Love is Beautiful (She's so Ugly)

Chapter Twenty Seven

Jacob hesitated to approach Merida. She was with her friends, who seemed to bicker every other minute. Still, he had to do this. He stepped out from behind a wall and walked toward her. Merida was reading, but looked up when he spoke.

"Hey, do you have a moment?" he asked.

Merida closed her book. Lisa and Yuri raised their brows at him in unison.

"What's it about?" Yuri asked suspiciously.

"It's about the kids."

Both Lisa and Yuri gasped, exchanging wide-eyed looks. Lisa fanned herself dramatically.

"You have kids? The hell? Are you two living together—"

"No!" Merida cut in quickly, her face turning red. "We're talking about the street children!"

That made Yuri and Lisa relax instantly, their mouths forming an "oh." Lisa pressed a hand to her chest. "I thought I was about to have a heart attack!"

Merida nodded at Jacob. "So... what about it?"

"I found an orphanage for them. Do you want to go check it out with me later?"

"Hold it right there!" Yuri leaned forward, narrowing her eyes. "We should come with you guys!"

"If you want—" Jacob started, but another voice cut in.

"Yuri and Lisa, weren't you coming with me to study calculus later?" Leo appeared out of nowhere, Brandon following behind.

"Ugh, I forgot," Yuri muttered.

"So... uhm, you in?" Jacob asked Merida again.

"Hmm... alright."

As planned, Jacob and Merida visited the orphanage that afternoon. They were greeted by children running around the yard, some sitting quietly on the grass with their toys.

"This isn't a bad place," Merida murmured.

"A good place for them to stay, at least for now," Jacob agreed.

A nun approached them, smiling warmly. They bowed their heads in respect.

"Good afternoon, ma'am," Jacob greeted.

"You must be Jacob," the nun said, then turned to Merida. "And Love."

Merida cleared her throat, a little embarrassed.

"I'm Mother Superior Eleanor," the nun introduced herself. "I manage this orphanage. It's nice to finally meet you both. Come, let's talk in my office."

They followed her inside. Merida felt hopeful—maybe this could really work. Once seated across Eleanor's desk, they waited for her to speak.

"So," Eleanor began, "have the children agreed to your plan?"

"Uhm... no," Merida admitted. "We wanted to make sure you were okay with it first."

"We are always pleased when people care for these children," Eleanor said gently. "But the truth is... they need parents, not students."

"There are parents out there who can't take care of their children. We can help them," Jacob argued.

"Children taking care of children?" Eleanor chuckled softly. "You two are about to graduate. What about college? What happens when you get busy and overwhelmed? Will you still take care of them? Or will you regret it?"

Her words hit hard. Both Merida and Jacob lowered their heads. Eleanor was right. How could they take responsibility for six children when they had no stability of their own?

Their plan had failed. They left the office quiet and heavy, walking lifelessly down the street.

Jacob glanced at Merida. He had to cheer her up somehow. "Hey... let's not give up, okay? There's got to be another way. I'm sure we'll figure something out."

Merida wiped the tears brimming in her eyes. She wanted so badly to help Lex and the others, but right now, she couldn't.

Jacob pulled her into his arms. It had been so long since he'd been able to hold her like this. He rubbed her back gently as she cried against him.

"I'll find another way, Love. I swear something good will come. Don't cry."

"I really wanted to help them..."

"And we will," he promised.

Meanwhile, Leo and Brandon had ditched Yuri and Lisa, who were probably waiting for them in the library.

"What the hell are we doing here?" Brandon complained as they approached the orphanage. "You planning to adopt someone?"

"No. We're helping," Leo replied flatly, striding ahead.

"Helping who?" Brandon pressed.

Leo shot him a glare. Why had he even brought this guy?

At the door, Leo knocked three times. A woman answered with a smile.

"Hello! May I help you?"

"Yes. I'd like to speak with Mother Superior. Tell her it's Leo."

Brandon muttered under his breath, "Mother Superior?" raising a brow.

The woman opened the door wider. "Come in, I'll lead you to her."

Inside Eleanor's office, the nun greeted Leo warmly. "I've already spoken to your friends about their request. I'm afraid I cannot make such a promise, my dear."

"I ask you to reconsider," Leo said firmly, his eyes locked on hers.

She tilted her head. "Why?"

"Take the street children in. Keep them here for a few years."

Eleanor raised a brow. "How many years are we talking about? And will those friends of yours ever return for them?"

Leo had already thought this through. Merida wouldn't be able to come back soon, but Jacob might. And if they couldn't, then... well, he had his own plans.

"Five years," Leo said. "Give them five years to come back. If they don't, I'll take care of the rest."

Eleanor sighed. She knew Leo too well. She could see what he was really saying—if Jacob and Merida couldn't return, Leo intended to shoulder everything himself.

"Well then," she said softly, "you have my word."

The deal was sealed. Leo would ensure those children had a home, no matter what.

As they left, Eleanor thought back on all the times Leo's family had come to donate. He never joined the photos with the press, never cared about appearances. She remembered asking him why once.

His answer: "Does taking a picture help?"

Eleanor smiled faintly and sighed. She'd need to prepare the attic for six more children.