Patrick sighed feebly when he saw Cordy's reaction. "Like I said, you'd have trouble accepting it.""It's not like I can't… but isn't that too quick?!""So, you can't." Patrick shrugged."I thought you're normal again…""And you consider myself and your dear cousin abnormal?" Patrick snorted, a little upset.Cordy pursed her lips. "No, I can respect anyone's preference—what I mean was you changed your heart a little too quickly, and not only that, but you changed your preference too!""But I never did change my preference. I just happen to love you too," Patrick said. "You're the only woman I ever loved."Cordy felt an aching on his chest, still guilty toward Patrick. Naturally, she respected Patrick's preferences, and she believed gender was irrelevant when it came to true love.But ultimately, in the big picture, going with the flow would grant further recognition from society. Most importantly, Patrick and Sean were important people—and she more or less cut off Patrick's w
Cordy had just picked up her teacup and was taking a slow sip—Patrick's words almost left her spitting it out.Patrick frowned and asked in confusion, "Aren't you worried?"Cordy considered it—but John had always been straight…"You don't really understand how amazing those two men really are," Patrick said solemnly. "You should know how incredible John is even without rose-tinted glasses. Others aside, I very much have no argument even if I lost you to him.""As for Sean…" Patrick trailed off, embarrassment showing on his face for once. "He's a real keeper only after I really got to know him.""Really? Is he that amazing?" Cordy was skeptical."Are you doubting your cousin's charisma?" Patrick demanded, clearly upset.Cordy raised a brow—here he was, defending his belief again!"Anyway, I'm going. I have to check out what those two are up to!" Patrick said and left.Cordy watched as he left really urgently right then, afraid that Sean would be stolen.She sighed feebly, thou
John grinned. "Don't worry. I'm quite straight."He could admit that it felt a little pleasant to have Cordy face those mini paranoid episodes—it only meant that Cordy was concerned that someone would take him away from her.But if there was anyone in the world who could tempt him, it was Cordy."I didn't think that Sean would be…" Cordy trailed off again, unable to finish her sentence.She could accept Patrick being that, since they were unrelated and she knew about that for a while.But her cousin was always so masculine, and yet…John chuckled. "Well, I am grateful for Sean's role."If it was not for him, Cordy would probably be still trapped with guilt toward Patrick."That's schadenfreude," she huffed."You have to admit that they make a good pair.""I…" She refused to admit that."Go to sleep already," John said, not pressing the issue just then. "You must be sleepy since we had to wake early for our flight."She could take her time to accept the reality anyway.When
Cordy decided that John was dressed in a manner too loose and tempting, and she went to stand in front of him, buttoning his shirt.John blinked, his lips curling up into a smile."Done," Cordy said, leaving just the collar button free, and looked up to see that meaningful smile on his face. Cordy naturally knew he was smiling because she was being possessive.Actually…Alright, she could admit she was possessive, and she was really a little concerned with two rivals in the house.One would never have been able to tell that of the four people in the house and three of them men, she was in the end the least threatening.It was just ever so slightly upsetting to know that.As they headed downstairs, they found Sean and Patrick sitting on the parlor couch.Sean was reading a newspaper, while Patrick was watching TV.They were not being particularly intimate, but there was an indescribable sense of harmony between them—probably like domestic bliss.Once Cordy and John arrived,
Cordy said nothing else—she could trust John that much since he raised Richard as a child and he knew the boy.However, she turned toward Sean. "Won't others feel discontent with passing the family estate to Dicky? It is a lot of money and power.""Leave that to me," Sean replied confidently.Cordy frowned—it almost felt like she was being paranoid, since between Sean and John, they could handle anything in the world."Don't worry," John assured her. "It'll all be alright when the time comes."Cordy nodded—since they could handle it between them, she had no reason to overthink this.She felt a sense of security that welled from the bottom of her heart and felt for the first time that she could rely on them without any concern.The dining table was a place of harmony until Sean's phone rang. "Hello."His expression was grim as he answered it, and the others could not help looking at him, sensing that something serious had happened.Still, Sean's reaction kept changing, and th
It had been a silly argument and refusal to give in that drove Jesse and his daughter Evelyn apart, and it was the greatest regret he had in life."I'm fine now, Cordy," he said quietly, still enfeebled having just regained consciousness.Cordy nodded quietly in his arms, tears covering her cheeks as she sobbed."Cordy." John walked up to take her out of Jesse's arms.Naturally, he was not jealous—he just knew that Cordy was embarrassed that she was crying like a baby.Cordy naturally seized the moment to lean on John's chest, hiding her face there to conceal her tears.Still, Jesse was a little worried, so John gave him an assuring look and mouthed, "She's just too happy."Jesse nodded in turn.Perhaps because he had just regained consciousness, he appeared more kindly and actually lacked his usual edge and imposing presence."How do you feel, Grandfather?" Sean asked."Just a little weak," Jesse replied. "Otherwise, I'm fine.""Should I call the rest of the family?""Not
