Chapter 579 Accompany the Child
"Mom, just give me a little more time, I swear I'll..."
"Nope." Sophia cut George off. "From now on, the kids aren't setting foot in the Russell Villa. As for visitation rights, we'll settle that in court."
Lucas looked up at George, tears welling in his eyes. "Dad, does that mean we won't see you anymore?"
Those words hit George like a ton of bricks. He hugged Lucas and Seraphine tightly. "No way, I promise you, that won't happen."
George stood up, lifting Seraphine in one arm and holding Lucas's hand with the other. "How about we go out and have some fun today?"
Lucas's eyes lit up. "Really?"
"Absolutely." George turned to Sophia, his eyes pleading. "Mom, I'll handle things with my mom. Please, just give me a chance to make it up to the kids. Just for today, let me spend time with them."
Sophia looked at Lucas and Seraphine's hopeful eyes and finally sighed. "Have them back by eight tonight."
"Thank you." George felt a weight lift off his shoulders. "So, where do you guys want to go?"
"The amusement park!" Seraphine cheered, her earlier sadness vanishing.
"Alright, the amusement park it is." George kissed Seraphine's forehead and looked at Lucas. "What about you, Lucas? What do you want to do?"
"Roller coaster," Lucas said quietly, then added, "But Seraphine is afraid of heights. We can do the carousel first."
George's heart warmed. Lucas was always so considerate of Seraphine, even though he didn't say much.
At Sunshine Amusement Park, George rode the carousel with Lucas and Seraphine, choosing a pink horse at Seraphine's request. At the ice cream stand, he patiently waited while Lucas debated between chocolate and strawberry. In the haunted house, when Seraphine clung to him in fear, he held her close and comforted her softly.
"Dad, I want to ride that!" Seraphine pointed to the towering Ferris wheel.
George was surprised. "Aren't you afraid of heights?"
"Not with you here, I'm not!" Seraphine said confidently.
So, the three of them climbed into a transparent Ferris wheel cabin. As they reached the top, the entire city spread out below them. Lucas pressed his face to the window, a rare look of excitement on his face. "Dad, is that our house over there?"
Seraphine clutched George's hand tightly. "Dad, I'm so happy. Can you play with us like this more often?"
George pulled Seraphine and Lucas into a hug. "I promise, from now on, we'll have a day just for us every week. How does that sound?"
"Pinky promise!" Seraphine held out her little finger.
George solemnly hooked his pinky with hers and then looked at Lucas. The boy hesitated, but then extended his finger too. Their fingers intertwined, forming a warm promise under the setting sun.
After leaving the amusement park, George took the hungry kids to the city's most famous upscale restaurant, Skyline Restaurant. As they entered the lobby, he noticed a familiar figure—Celeste was talking to the manager at the front desk.
"The meal needs to be light but high in protein," Celeste's voice carried over.
George was about to avoid her, but Seraphine had already recognized her. "Celeste!"
Celeste turned around, clearly surprised to see George with Seraphine and Lucas. She was holding an elegant insulated lunch box with the Skyline Restaurant's gold logo.
"George?" Celeste's gaze lingered on Seraphine and Lucas before returning to George. "What are you doing here?"
"Hey, Celeste!" Seraphine greeted sweetly, while Lucas nodded politely.
George gently patted Seraphine and Lucas on the shoulders. "We just came from the amusement park and were about to grab some dinner." His eyes fell on the lunch box in Celeste's hand. "What's that?"
Celeste hesitated. "It's a nutritious meal for Emma. The doctor said she needs light but nutritious food for her recovery."
"I'll take it to her," George offered suddenly. "I can bring the kids to see her, too."
Celeste looked at him uncertainly. "But..."
"Uncle George, I miss Mom so much," Seraphine said, her eyes full of worry. "Can we go see her, please?"
George knelt down and gently smoothed Seraphine's hair. "Alright, I'll take you to see Mom. But you have to promise me, no making noise in the hospital, okay?"
Seraphine nodded immediately, and Lucas clutched George's jacket nervously.
Celeste watched the scene and finally relented. "Alright, thank you." She handed the lunchbox to George.
Outside the VIP room, George held the lunch box in one hand and Seraphine's hand in the other. Lucas obediently followed, gripping George's suit jacket.
Through the glass window on the door, George saw a scene that made his heart stop. Michael was sitting by the bed, gently adjusting Emma's pillow. Sunlight streamed through the curtains, casting a warm glow over them, creating a picture that was almost painfully serene.
"Uncle George, why aren't we going in?" Seraphine tugged at his hand, confused.
George took a deep breath and forced a smile. "We're going in now."
He knocked lightly on the door before pushing it open. Both Emma and Michael turned to look at him, and Emma's smile froze when she saw him.
"George?" Her voice was awkward, and her eyes quickly shifted to Seraphine and Lucas. "Seraphine, Lucas."
"Mom!" Seraphine broke free from George's hand and ran towards the bed, only to be intercepted by Michael.
"Seraphine, be careful. Mom is hurt and can't handle you jumping on her," Michael said gently, lifting Seraphine and kissing her cheek. "Did you miss Dad?"
George's fists clenched at his sides. He watched as Seraphine naturally wrapped her arms around Michael's neck and sweetly called him "Dad," feeling as if an invisible hand was squeezing his heart.
"Dad, does Mom still hurt?" Seraphine asked worriedly.
"Mom will be better soon," Michael reassured her, ruffling her hair and casting a challenging look at George.
Lucas stood still, confused by the scene. He tugged at George's hand. "Dad?"
George knelt and hugged Lucas. "Lucas, go see Mom with Seraphine, okay?"
The atmosphere in the room became tense. Emma leaned against the headboard, her brow furrowing as she watched the scene unfold.
"George, why are you here?" She tried to keep her voice calm.
George held up the lunchbox. "Celeste asked me to bring you dinner." He walked to the bed, deliberately standing opposite Michael.
Michael interrupted. "Emma needs rest. We can discuss this later." He reached for the lunchbox. "Thanks for bringing it, but you can leave now."
George's jaw tightened. "I'm not leaving until I see my kids spend some time with their mom."
Emma sighed, looking between the two men. "Michael, it's okay. Let them stay for a bit."
Michael's eyes narrowed, but he stepped back, allowing George to place the lunch box on the bedside table.
"Thanks, George," Emma said softly, trying to ease the tension. "Kids, come sit with me."
Seraphine and Lucas climbed onto the bed carefully, each taking one of Emma's hands. George stood by, watching them with a mix of pride and sadness.
"How was the amusement park?" Emma asked, her voice gentle.
"It was awesome!" Seraphine exclaimed. "We went on the carousel and the Ferris wheel!"
Lucas nodded. "And we got ice cream. I had chocolate."
Emma smiled, her eyes softening. "I'm glad you had fun."
George took a step back, giving them space but staying close enough to be part of the moment. He caught Michael's eye, and for a brief second, they shared a look of understanding. Despite their differences, they both cared deeply for the same family.
As the kids chatted excitedly with Emma, George felt a glimmer of hope. Maybe, just maybe, they could find a way to make this work.
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