Chapter 251: Absence Makes the Heart Grow Fonder
William walked into the children's room and saw the disappointed expressions on Jasper, Ethan, and Emma's faces. Understanding immediately, he approached the children and crouched down beside them, his face breaking into a gentle smile. "What's wrong? Why do you all look so glum?"
"Daddy still isn't home," Emma said quietly.
William stroked her head, not answering directly but instead lowering his voice mysteriously: "Children, would you like to have a little sister or maybe a little brother?"
Emma's eyes immediately lit up. "Really? I could be a big sister?"
Ethan also jumped up excitedly: "I want a little brother! I could teach him boxing! And swordsmanship!"
Only Jasper frowned slightly, his little mind working rapidly. He remembered that Mom had been at the training camp for half a month now, and according to the schedule, today should be the day the assessment ended. If Mom had passed the evaluation, she should have already left the training camp by now.
"Mom passed the assessment, didn't she?" Jasper suddenly spoke up.
William looked at Jasper with surprise, noting how much more mature he was than Ethan and Emma: "How did you know?"
"The timing fits. Mom's been at the training camp for half a month. If Mom passed, then Daddy's definitely with her right now. Mom trained so hard, she must need a good rest for a few days before coming home."
He paused, looking at William with wisdom beyond his years: "Great-grandfather, you don't need to worry. I'll take good care of Ethan and Emma. When Mom and Dad are rested, they'll naturally come home."
William looked at this five-year-old child who seemed so mature and steady, feeling both gratified and heartbroken. He reached out and pulled Jasper into his arms: "Jasper, you don't have to be so grown-up. You're still a child—you have the right to be spoiled, to be willful, to be childish."
Jasper paused, seeming not quite to understand.
William stood up, his face suddenly breaking into a mischievous grin: "Come on! Today, great-grandfather is taking you to have fun! Whatever you want to play! Pillow fight? Water gun battle? Or should we turn the living room into a playground?"
"Pillow fight!" Ethan was the first to raise his hand and cheer.
"I want to paint!" Emma said softly.
Jasper looked at Emma and Ethan's expectant eyes, then at his great-grandfather's encouraging smile, and finally showed a smile that belonged to a child: "I'll provide the music for you."
William waved his hand grandly, "Perfect! Then we'll listen to music and have a pillow fight to warm up!"
With that, he grabbed a throw pillow from the sofa and gently tossed it at Ethan. Ethan shrieked with excitement and grabbed another pillow to retaliate. Soon, pillows were flying through the children's room, feathers floating everywhere, and laughter filled the entire space.
Jasper was still a bit reserved at first, but after being hit by Ethan's pillow a few times, he joined the battle too. The children surrounded William, attacking great-grandfather with their tiny pillows while William pretended to be beaten back step by step, making the children laugh hysterically.
When they were tired from playing, William actually had the spacious living room converted into a temporary playground.
As night fell and the children grew tired, they obediently went to bed after their baths. William sat beside their beds, telling them bedtime stories that even the most composed Jasper listened to with fascination.
Emma rubbed her sleepy eyes and asked quietly, "When will... when will Mommy and Daddy come get us?"
William gently patted her back: "Soon, very soon. When Mommy's rested, Daddy will bring her to get you. Then you can give Mommy a big hug and tell her how much you missed her."
Emma closed her eyes contentedly and soon fell into a dream.
Ethan was already asleep, still clutching a toy sword in his little hand.
Only Jasper kept his eyes open. He looked at William and said softly, "Great-grandfather, thank you."
William felt a warm surge in his heart and leaned down to press a kiss to his forehead: "Sleep well, good boy. Tomorrow's a new day."
After all the children were fast asleep, William quietly closed the door and walked to the living room. He took out his phone and sent Charles a message: "The kids are fine, they played hard and just fell asleep. Enjoy your time together—no rush."
After sending the message, he stood by the window looking out at the moonlight, his face showing a satisfied smile.
At the hospital, Emily was also being discharged.
The doctor completed the final examination, confirming that her body had fully recovered, though she still needed rest for a while. Charles carefully helped her pack her things and took her hand as they walked out of the hospital room.
However, the direction the car was heading made Emily feel confused.
"Where are we going?" Emily looked at the increasingly unfamiliar scenery outside the window with some puzzlement.
Charles held her hand, his lips curved in a mysterious smile: "I'm taking you somewhere special."
The car finally entered a quiet residential area and stopped in front of a three-story white villa. The villa was surrounded by a carefully maintained garden, with white picket fences covered in blooming roses, and the air was filled with a light floral fragrance.
Emily stared at the building before her in amazement.
Charles got out of the car, walked around to open the passenger door for her, then took her hand: "Come see inside."
Pushing open the heavy oak door, Emily's breath caught slightly.
Before her was a spacious, bright living room decorated in her favorite cream and light gray tones. Huge floor-to-ceiling windows overlooked carefully designed garden landscaping, with sunlight streaming through sheer curtains and casting dappled shadows on the floor.
The living room was arranged exactly to her taste—soft upholstered furniture, hand-woven rugs, and several modern art pieces she loved hanging on the walls. What surprised her most was a white grand piano positioned in the corner.
"When did you..."
Charles gently wrapped his arms around her waist from behind, his chin resting on her shoulder: "I started preparing this the day you entered the training camp. I wanted to give you a space that belongs completely to us—a place where you can relax and be yourself."
He took her hand and showed her through each room.
The study was filled with books she loved, from literary classics to art books, neatly organized on the shelves by category. The art studio was equipped with a complete set of painting supplies, with an easel holding a blank canvas that seemed to be waiting for her first brushstroke.
The kitchen was spacious and bright with every appliance needed, and the refrigerator was already stocked with fresh ingredients. Charles whispered in her ear: "From now on, whatever you want to eat, I'll cook it. Don't worry—I'm quite the chef."
Finally, he brought her to the master bedroom.
The bedroom was decorated exactly as she'd always dreamed—a large four-poster bed with white curtains hanging from the ceiling, soft carpeting covering the entire room. What moved her most was a framed photo on the nightstand showing their family of four, with everyone smiling so brilliantly in the picture.
"Do you like it?" Charles embraced her from behind, his voice so gentle it could melt honey.