Unable to stand the sight, Cordy strode out of the planetarium to wait.It was a huge science center, and each section had many stalls for snacks and merchandise.Cordy soon grew bored from waiting, and headed outside a stall to pick a cone ice-cream.But while she waited, she was left breathing a deep sigh as she realized there was no shaking off certain people."I want some ice-cream.""No, you just had it last night. Your stomach would suffer if you had more," Lucas said sternly. "I hate you!""Be nice, and I'll take you to the amusement park later." Lucas was coaxing his girlfriend as if she was a child. One must admit that Lucas treated his girlfriend well, even if he was harsh towards everyone else.It was clear how protective Lucas was of her, too.Just as Cordy was about to leave with her ice-cream, the girl stopped her again. "Excuse me, pretty lady!"Cordy wanted to tell her that they had only met by chance, which made them strangers; and strangers didn’t have to
"Grandfather…"Cordy walked over to Jesse's side and sat down, and said affectionately, "He can be a little studious, so it'd be difficult if you kept him away from school."Next to her, Dicky nodded repeatedly.That was when Linus, Jesse's grandson, sighed feebly beside them. "So Dicky's the neighbor's kid…as one would put it."Linus was just a year younger than Sean, but his child Silas was already eleven and the eldest amongst his generation.He had been sitting primly with everyone in the living room, appearing very refined and disciplined.Of course, he could be doing that only to present himself as a prim and proper child. "Silas is amazing too. I heard he won first place at the national arithmetic competition," Cordy strategically praised in turn, eager to not make enemies for Dicky.The air in the room became amicable—Silas was still a child despite being so mature, and he naturally smiled at the flattery. -It was the fourth day Cordy and Dicky were spending at Cra
Thanks to Nana, the mood between the two families was good.Jesse turned towards Lucas just then. "Is this your boyfriend, Nana?"Lucas nodded respectfully. "Hello, Mr. Cranston. I'm Lucas Lynch.""What a fine young man you are!" Jesse said as he studied Lucas. "But why do you look so familiar?""Don't you think he resembles your great-grandson, sir?" Nana pointed out, turning towards Dicky.Jesse realized with a start, and exclaimed, "Why yes, they do!""It's just a strange coincidence," Lucas said humbly."Sean, is that your granddaughter?" Jean asked when she saw Cordy. "Oh, yes. She's been working at North City, so she doesn't come by often. Cordy? This is my sister," Jesse said. He beckoned Cordy to him and introduced them."Hello, Mrs. Lynd," Cordy greeted her politely."Oh, of course I know Cordy. Your career is really taking flight, and I often see you in the news!" Jean started to heap praise on her. "I didn't think you're family, even though I've always been saying
'To be an eyesore to me?' "So…" Lucas began, but was soon silent again.Cordy frowned even harder at that."Mommy," Dicky suddenly said. "Can I go back to my room to play with my tablet?"Cordy was left speechless.Dicky's tact was wasted on them, in her opinion—she definitely didn’t want to be alone with Lucas.But before she could say a word, Dicky slipped away, leaving Cordy gritting her teeth just then.Still, she said, "Just spit it already, Lucas. Don't worry—no one would find out about our grievances, since we're more or less relatives now. I for one won't try to hurt our families' relationship."Lucas was left staring at Cordy.Did she presume he was threatening her to keep her mouth shut again?!Even if she didn’t actually speak much with her before, he knew her well enough to tell that she always kept her promises, and he didn’t have to repeat anything.He inhaled deeply and finally said, "I've misunderstood you.""What?" Cordy was puzzled. "When I implied you
Nonetheless, Lucas composed himself and said, “It's nothing.”Nana didn’t ask any further. They continued their stroll in the back garden, flirting with each other as much as they could.Dicky was standing on the balcony of Cordy's room, watching with a tilted head as his daddy dated another woman.He turned to look at his mommy."What is it?" Cordy asked, sensing his gaze. "Nothing.""Don't dwell on it. I don't care at all since he's not your daddy," Cordy said, reading her son's mind."What if he was? Would you try to get him back?" Lucas blurted.Cordy's heart could stop right then.What if he was…Still, she said bluntly, "No, he's not."There was no chance, so there was no need to waste any time thinking about it.Dicky bit his little lips, suddenly feeling an impulse to perform another paternity test.Even if his mother was right—that they could live well without his daddy, he must find out the truth.That was his principle as a person. Thus, he made up his mind.
Lucas frowned, feeling a sharp sting ever so slightly.He looked up at Dicky, and saw the boy blushing. Dicky quickly got out of his seat with the excuse that he was full.Cordy noted her son's odd behavior. Since she wasn't watching when Dicky touched Lucas's head, she didn’t know what exactly he did.She watched as he suddenly left, thinking that he probably got embarrassed—he never acted like that before.Still, they were fortunate that they weren’t seated at the main table, where the elders were. Rules weren’t that strictly enforced on the other tables.On the other hand, Nana watched as Dicky left. She turned to ask Lucas softly, "You really like Dicky, don't you?""Why'd you say that?" Lucas asked in return, putting a shrimp on her plate.He had been doting on her like that since the food arrived. The others on the table had teased her a few times, leaving her blushing."Well, you're really nice to him," Nana said."Aren't I nice to you?""That's different!" Nana shook
Cordy went upstairs again after getting another slice of cake. Just as she reached the second floor, however, a ruckus took place downstairs.Cordy hurried downstairs, presuming that the Lynds were leaving and that she should see them off as well as a gesture of respect. At least, until she heard, "Help! Somebody! Nana's in trouble!"Cordy's heart skipped a beat—what happened to Nana?In that instant, she quickly strode downstairs. Just as she did so, Lucas entered from the living room, shoving his way through the crowd and cradling Nana's breathless frame in her arms.Her cheeks were flushed and her breathing rushed—she looked like she could catch something terrible and die at an instant!Cordy wondered if there really was something wrong with Nana's health, since even Jesse had been especially concerned about it; as was Lucas. She appeared very concerned, completely oblivious that she had something to do with Nana's sudden condition.Lucas cried, "Get an ambulance right now!"
In turn, Cordy’s fury rose and she shot back, "How should I know?!"Cordy knew she shouldn’t be throwing a fit when Nana was this weak, but Nana kept eating the cake despite knowing her own allergy. That was Nana's own fault!"Who told you to give it to her without asking? She's physically different, get it?!" Lucas kept yelling at her regardless, albeit over a different reason."I didn't give it to her. She asked for it!" Cordy lost her cool for some reason, though she certainly didn’t want to take it lying down when she was unjustly framed. "She asked for it? When she knows that her allergy could stop her heart?!" Lucas kept screaming, uncaring for her words. "Do you know about her congenital heart defect? That her allergy could trigger it? Are you saying that she wanted to die when she asked for that cake?!"Cordy bit her lip, confused why Nana would play around when her own life was at stake.Was Nana that eager to fill her belly? Even if it meant dying?!Lucas was still de
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