An hour later.
Frank asked Edward to send a message in the family group chat. He wanted everyone to gather so that they could have supper together.
Edward was a gentle person. He was gentle whenever he spoke or sent messages. He even reminded everyone in the group chat to gather soon. He was afraid the pasta would get soggy.
Frank prepared a plate of pasta for everyone. Edward helped bring them out. Frank went back inside the kitchen to take forks. Everything was ready. Grace was sitting alone on the sofa in the living room downstairs. She was flipping through a magazine when she saw the message. She got up and headed to the dining room.
Frank took out his phone. He saw that Edward had typed out a long message. He wondered why there was a need to type that long. He could not help but ask, "Why did you have to spend so much effort to type a long message? You could have just told them supper is ready."
Edward was holding the last plate of pasta in his hand. His lips spread as he patiently explained, "It's always better to communicate thoroughly with family members. If we do not say much, they might speculate. They might wonder what's wrong." He always thought it would be better to explain things in depth.
Hearing that, Frank felt that it made sense. "That makes sense. You can start to eat. If it's not salty enough, you can add chili."
Edward thought it was weird to hear that. Rose had mentioned that Frank's culinary skills were on par with a chef. There was no need for Frank to ask them to adjust the taste.
Seeing that Edward looked perplexed, Frank could guess what he was thinking. "Even if I'm a Michelin chef, I can't be sure everyone will like what I've made. Everybody has different tastes."
At that moment, Rose was making her way downstairs with William. The latter was holding onto her arm. Frank was preparing to go upstairs. They met at the stairway. William asked, "Aren't you going to bring a plate up for Ava?"
Frank replied, "I'll go and ask her. You guys eat first."
Frank had long legs. He strode up the stairs within seconds. When he pushed open the door, he saw Ava standing by the bed. She was preparing to go downstairs. He approached her and asked, "Do you want to go down and eat? Or do you want to eat here?"
Ava replied, "I'll go down. Frank, don't be nervous. I can still walk now. It's just that my stomach is a little big, but it's alright. I want to chat with them. It's very boring to be alone upstairs." Ava did not like to miss out on the fun. She did not want to be alone upstairs.
Frank nodded his head. He agreed. "Alright. Let's go downstairs and eat with the rest then."
Frank protected her when they made their way down the stairs. He stood so close to her that it seemed he was hugging her. He repeatedly reminded Ava to pay attention to the steps and to hold onto the handrail while walking. It almost sounded like nagging.
Rose was dumbfounded when she saw how Frank behaved when they walked down the stairs. She stood there in a daze. She did not understand why Frank was so uptight. Just as she was about to speak, Edward placed his hand around her neck and squeezed it gently. He then led her to the dining room. "Let's eat."
Rose's gaze lingered on her brother and sister-in-law. It took a few seconds before she replied mechanically, "Alright. Let's go then."
Rose turned around. She could already smell how delicious the pasta was. She sat down and picked up her fork. She eagerly lowered her head. She could not wait to eat it.
Rose started to slurp the pasta. It was delicious. She swallowed the pasta and said, "Frank, your culinary skills have improved again. I've been staying at home recently. Can you cook supper for me every night?"
Frank was already tucking into his pasta. He answered without even looking up. "Dream on."
Rose pouted and sighed. "Of course. I guessed that you won't make supper for me. You don't love your cute sister anymore."
Frank did not raise his head. He continued to eat his pasta. However, his reply was more relenting this time. "If I make supper, your share will be included."
Rose smiled. "I knew it. You wouldn't refuse me. Edward, how is it? Isn't it delicious? It's especially delicious." Rose wanted Edward's consensus. She wanted him to praise her brother's culinary skills.
Edward smiled. The pasta was indeed not bad. "It's quite good. It tastes better than the pasta cooked by the cook in the restaurant."
Rose smiled smugly. "My recommendations can't go wrong."
Frank finished his pasta in no time. Ava was taking small bites of hers. She could not help but praise. "It's indeed delicious."
Frank was satisfied. "I can make it again tomorrow if you like."
Rose could not help but compare how Frank replied to her and Ava. Ava's words were indeed more powerful.
William nodded as he ate. "Not bad. Frank's culinary skills are good. He's the benchmark of a good man. Edward's culinary skills are also good. Continue to improve further."
Edward smiled awkwardly. His culinary skills were comparatively inferior. He knew he would have to work hard if he wanted his culinary skills to be on par with Frank. He decided to learn from the Roberts family for the time being. In the future, he could cook for Rose.
Rose nudged Edward. She comforted him. "Edward, it's alright. I won't force you to learn these things. If we want to eat in the future, we can always come here. My brother will make it for me. He is stubborn but soft-hearted. He dotes on me a lot."
Rose had whispered into Edward's ear. Frank did not hear it. However, Grace heard it. The corners of her mouth curled up. She stood up and brought the plates into the kitchen. She said, "You can go upstairs after you're done."
Rose tilted her chair as she stretched her head toward the kitchen. "Let me wash the dishes after I'm done. It will help with my digestion."
Edward said, " Leave the dishes there. I'll wash them. I'm done eating. You can go upstairs with Dad. I don't sleep that early."
Ava loved their family atmosphere. It was harmonious. She did not say anything. She knew they would not assign her any housework. She sat quietly and tucked into pasta.
Frank had also finished his big plate of pasta. He stood up and pushed down Rose's chair. He did not want her to fall. He knocked Rose's head with his fork and said, "You cannot even sit still for a short moment. You like to perform so much. Perhaps you should consider aerobics."
Rose touched her head. She wanted to hit Frank. However, he had already entered the kitchen. She complained, "Why are you so annoying? I'd like you more if your words were as fragrant as your pasta."
Frank rolled his eyes. "Hurry up and finish eating. You can check on Harper and see if he has kicked his blanket."
Rose used her fork to tap her plate. She wanted to show that she still had a lot. "Help me take a look. I'm still eating. You're done eating. Edward's not done yet."
Frank had given the women bigger servings.
Frank looked at Ava and said, "Eat slowly. I'll go upstairs and take a look. I'll be down soon." After walking a few steps, he turned around as if he had thought of something. "It's alright if you can't finish."
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