BXBX NOVEL Chapter 416 - Bonding With Friends!
The guard opened the gate and allowed the two carriages and the twelve escorts to enter the spacious lawn of Nicholas Redding\'s mansion.
Nicholas, Cooper, Sarah, and the kids were already waiting at the entrance of the house to welcome the visitors again.
Graven and his family exited the carriages and walked towards the entrance.
"Good noon, Father!" Graven and Laura spoke in unison, seconded by the others.
"Everyone, welcome back to my humble abode!" Nicholas said cheerfully, delighted to see his extended family once again.
He ushered the visitors into the living room, the servants served refreshment to the new arrivals.
"Let\'s rest for a while and allow the servants to bring your bags upstairs to your rooms," Nicholas said. "Have a taste of our freshly harvested lemon juice, a fresh produce from our backyard garden!" he said and picked up his glass.
The visitors did the same, sipping their lemon juice, loving the taste, and quickly made a refill from the two pitchers on the center table.
Nicholas addressed the visitors. "The foods are still being prepared in the kitchen. Those who want to go to their rooms upstairs and change their clothes, you can do so now," he stated.
"Thank you, Amigo!" Simon said in a grateful voice.
Simon, together with Sofia and Rosa left the living room and climbed the stairs, followed by Terros, Graven, and Laura.
Half an hour later.
The visitors descended the stairs and gather in the living room.
Nicholas addressed them again. "Lunch is ready! Let\'s proceed to the dining room!" he said.
They went to the living room and gathered around the long table.
Sumptuous dishes of different varieties were arranged palatably on the table.
They took their seats.
Nicholas looked at everyone\'s hungry faces. "Alright, let\'s eat!" he said because it\'s already 1:20 in the afternoon, past lunchtime.
Everyone grabbed their utensils and put foods on their plates, and began eating with a good appetite.
Forty-five minutes later.
They finished eating, left the dining room, and went to the living room.
"Guys, those who want to take a rest can go upstairs to their rooms. We will tour the backyard later at 4:00 to see the construction being built there," Nicholas said.
The women including Laura left and went upstairs while the men lingered in the living room, engaged in a conversation. Later on, they transferred into the veranda to enjoy the fresh air and continue their lively conversation there.
Hours went by.
At 4:30, the visitors exited their bedrooms and went downstairs to join the others in the veranda.
Nicholas stood up. "Alright, since the ladies are already here, let\'s head to the back of the house and see the ongoing preparations being made there..." he said.
They proceed to the back of the house and watched the carpenters constructing a mini chapel and a garden inside a garden where the chairs and tables are supposed to be placed.
"I design this as an outdoor wedding venue - but just in case the rain will fall on that day, a thick white tarpaulin will instantly cover the trees shielding the visitors from the rain, so no need to scramble in every direction to get shelter from the rain," Nicholas explained.
Simon clapped his hands. "Amazing preparation, Amigo!" he said.
Nicholas beamed. "I will never allow rain to ruin Graven and Laura\'s wedding day!" he responded with a smile.
Laura and Graven smiled at each other.
The rest lingered in the garden, strolling around the wooded area of the back of the house.
Simon and Nicholas were resting and talking to each other on the wooden bench under the shade of the tree. Sarah and the kids were playing nearby together with Cooper, while the rest of the women enjoyed the swings.
Graven and Terros were watching the carpenters busy with their work.
"Grandpa, can you do something for me?" Graven asked.
"Sure! What is it?" Terros said.
"Laura is getting worried why Rebecca was no longer visiting the manor. Since you know her husband\'s place, can you go there for a visit after we return to the manor?" Graven requested.
"Okay, no problem. I\'ll do it! I can even go there anytime tomorrow," Terros suggested.
"No need to hurry, Grandpa," Graven said.
"Alrighty!" Terros nods his head.
At 3:30 in the afternoon, the servants came into the garden bringing trays of refreshment for everyone, including the men at work.
Fresh lemonade was served with yummy rice cakes, bread, and cookies in different sizes and colors.
Everyone enjoyed munching on their delicious snacks.
Hours went by.
It was already 5:30.
The carpenters stopped working and went home to rest for the night.
Nicholas and the visitors returned to the house and settled in the living room and on the veranda.
At around 6:30, the cook finished cooking the dishes and the maids arranged them at the dining table.
The maid went to the veranda and informed the head of the house that dinner is ready.
Nicholas stood up. "Alright, guys, dinner is ready! Let\'s proceed to the dining room!" he said.
Everyone went to the dining room and ate dinner.
