Chapter 278 I Won’t Let Go of Your Hand Even in the Next Life

Chapter 278 I Won’t Let Go of Your Hand Even in the Next Life

Ethan looked down at Jenna.

She gazed up at him, eyes still red but shining bright.

Like the rain had stopped, the clouds had cleared, and it was time to move forward.

"We should," he said. "Where do you want to go?"

Jenna thought for a moment, about to answer, when Andy's loud shout suddenly rang out from the nursery, followed by even louder crying.

They looked at each other and laughed simultaneously.

"Let's go get the baby first," Jenna said, throwing back the covers.

"We'll figure out the itinerary when we get back," Ethan said, following her.

At lunch, Jenna brought up the honeymoon at the table.

Hazel's eyes lit up instantly.

"It's about time! I wanted to say something when you two got your marriage certificate—what kind of way is that to do things? You get the certificate and call it done? Not even a proper wedding? You young people call it 'modern,' but I don't understand it. At the very least, you should have a wedding ceremony, shouldn't you?"

Jenna nodded with a smile. "You're absolutely right. That's why we're here to discuss it with you. We're planning to take Andy and you with us, find somewhere quiet to stay for a few days."

Hazel waved her hand. "Go, go! Have a good time. And while you're at it, get those wedding photos taken care of. You haven't taken wedding photos yet, have you?"

Jenna paused, then answered honestly, "No."

"Then hurry up and do it! While you're still young!" Hazel's gaze swept back and forth between her and Ethan, nodding with satisfaction.

"Yes, you're a handsome couple. The photos will turn out beautifully. Remember to include Andy for a family portrait. I'll have it enlarged and hung in the living room. Anyone who visits, I'll show them—see this? This is my granddaughter and grandson-in-law, and my great-grandson!"

As soon as Hazel finished speaking, the dining room erupted in laughter.

Though Andy couldn't understand what the adults were laughing about, seeing everyone laugh, he opened his mouth wide too, raising both little hands high, babbling incomprehensibly.

Hazel scooped him up from his high chair and kissed his chubby cheek. "See? I'm right, aren't I? Your mom and dad are so good-looking—it would be a waste not to take wedding photos. I'll get you a little suit and a red bow tie. You'll be in the pictures too. We'll take a four-generation family portrait!"

Ethan set down his chopsticks and nodded seriously. "Hazel's right. We really should take wedding photos. I know someone who does wedding planning—venues and photography can all be arranged. Should we just have the wedding there while we're at it? While the weather's good, while Andy's still small, while Hazel can still get around—the whole family can fly over and have a simple ceremony by the ocean."

Jenna's gaze softened like melting water.

She knew he was a man of action. When he mentioned arrangements, it usually meant he'd already pulled up his contacts.

She didn't ask questions, just nodded. "Okay."

A month later.

The ocean was so blue it looked like God had spilled paint in the water. The white sand glittered with tiny fragments of light under the equatorial sun. Coconut palms swayed gently in the sea breeze, casting dancing shadows.

A wooden pier stretched from the beach, ending in a small pavilion decorated with white flowers and pale blue ribbons. The pavilion was open on all sides, sea breeze flowing through, making the bride's veil flutter gently.

Andy wore a custom-tailored little suit with a white shirt and red bow tie, held in Hazel's arms.

He probably didn't understand why everyone was dressed so nicely today, but when he saw Jenna's skirt billow in the sea breeze, he clapped his little hands excitedly and let out a loud shout.

Watching them exchange rings and smile at each other, Hazel suddenly remembered long, long ago, when she'd watched Jenna's mother in a wedding dress, walking toward someone she thought she could trust with her life.

That time, she hadn't been able to stop the disaster.

But this time was different.

This time, the man waiting for Jenna at the end was Ethan.

"Jenna," Ethan said, gazing deeply into her eyes, each word deliberate and earnest.

"I missed my chance with you once. That mistake lasted seven years. Every day of those seven years, I regretted it. But fortunately, fate wasn't too cruel to us. It brought you back to me. This lifetime, I'll never let go again."

Jenna looked at him tenderly.

"We missed each other for far too long. So today, before the sea and sky, before everyone here, I want to tell you: this life, the next life, and the life after that—I'll never let go of your hand again."

The sea breeze suddenly picked up, sending petals fluttering down from the pavilion's eaves, landing on her veil.

Andy giggled at the falling petals. Hazel quietly turned away, dabbing at her eyes with a handkerchief, muttering, "This sea breeze is making my eyes water."

Ethan lowered his head, lifted her veil, and placed a tender, reverent kiss on her lips.

Waves surged beneath the pier. A flock of white seabirds startled from the coconut grove, wings flapping as they skimmed across the water, flying toward that endless expanse of blue.

In the blink of an eye, fifty years had passed.

Jenna and Ethan had moved back to Emerald City to retire ten years ago.

The magnolia tree in the old house's courtyard was still there, its canopy even larger than fifty years before, lush and flourishing, spreading like a pavilion.

Jenna crouched in the vegetable patch, holding a small trowel, mounding soil around a newly planted tomato seedling.

Her hair had turned completely white, casually pinned in a bun at the back of her head.

"That tomato plant's crooked again," Ethan said, standing behind her with a metal watering can, pointing at the seedling she'd just finished planting.

"Where's it crooked? I planted it perfectly straight," Jenna replied without turning around.

"It's leaning left by at least thirty degrees."

"You and your sharp eyes." She turned around, taking off her sun hat to fan herself. "Fine, you do it. I'll watch."

Ethan chuckled, set down the watering can, and crouched beside her, taking the trowel from her hand.

As he dug the hole, Jenna watched from the side. After a moment, she suddenly reached out and filled the hole back in.

Ethan looked up, puzzled.

"That hole was too big. The tomato plant would drown in there."

He raised an eyebrow but didn't argue, moving to dig another hole in a different spot.

This time she didn't fill it in, just tilted her head to look for a moment, then placed her hand over his, guiding his hand as they settled the seedling into the soil together.

After pouring the last can of water, Jenna straightened up, supporting herself on Ethan's arm as she slowly stood.

Her knees weren't great—after crouching for a while, she needed time to steady herself before standing.

He always extended his hand when she got up, letting her use his arm for support, then casually withdrew it once she was stable.

He thought she didn't notice, but she knew all along.

They sat down in the wicker chairs in the courtyard.

The chairs had been replaced last year. The old pair, used for decades, had broken wicker strands. Andy had wanted to buy new ones, but she'd refused, saying the old ones were still usable.

Later, Ethan had secretly called Andy, saying, "Go ahead and buy them. I'll convince your mom."

Andy had laughed for ages before ordering new ones.

Ethan's method was beautifully simple: he threw out the old chairs overnight and put the new wicker chairs in the courtyard.

When Jenna came out of the house, he'd already sat down in one, then patted the seat beside him and smiled at her.

Jenna had scolded him for it, then had no choice but to sit down helplessly.