John certainly had mixed emotions about staying, since he was really looking forward to Cordy's period to be over.And yet, he ended up the victim of yet another poorly-timed bombshell."I would like to be alone for a while," Jesse suddenly said, his voice still weary. "Not you, Sean. Stay for a moment.""Come on," John said, leading Cordy while putting a hand around her shoulder.Patrick glanced at Sean, who nodded—he more or less knew why his grandfather told him to stay.Patrick refrained from speaking in turn and followed Cordy and John out of the ward.Even the medical staff left, leaving just Jesse with Sean.Jesse started to sit up, and Sean hurried over to put a pillow vertically behind his back so that he could sit more comfortably.Nonetheless, Jesse soon asked bluntly, "What's the deal with you and Patrick Stuart?"Sean did not actually mention anything about him and Patrick while Jesse was in a coma. He knew his grandfather would not accept it and did not want to b
Sean said evenly, "It's what I thought I could do for the family.""When did you… With Patrick Stuart…" Jesse trailed off, unable to finish his sentence."It has nothing to do with him," Sean said. "I knew which way I swing ever since I was a child, but I've never said anything considering how you would feel about this. Of course, I never did find the right person until Patrick, whom I considered worth fighting for, even if it means going against the family."Jesse's visage was cold.Still, Sean continued, "I understand very well how I feel toward him, and I know the price I must pay. The only thing I can do now is to do my best not to inflict losses to the family.""So you're saying you're going through with this?" Jesse demanded."Yes," Sean said bluntly.Jesse's visage contorted hideously, but no one could accept such a thing immediately.The ward remained deathly silent, and Sean kept his head bowed.There was no telling how long had passed until Jesse said, "I'll never ac
Soon, another nurse emerged from the delivery room with a small bundle. "Is the mother's family here?""Yes!" John exclaimed loudly."The delivery was successful," the nurse said. "The baby weighs eight pounds—""How is she?" John asked in agitation, not caring about the child."She's fine. The doctor is just helping her clean up and she'll be out soon," the nurse replied.As John breathed a sigh of relief, the nurse reminded him, "Aren't you the father? Here's your child."John took the baby off her arms, staring at her for a moment as the others flocked around him. "Oh, she's so fair!" Zoe could not help exclaiming. "That's the most beautiful baby I've ever seen.""Are you saying that your son's ugly?" Bob teased."To be honest, yeah," Zoe replied without thinking.Jay cleared his throat—even if it was a subjective opinion, it still hurt to have his own baby called ugly."Let me carry her," Zoe volunteered just then, and John did not hesitate to hand her his baby.As Zoe
"What?!" Zoe exclaimed in shock.Beside them, John's face fell despite being usually stoic.Still, even before anyone could react, he scooped Cordy up in his arms and left.Zoe did not hesitate to follow, but Jay reminded her, "We're the hosts, Zoe.""Don't care." Zoe was completely unconcerned. "Ask my mom and your sister to handle the guests. I'm going with Cordy!"Jay hesitated for a moment before deciding to follow since there was no reasoning with Zoe.Sam and Quinn also realized that something was out of place.As they pulled away reluctantly, Bob shouted from below, "If you're done kissing, we're going to the hospital! Cordy's going into labor!"Quinn hurried after them as soon as she hurt, but Sam caught her. "Slow down. We can catch up."In fact, most of the guests were leaving as well—it was as if the banquet for Zoe's son was actually intended for everyone else.The poor boy was certainly unlucky to have such unreliable parents!-As everyone rushed to the hospit
"I'm swelling from my pregnancy," Quinn explained. "It's not your fault."Sam was left staring at her for a while before asking, "So, what should I do?""I'll put it on when I slim down.""Oh." Sam was a little disappointed, since he had always dreamed of having her put on the ring he had custom made.But this was fine—they had all the time they needed, and the most important thing for him is that Quinn was marrying him!He rose to his feet just then, and everyone was cheering as soon as he did. "Kiss! Kiss! Kiss!"Quinn blushed right then, and Sam could see that she was embarrassed.He did not want to make things awkward for her, even if he was quite eager at the moment.Heaven knows how much he missed that night's drunken fumble they had. In fact, during the times he remembered it in dreams, he had to wash his pants when he woke up.Still, just as he took Quinn's hand and started to leave, he felt a softness on his lips—Quinn was kissing him! Sam's heart pounded thunderous
