The New Year came quickly. After talking it over, everyone agreed to celebrate together at the Fu family’s ancestral home.
Sarah Chase arrived holding her son and daughter-in-law by the hand, while Julian Jarvis came with Song Ying.
Snowfall blanketed everything on New Year's Eve.
As the saying goes, a timely snow promises a good harvest. The crisp, biting air was invigorating with every breath.
Cecilia woke up early on purpose today. The cradle was still and quiet, Little Rice Cake was still sound asleep.
She burrowed into Xavier Fostern’s arms, planting a kiss on him. He opened his eyes, his deep gaze landing on the small figure nestled atop him.
He reached out, wrapping his arms around her waist.
"Happy New Year, darling!"
"Happy New Year, baby."
They shared a smile, didn't linger long in bed, and got up to change.
Xavier Fostern had specially bought Cecilia a bright red dress. Since they were staying in, she wore it with a soft, cozy sweater—everything felt festive and full of New Year cheer.
He looked at her, the red setting off her fair skin so beautifully. He was undeniably pleased.
Little Rice Cake was over five months now and had finally grown two tiny teeth. They were only little white nubs, but when he grinned, it was the most adorable thing you'd ever see.
By the time his parents finished getting dressed, he’d woken up too, lying quietly in his cot, playing with his tiny socks.
"Happy New Year, Little Rice Cake~"
Cecilia picked him up and gently gave him his very first New Year’s blessing.
Knowing the whole family would be together this year made Grandpa Rivers and Grandma Rivers overjoyed.
On the big table sat bowls of dumpling filling and dough waiting to be rolled into wrappers.
Festive skits played on the TV. Cecilia called out a cheerful greeting to Grandpa Rivers and Grandma Rivers.
She helped them put up Spring Festival couplets, then they all had a simple lunch together.
In the afternoon, Charles Chase and his family arrived, bringing along Er Dou, now freshly washed and spotless.
Zoey Zhang, excited, ran two laps around Er Dou, and then led the dog outside to play.
Muyao’s belly was already four months along, noticeably round—much bigger than Cecilia’s had been at the same stage.
She supported her belly and leaned into Charles Chase as he held her by the waist, sweetly greeting, "Happy New Year, Grandpa Rivers and Grandma Rivers! Happy New Year, Aunt Ye!"
"Good, good! Come and watch some TV for a while."
Cecilia waved her over to the sofa, and Muyao promptly abandoned Charles Chase to join her.
"Aww, Little Rice Cake, little sweetheart—Happy New Year! Let Auntie have a hug."
She reached for the baby, making Little Rice Cake giggle and show off those tiny teeth.
"No hugging him," Cecilia stopped her, "he’s getting heavy, and you never know—if he kicks, you don’t want it hitting your belly."
"So what should I do then?"
"Come make dumplings with Grandpa Rivers and Grandma Rivers."
Cecilia handed Little Rice Cake to Ye Jing and joined Muyao at the table, learning to fold dumplings together.
It was nearly dinnertime when Julian Jarvis and Song Ying finally arrived. Song Ying, even on New Year's Eve, had been busy with hospital duty and only just finished.
Everyone had a wonderful time at the New Year's dinner.
Either someone was entertaining Little Rice Cake, or checking in on Muyao and her unborn baby, or teasing Song Ying and Julian Jarvis about getting married themselves.
Grandpa Rivers and Grandma Rivers were run off their feet but beamed with happiness.
Ye Jing and Sarah Chase sat off to the side, chatting animatedly, beaming from ear to ear.
Full and content, Little Rice Cake clambered onto his father’s lap—a rare occasion when he wanted to be held by Xavier Fostern.
Xavier Fostern, surprised and delighted, lifted his son with a laugh. "Wow, are you really letting me hold you today?"
No sooner had he spoken, Little Rice Cake squinted his eyes, wrinkling his tiny brows.
After days of hands-on fathering, Xavier Fostern understood immediately. He reached to check the diaper—it was warm and wet.
"...He peed."
The whole room burst out laughing. Xavier Fostern gave his son a mock little swat on the bottom, and took him off to change his diaper himself.
"Haha, our Little Rice Cake is so smart. Whenever something comes up, he goes straight to Dad," Sarah Chase chuckled.
"He knows how to look after Mom, even at his age!"
Cecilia could barely stop laughing. That’s her clever little boy, all right.
After dinner and a round of fireworks, the New Year’s Eve wrapped up in warmth and laughter.
Just before everyone left, the elders began handing out red envelopes. Cecilia, Muyao, and Song Ying each received two—one for themselves and one for their children.
As for Song Ying, naturally, all of Julian Jarvis’s went to her as well.
A stack of red envelopes in hand, they carried the joy of the New Year, along with elders’ blessings, home with them.
—
Muyao and Charles Chase climbed into their car. Everyone had had a little to drink, so the driver came to pick them up.
They didn’t bother returning to Qinghe Community—instead, they headed straight back to the old house. Er Dou crouched obediently beneath the seat, his freshly washed fur once again soaked with snow and mud after just one romp with Zoey Zhang.
Muyao eyed him disapprovingly and started scolding Er Dou, who whimpered in response.
Once home, Sarah Chase yawned and headed to bed, while the young couple retreated to their room.
"Charles Chase, mmm..." Muyao wrapped her arms around his neck, belly protruding, "I ate too much. Rub my belly for me."
Charles Chase scooped her up and set her gently on the side of the bed, bending down to comfort her.
"Shouldn't rub, just a gentle touch. I think you should go take a shower first—maybe it'll help you digest."
He went to run a bath, and by the time he was done, Muyao was already half asleep on the bed.
"Come on, baby—bathtime."
He picked her up, and they headed into the bathroom together.
Muyao, drowsy, let him undress her. Charles Chase placed a towel over the sink and sat her there.
Her fair, rounded belly peeked out. He bent to kiss it, "Were you good today?"
"Of course I was! Where’s my daughter, anyway?" Muyao touched her belly. "Little Rice Cake is just so adorable. Pity he can only be the baby’s big brother. Otherwise, we could set up a little engagement between them!"
"Being a big brother is great! They’re only a year apart—they’ll grow up together."
"That’s true."
After helping her undress, he eased her into the tub. The warm water wrapped around her, and she melted with comfort.
Charles Chase washed her gently, and Muyao tugged him closer by the collar.
Her eyes flashed with mischief. "Honey, do you want your New Year’s present?"
"New Year’s present?"
He gently wiped her back—the sensation of her smooth skin intoxicating.
"Yep. Do you want it or not?"
"I do, I do! What kind of gift is it?" He laughed, indulging her every whim.
"Hmm. I’ll give it to you after we shower."
Once they finished bathing, he wrapped her in a towel and set her down on the bed. Instantly, her legs twined around him.
"Honey, unwrap your present—it’s me!"
Her pale feet nudged his leg. Emerging from the steamy bathroom, her eyes and brows were still misty, gazing at him with utter tenderness.
"Ahem...Baby, maybe not now?"
"Why not? I already checked with Song Ying, and she said it’s fine."
Muyao lifted her chin, looking supremely confident.
Charles Chase couldn’t help but chuckle, looking down at her, hands braced on either side of her face. "Really? You won’t get mad tomorrow? Or demand compensation afterward?"
He was thinking of their wedding night—she’d said yes then, too, but was grumpy with a sore back the next day.
"Really! Hurry, hurry up."
Pregnancy made her extra sensitive, and after having Charles Chase help her shower, she was feeling restless.
His kisses fell like rain—slowly, he began to unwrap his New Year’s present, being especially careful with her rounded stomach.