Chapter 478 Sweet Daily Life After Marriage (Part 2)
Andrew chuckled softly when he heard that. "Not into relationships, huh?" Yeah, right!
He thought about the Hughes Family's daughter and wanted to make a joke, but since they hadn't officially met, he held back.
He glanced down and started flipping through the papers on the table.
After a bit, he looked up and said gently, "You haven't told your mom yet, have you? Talk to her when she gets back with Natalie. Honestly, I don't want you studying abroad so soon."
Andrew had missed a few years of Gavin's childhood. Gavin had mostly grown up in Syeattel, and both Andrew and Chloe weren't ready to let him go just yet.
Gavin nodded, about to say something when they heard a car pull up outside.
Andrew waved him off.
Gavin walked out, and Andrew watched his tall frame disappear, his thoughts drifting.
In the courtyard, a pink Cullinan was parked.
Gavin opened the back door gently, revealing a beautiful little girl, about seven or eight, in a pretty dress.
Seeing Gavin, Natalie beamed, "Gavin!"
Gavin bent down and scooped her up. She wrapped her arms around his neck and planted a big kiss on his cheek.
He patted her head softly, "You've gotten taller again!"
Natalie looked up at him, all smiles.
Gavin called out to Chloe and helped her carry a big bouquet of flowers.
After half a month apart, Chloe had missed him too.
The three of them walked and chatted, feeling relaxed and happy.
Gavin helped his mom put things away and then quietly brought up studying abroad. Chloe was trimming flower branches and slowed down when she heard him.
Gavin said softly, "I can come back twice a year! It's just six or seven years."
Chloe silently placed the flowers in the vase.
After a moment, she said quietly, "When you wanted to stay in Syeattel, I agreed because it wasn't far, and your grandparents could take care of you. We could see you anytime! But going abroad for six or seven years, Gavin, your dad isn't young anymore, and Adeline is getting older too."
She couldn't continue and started fiddling with the vase again.
Gavin knew all this. It was because of Andrew's age that he wanted to grow up quickly. As the eldest son of the Devereux Family, the whole family's responsibility was on Andrew's shoulders until Gavin was ready.
He wanted to take over sooner. But for a 16-year-old, these thoughts were hard to express.
The atmosphere got a bit tense.
Natalie tugged at Gavin's sleeve, and he patted her head, "Be good!"
He and Chloe had a good relationship and didn't want to make her sad, so he took a tissue to wipe her tears. Chloe refused, and Gavin paused, "Should I ask Dad to come and comfort you?"
Chloe felt both embarrassed and angry.
Gavin patted Natalie, "Go call Dad and tell him Mom is crying."
Natalie pouted, "What should I say? Should I say it's because of you that Mom is crying?"
Gavin bent down, "Say whatever you want!"
Natalie kissed Chloe and ran out.
Soon, Natalie in her flower dress burst into the study.
As soon as she walked in, she froze. Dad looked like he was crying too. Natalie, usually so carefree, felt the sting of separation for the first time.
She didn't dare go in and just stood at the study door.
Andrew saw her, pulled himself together, and called her over.
Natalie leaned against him, her little hand wiping his face, "Mom's crying too! She can't bear to part with Gavin. Dad, do you not want Gavin to go either?"
Andrew chuckled and picked up his little girl, unsure how to explain it to her.
He hoped Natalie would always stay carefree.
Seeing him quiet, Natalie hugged him softly. "I don't want Gavin to go either."
Andrew sighed lightly. Yeah, he didn't want to let go!
'Gavin would be gone for six or seven years. How many six or seven years do we get in a lifetime? How many more do I and Adeline have?' he thought.
But no matter how short life was, he couldn't stop Gavin from growing up.
Andrew made up his mind. He kissed Natalie and said softly, "We still have you with us."
Natalie nodded vigorously.
She didn't really get what Gavin was going to do, but she could tell he really wanted to go. Natalie supported everything Gavin wanted to do, and she'd have Dad, Mom, and Grandma with her.
