Having pointed out a few more things and shared a few insiderâs tricks with Lorelai, Anastasia didnât even notice that an hour had passed until she checked the time and saw that it was already 5.30 pm. She thereafter rose to have the kitchen prepare dinner, but just as she was about to invite Lorelai to stay, the girl shook her head and said she had to leave.
âThank you for the invitation, Anastasia, but | have something planned for tonight and | should go,â Lorelai explained, gathering her things as she got off the couch âBut it's already so late, and Elliot will be home soon. Come on, stay for dinner,â Anastasia insisted..
âIt's really so nice of you to offer, but | couldnât impose, not tonight at least. Dinnerâs on me next time, okay?â Lorelai said, politely but firmly turning Anastasia down.
âIn that case, I'll see you some other day.â Anastasia walked with her out the door and to the car.
Sliding into the driver's seat, Lorelai gave her a small wave and said, âThanks for today. I'll see you around!â
âDrive safe.â Returning the wave, Anastasia watched as the car pulled out of the porch and out the front gates.
Presently, the vibrant sunset glow was cast over the garden, coating it in a warm golden hue.
There were thoughts behind Anastasiaâs clear, bright eyes as she stood outside. She did not go back into the living room.
Instead, she glanced at the watch on her wrist. Jared should be home by now.
As expected, the fleet of cars escorting the little boy pulled up outside the house but did not drive in. Jared leaped out of one of the cars and dashed through the gates. He ran up to Anastasia when he saw her and asked happily, âMommy, were you waiting for me?â
âYes, | was,â she answered with an affectionate smile.
He beamed and held her hand while. exclaiming, âI love you so much.. Mommy!â
â| love you, too.â She reached out to ruffle his hair, then led him into the house.
When Jared got into the living room and saw the kitten darting back and forth on the couch, he quickly set his bag aside and began to play with the feline. The little furball had only grown cuter since they first got it.
Allittle later into the evening, a black Bugatti sports car drove and parked on the car porch. The soft purr of the car engine indicated that Elliot had returned.
Anastasia was reading on the grassy lawn right outside the living room while Jared was playing with the cat. When she saw Elliot walking up to her with his silhouette outlined by the twilight glow, she set her book down and ran to meet him in the middle.
She had missed him dearly after not seeing him for the whole day.
Upon seeing her running his way, Elliot opened his arms and caught her just as she threw herself into his embrace like a child.
He lifted her up by the waist and twirled her once, then set her back down. âMissed me?â he asked teasingly. There was a warm and gentle gleam in his eyes as he kissed her forehead indulgently.
She nodded, smiling as she said, âI did.â
âDaddy, | want a kiss too,â Jared demanded as he approached the loving couple with the kitten in his arms.
Elliot let go of Anastasia and bent to pick up the little guy, then kissed him on the cheek lovingly. âDid you have fun at school today, Jared?â
âYou bet!â Jared replied with a firm nod.
The kitten looked decidedly unhappy when it saw that everyone else had received Elliotâs affection. âMeow!â