As the conversation went on, Nina thought of her daughter. “ She should be in by now” she mumbled to herself. Her gaze slowly turned in a circle–her eyes detectively searched around for a clue of Aims anyway. “ Oh...there you are.” She beamed. “ Excuse me~,” She said with a bow. 
The feminine silhouette beside her nodded, chewing on her food. Laughing at the last comment passed by Randy, on the topic on board, she slipped away towards the grilling stand where the three were indulged in a hearty conversation. Their chuckles filled their ears that they didn't notice when Nina had joined them.
In an attempt to draw their attention, she intermittently cleared her throat which made them spin, facing her in the process. “ Mum?~ ” Prince and Aims called which made her smile. “What are you doing over here~ need anything?” He asked.
“ Shouldn't you be with the rest over there?” Jasmine asked.
“ Mind if I steal her away for a moment?” She asked, turning her head slightly to look at Aims who smiled.
“ Sure~” Jasmine was the first to answer. “ We'll join you guys shortly.” 
With this, Nina mumbled her thanks. “ We should join them now...time to meet the rest of the family.” She said to Aims who nodded. Although she felt nervous, the look on her face made her relaxed. 
Waving off, she slowly tailed after Mrs.Nina as they approached the table. Lilia kept her expression impassive and unreadable even though she felt the urge to diminish those smiles from her face.
Cling-clang, the wine glass, and spoon lifted in mid-air swept silence down the yard. Every eye was now focused on Nina who was by now standing at the head of the table– Aims feigned a sheepish smile at the gazes on them. For a moment, she panicked but then seeing Lilia, Jasmine, and Prince's smile comforted her.
“ Right...” Nina giggled with a smile. “ Glad you've lent me your ears at this point~” She started and everyone chuckled which soon died down for her to continue. “ Well, as often as we've been having this occasion today's event holds a guest, a precious one as such~” 
On an impulse, she shared a glance with Aims and back to her audience. “ Here, I present to you, the new members of the family~Aimscious Nelson.  She announced, a welcome applause suddenly shattered the silence. 
Their faces were lined with smiles from ear to ear which warmed her heart~ Aims bowed in regards, all eyes now fixed on her as she took the middle position where Nina had earlier occupied.
“ Meet the family, honey,” said Nina with a broad smile. “ That's Uncle Randy” She mentioned, waving over to the direction of each person she pointed out. “ Jasmine over there– I guess you guys already met and that's Philemon, Aunty Bianca, and Grandma Suzzy.” 
“ Welcome to the family, dear” Uncle Randy was the first to break off after Nina. “ We now own the two most gorgeous young flowers in the world right now, I guess.” He wisecracks which got everyone cracking on it.
“ I bet so, Uncle” Aims agreed along with Jasmine~ the table was now buzzing with cheers. “ Nice to meet you all...such an honor to be a part of this family.” She smiled, so bright that her eyes dazzled with cheer and pleasure. 
“ Over here, love~ join granny .” Grandma Suzzy pointed to the seat next to her. Without hesitation, she trod over to her– wrapped in a swift hug, she helped her settle in.
“ Shall we eat now?” Bianca finally asked and soon they'd dived into their meals. They shared intermittent jokes and laughed throughout the din– servings were occasionally made from one end to the other. 
“ Here, let me help you,” Philemon said, noticing Aims reaching out for a bowl of meat bowls in the middle. “ Ah, thanks...” She smiled while he served her a few balls. 
Everyone was into their meal, Aims glanced at the large family table~ unconsciously, a faint smile lined her face. “ I guess this is what you guys promised me, huh?” Her subconsciousness rumbled on, and a faint chuckle escaped her lips.
“ I don't mind taking this as a compensation, then. I promise to be happy from now on, you don't have to worry about me any longer~ you can all rest in peace now.” 
“ Hey~” Prince nudged her out of her absence. He'd noticed her for a while, neither eating nor drinking anything. “ ...you're not eating. Is something bothering you?”
She just tilted her head with a no and smiled. “ I'll get started now.” Her cutlery soon joined in. He glanced at her for a moment wondering what could be the problem but then, she caught a glimpse of his concern.
Chewing on her food, she teetered her head assuring him she was okay. Rest assured, they both returned to their meal.
                                           *****************
Minutes later, it was over. Prince and Philemon decided to take the three ladies out for a few minutes of Ice cream and a fun date which they all agreed to.
The sun was already low in the sky when they returned. “ Right, here you are...let's get going now.” She announced just when they entered but none objected since they knew how well she hated traveling at night.
“ Come visit anytime, dear.” Grandma Suzzy said and Aims nodded.
After a few hugs and farewells, Jasmine and Philemon escorted them to the front where their car was parked. Aims and her brother took the back seat while Lilia and Nina sat in the back.
“ See you later, Lilia...Aims,” Philemon waved. “ It was nice having you ladies around.”
“ Same here.” They chorused. “ Thanks for having me as well.” Lilia smiled.
“ I thought you'd be sleeping over tonight, Aims,” Jasmine said in an attempt to keep her for the night but Prince was quick to burst her bubble before Aims could even say anything. 
“ Not when you both have lectures in the morning. ” 
“ Such a joy killer~ do you know that you are one?” She queried which made them burst with laughter. 
“ Sorry, I got that title.” He teased and soon, they rolled off. 
Slowly, the residential streets turned to the busy country night streets.