The dies had already started cooking, but with six hands working, the pace increased several times over. Lily quickly noticed that Rosie couldn't keep up with their tempo and persuaded her grandmother to rest. The girl caught herself thinking that there was something special about cooking together with her beloved.

  Rosie, watching the couple deftly maneuver around the kitchen, drifted into distant memories of how, long ago, she and her husband had danced around the kitchen just like that. These memories had a bittersweet taste that made the old woman smile tenderly.

  A soft voice from her granddaughter pulled Rosie out of her reverie:"Grandma, everything's ready, let's head to the table."

  Rosie had been so lost in thought that she'd lost track of time.

  When they sat down at the table and Rosie tried the dish Ray had prepared, she looked at him intently. Initially, considering his age, she had doubts about his culinary skills. But seeing how deftly he handled a knife, it became obvious to her that he must have done a lot of cooking. And when she tasted his dish, her doubts dissipated completely.

  "As a woman, it's hard for me to admit this, but in cooking, you've surpassed not only me but also my granddaughter. I'd like to know where you learned to cook like that, given your age?"

  "As you can see, I love to eat well," Ray said, patting his stomach, "but I not only love to eat a lot, but also to eat deliciously. There was a time when my mother had to work three jobs. Back then, the household was entirely on me. The desire to eat not just a lot, but also well, pushed me to learn how to cook."

  "I'm curious why you accepted our retionship so easily, given our age difference?" Ray asked.

  "Lily and Violet's parents died very young. While Violet doesn't remember them, Lily had to grow up very fast. Besides studying, she started working very early."

  "Circumstances robbed her of her youth. All these years, I never once saw her show interest in boys—she simply didn't have time for it. When I learned about you, I had my doubts, but I simply have no right to forbid her from seeing you, since she's the one keeping our family afloat. Not to mention what you did for her."

  "And as for your age difference—my husband and I had a ten-year gap. We had to weather many storms to be together, but we were very happy. So I won't stand in your way."

  "She dreamed of becoming an actress, but after her parents died, she had to give up that dream. If you become the one who brings the warmth she deserves into her life, I'll only be gd."

  Listening to her grandmother's words—a mixture of pride, sadness, and gratitude—Lily grew very embarrassed.

  "I know I made Lily grow up too fast, but I'm curious why you started working at such a young age?" Rosie asked.

  "My mother raised me alone. As I said, she had to work a lot. I started working to take some of the burden off her."

  "That's truly commendable. I'm sure your mother must be proud of you," Rosie said sincerely.

  Dinner passed in a warm atmosphere filled with conversation. When it came to an end and Ray and Lily finished cleaning up the kitchen, the girl turned to her grandmother:

  "Grandma, can we go for a little walk?"