Moreover, it had been several days since Jay had an actual rehearsal with his group of actors, so time was short.And yet, he suddenly just upped and vanished, which left everyone baffled.It only caused further confusion when he asked everyone to rehearse until past 8 PM before leaving.What was this abuse of authority?! The man walked out on them but denied them the chance to slack off too?!Even Zoe, who knew Jay for years, could only say that he was just behaving very weirdly today.But it was not like she could tell what he was intending anyway.- Eventually, it was 7 PM—Jay was ready to send Yelena home after playing with her for an entire day, though not before buying her a grand feast.Yelena was doleful when they returned to the car, however, and she asked Jay, "Can we see each other again, Daddy?""Of course.""When will that be?" Yelena asked."Hmm. I'll be busy the next few days. Once I'm done, I'll come get you, okay?""Okay. I'll be waiting for you, Daddy,"
Yelena nodded tamely. "I'm sure. Mommy told me before."Clara was left utterly baffled right then. What was going on between Jay and Zoe? Zoe must have gotten pregnant here in North City the last time they were here…Forget it.An old woman like her was only too aware that the young people could handle their own issues.All she had to do was raise Yelena well, so that Yelena was pretty and happy every day, and she would be content to no end with that.-Meanwhile, over at the capital, Cordy was having a discussion with Sean about Jesse.Their grandfather was still in ICU and had yet to regain consciousness, but the doctors were hopeful, telling them that they should not give up since he might wake up at the next instant.However, it was still demoralizing that they did not have solid numbers.Still, Sean suddenly asked Cordy, "Why do I have this feeling that you're a little distracted?"Cordy pursed her lips—she certainly was. She must admit that she was thinking about Jo
John looked up at Cordy, and she returned his gaze with a look of apathy. Though they held each other's gaze for just a second, a man as sharp as Sean clearly noticed that something had changed between them.It was certainly a dramatic change in chemistry between those two, especially compared to how they were just days before…"Where are you going?" John asked Cordy just then."Cranston House," Cordy replied, without asking where he went for days and why he was only returning now, or how things were going between him and Nana."I see. You should go," John said.Cordy pursed her lips. She would have told Sean to wait if John had asked her to stay, since Sean's announcement about getting the cops involved could wait. Her presence there was also not necessary either.But he did not ask her to stay…"Okay," Cordy said and left with Richard right then.John watched as she went, his gaze turning dark just then.In the car, Sean could not resist asking, "So… what's the story w
However, as a famous lawyer, Sean was far better at verbal sparring. "I'm sorry, Uncle Paul—we happened to run into a traffic jam on the way here. My apology also extends to everyone here, including my family, my cousins and Aunt Demi as well."Since Sean apologized to everyone, Paul could not nitpick even if he wanted to.In fact, if he spoke further now, he would leave the impression that he was petty despite holding seniority.Nonetheless, he asked impatiently, "So what's so important you asked everyone here today? Don't you know that Grandfather needs people around to take care of him?"In reality, everyone in the room knew that Jesse did not need his family around him, when the VVIP's ICU ward had everything he would need."Well, it is quite important," Sean replied just then.He took a seat on the couch, and Cordy followed suit after sending Richard to his room—most of the people involved in this issue were adults, and Richard had no reason to be a part of this.And it cer
Sean whipped out the lab test results on the tea leaves, which clearly stated that the substance it contained could lead to a stroke.Everyone was shocked after they read it."Where did you get this, Sean?!" Even Sean's own father, Liam, was caught in disbelief."We gathered everything in his room and sent them for tests at the lab. The results are trustworthy.""And you're sure Grandfather drank it?" Linus asked."Yes.""What, just because you said so?! Do you even have proof?!" Linus appeared a little unnerved right then."I don't—but I can bring this issue to the cops. They'll find out for sure if there was deliberate harm involved," Sean said slowly and clearly."The cops?!" Paul cried out in agitation before Linus said anything else. "Don't you know how that would affect the family's reputation? Do you want the whole family to find out that there's discord in the family, and that someone among us wants Dad dead?!""What are you getting agitated for?" Sean shot Paul a shar
Sean said evenly, "No, Uncle Paul. You can go about your business now.""Yeah," Paul replied and stormed off angrily, his family quickly following.Calmness returned to Cranston Hall right then, while Sean turned to Cordy. "You should stay here for the night. There are not that many outsiders right now, and I can myself testify that my own parents are nice—they never did like power struggles and the like. Fred is away enjoying life with his girlfriend, while my wife is visiting her parents with our kid. There are just a few of us in Cranston Hall, so it'd be nice if you stayed with us instead of staying at the hotel."Cordy sighed—there were times when she just could not turn down Sean, and it was not as if she could not feel that Sean had been sincerely nice to her.Even so… Well, she had to admit that she wanted to go back to the hotel for John.Whatever it was that had happened, she would like to clear the air with John."… Very well."Seeing that Cordy was not responding,
Richard was stunned when he turned to look at his mother.Her eyes were so red… Was she crying?Nonetheless, Cordy's phone started to ring just then, and Cordy blinked back her tears. Seeing the caller, she answered it. "What is it, Patrick?""Are you in the capital at the moment? Could you come get me at the airport? I lost all my identification and luggage, and I have nowhere to go."Patrick actually sounded hysterical. Still, Cordy frowned. "What are you doing here?""You're here, aren't you? Wherever you go, I'll be there."While Cordy was speechless, he quickly said, "Alright, let's save the banter. Just come to the airport—I'm waiting."Cordy sighed lengthily, but she ultimately took a cab and headed to the airport with Richard to get Patrick.Soon, when they were all in the cab, a speechless Cordy asked, "How did you lose everything?"Even Patrick was speechless as he explained, "I left my luggage at Rocktown Airport and forgot to check it in. As for my certificatio
Patrick ultimately gave in and followed Cordy to Cranston Hall.Sean just returned, and was surprised to find Cordy returning as well.Naturally, he was frowning when he saw Patrick, who was scowling in return.Patrick was now aware of the relationship between Sean and Cordy, but he absolutely would not bother suffering Sean if he did not want to woo Cordy."What's he doing here?" Sean asked grumpily nonetheless.Cordy told him about Patrick's situation and shrugged. "We can let him stay a few days."Sean shot Patrick a look and said before turning away, "Why don't you get lost, too?"Patrick rolled his eyes. They really were blood related—even their intonation was identical.Still, he restrained himself and followed Sean to his room. At least the man had manners and was polite enough a host to show Sean around.Along the way, Patrick asked, "Where are Cordy and Dicky staying?" "You don't have to know.""I was just asking.""The answer is still no.""Look, man, don't th
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