then he looked at Quinton again. "As for your house..." "You don't have to sell it." Quinton blinked. "I don't?" Peter shook his head. "Absolutely not." "A home carries memories." "Once it's sold..." "Those memories can never be bought back."

He smiled warmly. "Instead..." "Rent it out." "The rental income will become your own personal income." "You'll still have financial independence..." "...without worrying about expenses." Quinton slowly nodded. The suggestion made perfect sense. Mary also looked relieved. Finally... Quinton smiled. "Mr Mooney..." "No..." He corrected himself. "Brother Peter..." "If you've already thought this far ahead..." "...then Mary and I have no reason to refuse."

Mary smiled and nodded beside him. "We agree." Alicia's face instantly brightened. Peter laughed happily. "Excellent!" Quinton raised one finger. "But..." "We have one small request." Peter nodded. "Go ahead." "We'll need about seven days." "We have to sort through our belongings, clean the house, arrange tenants, and pack everything properly." He smiled apologetically. "We don't want to arrive at your home carrying our entire lives in plastic bags." Everyone laughed again.

Peter waved his hand dismissively. "Take all the time you need." "There's no rush." "But once you move in..." "...the Mooney residence will truly become one home..." "...shared by one family." The atmosphere in the hospital room instantly became lighter. Soon the excitement finally settled, the nurses arranged the breakfast that had been prepared beside Alicia's hospital bed.

The small table was soon filled with warm porridge, vegetable soup, boiled eggs, fresh fruit slices, wholegrain bread, and a glass of fresh milk. Every single dish had been carefully chosen to give both the mother and the tiny life growing inside her the nutrition they needed. Alicia stared at the food with little enthusiasm. Just then, Quinton placed another takeaway bag on the table. The aroma of whole roasted chicken, freshly baked rolls, and beef burgers instantly filled the room.

Alicia's eyes lit up. She smiled hopefully and looked at Georgia. "Grandma... could you please pass me the roasted chicken?" Georgia immediately shook her head. "No, no, my child." She gently moved the takeaway bag farther away. "You are pregnant now. Junk food can wait. Your baby needs healthy food first." Mary quickly nodded in agreement. "That's right. Come, eat this warm porridge instead. It's still nice and hot." She scooped a spoonful before placing the bowl into Alicia's hands.

Peter chuckled softly as he watched Alicia's pitiful expression. "Our little princess has finally met people she can't negotiate with." Everyone laughed. Alicia pouted like a child whose favourite toy had been taken away. "But I only wanted one piece..." "No." Georgia and Mary answered in perfect unison. "Healthy food first." Realizing there was no room for bargaining, Alicia sighed dramatically. She lowered her head and obediently began eating the porridge, followed by the soup and fruit.

Although her appetite was almost nonexistent and every bite felt like a chore, she continued eating without complaint. Seeing the satisfied smiles on both Mary and Georgia's faces, she could only smile helplessly, accepting that from now on, everyone seemed determined to spoil and strictly protect both her and the little baby growing inside her.