When Love Comes Late

The table was adorned with an array of exquisite dishes.

Everyone took their seat.

Taking her place at their table for the first time, Stella’s poise betrayed her nervousness.

Her posture was impeccable, her movements measured, and even her chewing was conscious and precise.

It didn’t take long for Lucia to take note of Stella’s reservations.

She offered a warm suggestion to her grandson, “Matthew, make sure to attend to Stella.

This is, after all, her first meal in our home.

”

Encouraged by his grandmother’s words, Matthew served Stella a slice of beef.

“Just relax.

”

Stella’s tension ebbed away slightly.

It was then that Waldo broached a more personal subject.

“Matthew, now that you and Stella have resolved your misunderstandings, perhaps it’s time to start thinking about children,” he said, his deep voice tinged with a teasing undertone.

Stella paused her chewing, a blush of shyness coloring her cheeks.

Matthew replied, “We’re still young.

We’re in no hurry.

We wish to savor our time together, just the two of us, for a while Longer.

”

Waldo’s expression showed a hint of resistance, yet before he could delve deeper, Lucia intervened with a decisive glance in his direction.

“Waldo, concentrate on your meal and refrain from interfering in their business.

”

Stella exhaled a silent sigh of gratitude for Lucia’s intervention.

She turned her attention back to her steak, yet as her knife sliced against a thick cut of meat, she unwittingly exerted too much force.

The ensuing pain made her grip falter, and the knife clattered obtrusively onto the plate, disrupting the serenity of the meal.

At the dinner table, the trio’s attention shifted to Stella.

His voice laced with concern, Matthew asked, “What’s the matter, Stella? Are you feeling all right?”

With a slight strain in her smile, Stella apologized, “Oh, it’s nothing.

I just dropped the knife accidentally, that’s all.

”

She averted her eyes and reached for the knife again, poised to tackle her steak, when her plate was whisked away.

With effortless finesse, Matthew commandeered the knife and fork, slicing through the steak with practiced ease.

Then he placed the now neatly cut steak before Stella.