Chapter 44 Xavier Departs
"I can." Gabriel nodded, "Xavier, I promise you."
"Good," Xavier replied with a contented smile. "That puts me at ease. Please get the lass and bring her in."
Jessica was the last to enter. At the door, she furiously wiped away her tears. She knew Xavier wanted to see her smile, wanted nothing less than to see her cry. So, she had to hold back; she couldn't cry, she absolutely could not cry.
Jessica fought to compose herself. Forcing a smile, she approached Xavier and took his hand. "Xavier, it's me, Jessica."
She'd been keeping up a brave front, continuously reminding herself to smile. She had to show Xavier her best side—to cheer him up, to keep him from worrying. But the moment she spoke, tears betrayed her, streaming down her face.
"Lass, don't cry. Birth, aging, sickness, and death, it’s the natural order of things we all face. Grandpa is just a step ahead. After I'm gone, you're the one whom I'm going to worry about the most."
Jessica held his hand tightly, shaking her head with all her might, "No, Xavier, I don't want you to go, I need you to stay with me."
"We had plans, remember? I was going to take you out for more adventures. I still owe you that promise. How can you leave me behind?" Her sobbing was so fierce it left her gasping for breath, unable to accept what was happening. It all felt like an unreal dream that would end as soon as she woke.
"Lass, Grandpa knows. You've always been haunted by the way Gabriel married you, thinking it wasn't his choice, so you're disappointed. But Grandpa wants you to know that sometimes the journey isn’t what’s important—it's the outcome that matters."
"Have you always believed that I arranged your marriage to Gabriel just to repay a debt?" Xavier added.
She nodded, "Yes. That had indeed been her belief all along.
Xavier shook his head, "When you and your mother saved me, everyone thought I was merely settling his debt by having you marry Gabriel. But if it were just about repayment, there were a thousand other ways I could've done so—I could give you money, luxury cars, mansions, shares... so much more. But do you know why I specifically chose this path?"
Jessica shook her head, silently listening.
"Because this was the only way to ensure your lifelong happiness. Tying your future to Gabriel’s was the most reliable option.
"Of course, Grandpa was also being selfish. Throughout these years, I've come across all kinds of women. You are the most compatible match for Gabriel; Diana was never right for him. They wouldn't be happy together—that girl has impure motives, wanting too much.
"But Jessica, you're different. You are kind, innocent, never one to fight for more than you need.
"Remember what I said," Xavier mused with a hopeful grin. "Someday, Gabriel will see what a catch you are. He'll come around, fall for you, and before you know it, you'll be having a brood of little chubby-cheeked kids. Just make sure you invite Grandpa Xavier for a drink."
"Of course, Xavier," she promised, her laughter ringing through the air, "I won't forget."
With a gentle pat on her hand and a breath that seemed to hang on, Xavier continued, "Times might be tough now, but marriage is about riding out the storms together. Take Granpa Xavier's word; happiness will find you two.
"The Walton Family was my crowning achievement, built from the ground up. You've seldom heard me speak of Grandma; she passed away many years ago. But she was the love of my life. Intelligent, graceful, wise, kind. The Walton Family's success? It's all thanks to her unwavering support.
"As long as she was with me, I had peace of mind.
"But life turned bittersweet. Our fortunes grew, but so did her illness. In the end, I couldn't keep her by my side. Having held on this long to her last breath, I should be by her side now."
Xavier's eyes softened with a tender smile. For the first time, a doting, blissful smile filled Xavier's eyes, and Jessica caught it.
"You must have loved Grandma deeply," Jessica observed.
"Yes," Xavier nodded, lost in a sea of memories. "Loved her very, very much."
"Just like you, I miss her terribly. Now, it's my turn to chase after my love. The thought of joining her brings me joy." With that, Xavier appeared utterly spent.
Jessica poured a glass of water for him and watched as he sipped and then rested, closing his weary eyes. Jessica stared at his peaceful face, fear gripping her heart, but she couldn’t bring herself to speak or even move—an agonizing, silent wait.
Minutes dragged by until Xavier's eyes fluttered open again, and he labored to say, "Jessica, I left a key with Timothy for you. It'll open the second drawer. Inside, you'll find a letter from me. I've put everything into that letter since I can’t do much now."
"I'll read it as soon as I get home, Xavier," she pledged, her head nodding vigorously even as tears streamed unchecked.
"Lass, don't cry. Granpa's all right," he soothed.
"Okay." Jessica hurriedly wiped away her tears, forcing a smile. "I'll be strong, just like you said, Xavier. I won’t cry."
“Grandpa Xavier, Jessica has a secret she wants to share with you, too,” Jessica said, clearly taken aback.
Leaning in close to Xavier's ear, Jessica whispered with tender affection, “Xavier, I've been deeply in love with Gabriel for so many years, and my love for him is boundless. I promise that I'll cherish our marriage forever."
“And there's more…” Jessica placed her hand gently on her belly, her eyes gleaming with a soft radiance as she beamed a brilliant smile. “Xavier, I'm pregnant.”
At those words, Xavier's eyes immediately sparkled with an intense brightness, bursting with excitement.
Perhaps overwhelmed by the moment, Xavier's lips trembled, leaving him unable to speak for quite some time.
Yet, it was evident he was overjoyed.
Sensing his burgeoning question, Jessica took his hand firmly, her eyes earnest as she reassured him, “It's true, Xavier, I'm not deceiving you… it's been nearly two months.”
“Xavier, I'll heed your advice, take good care of our baby, and protect our home,” she promised.
After a moment absorbed in elation, Xavier finally uttered, “Okay.”
Once his excitement ebbed, Xavier took a deep breath, appearing completely spent. Jessica understood that the inevitable was upon them. The room was jolted by the sharp sound of medical alarms, and everyone rushed in.
Xavier offered one final, serene glance to those around him before his hands fell to his sides, and he peacefully closed his eyes forever.
As he departed, a faint smile graced his lips.
The doctors fought valiantly to save him but to no avail. The doctor declared the time of death, noting that Xavier passed away peacefully, likely content within.
But that did little to fill the void in her heart or quell her grief. Jessica sat motionless, like a wooden statue, devoid of any movement. Her hands were still, her body inert, not even her eyelids flickered – she was a living sculpture.
The reality of it all was too much to grasp, leaving her suspended in disbelief.
It wasn't until Danielle embraced her, crying out loudly, “Jessica, sweetheart, say something, don't scare Mom,” that the silence broke.
