Chapter 469 - Flint Family

In a tastefully, but cool decorated manor resides the family of Stephen Flint. At present, Stephens two sons and their wives, his wife, and daughter were all gathered and formally dressed waiting in the hallway. The dark haired, sharp featured figure of Stephen Flint glances with his bluish gray eyes at his only daughter, and youngest child, Silvia Flint.

A gleam of pride appears in the depths of Stephen's Flint's eyes as he observes his dark-haired daughter. She was rather thin with delicate features, and a rather flat figure. However, she had round h.i.p.s which would make childbearing much easier for her. And that was an important attribute to have considering just who his child wished to seek a courtship with.

Stephen Flint almost sighs in despair but catches himself as his daughter's sharp blue gray eyes stare steadfastly at him. Glancing away from his daughter, he turns to gaze at his beloved wife, Halina. She had silky brown hair, thin like their daughter with a small bosom, but always had a calm, and rather patient air about her.

A soft expression appears on his face as Stephen's eyes meet with the light-colored eyes of his wife. Halina flashes him a quick smile that draws his breath away even now. He instantly recalls the first time, they met.

Stephen had been visiting cousins residing on the old continent, when he had been introduced the soft spoken, but cool Halina. Instantly, he had known he had lost his heart to the Durmstrang witch. And by the end of the summer, he had begun to court her. The two courted via letters until their graduation. After which, they married the following summer.

A cough causes Stephen to glance away from his wife to meet the sly gaze of his youngest son, Hal Flint. His dark-haired child innocently blinks at his father with his blueish gray eyes. However, that does not last long as Hal's wife elbows him in chastis.e.m.e.nt causing him to yelp in pain. Stephen's daughter in law stares apologetically at her father-in-law, before glaring up at her chastised husband, who would not meet her gaze.

The eldest son of Stephen, Gael shakes his silky brown-haired head, while his bluish gray eyes like that of his father hide a trace of mirth. Seeing his father's stare, Gael straightens up, and turns to softly speak with his wife. He would not be nagged at all because of his brother's doing.

Stephen sighs quietly to himself as he adjusts his monocle. His wife, Halina pats his arm and softly whispers, "It shall be alright, Stephen."

Stephen nods appreciatively in thanks toward his wife, but before he can thank her the main foyer doors fling open as the Greengrass family having arrived at one of the side hearths emerge into the main hallway. Leading at the helm is the still beautiful, but aged Veela, Ethel Greengrass. The Greengrass Matriarch's silver hair flutters behind her as if to an unseen breeze, while her hypnotic eyes gleam just as bright as ever.

Following behind her is her second and youngest grandson, Benedict and his wife, Constance Greengrass. The Greengrass couple relax at seeing their host. While following behind them looking much more nervous with a dreadful pallor is their youngest child, and only son Terry Greengrass.

Stephen's bluish gray eyes narrow into sharp points as he studies the would-be suitor of his daughter. The boy had the delicate features of the Greengrass men, hazel colored eyes, and floppy, but golden silky hair. A fine-looking lad, but a foolish one if this past school's year antics could be believed. Perhaps, the boy was not suitable for his only daughter.

The Greengrass family finally come to a halt before them as Stephen greets the elder Greengrass Matriarch. "The Flint family welcomes the Greengrass Family, and their Matriarch," Stephen courteously declared with a bow as both families bow to each other in greeting.

Ethel Greengrass waves her hand in reply and impatiently interjects, "I am old, Flint, please lead us to your parlor."

Terry blanches at his great-grandmother's words as does Silvia as their gazes meet in the hallway in panic. At this rate, their courtship was doomed before it even started! What were they to do?!

Benedict and Constance already used to such antics by the Greengrass Matriarch flash their hosts very calm smiles in response. "Please forgive my grandmother," Benedict cheerfully replied. "It is almost lunch time, and she always gets downright irritable if she misses her tea."

"Of course," Halina said in understanding and acknowledging the elderly Veela's demeanor. "Please come this way," before tugging on her husband to pull him out of his stupor.

Unable to completely hide his frown, Stephen leads the way to the adjoining parlor. His son's and their wives follow as does his daughter. Trailing behind her is the Greengrass family as they all take a seat in the brightly sunlit room. The room has delicate china vases, floral print walls, and gorgeous furnishings. It was overall a tasteful ambiance.

The two families seat themselves on opposing sides of the table as the house elves serve tea and snacks. Once the house elves are gone, the only sound heard is the exchange of pleasantries and of tea. The first duo to break the silence is Constance and Halina, the two witches are rather good friends as they begin to chatter about their grandchildren.

Constance laughs beautifully at Halina's description of her two grandsons. Constance shakes her head and chuckles, "Oh, Halina, my four girls are all desperate at this point. They each at least have two girls and not a single boy in sight. But they will not quit until, they give their husbands an heir. At least, your two daughters-in-law's have done their duty."

"I know," Halina murmured in reply with a bit of envy seen in her eyes.

Halina was quite envious of Constance and all her grandchildren as Halina's only two sons only had one child each, a son. She rather wanted at least one granddaughter to dote upon, but neither of her two sons seemed to be in any hurry to produce another child. She had no choice, but to place all her hopes on her daughter, and her would be suitor, Terry Greengrass. And she honestly rather liked the boy, but more importantly, this branch of the Greengrass's always produced more daughters than sons. It was a win-win situation for both parties in her humble opinion.