Chapter 205

Serena's POV

I finally got some decent sleep today. Ever since the lawsuit began and Eleanor's accident, peaceful rest had been a luxury I couldn't afford.

As I stretched and yawned, debating between DoorDash and Uber Eats, a thought crossed my mind - if Eleanor was taking cooking classes, maybe I should make an effort too. With Milo and Stella visiting so often, I couldn't keep relying on Joe's Shanghai and Dig Inn.

After some internal debate, I changed into my joggers and decided to head to Whole Foods. But when I opened my door, I found Lucas standing there with the kids. I surprised - it wasn't even the weekend. Why would he bring them unannounced?

"I have to fly to London tomorrow," Lucas explained, adjusting his tie. "They'll need to stay for a week. Walter's visiting family during that time too."

I remembered suddenly that Lucas had been abroad when I had my accident, flying back on his private jet immediately after. The memory stirred something inside me, but I pushed it aside with a simple, "Sure, no problem."

"Going somewhere, Mommy?" Milo asked, clutching his Switch.

"Can we come too?" Stella perked up, her prep school uniform still pristine despite the long day.

"Yes... heading to Whole Foods," I said. "Thought I'd try cooking dinner."

"You're actually going to cook?" Both children looked shocked.

I caught Lucas's subtle smirk.

"You're really going to cook for us yourself?" Stella's eyes widened. "We usually just have Walter order from Caviar or heat up something from Dean & DeLuca."

Their eager expressions melted my hesitation. I took their hands in mine and turned to Lucas. "Go ahead to your meeting. We'll be fine."

Lucas didn't respond, just silently followed behind us. At Whole Foods, the usually composed Stella became completely childlike, darting between aisles with Milo, picking up organic ingredients for my inspection.

"Can we get the wild-caught salmon?"

"Look, they have those special Japanese mushrooms!"

Watching them explore the store with such enthusiasm, a warmth spread through my chest. We filled our cart with seafood from the sustainable section, organic produce, and some prime cuts. Before checkout, I told Lucas, "Watch them for a minute. Need to grab something from the pharmacy section."

When I returned with Tampax, I caught Stella's curious glance. I couldn't help but smile - someday, I might be the one helping her navigate these aspects of growing up.

Lucas and Milo were already at the checkout line when I walked up with my items. Lucas glanced at me and casually extended his hand. "Add it to my cart. I'm getting everything."

I hesitated, holding the Tampax boxes. The line behind us was growing longer and Lucas's expression had that familiar CEO impatience. Reluctantly, I handed them over, then became intensely interested in the latest issue of Vogue on the magazine rack.

"Sir, these products are part of our Prime member special," the cashier announced with practiced cheerfulness. "Buy two, get one free. We have Regular, Super, and Super Plus available."

"We'll skip the promotion," Lucas replied in indifference.

"It's actually included with your purchase," the cashier continued, unfazed. "Target and CVS are running the same deal. You might as well take advantage of the savings. Just need to know which variety you prefer."

He hesitated for a while, then turned to me. "Which ones do you want?"

The cashier's attention swung to me, and I felt my face burning. Behind us, I could hear a couple in workout gear having their own conversation.

"See?" the woman stage-whispered. "the suit guy is not only good-looking but also so considerate. He even asks girls what they like. Unlike you, who always just buys whatever you like without caring if I'm comfortable or not..."

"You said the Amazon subscription was fine!" her boyfriend protested.

"Whatever." Her eye roll was practically audible.

"Fine, fine. You can pick whatever you like later, okay?" he backpedaled.

"Ma'am?" The cashier's voice broke through my mortification. "Your husband's waiting on your preference. It's refreshing to see a guy this involved - most men just wait outside with their AirPods in."

I caught Lucas's satisfied smirk. I realized we were like a warm family, which made me feel even more uncomfortable. It felt like I was the mistress. Dying inside, I grabbed a random box. "These are fine."

After paying, we headed toward the parking garage where his car was waiting. I rarely did my own shopping and we'd somehow ended up with enough bags to fill a supermarket. Watching Lucas carrying two massive Whole Foods bags, I stepped in front of him. "I can take those. I'm sure you have meetings waiting."

"Really?" His skepticism was justified.

I frowned. How heavy could grocery bags be?

The answer was: very. The moment he handed them over, they crashed to the sidewalk. They'd looked so effortless when he was carrying them...

"Still feeling independent, Serena?" he asked, smugness in full force.

I pressed my lips together. This is what I got for deviating from my usual delivery apps.

Then he took the bags from my hands with an indulgent smile and walked towards his car. His natural gesture dissolved the previous awkwardness, and a warm feeling welled up inside me. A thought crossed my mind. How wonderful it would have been if the later events had never happened...

I followed with the twins, all of us heading back home in comfortable silence.

After finishing the unpacking, I headed to the kitchen to start dinner. I had barely begun checking the stuff when Lucas appeared again.

"I can handle this..." I started.

"It's almost 8, and both Milo and Stella haven't had dinner yet," he cut in.

I checked my watch, surprised at how late it had gotten.

"Let me cook - it'll be faster," he offered. "You can watch and learn. You'll pick it up more quickly that way."

I took a deep breath and acquiesced. In the corner of my eye, I caught Stella silently sliding onto one of the kitchen island's barstools, watching us with that slight, knowing smile.

In the kitchen, I assisted as Lucas cooked, absorbing his explanations about timing the pasta perfectly with the sauce. Our movements fell into an easy rhythm, while Stella helped set the table with the plates.

Soon, we had a proper dinner ready: pasta primavera, garlic bread, and a caesar salad. Lucas took his seat at the table as naturally as if he'd always belonged there.

"Mommy, this is amazing!" Milo exclaimed enthusiastically.

Before I could respond, Lucas jumped in. "Then finish your plate. Don't waste good food."

"I'm having seconds!" Milo declared.

Stella twirled her pasta. "It's really wonderful, Mommy," she said softly. Looking at these precious twins, warmth spread through my chest.

After dinner, when Lucas offered to help clean up, I declined. I wanted to avoid interacting with him as much as possible. As I loaded the dishwasher in kitchen, I heard Milo's voice carry over the marble island: "Mommy, this is exactly what I wanted for us."

"What do you mean, sweetie?" I asked, arranging the plates carefully.

"You know-having dinner together, going to Whole Foods on weekends," Milo explained, while Stella sat perched on one of the kitchen stools, swinging her legs slightly.

I was so moved that I couldn't speak.

"Don't you enjoy it too, Mom?" Milo looked up at me with those earnest eyes.

"Of course I do," I managed, though the words felt strange on my tongue.

"You're the best!" Milo beamed.