She made a decision.
On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, she'd be Natalie.
On Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, she'd be Gavin.
On Sundays, she'd rest!
Andrew looked at her expressive little face, not quite getting what she was thinking. He picked her up and said, "Let's go to the kitchen and see what yummy food we can make today! Gavin's back, so we need to make some of his favorite dishes!"
Natalie was thrilled. Andrew didn't say it, but he really cared for Gavin. Every time Gavin came home for a break, Andrew would cook for him.
They headed to the kitchen.
Andrew placed Natalie on a small chair.
He opened the fridge and picked out a few ingredients.
In half an hour, he had several delicious dishes ready.
At dinner, Gavin came out with Adeline.
The five of them had different expressions.
Gavin, being young, couldn't help but want to speak several times, but Andrew stopped him each time.
He served him some fish, "You look thinner this time. You need to eat well during this break. When you're not with us, Chloe always worries about your meals."
Gavin looked at Andrew.
Andrew pointed at the fish, "Eat up!"
Gavin said, "Thanks, Dad," and glanced at Chloe. Chloe didn't speak, but her eyes were teary.
Adeline personally served her some food and then scolded Andrew, "As you get older, you seem to care less for your wife. You only serve food to Gavin and forget Chloe! Your son will grow up and leave, but Chloe is the one who will be with you for life."
Andrew smiled. "You're right!"
He carefully picked the best piece of fish, removed the bones, and placed it in her bowl, speaking gently, "What's wrong? You haven't said much during this meal. Gavin just got back, and you're already upset. He might overthink it. You know how close he is to you."
Chloe looked at him, then at Adeline.
But she couldn't stay mad because Adeline was helping Andrew comfort her.
Chloe said, "I'm not feeling well!"
Natalie chimed in with a clear voice, "I'll give you a massage later."
Andrew laughed, and Gavin visibly relaxed too.
Late at night, after chatting with Gavin, Andrew headed back to the master bedroom. Chloe had already finished her bath and was lounging on the sofa, reading a science book.
Andrew plopped down beside her, took a peek at her book, then handed it back.
Chloe looked at him.
Andrew smiled gently, "It's been a while since I've seen you like this. Can't bear to part with the kids?"
Chloe kept her gaze on him, and after a long pause, she finally spoke, "I can't bear it, but I'm more worried about you and Adeline."
"Are you saying I'm getting old again?" Andrew smoothed her long hair and thought for a moment before saying, "Adeline made it pretty clear during dinner. She supports Gavin studying abroad! Chloe, I know it's hard for you, and it's hard for me too. But who will support the Devereux Family when I can't keep up in a few years? We have to rely on Gavin. It's good for him to gain experience early. On this, we're both a bit soft, unlike Adeline."
Chloe stared blankly. Andrew's voice became even gentler, "Chloe, Gavin has grown up! We need to learn to let go."
Chloe sighed, "I know! It's just hard to get used to."
Andrew laughed, "We still have Natalie. She's so clingy she won't even want to leave the Devereux Mansion, let alone study abroad. She'll keep you company."
Finally, Chloe's expression softened.
She lightly kicked him, "You said it, so tonight you sleep in the study."
Andrew pinched her cheek, "So heartless? Mrs. Devereux, let me remind you, there are some needs Natalie can't satisfy. Those are still my responsibilities."
He spoke so bluntly that Chloe couldn't handle it.
She pushed him, but after a while, her attitude softened, "Stop it, go check on Adeline! She may seem open-minded, but I think she's the one who can't bear it the most."
Andrew kissed her for a while.
He didn't say anything, just hugged her.
It took them ten years to truly be together.
They've been married for eight years, and this marriage has been indescribably good. Andrew was particularly satisfied.
After a long time, he said softly, "Alright, I'll go check on Adeline and come back after a chat."
Chloe responded with a soft "hmm."
On a summer night, Andrew went out, walked through a few corridors, and arrived at Adeline's courtyard.
