Stuart didn't budge. Jeffery glanced up at him, "Dad?"
Josephine turned to look too.
In public, Stuart's eyes got all watery, and tears started to form.
"It's okay..." He held Jeffery's tiny hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. "Let's go."
Stuart had already promised to take them out for a big dinner tonight. After a short walk, they reached Stuart's parked car.
Josephine wanted Jeffery to hop in first, but Stuart scooped him up.
With all the people and cars around earlier, it had been pretty chaotic, and Stuart couldn't do much.
Now, holding Jeffery, he softly said, "Jeffery, thank you."
Even though Jeffery had been held by him before, this time felt different.
Jeffery whispered back, "No need to thank me. I just want you and Mommy to be happy."
Stuart could tell that Jeffery accepted him and called him Dad so quickly mostly because of Josephine. Jeffery was smart and mature for his age; he didn't want to make things hard for her.
But Stuart was still really touched. He held Jeffery as they got into the car, and the family sat in the back seat.
Jeffery, being held for so long, felt a bit embarrassed.
He reached out to Josephine, "Mommy!"
Josephine quickly took him and asked, "How was your day at preschool?"
"Great," Jeffery said, "but the other kids are too childish. A girl wanted me to play a game with her and be her husband."
Josephine, trying not to laugh, asked, "Did you agree?"
"Of course not!" Jeffery said, "If I agree to be her husband, my future wife would be unhappy."
Josephine couldn't stop laughing, "How would your future wife know about what you did as a child?"
"Just because she doesn't know, doesn't mean I can do it," Jeffery said seriously, "I must keep myself pure!"
Josephine laughed so hard she could barely sit up straight.
Seeing her like this, Stuart quickly took Jeffery back and praised him, "Jeffery, you're right! Boys should be like this, so they can face their future wives with a clear conscience."
"What are you teaching him?" Josephine laughed. "He's just a kid."
"I think it's great," Stuart said. "No one taught me when I was a kid."
Hearing this, Josephine couldn't help but touch his hand.
Stuart smiled at her, "It's okay."
This was the first time the family had gone out to eat together since officially reuniting.
Stuart had to take care of both Josephine and Jeffery.
Even though Josephine said he didn't need to, and Jeffery could take care of himself, Stuart still did everything he could.
Josephine went to the restroom and noticed many families dining together in the restaurant.
At the tables, it was often the moms who were busy. The dads mostly just ate their own food.
She couldn't help but feel that Stuart was so different from before. Had he attended some good husband training class?
The three of them had a very satisfying meal.
Although Jeffery wasn't picky and didn't show a particular preference for any food, he would still squint his eyes in happiness when he tasted something good, just like Josephine.
Stuart had specifically chosen a restaurant not far from The Clarence Family's place, so they could walk back slowly after dinner.
It would help with digestion and give him more time with Josephine.They strolled down the street, hand in hand, like a real family.
Seeing Jeffery's smiling face, Josephine felt a wave of tenderness. She couldn't deny that her decision to be with Stuart was partly influenced by Jeffery, even though she still had feelings for Stuart.
Without Jeffery, even if she still liked Stuart, she might not have gotten back together with him for many other reasons.
But now, with Jeffery, Josephine had to think things through more carefully, because she wasn't just Josephine; she was also a mom.
Jeffery's growth couldn't lack Stuart's presence.
Even the longest road has an end. And this road wasn't long.
Stuart felt they arrived in no time.
Why did time together always feel so short?
Josephine stood outside The Clarence Family's villa and said to him, "Can you pick up Jeffery tomorrow?"
After all, Jeffery had already told Derek that Stuart would pick him up.
Stuart had also said he would pick him up every day. If he didn't show up, Jeffery would lose face.
Stuart nodded. "Of course, I will keep my promise."
Josephine said, "Alright, but tomorrow, I need to take Jeffery home for dinner."
Stuart understood and nodded. "Okay."
Josephine added, "Let me know in advance when Grandpa is coming, so I can bring Jeffery over."
"Okay." After saying this, Stuart still looked at Josephine, his eyes full of reluctance.
But Josephine had to take Jeffery inside. As soon as she got home, her phone rang. She glanced at it; it was a message from Stuart: [I haven't even left yet, and I already miss you.]
Josephine looked out the window and saw Stuart's tall figure still standing outside, not having left.
She replied: [Do you have time tomorrow at noon? I'll come to see you.]
Stuart immediately replied: [Sure.]
Josephine looked again, and after standing for a while, Stuart left.
That night, Laura video-called her and asked, "How are things with you and Stuart?"
"Just the same," Josephine said, "When are you coming to Celestia Springs?"
Most of Steven's businesses were still in Celestia Springs. He stayed in Hustalia mainly to be with Laura.
Laura said, "In the next couple of days. I promised Claudia I'd go shopping with her."
"Great, let's get together when you come."
"Have you lost weight again?" Laura asked, "You look thinner. How have you been? Are you exercising?"
Josephine said, "Where's the time to exercise? I've been so busy lately, I probably lost two or three pounds. How can you even tell?"
Laura said, "You need to exercise more."
"Too lazy, don't want to move," Josephine said. "I finally got a few days to rest."
"Look at Stuart's physique," Laura said. "If you don't exercise and build up your strength, he might wear you out."
Josephine laughed in anger, "What nonsense are you talking about?"
"How is it nonsense? Steven is so much older, and he's still thinking about sex all the time. Stuart has been holding back for so many years; if you get back together, won't he be even more intense?"
Josephine said, "Can we talk about something else, please?"
"Why are you getting shy?" Laura said, "I'm telling you, a harmonious sex life is very important for a couple!"
Josephine said perfunctorily, "I know, I know."
"Just knowing isn't enough; you have to try it. Whether Stuart is still good in bed affects your future happiness."