Falling for the Goddess

When Are You Planning to Have Kids?

"Mom!" Thomas Blake walked in, taking off his suit jacket and handing it to a servant as he entered.

"You're here," Grandma Blake nodded.

"Thomas..."

"Uncle..."

Thomas Blake nodded at Zelda Blake and Kyle Thorne. "Zelda and Kyle, you're here too!"

"Daddy!" Little Jimmy stretched his arms toward Thomas Blake, who scooped him up lovingly, planting a kiss on his cheek.

"Daddy's been at work. Have you been a good boy?"

Thomas Blake and Karen Carter had struggled to conceive after getting married, and it wasn't until Adrian Blake went to university that they finally had Jimmy Blake, their precious, late-born child. Jimmy, being clever and adorable, was doted on immensely by both of his parents.

Jimmy Blake clung to his father's neck and whispered softly, "I've been really good. You can ask Grandma and brother. But Daddy, your beard is prickling me!"

"My bad, buddy. Daddy didn't shave properly," Thomas Blake teased, rubbing his face against Jimmy's, making the little boy giggle.

From the moment Thomas Blake had walked in, Adrian Blake had visibly tensed, keeping his eyes lowered and remaining silent. He didn't look at the father-son interaction.

Sara Hart noticed Adrian Blake's discomfort. She hadn't greeted Thomas Blake either, unsure of what to call him. The word "Dad" felt too difficult to say, and she knew Thomas Blake didn't particularly like her.

After a few moments of playing with Jimmy Blake, Thomas Blake finally glanced toward Adrian Blake. "I heard from Mr. Williams that you turned down the West Side project."

No pleasantries, no small talk - just straight to business, and the affectionate tone he'd used with Jimmy Blake vanished completely.

Adrian Blake's gaze lifted slightly. His tone was formal, businesslike. "The project didn't pass the evaluation."

"You should've informed me ahead of time..."

"Alright," Grandma Blake interrupted, "Today is Thanksgiving, a time for family reunion. Let's not talk about business."

After Adrian Blake's father passed away, it had been Grandma Blake who raised both her children and managed the family business. Though she appeared gentle now, in her younger days, she had been a force to be reckoned with decisive and shrewd. Even now, Thomas Blake didn't dare go against his mother's wishes.

"Old Madam, the meal is ready," Alice Miller announced from the side.

"Let's eat then."

Everyone took their seats. Grandma Blake sat at the head of the table, with Thomas Blake and Zelda Blake on either side. Next to Zelda sat Adrian Blake, Sara Hart, and Kyle Thorne. On Thomas Blake's side sat Karen Carter and Jimmy Blake, with Alice Miller standing nearby to help with Jimmy.

"Let's all dig in. We're family here, no need for formalities," Grandma Blake said with a smile. But even then, no one touched their food until she made the first move.

"Sara," Grandma Blake said, turning to Sara Hart, "This fish was made with your home town

recipe. Try it and see if it's to your liking."

"Thank you, Grandma." Sara Hart smiled and nodded.

"Sara is from South City?" Karen Carter asked casually.

"Yes," Sara Hart replied politely.

"South City is lovely—a land of rivers and lakes, full of talented people. But it's quite impressive for someone from there to get into North Capital University," Karen Carter's words carried a hint of condescension under the guise of praise.

"I attended high school here," Sara Hart clarified, her tone calm.

Karen Carter was momentarily surprised but quickly regained her composure. She placed a meatball on Jimmy Blake's plate, smiling. "Ah, that explains it. Still, you and Adrian are already married, and yet we haven't even had the chance to meet your parents. We should arrange a dinner with both families soon."

She knew well that Thomas Blake disapproved of their marriage, yet she deliberately brought up the topic.

Sara Hart's hand paused briefly as she picked up her chopsticks, but her expression remained unchanged. "My parents divorced when I was very young. I was raised by my grandmother."

Thomas Blake's expression darkened at this revelation.

"Oh, I didn't know that," Karen Carter said, feigning sympathy. "Well, let's drop the topic then..."

"It's alright," Sara Hart responded, her smile perfectly measured.

Adrian Blake glanced at her, surprised by how smoothly she handled the situation.

The atmosphere around the table became slightly tense, and sensing it, Zelda Blake quickly changed the subject with a smile. "I heard from Mom that you're already pursuing your doctorate. You're about the same age as Kyle, right?"

"I'm twenty-two this year, Auntie."

"What month were you born?"

"June."

"That makes you six months younger than Kyle!" Zelda Blake shot a glance at Kyle Thorne, who was busy devouring his food. "Look at Sara! So young and already pursuing her Ph.D. And what about you?"

Kyle Thorne, caught off guard, nearly choked. "Mom, you're praising her! Why drag me into this?"

At that moment, Jimmy raised his head, a grain of rice stuck to the corner of his mouth. In his childish voice, he declared, "Sara is smart. Kyle is dumb!"

"Hey, Jimmy!" Kyle Thorne protested. "I just helped you pick those persimmons this afternoon! And now you're turning on me that fast?"

Jimmy Blake's face lit up with a mischievous grin, while the rest of the table chuckled.

Karen Carter, who had also been impressed by Sara Hart's academic achievements, raised an eyebrow in slight surprise. Still, in her eyes, Sara Hart's background made her unsuitable for such a prestigious family. What did a doctorate matter, really?

"I see that Jimmy is very fond of you," Karen Carter said, her voice dripping with feigned sweetness. "So, when do you and Adrian plan to have children of your own?"

The entire table fell silent. Thomas Blake's face instantly darkened.

Children? Their marriage itself was already on shaky ground.

For Sara Hart, the topic was way out of her comfort zone.

"Sara is still very young, and she's still in school. There's no rush," Grandma Blake interjected with a warm smile, quickly defusing the situation. However, her mind was already spinning with plans of her own.