Chapter 376 The Father Rises with the Son's Success
Nathaniel called Ted and asked a few questions but didn't mention bringing the kids over.
In the past, he often upset Reed at the hospital, so Reed eventually forbade him from visiting, saying it made him feel worse. Nathaniel would sneak around the hospital hallways, peeking in and chatting with the doctors about Reed's condition.
This time, he felt he might earn some good remarks from his grandfather.
The car stopped at the hospital.
Nathaniel opened the door and carried the two kids out, holding their hands. Dorothy was cooperative and let her dad hold her hand. Jacob, however, ran to Aurelia's side, so in the end, each parent held one child's hand as they walked toward the inpatient building.
At that moment, Reed had just finished his IV drip, with a bandage still on his hand.
Ted was earnestly persuading him, "Reed, have some oatmeal, or your stomach will feel uncomfortable later."
The meal from the Heilbronn Villa kitchen was kept warm, but Reed had no appetite in the morning, his throat sore from coughing, so he only took a few bites and left it.
"Just leave it there; I'll eat it when I get hungry."
Ted looked troubled, "You always brush me off like this. It's been over an hour, and you still won't eat. How will your body recover if you don't eat?"
Reed, annoyed, said in a calm voice, "Ted, you're getting old and naggier. Doesn't your wife find you annoying?"
Reed shook his head and complained, "If my wife were still alive, she wouldn't be as naggy as you. But alas, I'm not far from reuniting with her at my age."
Ted thought Reed was talking nonsense again, "Reed, you haven't even held your great-grandchildren yet. When you do, you can tell your wife all about it when you reunite."
Mentioning his great-grandchildren brought a smile to Reed's weary face.
"You're right. If I don't tell her, she'll be mad at me. I need to hold my two great-grandkids first."
Reed fell into a brief reverie, as if imagining the scene of meeting the kids, "Ted, do you think those kids will like an old man like me?"
"Oh, come on, you're their great-grandfather. How could they not like you? I see that Aurelia has raised them very well; they're very polite."
Reed nodded with satisfaction, "That's true. I personally chose Aurelia as my granddaughter-in-law. I've lived long enough to know I didn't make a mistake."
As they were chatting, there was a knock on the door. Reed quickly lay down.
"At this hour, it must be Matthew and his family. Tell them to go back; say I'm asleep and not seeing anyone."
Reed closed his eyes and pretended to sleep. Ted responded and went to the door to handle it. When he opened the door, he was momentarily stunned to see two little kids peeking through the crack. He quickly stepped aside, too excited to speak coherently.
He had been with Reed every day and knew how much he longed to hold his great-grandchildren. If Nathaniel hadn't mentioned on the phone that he would arrange a suitable time for a meeting, Reed would have sneaked off to see the kids long ago.
"Master, Madam, why is it you?" Ted was so excited he could hardly speak, "Quick, let the little ones in!"
Jacob tugged on Aurelia's hand and asked, "Mommy, is Great-grandpa inside?"
"Yes, he is. You two should greet him in a moment."
Jacob blinked and said, "I know. Daddy said Great-grandpa loves Mommy, so anyone who likes Mommy, I will like too."
Inside, Reed had just lain down and covered himself when he heard the voices outside. He sat up abruptly, thinking he heard a child calling him great-grandpa. He strained to listen but heard nothing more.
He wondered if his old ears were playing tricks on him. Feeling a bit lost, Reed sat there, sighing and laughing at himself. What was he getting excited about? Nathaniel had said he would arrange a suitable time for a meeting. If the kids were coming, that rascal would have called ahead.
Reed picked up his phone, dazed for a moment, and decided to call his grandson to ask when he would bring the kids over. He wanted to see his great-grandchildren before he died; otherwise, how could he face his wife's spirit?
As he dialed, the phone rang outside.
Nathaniel didn't hang up or answer the call; he just walked in holding Dorothy's hand.
Reed's hospital room was a suite, separated by two doors. As the ringing got closer, Reed realized it was Nathaniel outside.
Annoyed, he said, "It's the weekend, and you're not chasing after Aurelia. Why do you keep coming here? It's just an old ailment, nothing serious. Didn't I tell you..."
Before he could finish, Nathaniel walked in with Dorothy, followed by Aurelia holding Jacob's hand. The whole family appeared in the room.
Reed was momentarily stunned, looking at the adults and then the kids. These two cuties looked like both their parents. Who else could they be but his two precious great-grandchildren?
Reed's eyes reddened with emotion. Aurelia squeezed Jacob's chubby hand, and the little one immediately understood, cheerfully calling out, "Hello, Great-grandpa!"
Dorothy followed suit, "Hello, Great-grandpa!"
"Yes, yes!"
Reed responded excitedly, instinctively reaching into his pocket but finding it empty. He had prepared gifts for the kids long ago, but he hadn't brought them to the hospital, not expecting to see them.
Reed felt a bit regretful but was mostly overjoyed. "Come, let me hold you!"
The two kids weren't shy and had a good initial impression of their great-grandpa. They walked up to the bed.
Reed touched Dorothy's little pigtails and pinched Jacob's cheeks, overjoyed and forgetting everyone else in the room. He wanted to hold the two little ones but found himself too weak to lift them.
Dorothy, being observant, noticed her great-grandpa's struggle and felt a bit disappointed. She said in a cute voice, "Great-grandpa, I weigh fourty pounds now. Even Daddy can't lift me."
This was clearly to comfort Reed. Who would believe that Nathaniel couldn't lift a fourty-pound child?
Reed, comforted, couldn't help but smile, "You two little ones, tell me, are you going to preschool?"
Jacob eagerly answered, "Great-grandpa, my sister and I are starting preschool soon."
Reed kept saying, "Good."
Reed put on his shoes and slowly moved to the sofa, holding each child's hand, reluctant to let go. Once seated, he placed the kids on his lap, finally holding his great-grandchildren.
At his age, he had no regrets. He could now face his late wife with peace. "Ted, go get the gifts I prepared for the kids."
Ted was bringing out the reheated meal and took the opportunity to ask, "Reed, why don't you eat first? I can take the lunchbox back too."
Reed waved him off. This talkative butler didn't understand. He had finally held his great-grandchildren; who cared about eating now?
"No, no!"
Dorothy pouted, "Great-grandpa, it's not good to skip meals. The teacher says eating well and not being picky helps you grow tall."
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
