Chapter 187
We all walked to the entrance.
We got into the cars in order. In the past, Cleo would always choose to ride in Levi's car, while I would go with Aiden.
My nose suddenly felt tingly as I recalled those years when Levi didn't care for me.
This year was different - Cleo was alone. I thought back carefully and realized that in all the years since I married Levi, Michael had never attended even once.
Maybe it was because he felt he wasn't really part of the Morgan family, or perhaps his affair had been brewing for a while - it's just that Cleo loved him too much, and we couldn't see his true colors.
Even though Cleo was already married, she was still allowed to attend events like this - Rhea had fought for that right for her.
"Cleo, come with us."
My mother-in-law didn't want her to feel lonely. After all, she was her biological daughter, and she couldn't bear to see her all alone.
"You already have enough people, don't you?"
The best choice for Cleo would be to go with her own parents.
"Let the kids come with me."
Aiden stepped in to ease her awkwardness.
"Hayden, Celestia, you two go."
Celestia waved at me, "Mom, I'll go keep great-grandpa company."
"Okay, good."
I got into Levi's car. He kept looking at me - probably this year he wanted us to be together.
Even if it was just pretending to be a loving couple, I should play along. Besides, things between us had already changed - I could feel how good he was being to me.
Levi handed me a thermos. "Drink more water."
"Did Indigo teach you that?"
"No."
"Well, your awareness has improved this year."
I joked with him, hoping the atmosphere wouldn't be too heavy.
"My sister talks like that, don't take it personally."
"I don't."
"But she can't keep being unreasonable just because you don't mind."
"But we can't control her. She's her own person."
The corner of Levi's mouth lifted into a beautiful smile.
I'm a sucker for his looks - just like that first time we met when his white shirt gave off such a fresh, clean feeling.
"Is there something on my face?"
"No."
I turned away to look at the scenery outside the window.
The sacred and solemn church always brings a sense of peace.
From the moment I walked in, my body and mind felt purified.
This was Levi's first time here, and he took longer than anyone else.
We came out one by one, but he was still praying quietly.
Aiden watched him thoughtfully, his eyes full of relief.
Adults probably go through some kind of baptism at any moment - any day could become a milestone in their hearts.
"Blair, you're here too!"
When I came face to face with Ava's smiling face, the smile on my lips froze.
She looked Aiden up and down carefully, then came out with, "Mr. Aiden Morgan, Happy New Year!"
She greeted Aiden in our way, then turned to look at Levi's parents.
"Mr. and Mrs. Morgan, I've seen your photos. You really are a perfect match."
"Hello there. You've grown so big. I didn't expect to have another chance to see you. I even held you when you were a baby."
Aiden and Ava's grandfather were friends and had worked together before.
Ava smiled and hugged Aiden. "Mr. Aiden Morgan, if we'd met earlier, Levi and I might very well have ended up together."
She was so direct that even Aiden's smile froze on his face.
Aiden patted her shoulder. "Let me introduce you. This is my friend's granddaughter from Eldoria."
"Hello, everyone."
Ava greeted us warmly, especially excited when she saw Levi come out.
Completely ignoring my feelings, she rushed to Levi's side and grabbed his arm. "Levi, I guess we're meant to be, right?"
Levi tried to shake her off, but she held on tight.
Seeing this, Aiden said, "Ava, this is Levi's wife."
"I know. We've met a few times. Blair and I know each other."
Ava said it casually, as if we were already old friends.
But if she knew about my relationship with Levi, why was she still holding onto him?
"Hello. Let go of my dad. What you're doing isn't right."
Celestia walked up to them and pried Ava's hand away, then hugged her father's arm herself.
"Levi, this must be your daughter. She's so cute."
Ava wanted to hug Celestia, but Celestia stepped back and hid behind Levi.
"Can we hug?"
Celestia shook her head. "Sorry, I only let my own family hug me."
"Haha, Levi, she's like a little version of you." Ava's eyes sparkled - maybe she genuinely liked Celestia.
Of course, this was loving the house and its crow.
"I'm my dad's daughter, so naturally I'm like my dad. I'm like my mom, too. I love them both very much."
What Celestia meant was that she loved us very much, and she was asking Ava not to break up Levi and me.
Maybe because of what happened with Jessa, Celestia had become more aware that there couldn't be other women around Levi disrupting our family of three.
I thought young Celestia didn't understand adult matters, but now I could see she was braver than anyone in protecting us.
"You really are a smart and clever child. You and your dad are welcome to visit my house. I'll make you something delicious."
"My mom's cooking is the best, but thank you for the invitation anyway."
Celestia added, "We usually go out as three people. We would never leave Mom alone."
These words really touched me. Actually, the three of us didn't do many activities together - things had only gotten better recently.
My daughter's every word showed her love for me. She had even noticed that Ava was deliberately trying to separate me from her and Levi.
"Haha, interesting."
Ava laughed on the surface, but inside, she was probably already angry.
"Since you're here, we should be good hosts. Come to my house today."
Aiden took the initiative to invite Ava over.
"Wow, can I really come?"
"Of course."
Ava said happily, "My wish came true so quickly."
"Are you here by yourself?"
"Yes, yes, my friends left earlier."
How strange - she just appeared out of nowhere, and I hadn't seen any friends of hers.
"Alright then, we're heading back now."
I really didn't want to be in the same space as Ava. I especially didn't want Cleo to enjoy the show. Her admiration for Levi was obvious to anyone with eyes. Aiden was just being polite, but she actually wanted to come along.
"Grandpa, I want to go home and rest first. I won't go back with you."
Aiden nodded. "Alright, you should rest well. Don't worry about other things."
I turned to Levi's parents. "Celestia will go with you first."
Levi walked over to my side and took my hand. "We're going home."