Chapter 249 We Have Got a Kid
Patrick could still remember the first time Andrew swaggered into the Hawkins family like he owned the place. Andrew was all grand and intimidating like he was about to crush the Hawkins under his boot. But today? Following Adeline around like a lost puppy, all humble and submissive. What a twist!
Adeline kept getting closer and closer.
Felix led them to the pavilion, got them seated, and served up some tea.
Patrick showed up, carrying Gavin, who was all sweaty from playing. He grabbed a towel from a servant and wiped Gavin down, treating the kid like he was made of gold.
At first, Adeline was too wrapped up in her thoughts to notice much. She was busy figuring out how to kick off the convo.
But then she took a glance and—hold up! Something was definitely off!
That little face and hair color?! The kid was dead ringer for Charlotte. And he was like a mini-Andrew, with most of his features, especially the eyes.
Adeline freaked out.
So did Andrew.
He stared at the kid, feeling like his blood turned to ice. He could barely believe what he was seeing.
This kid was definitely from the Devereux family!
But no way was he Charlotte's!
Andrew was in his forties. Sure, he wanted a family and a kid, but life had other plans, keeping him too busy to even think about it.
And now, bam, here's this kid right in front of him!
He squatted down in front of Gavin, his voice all shaky. "Who's your mom?"
Patrick didn't miss a beat. "He's Chloe's kid."
Andrew's fists clenched.
Chloe had his kid!
He wanted to reach out and touch his son, but Gavin looked at him with those unfamiliar, scared eyes.
Andrew swallowed his emotions and slowly stood up.
Right then, Chloe's car pulled up. She rushed over and scooped up Gavin.
No words needed.
Adeline's jaw dropped, and she finally managed to squeak out, "Is this Andrew and Chloe's kid?"
She had come to apologize. Andrew had messed around with Chloe, after all.
But now, out of nowhere, there's a grandson!
Adeline, in her seventies, had thought she'd never hold a grandson in her lifetime, and suddenly, here's this adorable little guy right in front of her.
She suddenly felt like eighteen cars weren't enough! Not even close!
In the Hawkins family hall, Patrick was all smiles, pointing to Andrew's mom. "This is your grandma!"
Gavin was a bit shy.
But he still walked up to Adeline, throwing his little self into her arms. Adeline held the soft little boy, her feelings all over the place.
She felt joy, and a whole lot of guilt!
She was pretty old, yet she still insisted on holding Gavin and kissing him.
Originally, she had brought gifts, trying to propose marriage for Andrew.
Now, all those gifts? Straight to her grandson.
Andrew sat next to her, eyes glued to the little kid, then shifted his gaze to Chloe across the room.
Chloe didn't even try to deny it. "Yep, we've got a kid!"
Andrew closed his eyes, taking it all in.
He did the math. It must've been that last trip to Syeattel when she got pregnant.
And when she went to Copenhegan, she must've already known she was expecting.
What was going through her mind when she broke up with him back then?
Andrew racked his brain, but then it hit him—they were done.
He wasn't some naive kid anymore. She hadn't been home for two years, raising a child on her own. He knows this is out of love for the child and hate for him.
Andrew's expression darkened.
He suddenly remembered what Frederick had said: 'A woman in her thirties who doesn't get married or go home, how well could she be doing?'
Right then, Frederick walked in with Charlotte.
Frederick took in the scene and grinned. "What's the deal today? Why's everyone here?"
He went over, ruffled Gavin's hair, and greeted Adeline.
Adeline had a soft spot for him, and right now, she needed a favor, so she was even more partial to him.
Frederick sat down with Charlotte.
He exchanged a look with Patrick.
Neither of them wanted to be the bad guy!
Finally, Laura, with tears in her eyes, softly called out, "Patrick!"
Patrick didn't want to lose face in front of Laura, so he took a sip of coffee and smiled at Adeline. "The kids are too naughty. Let's see what they have to say!"
Adeline slowly stood up, her mind made up.
Charlotte, sensing the tension, took Gavin's little hand and led him out to play.
With the kid out of the room, Adeline could speak more freely.
Andrew was all respectful in front of her.
Adeline's voice was stern. "Andrew, the Hawkins family and the Devereux family are tight, and Chloe's like your junior. How could you do this? Now the child has already grown to be two years old, yet we had no clue! Is this how I raised you to behave?"
Andrew's face was full of shame. "I'm sorry!"
Adeline waved her hand. "You should apologize to Chloe! You know what to do, right?"
Andrew hesitated for a moment.
Then, without a second thought, he knelt in front of Patrick and Laura.
Patrick and Laura were stunned.
They never expected Andrew to be so straightforward.
