Chapter 429
Ike looked up at me, his face scrunched in concentration. “Jane, how do you spell ‘uncle‘?”
“U–N–C–L–E,” I spelled out.
“Got it!”
But soon after, he was looking up again. “How about ‘family‘?”
“F–A–M–I–L–Y.”
Just then, the doorbell rang.
I got up to answer it and was immediately struck by a wave of surprise and joy. “Snowy!”
“Bark, bark, bark! Awooo~
A fluffy white Samoyed leaped into my arms, snuggling up a storm.
I was over the moon, turning to Mark, “I was just wondering how I’d get Snowy back home, and here you are, bringing him to me.”
“It’s good for you to have him around. Helps with your mood.”
“Thank you so much!”
I looked at him gratefully. “I wouldn’t have bounced back this fast without your help.”
He teased, “Aren’t you going to invite me in?”
“Of course, come in!”
I stepped back, letting him in, with Snowy not leaving my side, showing how much he missed me.
As
Sled
Mark to the living room, I noticed Ike’s absence from the couch.
After a brief search, I found myself at the bathroom door, hearing some mumbling from inside.
Knocking gently, I called out, “Ike?”
“Jane, I’m peeing!” The little guy responded, continuing his babble, sounding quite earnest.
Kids do have a habit of talking to themselves in the bathroom.
I chuckled, advising, “Take your time, buddy. Don’t rush.”
Back in the living room, I made Mark a cup of coffee.
Sitting down, with Snowy contently nestled by my knee, I said, “Really, you I went out of your way for Snowy. Thanks a lot.”
“It’s no bother.”
Mark smiled warmly. “I was in Vista Town for some work anyway. Bringing Snowy along was easy.”
I sighed. “You always make it sound so simple.
He always tried to ease my mind, finding excuses like “it was on the way” or
“no trouble at all.”
Ike emerged from the bathroom and upon seeing Mark, immediately greeted him with an enthusiastic, “Uncle!”
Mark, a bit puzzled, politely responded and glanced at me for an explanation.
“Gregory’s cousin’s kid. I’m looking
“Gregory?”
er him for a bit.”
Mark’s expression froze for a moment, then relaxed in surprise. “You’ve seen Gregory? He came to see you?”
I paused, “You knew Gregory wasn’t gone?”
We had only speculated about Gregory’s fate, never certain.
To most, Gregory was a memory.
Mark’s eyes softened, a/smile returning. “Of course not. I’m just surprised he’s still around and that you’ve met. I’m happy for you.”
Relieved, I saw Ike settling on my other side, his child’s voice chiming in, “Sir, you think my uncle and Jane make a good match, right?”
Mark, caught off guard, replied, “Well, that’s really up to Jane.”
apter 429
“Well, sir, are you married? If you’re single, I could introduce you to my mom!”
I couldn’t help but laugh, while Mark choked on his coffee, “Cough… No, I’m not considering that right now.”
“Oh! So you probably wouldn’t consider Jane either.”
Ike squirmed closer, whispering, “Jane, this sir doesn’t like you, but my uncle really likes you!”
Mark, trying to maintain some decorum, countered, “That’s not true. If one day, Jane wanted to be with me, I would definitely-”
“Ding–dong-”
The doorbell interrupted us.