Jane, who had gotten out of the car behind them, immediately exposed her niece.
"Risa, didn't you once say your favorite person was me? Whoever you're with seems to be your favorite person."
Iris laughed and joined in. "Exactly. You've said I was your favorite aunt, too." Risa grinned playfully. "Yes, yes, yes. I love everyone equally. I like all of you." Letting go of Chloe, she moved to link arms with Callia and led her into the house. As they walked, she said, “Callia, Sawyer and Koben are here too."
"Why are those two here?"
"They missed you."
Callia sighed helplessly. "I've started working. Do I have to bring along my two little shadows everywhere I go?"
"Don't worry. They won't cling to you here. The moment they arrived, they ran off to play with my younger cousins. They've probably forgotten about you." Risa added, “Kids are like that. As long as they have playmates, they're happy.”
That put Callia's mind at ease.
Sure enough, after entering the house, she saw not only a room full of elders but also her two youngest cousins. They greeted her briefly before running off again to play with the two youngest boys of the Johnson family.
The two youngest Johnson boys were only a year or two younger than Sawyer, and they also got along well with Koben.
The Yorks and Johnsons had been close family friends for generations and were connected through marriage. The elders of the Johnson family had witnessed Callia growing up, just as the elders of the York family had watched Chloe and Risa grow up.
Their affection for Callia was no less than what they felt for Chloe and Risa.
The large gathering enjoyed a lively dinner together. After the meal, the elders remained inside chatting, while the younger generation went outside for a walk. Walking beside Callia was Oliver.
Ahead of them were Devon and Chloe.
From time to time, Oliver glanced at Chloe and Devon before turning to Callia. "Callia, Devon is probably very grateful that you came tonight."
Callia looked toward the couple walking ahead. Their interaction reminded her of herself and Xavier, who were also childhood sweethearts.
They did not have to confess their love to each other all the time, yet every glance and every gesture revealed how deeply they cared for each other.
"Chloe usually gets home very late, doesn't she?"
"Yeah," Oliver replied. “She leaves early and returns late. Sometimes she's busy even on weekends. Devon wants to take her out for a nice meal or a proper date, but they rarely have the time.
"You're the exception. Because you came, Chloe canceled her business
engagements to come home for dinner. If it were anyone else, they wouldn't get that privilege."
Callia smiled. "Chloe has always given me special treatment. So when is she and Devon getting married?"
Chloe and Devon were a little older than Heath, and at Heath's age, the Yorks had started pressuring him to get married.
Oliver said, “I have no idea. It'll probably be another two years or so. Anyway, Devon has waited for so many years. He won't mind waiting another couple more. Chloe is just too busy. She says planning a wedding takes a lot of time, even if she doesn't personally have to handle anything.
"We've all told her that when the time comes, we boys can take over the company. She can just relax, be Devon's bride, go on a proper honeymoon, and have a chance to really unwind."
Chloe had traveled to many places, but almost all of those trips had been for work. She had never really taken the time to vacation or relax.
"For someone who's used to being busy all the time, if you made her rest for a
whole month, she'd probably get bored. She wouldn't know what to do with herself."
"With Devon keeping her company? How could she possibly be bored?"
After giving it a thought, Callia had to agree.