Adeline was busy. Upon closer look, she was helping Gavin pack his luggage, muttering something.
Andrew took over from her.
Adeline asked, "Did you comfort Chloe?"
Andrew's eyes were gentle, "She's soft-hearted! A few words of comfort and she's fine. Mainly, she can't bear it. Gavin has been with her since he was little, and their bond is especially deep."
Adeline slowly sat down. She said softly, "She had a hard time back then! Fortunately, you're in good health now, or how would you repay her!"
Adeline spoke, and Andrew listened.
Although Adeline's health had been good in recent years, she was nearly 90 years old. She might not have many years left.
That was why Chloe was so concerned.
Adeline knew this too. She gently patted Andrew's hand, "It's not worth worrying about! Gavin is smart and eager to learn, like Frederick. He might do great things in business, and we can't hold him back."
Andrew quickly agreed and sat quietly by Adeline, who didn't say anything more.
After a long pause, Adeline suddenly said, "Andrew, in a few days, accompany me to Syeattel! Just the two of us. I want to see your sister. It's been a long time since I visited her grave."
Andrew's eyes grew moist. He said softly, "Alright, I'll arrange the time and go with you! Don't worry, Frederick and the others would tend to her grave regularly, and Maria visits her from time to time."
Adeline nodded, "Maria is a good person!"
Late at night, Andrew left.
Adeline lay in bed, quietly. In this life, she had lost love and her daughter, but God had compensated her in many ways.
Chloe was Andrew's wife, but she was also a daughter sent by God!
Andrew once thought he would never have children and would remain unmarried for life. Now, he had Gavin to take over the Devereux Family and Natalie, who was so adorable, to fill the void left by Charlotte's absence.
She should be content!
At Syeattel International Airport, a flight to the Azurea Empire took off, sunlight glinting off the silver-gray wings. It was dazzling.
Andrew and Chloe, Frederick and Charlotte, stood side by side, watching the plane disappear into the sky.
Chloe's eyes were filled with tears.
Andrew patiently comforted her, "We agreed not to cry when he left, so why can't you hold back now?"
Chloe lowered her head.
Frederick turned his head, looking at the tearful Chloe.
He wanted to tease them, but Charlotte glared at him and then gently said, "Don't worry, he and Johnny will look out for each other. Besides, Frederick goes there on business every couple of months."
Chloe complained that Andrew didn't have a branch in the Azurea Empire.
Andrew sighed, "Then let's move our business there!"
Chloe thought about it and decided against it.
Time flew by, and ten years passed in a flash.
In the early morning in Syeattel, on the top floor of a high-end apartment, a phone kept ringing incessantly beside the pillow in a quiet bedroom.
A young, handsome man sat up impatiently.
In the morning light, his chest, abs, broad shoulders, and the curve from his waist to his hips were all filled with strength and beauty, making one's heart race.
He looked at the caller ID and his expression tightened, "Dad!"
On the other end was Andrew, already dressed and sitting in the CEO's office, instructing Gavin, "This Saturday, your mom and I will come to Syeattel. Prepare for the meeting with Miss Hughes."
Gavin frowned. This marriage had been mentioned when he was 16. He didn't oppose it then, but over the years, he had almost forgotten about it. Being reminded now made him a bit unhappy.
Andrew was a bit displeased. He lowered his voice, "This was decided earlier! Whether or not you like that girl, you have to meet her. You might end up liking her! Gavin, Chloe has always been worried about your marriage. Why haven't you had a girlfriend at 26?"
Gavin grabbed a towel and wrapped it around his waist.
He was about to hang up when there was movement on the bed behind him. A slender, white arm stretched out from under the thin blanket.
A young girl turned over. Her delicate face pressed against the white pillow, long hair covering half of her face, but it was clear she was very beautiful.
There were kiss marks on her exposed slender shoulder. Clearly, they were left by Gavin in the throes of passion the night before.
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