[Shout out to Nezher92 and LuizDarui!]
The day arrived and Penelope and I woke up early. Thankfully, Penelope's face looked better after a night's sleep.
"Good morning honey."
We greeted each other with the usual "Good morning" and sat up. We both checked the kids and found that they were still asleep.
"How about some coffee? I can ask Corazon and Alberto for some."
"I want rice coffee."
"That bitter drink? You want to drink it?"
I was shocked because I knew the taste of that coffee. It tasted like charcoal rice, very bitter.
"Hm." She nodded and yawned.
It was disturbing that my wife missed this coffee. The last time I drank it, I almost choked.
My lips twitched as I replied. Why am I scared? It's just coffee.
I steeled myself and followed my wife into the kitchen.
We realized that we were not the only ones up early.
Most of Penelope's relatives were awake and eating breakfast at 5 a.m. The sun had not yet risen, but they were already eating. As you would expect from people from the provinces, they wake up early.
Or maybe they wake up early because today is the day they will get a lot of money.
December 23rd was the day that Corazon and Alberto would officially sell their land. They would sign the contract in the village hall and the village captain would be the witness.
"Do you want coffee?"
Alberto offered us a single packet of Nescafe. This coffee product was the best-selling coffee in our country.
Nestle was really booming in the early 2000s. Despite their horrible crimes...
"Father, do you have rice coffee? I miss that coffee."
"Yes, we have it. You can make your own. The thermos was filled with hot water, you can use that."
"What about you honey?" She glanced at me.
"I'm good with Nesface," I answered honestly. Rice coffee was too strong for me, even with a spoonful of sugar.
"We will all go to the village hall. We will meet the buyer there and settle the account." Corazon announced and they all listened. After all, it was about money.
Even Señorita behaved well next to her husband. She glared at Penelope a few times, but she didn't cause any problems.
"Father and Mother talked to Señorita last night, that's why she keeps her mouth shut. I don't know what they talked about, but at least Señorita is behaving."
Simeon explained and I nodded. It was better that way. As long as nothing bad happened, Penelope and I would be at peace.
"Honey, can you take care of the kids later?" Penelope said to me after taking a sip of bitter rice coffee.
Just to be sure, I decided to stay in the house. Someone had to take care of the children. I trust my wife and I knew she wouldn't be bullied. She would fight back. Her parents would also protect her.
The only variable was Señorita, but she understood the consequences of running amok.
After we consumed coffee, we returned to our room.
The children woke up later. As always, Sophia would look for her mother every time she woke up.
"Mommy~? Mommy, where?"
"Mommy's here." Penelope touched her little hand and shook it gently.
Sophia giggled and kicked her feet in the air, excited and happy.
"As always, my sweet daughter is the best."
Mother and child cuddled early in the morning.
"Roman, here's some bread and fresh milk."
"Thanks, Dad... Wait, Dad. The milk, is it that 'fresh' milk..."
Roman looked at me reluctantly.
"Hey, don't be like that. This milk is from the cows. Don't worry, we boiled it."
"That's not the problem. I don't like the taste of fresh cow milk."
"Well, I suggest you add sugar to make it sweet. It's good that your mother has already prepared sugar for you. She knows that you won't drink it if it doesn't taste good."
"Honey, feed Sophia for me. I need to change."
After cuddling with Sophia, Penelope stood up to change her dress.
The room didn't have a bathroom, but there was a small cubicle where a person could change.
I sat down beside Sophia and began to feed her. I soaked the bread in milk and used the spoon to feed her.
"Ah-nom nom nom. Yummy!"
She ate and chewed the bread greedily. The bread was already soft, so it wasn't a problem for Sophia to chew it. If she could not chew it, she could drink milk instead.
I laughed at her getting milk on her lips.
"Honey, hold still, let me wipe your lips."
The two were clearly hungry because they consumed the food so fast.
Then, I looked at Roman who was getting busy.
"Roman, don't play with your toys, clean your face first. Your eyes are still dirty. Come on, I'll take you out. Wife, I'm going to take the kids outside."
"Okay. Make sure to wash Sophia's face."
These two were very active after eating.
This house had no water. Instead, we have to go outside and get water from the old water pump.
That's right, the water pump where you have to push down the lever to get water. It takes strength and endurance to use it.
Roman carried a basin while I carried Sophia.
"Roman, take care of your sister while I get the water."
Pumping water was strenuous and almost an exercise.
I pushed down and a few seconds later the water came out... It didn't even fill a tenth of the basin. So of course I had to push it down again.
I repeated this process until we had enough for the children to wash their faces. I was breathing unevenly when it was over.
"Sophia, don't dab the water, you're wasting it."
"Dad, wash me please~"
I have no choice, I have to grant my princess's wish. I gently cleaned her face, especially her eyes where there were dried eye boogers.
"What about you Roman? Do you want my help?"
"Dad, I'm already big. You don't have to."
This kid. It seemed that he didn't want me to wash his face.
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