How many times had he seen Jenna now? And he hadn’t even gotten her a treat!
“Hold on a sec.”
Gilbert, holding Jenna with one arm, reached for his phone with the other and dialed a number. “It’s me, yeah, grab some strawberry milk, right…” After hanging up, he flashed Jenna a smile.
“Just wait a bit, Jenna. Your favorite strawberry milk is on its way.”
“Mmm…”
Tears welled up in Jenna’s eyes as she buried herself into Gilbert’s embrace, holding him tight. “Sir, you’re the best! I love you, sir!”
He chuckled softly, “And I love you too, Jenna. Very, very much.”
At the doorway of the hospital room.
Sherilyn stood there, quietly observing the scene.
She had only stepped away for a moment, and Gilbert had shown up? Should she mention the uncanny bond this father and daughter shared?
Blinking back her tears, Sherilyn quickly stepped aside…
Soon, Charles arrived with the strawberry milk Jenna had been craving.
“Mr. Gilbert…”
Charles, holding the bag, was still trying to grasp the situation. Mr. Gilbert with a little girl? And what a beautiful little girl she was! She was the most gorgeous child he had ever laid eyes on. “Yeah.” Gilbert nodded. “Open one for her.”
“Sure thing.”
Charles took out a bottle from the bag, opened it, and handed it to Gilbert.
“Here you go, Jenna. Your favorite strawberry milk.”
“Yeah.” Jenna, still snuggling, didn’t even reach out; she just opened her mouth and started sipping from the straw.
As she drank, her cheeks puffed out rhythmically, showing she was feeling a bit better.
Gilbert’s face softened, “Jenna’s got quite the appetite.”
Charles just stood there, thinking to himself how everything a child does seems praise-worthy, even just drinking a milkshake or taking a nap!
Before leaving, Gilbert left his number with Sophia. “If Jenna feels unwell, or, you know, misses me, give me a call.”
After a pause, he added, “Anytime.”
“Okay…” Sophia hesitated but eventually took the number, biting her lip. “Got it.”
This gentleman didn’t seem like a bad person.
Plus, it was clear he wasn’t just anybody, he seemed well-off, if not downright wealthy. Not likely a scammer, especially since Jenna had nothing he could possibly want to scam her for.
“Sir.” Jenna clung to Gilbert’s finger. “You’re leaving now?”
Sophia, worried Jenna might cling, quickly said, “Jenna, you need
= “Jenna, you need to be
This gentleman. t things to take care
of.”
“Oh.” Jenna pouted, looking sad.
“It’s okay.” Gilbert felt a pang of heartache, “Don’t be sad, Jenna. I will come to visit you often, okay?”
“Okay!” Jenna’s face lit up at that.
Holding out her little finger, she said, “Pinky promise, no lying!”
“Sure.” Gilbert, momentarily taken aback, laughed and hooked his finger around her chubby one. “I don’t lie.” “Bye, sir.”
“Bye, Jenna.”
The parting was bittersweet for both.
As soon as Gilbert and Charles had left, Sherilyn made her appearance in the room.
She had timed it just right, waiting for him to leave before she dared to enter.
“Mommy!”
Jenna seemed much better now, “Mommy’s back.”
“Yes.”
Sherilyn, adjusting her emotions, greeted her with a smile, opening the insulated lunch box she brought “Did Jenna wait long? Your favorite, cheesy sweet potatoes, will be ready in no time.”
In the car, Gilbert pondered what he could do for Jenna.
She wasn’t his child, yet strangely, she weighed heavily on his mind.
His phone rang.
It was Francis.
“Big brother.” Gilbert answered the call.
On the other end, Francis said, “Gilbert, come over to Pinecrest Villa. I’ve got something to tell you.”
“Now?”
“Yes, now.”