Everyone waited patiently for the final outcome.Quinn's eyes were welling up with tears, threatening to gush if she so much as blinked.She did her best to hold back her tears—to be strong!Sam pursed his lips in turn, his Adam's apple bobbing.A long while passed, and it felt like a century for Quinn when she finally heard him say, "Yes."Quinn's tears started falling in happiness as Sam declared loudly, "I'll marry you, Quinn—it's what I've always wanted to do! I won't let you go even if you regret it eventually! You only get to be with me, and I'll never let any other man claim you! I'll become very overbearing… eventually!""I won't regret it," Quinn said, determined.She certainly would not regret marrying him!Zoe walked up to them with perfect timing just then, and Sam did a double take.He finally remembered that Zoe was the host of this luncheon and was going to leave with Quinn when Zoe whipped out a small red velvet box."You know what's in here, don't you?" Zoe a
However, Sam had already pushed Quinn away before she could tell him. But even if he did not love her or did not want to be with her, she would never stay with Ryan.She had been disappointed in Sam, wondering why he would give up so easily.Was she that unimportant to him?Therefore, if it were not for Zoe and Cordy showing her that video or telling her so much, she would never have known that he loved her for years…Sam's heart ached even as he looked into Quinn's tearful eyes.He reached out a hand, but soon withdrew it—would he not burden her?Even so, it hurt to restrain himself as he watched her, and he was actually getting the feeling that Quinn loved him…But she already had Ryan's child…Well, he was fine with that, as long as the child was Quinn's.But would she not mind?"I will marry you, Sam," Quinn said slowly and clearly then. "Not because you're a good man, not because you prepared so much for me, and not because of how much you prepared for me, but because I
Everyone in the hall was staring at Sam and Quinn, while Quinn took center stage, staring fixedly at Sam.He stood in the middle of the crowd, watching her silently.She in turn felt fear that he would turn and leave, just as she did not know if she had the courage to stand before him again and to declare her feelings for him in front of so many others.Nonetheless, amid the deafening silence, Sam suddenly walked toward the stage.His pace was slow as if his feet were made of lead, but he was also unusually determined.Quinn's heart raced uncontrollably right then!Everyone else was watching them nervously, especially Cordy and Zoe, with the latter being especially concerned that the cowardly Sam would bail.Fortunately, he was a man who showed responsibility. He would not leave Quinn alone and embarrassed.Hence, as everyone looked on, Sam stood before Quinn, his gaze flickering as their eyes met.He gulped ever so slightly, his emotions clearly ruffled even as he did his bes
The guests were encouraging, loudly asking, "Why?!""Because of a woman," Sam's recording replied."Who is it?""Quinn Summer," the Sam on the screen said slowly and clearly, leaving the Sam who was in the hall stunned.What the hell?! That was the proposal video he prepared before! Why did it show up here? Did Zoe make a mistake?!He knew it—leave anything to Zoe, and she would mess it up!He started striding toward the stage, intent on stopping the recording, when John and Bob intercepted him with a look of utter guilt while the recording continued. "Quinn is my wife, and we've been married for years, but I've never really loved her—not because I don't, but because I'm afraid to. I feel too insignificant in comparison to the one she loves, so I'd always hurt her… painfully and childishly. I regret that so much now, Quinn. How could I have abandoned you for so long because of my own jealousy? I'd rather hold you in my sleep every night, but my damned pride denied me that for y
At the banquet hall, Jay and Zoe were thanking their guests with their children in their arms.Then, Zoe announced excitedly, "Please give my best friend, who is also my son's godmother, a warm applause as she comes on stage!"Sam stood at a corner of the hall, watching as Quinn walked up the stage, only realizing just then that her belly was clearly swelling despite her baggy clothes.Time flies—he had not left that long ago, but she and Ryan already had a child.She was not worried about giving him a stroke, was she?He watched as Quinn took the mic and looked around below searching, seemingly searching.After a while, he thought she was looking at him, but by the time he looked up, she had already turned away.Maybe she was looking for Ryan before remembering that Ryan was not there?Nonetheless, Quinn spoke into the mic, saying, "I'm honored to be chosen as the godmother to Zoe's son, and she's been saying he'd be engaged to my child if it's a girl. I already love my godson
As their eyes met, Sam turned frantic and averted his. "Of course.""Really?" Quinn asked."Would I lie to you?" Sam asked a little grumpily."And you didn't bring her back?" Quinn asked."I'm on a schedule, and it'd be taxing for her if I bought her along," Sam said, making things up as he went along. "I'll bring her along when things are less busy.""Is she pretty?" Quinn pressed."What, have I ever picked an ugly one?" Sam snorted smugly. "You know I prefer curvaceous types, and there are plenty of those abroad.""Do you have a photo?"Sam was silent for a while and eventually said, "Yeah.""Can I see it?""What, does she have to pass your assessment?""Just curious about the girl who can tempt you to settle down," Quinn replied. "You'd be humbled." Sam hastily came up with an excuse."I won't," Quinn said, determined."You'll see her when I bring her home." Sam refused nonetheless."I would like to see a photo now.""No, she's not that photogenic. It'd be slander a