Chapter 185: Wanting More of Her Affection
Grace went to the kitchen to get the dishes.
Max walked over to Alexander, crossing his arms and staring him down with intense scrutiny.
Father and son both possessed the same ink-dark eyes, though Max's were shaped more like Grace's.
Alexander raised an eyebrow. "Why are you staring at me like that?"
Max adopted the tone of an interrogating officer. "Did you do something to upset Mom?"
"No," Alexander replied.
Max remained skeptical.
Grace returned, saying, "Max, take your seat. Dinner's ready."
"Okay!"
Max and Liam sat down side by side.
Alexander glanced at Liam, noticing his mood seemed somewhat improved. Grace had evidently worked her magic in comforting him.
"Alexander, do you have time soon? I'd like to take Max and Liam somewhere fun," Grace said.
"Where to?" Alexander asked.
"I want to go to the amusement park!" Max declared.
"I want to go to the aquarium," Liam chimed in.
Max turned to Liam. "The amusement park is way better than the aquarium."
Liam blinked. "But the aquarium has beluga whales!"
The two boys refused to come to an agreement—one wanting the amusement park, the other the aquarium.
Grace looked helplessly toward Alexander.
"We'll do both," Alexander decided.
"Both would take a whole day," Grace pointed out.
She knew how busy Alexander was; even half a day would require significant schedule adjustments.
"I can rearrange my work schedule," Alexander said.
"All right."
She turned to the boys. "How about the aquarium in the morning and the amusement park in the afternoon?"
"Let's do the aquarium in the afternoon—that's when they have the beluga whale show," Liam suggested.
"I want the amusement park in the afternoon. They set off fireworks at night," Max countered.
Alexander took charge. "We'll do both properly—one day at the aquarium, one day at the amusement park."
"Two whole days of fun? They'll be completely wild," Grace laughed.
She worried about keeping up with their energy. Unlike Max and Liam, who seemed to have boundless stamina, she felt her age. She sometimes missed her childhood, when she too had felt invincible.
"I don't want their childhood to have any regrets," Alexander said quietly.
He rarely made time for Liam, and Liam never demanded he cancel work to play. Alexander had assumed Liam wasn't interested in such activities.
But perhaps it wasn't that Liam didn't enjoy playing—maybe being with Grace and Max had simply brought out his more playful side.
Alexander had never known Liam liked beluga whales.
The boys exchanged a look and immediately resumed their standoff.
"First day, amusement park," Max declared.
"First day, aquarium," Liam insisted.
Grace turned to Max. "Can't you be a little more accommodating? Liam always lets you have your way. You should look out for him too."
Max nodded and magnanimously declared, "Fine! Aquarium first day!"
Grace affectionately ruffled his hair. "Such a good boy, Max!"
Max basked in her gentle touch.
Liam watched with wide eyes, wanting to earn Grace's approval too. He raised his hand. "First day, amusement park!"
Max glared at him. "I swear, you're just trying to be contrary!"
Liam's lips trembled with hurt as he shook his head vigorously like a bobblehead.
He only wanted to earn more of Grace's affection by appearing generous, but Max had completely misunderstood.
Alexander fixed Liam with a stern look. "No talking with your mouth full—what have I taught you about table manners?"
Liam immediately lowered his head and began eating obediently.
Max couldn't resist adding, "Liam can't even follow that rule—he talks in his sleep every single night."
Liam's face turned crimson to his neck as he waved his hands frantically. "I don't..."
His nervousness made his words come out broken and stuttered.
Liam reached out to cover Max's mouth while anxiously watching Grace's expression.
Grace smiled warmly. "So Liam talks in his sleep? How adorable."
Liam's eyes widened in surprise.
Grace actually found his sleep-talking... cute?
Liam blinked shyly, suddenly feeling much more at ease.
After dinner, Grace took Liam and Max for a walk around the block. When they returned, the boys roughhoused for a while and worked up a sweat.
"Liam, Max, time for your baths."
"Okay!"
Max and Liam headed off hand in hand.
Alexander emerged from his study and called out to Grace.
"Grace."
Grace froze, turning around with surprise.
She couldn't recall him ever calling her name with such intimate warmth.
Noticing her startled expression, Alexander asked, "What's wrong?"
His brow arched slightly. "Don't you like it when I call you that?"
"No, it's not..." Grace began quickly.
Alexander stepped closer, bending down to admire the blush spreading across her shy face, his tone teasing. "So you do like it?"
Grace hesitated, unable to find words.
How could she possibly admit something like that?
His voice, gentle and affectionate, made her heart race...
His voice was so pleasant, rich and magnetic, especially when he softened his tone. It made her pulse quicken.
"If you like it, I'll call you that from now on," Alexander said.
"Whatever you prefer..." Grace managed.
He could tell she was embarrassed but chose not to tease her further.
Even as a mother, she remained endearingly innocent.
Grace suddenly noticed his hands—deep scars marked his knuckles.
"Are those scars from that day?" she asked softly.
The day Black Mass had taken her, he'd pursued them relentlessly, stopping their car and punching through the window with his bare fist. Glass had shredded his knuckles and the back of his hand, blood streaming as if he didn't care about his own life.
It seemed the scars would be permanent.
That moment had convinced her he would risk everything for her.
"The wounds have healed. It's nothing," Alexander said dismissively.
Still, Grace felt a pang in her chest.
"I need to discuss something with you," Alexander said.
Grace looked up. "What is it?"
"My father wants to meet you."
Grace looked surprised. "Why does your father want to meet me?"
"Because I've told him about you. About wanting to remarry you. So he'd like to meet you."
Grace felt inexplicably nervous.
She'd met William once before—he'd struck her as an imposing man with natural authority.
"Don't be nervous. It's just a meeting," Alexander reassured her.
"I'm not nervous, I just... wasn't prepared for this," Grace said.
"It's not like you're marrying me for the first time," Alexander pointed out.
"This is different," Grace protested quickly.
When she'd married Alexander the first time, she'd been prepared for a loveless marriage.