The Fall Bride (TSBS-3) ON HOLD

Chapter Seven

For me, it is far better to grasp the Universe as it really is than to persist in delusion, however satisfying and reassuring. ― Carl Sagan

Ivan Dwayne

The pleasant surprise in her eyes had been worth it as she swung open the back door, and found a car seat. As soon as Janet texted yesterday, I felt like the happiest and satisfied man alive, not delaying in making all the necessary preparations for her and Caden. Although there was apprehension from both of our side, we needed this for Caden's sake. 

As Janet went onto bring more stuffs from the house, I watched Caden locked in his car seat, swiping left and right on his iPad as if moving away from his home with a complete stranger didn't faze him. Although hesitant with the question, I couldn't help, but be curious of his answer. 

"Caden, are you okay with living with me?"

He paused, then squinted up at me. "It can be boring. Can we take Sophie with us?"

Before I could muster up a coherent reply to his outright insult, a familiar voice rang out. "Oh, Cade, you can see Sophie when you come back." My wife's friend, Mia walked over to the side of the car as she pointedly looked at me. "Besides, I bet your dad can be fun. Can't you?"

"Caden will have the best time of his life." I told her confidently, but she merely shrugged. 

Mia had been an interesting character from the first meeting. As much as I was an avid observant, it was hard to fathom whether she liked or hated me. 

Smiling at Caden through the open door of my jeep, she said sweetly. "Cade, take care of your mommy for me. I don't want to see her cry. Anything happens, you call me, okay?"

The words were spoken to Caden, but was definitely directed towards me. This wasn't hard to fathom considering her interrogation 20 minutes ago at this very same spot when Janet and Caden were still getting ready, and I was alone for her to grill.

I rolled my eyes at her, and probably would've said something to irk her when Caden pointed his finger at his head and grinned. "I got your number in here. Don't worry, Aunt Mia. I will be on the lookout."

Aunt Mia instantly smothered him in kisses as he lost his smile and tried to shove her away. He definitely wasn't a fan of physical affection. I needed to remember that for future references. At that moment, Janet walked out of her home in black jeans and brown sweater with black boots to finish off her look, and she looked absolutely beautiful. As usual, her hair was pulled off in a ponytail. 

As she came near, she dropped a set of keys onto her friend's hand. "Take care of it while I'm gone." Then she puller her away from me and whispered something in her friend's ear. 

To which Mia loudly replied. "I might have used the word 'kill'. I got his number and address on my back pocket. He knows I got a cousin in NYPD. If you so much as fail to answer my call, I'll have cops at his place."

Shaking my head, I smiled tightly. "Thanks for your notification."

To which she blew me a kiss and I turned away, walking to the driver's side. Soon, after bidding her friend goodbye, she checked Caden's seatbelt before taking her seat on the passenger side. 

Throughout our two hours ride, I assured her all over again. I hadn't explained much about my family or why Father did what he did in his will. And neither was she privy to it yet, so I told her bits and pieces about mother and Granddad, but assured her I lived away from them in a separate house so she need not worry about running into them. 

"I'll introduce you both after I take care of my business. Till then, I need you to stay in my place without anyone knowing."

Janet raised her eyebrows. "How long do you plan to hide us? I promised Cade I'll take him out in the city."