For a guy of his status, kneeling wasn't just rare—it was unheard of.
Patrick wasn't the type to push his luck.
He knew Chloe well enough. If she didn't genuinely care for Andrew, she wouldn't have gone through all that trouble and secretly had Gavin.
Plus, Frederick had already had it out with him!
He couldn't say much, so he shot Laura a look.
Laura didn't want to make things worse either. She helped Andrew up and said gently, "You and Chloe have Gavin now. As for the future, you two can figure it out."
Adeline felt even more embarrassed.
Frederick turned to his sister. "Chloe, what do you think?"
Chloe looked calmly at Andrew.
He looked back at her.
She knew deep down that with this kid, his reluctance would fade, and with both families pushing, he'd probably agree to marry her.
But she didn't want that!
Why should she?
Chloe's lips moved slightly, and Andrew guessed what she was about to say, cutting her off, "Let's talk privately."
Chloe glanced at Frederick.
Frederick took a sip of coffee and smirked. "It's fine! He won't bite, and besides, he's old now, might not even have the strength!"
His words were sharp and sarcastic.
Chloe agreed.
Some things just weren't meant to be said in front of the elders.
They headed to the small flower hall to talk.
Chloe stood by the window, showing him only her back, and said softly, "The kid was conceived the last time we were together! I only found out after we broke up."
Andrew stared at her back.
He shook his head gently. "You're lying, Chloe! You knew before we broke up, didn't you?"
Chloe took a deep breath.
She calmed herself before speaking, "Nothing gets past you! Yeah, it was the night we broke up that I found out! I wanted to tell you, but you said we weren't compatible."
Honestly, even without him saying it, she knew they were impossible.
She had her pride.
Andrew had so many beautiful women around him, each more stunning than the last, so why would she think she could win his heart? It was just wishful thinking!
Chloe turned around and smiled faintly. "Charlotte said she won't accept it if the love for her isn't genuine and exclusive. She was with Frederick for Lola. Lola needed care and a father, after all. But Gavin has never had a father since he was born, and he's doing just fine. We don't need to force ourselves to be together for the kid!"
She was much more rational now. "If you want to see him, you can come to Syeattel anytime. I won't stop you."
But taking Gavin to Copenhegan? No way.
In this lifetime, she'd never set foot in Copenhegan again.
She said a lot.
Andrew didn't say a word, just sat on the sofa, puffing on a cigarette.
He wasn't in the same page with his mom, thinking a kid would fix everything. He knew that having a child only made Chloe hate him more and less likely to forgive him.
Andrew wasn't an impulsive guy. That's how he got to where he was.
Even when dealing with emotions, a woman he really liked, and his own kid, he could stay cool.
Because he had too much to think about!
In the time it took to smoke a cigarette, he seemed to have figured it all out and asked her softly, "Have you made up your mind?"
Chloe nodded.
Andrew walked over to her, raising his hand to touch her hair, just like he used to, but he hesitated, his hand stopping mid-air.
After a long pause, he asked hoarsely, "Were the past two years really tough?"
She nodded. "Yeah!"
Andrew didn't say anything else. He pulled her into his arms.
No desire, not even the usual emotions between a man and a woman, just like an elder comforting someone younger. He held her, silently soothing her.
Such gentleness was like drug to her.
Chloe didn't want to fall into it. She gently pushed him away. "From now on, you're just Gavin's parent, nothing more!"
Andrew didn't push it.
In the shadow of the curtains, he spoke softly, "Chloe, when I was with you, I didn't mess around with anyone else!"
Chloe was visibly stunned, then smiled faintly. "It doesn't matter anymore!"
Andrew told Chloe his decision.
Adeline was furious, thinking Andrew was being irresponsible.
The Hawkins family, on the other hand, was super chill.
Patrick accepted Andrew's compensation for Chloe and the child support for Gavin, which were things a man should provide.
He told Adeline, "The kids have their own ideas. It's normal! Besides, after all this time, I think they don't have much feeling left. In the future, we'll still interact as relatives, and if you want to see Gavin, we won't stop you."
Adeline was really disappointed.
Laura, being kind-hearted, invited Adeline to stay longer at the Hawkins family home.
As for Andrew, he was swamped with work and had to rush back to Copenhagen in the afternoon.
For now, this matter was settled.
In the afternoon, when picking up Lola, Charlotte sat in the passenger seat, still deep in thought.
Frederick smiled faintly. "Isn't this outcome normal? With Chloe's soft nature, if she hadn't been heartbroken, she would have thrown herself into his arms two years ago."
He pondered for a moment and said, "She's changed a lot in these two years!"
Charlotte felt a wave of tenderness in her heart.
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