5 The Wrong Request

Lilian watched her mother-in-law showering Aiden with lots of kisses, cooing and squishing him. She talked to him in some code language and their eyes communicated for some secrets. It was a delightful bond to see and the little guy seemed quite fond of his grandma. While the little one sucked on his scrumptious meal, his eyes watched the diamond sparkling thing around the neck of the elderly lady. It was very captivating to his new soul who still had to discover this petty world.

"He looks much calmer now. The last time I recall, he wouldn't stop crying no matter what we did," Helena Tucker stated as she smiled with wrinkles forming around her eyes.

Dressed up in straight brown pants and a white shirt, she was looking fresh and elegant. She had minimum premium accessories despite the huge stock loading in her bank account and her face was still glowing despite her growing age. Lilian's womanly instincts wondered about the beauty products resulting in this magic. Her mother-in-law was still full of energy, competing in the dangerous age of exhaustion and she was still working in the company, maintaining her position in the family business.

"Yeah, he's just picky. He often gets cranky when he dislikes things," Lilian said while she exchanged a smile.

The elderly woman nodded in acknowledgement and said, "So it seems like you have adjusted quite well. Any problems?"

"Not at all. I am doing very well." The young woman stated, smiling at the baby who seemed to stare at her now, maybe wondering what his mother was complaining about him.

Helena adjusted the baby's head for support while she conversed, "Good to hear that and by the way, I was looking at the wedding photos the other night. You were looking so pretty dear."

"Thank you," Lilian noted the compliment, "Actually I didn't go through it yet."

"You should then. Should I ask Robert to send you the files again?" Her mother-in-law asked, maybe thinking she didn't get access yet.

The young woman remembered a link to the drive sent to her email. 'Wedding photos' being the title of the document, she felt thrilled to open that up. The reality still felt like a dream, she couldn't imagine standing next to Richard Tucker in a wedding gown.

"That's fine Mother. I have it. It's just Aiden doesn't like it if he is given a little less attention but I will check it real soon." She informed.

The grandmother's soul chuckled and pinched the nose of the baby playfully, "What a naughty baby! Aren't you, my little monster?"

Lilian noticed the lady beside her changing her expression to the serious one in a second. The elderly looked at her surroundings and shifted closer to the wife of his son, passing a hesitant smile as she pressed her lips together, "About Rich, how's your relationship with him? Do you get along?"

Taken aback by the sudden unexpected question, the newly married woman felt puzzled to answer the question. Their parents knew what this marriage was all about then why would she ask something like that?

"Mother, actually..." She was uncertain of what to say.

Lilian watched Helena clasp her hand gently, giving it a light squeeze, "I know it's shameless of me to ask but as a mother, I can't see my son like that. He is becoming so workaholic that all he cares about is his business. He doesn't talk to us, doesn't visit us, doesn't agree to dinners and he looks so worn out these days."

The heart of the aged mother ached. Helena looked into her daughter-in-law's eyes warmly with a paint of sadness, "He wasn't like that before at all. I tried a lot but it's just like he had shut all the doors. I can't see him like that."

She paused a little, taking a deep breath, "Lilian, can you warm up to him a little bit? My Rich is a very sweet child, he is just not that expressible. I will be grateful if you could help him a little."

The young woman was stunned, hard to digest all the words spit at her face. She was indirectly asked to form a romantic relationship with Richard Tucker by his mother despite knowing all the circumstances. Their relationship was beyond the edges of boundaries and Lilian knew how hard her husband had loved his first wife. Well, everybody did.

Nia and Richard were like the best couple of forever who would make you feel jealous at a glance. Both of them were always pulling each other's leg, hugging, kissing and laughing... They were like the perfect pieces of people with the finest chemistry between them. Richard was always there by Nia's side, be it a happy one or a hard one. Even when Nia got pregnant, he was the one who had suggested the marriage, not wanting to abort the beautiful symbol of their love. His overprotectiveness towards her, his caring, his soft side, his love, the efforts he took to please her even in little moments... Everybody knew how much he adored Nia. It was like a first and last love. And after all this, his mother wants them to be in an actual relationship? Was that even possible?

"Mother," Lilian called out softly, her face tensed up as she pulled away her hand, "Let's keep this marriage simple and let's not complicate things. I understand your worry but it's not even much time since Nia passed away. Give him some time to adjust, I am sure he will get better eventually."

The elderly woman sighed, about to say something when a voice interrupted her.

"She is right Mom, don't even think of hooking us up. It's out of the league!"

Lilian's eyes diverted to the owner of the voice. Richard was there with a napkin around the nape of his neck while the grey shirt had wet patches of sweat, showing the intensive calories he had burnt. The guy just commented and passed off the lane without actually involving himself in the conversation but engraving a big impact.

Helena shook her side to side before looking at the time, smiling at her grandson who was now gently sucking on the nipple of the bottle, his eyes getting heavy. He surely looked more adorable in his sleepy mode. She kissed his forehead before passing him to Lilian's authority.

"I am sorry to pop like this without any prior notice but I am happy that you are taking good care of my grandson." She said as she got up from the couch, taking her purse in her hand, "I know I have said this a lot of times but really, thank you so much, honey. You are very sweet to agree to all this stuff. I am grateful."

She added gratitude.

Getting up as Lilian put the bottle of milk away and held the baby against her chest while she smiled at the old lady, "Please don't say that Mother. Aiden is my son now and I love to be with him. He is a lovely child."

"Of course he is", The mother-in-law added, leaning in to kiss her grandson for one last time.

"Bye baby, grandma loves you." She said after kissing the back of his head and leaning in to give a short hug to her daughter-in-law.

"I still hope that you and Richard will progress a little." She whispered in her ear before, separating herself while her eyes mischievously looked at her son standing at the top of the stairs.