After they finished eating, Nicholas made an announcement. "Tomorrow, we will visit a private beach owned by my friend. I have rented it for the whole day tomorrow. The entire beach resort is ours to enjoy! Let\'s leave here at around 9 in the morning, we will have lunch there by noon. It\'s just a one-hour drive from here."
The announcement was met with a round of applause by everyone, excited to see the beach resort.
The men retired in the veranda and engaged in a live discussion about politics and the business landscape in South Pond Town, while the women were busy discussing embroidery, recipes, parenthood, and a lot more relating to households stuff.
Sarah went upstairs and returned with a bag filled with swimwear. "I bought this one in advance after I learned that Father Nicholas would surprise you with a beach outing on your second visit," she said.
"OMG! So sweet of you, Sarah!" Laura exclaimed and gave the woman a quick hug.
Rosa got two swimwear for her and Simon.
Laura also got hers, and two sets of brown and gray floral shorts and shirts for her husband and Grandpa Terros.
Sofia was giggling, admiring her pink floral swimwear.
Minutes went by.
When the clock strikes at 9:00 in the evening, the women finally retired to their rooms, excited for tomorrow\'s event.
Thirty minutes later.
The men left the veranda and went to their rooms upstairs to retire for the evening.
...
The following day.
After breakfast, the mansion was buzzing with activity. Everyone was excited and getting ready for their outing to the beach.
At 9:00...
The servants loaded all the bags into the 4th carriage.
Then the passengers boarded their respective carriages excitedly.
The escorts along with their horses were getting ready for the journey, while the invisible men are hovering in the air, ready to protect the entire family from unforeseen dangers.
A few minutes later, the carriages can be seen leaving the property, moving at moderate speed into the road, heading to the beach resort.
The one-hour ride was smooth and pleasant, passed like a blur.
Finally, they reached their destination.
The carriages and the escorts entered the iron-gated private beach resort and were greeted cheerfully by the caretaker of the place and two servants.
Laura and Graven looked appreciatively at the two-story brick white house in front of them.
"Hello everyone, welcome to the Coral Reef Beach Resort! Sir Nicholas and company, we\'re ready to serve you!" the caretaker greeted the visitors pleasantly.
"Thank you for the warm welcome, Augusto!" Nicholas told the caretaker.
The escorts began removing the bags from the carriage and brought them to the veranda.
Augusto looked at the visitors. "Ladies and gentlemen, please follow me upstairs so that you can bring your bags to your rooms," he said and entered the house.
Everyone followed Augusto to the stairs, the escorts were trailing behind them.
The guest settled in their rooms and quickly changed into their swimming attire.
Twenty minutes later, they were already back on the ground floor following Augusto as he gave them a quick tour around the property.
After the tour is over...
The guest rushed to the beach, amazed by the blue calm water and white powdery sand tickling their feet. Palm trees can be seen scattered all over the three hectares private resort.
Sarah, Cooper, and the kids were running energetically in the sand, their contagious laughter filled the beach.
Terros, Graven, Nicholas, and the others lowered themselves on the lounge chair with wide umbrellas shielding them from the glare of the sun.
Soon, Cooper, Sarah, and the kids were already swimming happily in the water.
The rest watched the family on the sideline, enjoying the blue sky, the ocean breeze, and the powdery white sand beneath their feet.
Out of the blue, Terros whispered something in Laura\'s ears. "I\'ll go there at Rebecca\'s place, I\'ll try to bring the poor girl here," he said.
Laura looked at Terros. "That would be nice, Grandpa! But don\'t bother yourself, just enjoy the beach," she said.
"Okay," Terros replied.
Graven looked at his wife. "Do you want to go swimming now?" he asked.
Laura smiled. "Yes, I would love to!"
Graven looked at Terros and asked, "Grandpa, do you want to come with us and take a dip in the crystal clear water?"
Terros shook his head. "Later... I\'m still enjoying the beauty of this incredible beach! Go on, enjoy the water for me!" he replied.
Nicholas, Simon, and the others followed the couple to the ocean.
Terros stood up. "Time to visit Rebecca!" he said and went back to the house. If he can bring the poor girl here so that she can also enjoy the happy occasion surrounded by friends then that would be awesome, if not, then better luck next time.
He climbed the stairs and entered his room, closed the door, and vanished from the room.
A few moments later.
Terros landed outside the gate of Rebecca\'s manor. He looked at the guard. "Guard, is Lady Rebecca home today?" he asked.
"Yes, Sir. Who are you?" the guard asked.
"I\'m her grandfather. Please tell her that Grandpa Terros is waiting outside for her," he said.
"Okay, Sir. Wait a minute, I\'m going inside the house to inform the lady," the guard said and left, heading to the house.
Terros stood outside the gate, waiting patiently.