"Get lost!"
Forrest swatted Hank's hand away, but he carefully tucked the bottle of pills into his pocket. Clearing his throat, he looked at Loyce and muttered, "...Thank you. I'll take them daily."
Despite the utter humiliation of the delivery, he trusted his sister's medical genius implicitly.
When it was Morris's turn, he unwrapped an exquisitely embroidered silk sachet adorned with a bamboo motif. Loyce explained, "This contains a custom blend of ground herbal holistics. Keeping it on you will help maintain mental clarity and boost your creative focus."
Morris's eyes lit up with genuine delight. He lifted the sachet and inhaled the subtle, earthy fragrance. "This is incredibly thoughtful, Loyce. I love it."
Compared to Forrest's mortifying 'care package,' this gift perfectly matched Morris's refined tastes.
Hank received a uniquely designed metal flask and a small, wax-sealed clay jug of liquor.
Loyce didn't explicitly mention Hank's new status as the Costa godfather in front of everyone, but she knew his new world involved a brutal drinking culture. "Hank, this flask is custom-built. The inner lining filters and slowly releases a medicinal compound that reduces the strain of alcohol on your liver. As for the jug, it's a potent tonic. Drink one small glass a week—no more. It strengthens the bones and muscles, but do not overdo it."
Hank grabbed the sleek flask, practically practically drooling over it. He popped the wax seal on the jug, and a rich, intoxicating blend of fine alcohol and deep earthy herbs filled the air. He took a deep breath, looking completely enamored. "Now this is what I'm talking about! My sister knows me best! Way more practical than some people's 'happy ending' pills!"
He shot a smug look at Forrest, who blatantly ignored him.
For Grandpa Gordon, Loyce provided a large supply of her custom wellness coffee blend. "You have everything you could ever want, Grandpa. The most important thing now is preserving your health so you can spend more time with us. Drink this daily. It will extend your vitality."
Marcella received a luxuriously soft cashmere shawl and a high-end automated massager—thoughtful and practical. Zelie was given a stunning, translucent jade bracelet. Tracing the smooth stone, Zelie's eyes welled with tears of gratitude.
Finally, Loyce handed Lucian a small box wrapped in simple, colorful paper.
"Don't open this until you get home," she told him.
"Why all the secrecy? What's in it?" Hank aggressively leaned in.
Lucian obediently slipped the box into his jacket pocket. "Whatever you say."
Since Loyce clearly wanted to keep it private, the brothers wisely dropped the subject, wrapping up the lively gift exchange.
Once the mess was cleared, Lucian looked at Loyce. "Do you want to go out?"
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