Family

"I'm getting a whiff of chocolate muffins!"

Stephanie heard the loud and cheerful voice of her 5-year-old sister in her living room.

She hurriedly removed the chocolate muffin microwave tray from the oven and set it on the tiled kitchen cabinet.

With her apron on, she ran into the living room, removing the oven mitts from her hands.

"Mom, Dad!" She exclaimed.

She rushed to them, and they both hugged her. They all giggled, and as soon as they disengaged, Princess jumped down from Sebastian’s arm.

She dashed over to Stephanie and jumped on her like she had Sebastian.

"My little Princess," She said.

Stephanie laughed as she threw her up in the air. She gave her a firm hug and a kiss on the cheek.

"Mom, she's so plump now."

Princess blushed, and she sheepishly covered her face in Stephanie's shoulder. Everyone in the room burst out laughing at her reaction.

“Where is Mary?”

Stephanie looked around for her other sibling.

Stephanie was born ten years after Mary was born.

"She dashed to your restroom to relieve herself." When we were traveling down here, she wouldn't stop pestering us about it."

After her father, Philip, finished speaking, Mary returned from the restroom.

“Stephanie!”

Mary rushed up to Stephanie and hugged her.

Stephanie hugged Mary with her right hand while carrying Princess with her left.

"My 14-year-old sister has matured into a woman!"

Except for Sebastian, who had a tiny smile on his face, they all laughed.

He had no idea what he was meant to say or do. He just stood there, taking in the scene of the joyful family.

"We still haven't packed our belongings from the car." Can you help us?”

Stephanie's mother, Sarah, addressed Sebastian, and Stephanie fixed her gaze on him. Then she remembered she was yet to introduce him to her family.

“Oh God, I am so sorry. I was so excited that I forgot to tell you about my family..."

"Stephanie, you don't have to introduce him. Owen is someone we already know." Princess butted in. They all exchanged glances as an awkward silence arose between them.

Stephanie took a deep breath and broke the silence with a loud gasp.

"This is Sebastian, my friend, Mom and Dad." "This is my mother, father, and siblings, Sebastian."

She spoke while pointing to them.

“Sebastian? "How about Owen?"

Princess looked at Stephanie, and Stephanie kissed her cheeks in response.

“Nice meeting you all.”

Sebastian spoke with his head lowered. They all greeted him, and Mary gave Stephanie a familiar glance afterward.

"No," Stephanie said quietly, and Mary burst out laughing.

"I'll bring the luggage in," Philip said before leaving the house.

"I'd be happy to help him as well."

Stephanie stopped Sebastian as he approached the door.

"You're not obliged to do it." You're my guest, and you deserve to be treated as such."

"Stephanie, it's not a problem. I'd be delighted to assist."

Sarah stared at Stephanie with a big grin on her face as he went out of the home.

"He's a nice fellow." "I am content..."

"Mom, there's nothing to rejoice over, okay?" "It isn't what you think." Stephanie butted in.

She sighed and delicately dropped Princess.

“Are there chocolate muffins in the kitchen?”

Princess trailed Mary as she dashed to the kitchen. Her scanty but neat ponytail bounced as she hopped happily.

"You can't keep doing this, you know?" It's been almost a year. "It's time for you to move on."

Stephanie took a deep breath and gave a fatigued gaze to her mother. Sarah was up to her old tricks once more. Stephanie was constantly nagged by her mother to find a new partner following Owen.

"Please, Mom, don't start. I've already informed you that I'm not going to have another lover. I love the way I am now.”

"Stephanie, you are 24 years old. Being a single lady at this age is unusual. Honey, you've got to get moving."

"Would you like some chocolate muffins, Mom?" "Right now, I'm not prepared for this conversation."

Stephanie entered the kitchen to see Princess already eating one of the muffins.

Her mouth was stained with chocolate.

Stephanie smiled as Mary recounted, "I instructed her to ask you first."

"It's fine, give it to her." "I made eight cups," she said.

*

Sebastian assisted Philip in the car by carrying the bags. In his two hands, he raised two of the medium-sized travel bags, while Philip lifted the third.

"Tell me, son, how long have you and my daughter been friends?"

Sebastian smiled broadly as he gazed at Philip.

"Sir, we only became friends yesterday."

Philip gazed at him with his gray brows raised.

“Yesterday, Oh wow. I thought you have been friends for so long.”

“Not at all, sir. We met at the Rockefeller Center.

“Hm.”

As he took the lead, Philip nodded. He climbed up the porch, and Sebastian was right behind him.

They entered the house and placed the bags in the living room.

Stephanie placed the muffins on the center table. She waved at them, and they walked to her.

They all sat except for Sebastian.

“Stephanie, I have to go now.”

As he spoke, he nervously stroked his thighs. He was the center of attention.

“What? No, don't go. The muffins are ready.”

"It's all right, Stephanie."

"Do you have anything you'd like to do when you get home?" Sarah interfered.

“Not really...”

“Then you are having dinner with us,” Sarah said in a final tone.

Sebastian looked at Stephanie and noticed that she was looking at her mother with her eyes narrowed.

“Okay, Ma’am, thank you.” He said after thinking twice.

Stephanie stood up after a brief glance at Sebastian. She approached him and took his hand in hers.

Sebastian was perplexed as he stared at Sarah. He was curious as to why her daughter had reacted so negatively to her offer.

Stephanie stood on the porch when they were outside the house. She still had his hand in hers.

“Sebastian, please don't mind my Mom. She's one of the thorny characters. Please don't hesitate to take care of anything you need to do at home."

Sebastian smiled and shook his head.

"No, Stephanie," I say. It's all right. Your mum is a lovely lady. To be honest, I adore your entire family. I wish I had one like this.”

Stephanie realized she had kept Sebastian's hand in hers and carefully let him go.

"Please accept my apologies."

“Sorry? You don't have to be sorry. "You haven't done anything wrong."

Stephanie sighed and gave a nod.

"Let's go back quickly." In five minutes, Princess can eat eight muffins."

As Stephanie spoke, Sebastian let out a beautiful laugh.

"She's really adorable."

“Thank you. Let's get inside already.”

Stephanie approached the door, but he grabbed her hand before she could open it.

"Another thing..."

Stephanie gave him a slow nod after looking at his hand.

“Who is Owen?

... I apologize if I'm invading your personal space. I'm intrigued. Princess called me Owen.”

Stephanie took a deep breath and lowered her head. She cautiously withdrew her hand from his and glanced at him.

"He's no one."

She walked into the house and left Sebastian outside.

Sebastian was well aware that he had stepped on something he shouldn't have. He should've pretended nothing had happened. He took a chance, but it backfired.