SWNOVELS Chapter 210
Holding little Euston in her arms, Ursula playfully teased the baby.
Suddenly, Jocelyn froze in her steps.
Ursula followed her gaze and frowned slightly, "What is he doing here?"
Jocelyn couldn't fathom why she would run into Melvin, along with Zephyr and Yannick, right here of all places.
Upon seeing Jocelyn with a child, Zephyr immediately glanced over at Melvin.
Melvin spared Jocelyn only a fleeting look before walking away with a stony face.
"This..." Zephyr's curiosity was piqued as he kept glancing back at Jocelyn. Then he turned to Melvin, "Did she really have a child with another guy?"
Melvin's face turned sour immediately as if he had bitten into a lemon.
After they left, Ursula whispered, "He must believe the kid is yours and Castiel's."
"It doesn't matter." Jocelyn handed the baby over to the nanny and asked Ursula, "Are you coming back with me?"
"Sure."
"Then you drive." Jocelyn preferred to avoid driving whenever possible.
Ursula pointed at her own car, "What about my car, then?"
"Just have Harrison drive it," Jocelyn suggested.
Ursula's mind clicked, finding the suggestion sensible, "I'll call Harrison to pick me up later tonight."
Jocelyn chuckled as she settled into the back seat, "Quick thinker, aren't you?"
"He's been so busy lately, coming home later and later," Ursula complained as she started the car, "and with the wedding coming up, I can't help but worry. It feels like he's not as keen to marry me as he ought to be."
Jocelyn sensed something was off, "You shouldn't think so. You're about to get married. It's no time for cold feet."
"I don't think he loves me," Ursula said gloomily.
"Nonsense. You're overthinking it. Maybe it's just pre-wedding jitters? If he doesn't love you, why would he want you as his wife for life? Who would propose without being sure?"
Ursula sighed, "Who says marriage is for life nowadays? It's not like you can't change partners."
"Don't talk nonsense," Jocelyn scolded her, "You should be thinking positively, especially now. Can't you just hope for the best?"
"It's not that I don't want to," Ursula said as she smoothly navigated the streets, "but I can feel something's off."
Arriving home, the nanny took Euston to bed and left Jocelyn and Ursula to enjoy their afternoon tea in the sunroom. Jocelyn brewed the coffee, handed a cup to Ursula, "What's really eating at you? Did you and Harrison have a fight?" "No," Ursula sniffed the drink's fragrance and took a delicate sip, finding it sweet and soothing, "It's just an intuition."
"You've been together for years, and you've decided on marriage. Just focus on building a good future together," Jocelyn advised while sipping her coffee, "My own love life may have been a mess, but I still hope my friends can find their happiness."
Ursula smiled at her, "I know."
"You're just too anxious. Maybe it's the hassle of getting married, the fear of not doing everything right. Relax, it'll go smoothly."
"Yeah." Ursula knew she had to manage her emotions.
"By the way, Castiel might not be able to be your best man," Jocelyn mentioned, "He's gone off chasing his love."
Ursula blinked, "His love?"
"Yeah. Euston's mother," Jocelyn said with a smile, "The truth is, you can't just forget the person you truly love."
"That's true," Ursula mused, her eyes dimming, "When love runs deep, time couldn't erase it."
Jocelyn, hearing the undertone in her friend's voice, tried to steer the conversation elsewhere, "You'll have to find a new best man."
"Yeah." Ursula didn't want to dwell on the topic too, "So Castiel's gone to find Euston's mom, and now you're taking care of the kid?"
"Yeah. I'm his mother for now," Jocelyn said with a wry smile, "I never thought that after everything with Castiel, I'd end up helping him raise his son."
Curious, Ursula asked, "How did you two meet, anyway?"
"In my first month at the exchange program, a colleague took me out, and I was harassed by a drunk patron at a bar. Castiel stepped in and helped me out, landed the guy in the hospital for a couple of weeks.' Ursula was shocked, "That intense?"
Jocelyn shook her head, "He was heartbroken and drunk that day. He said if he hadn't been, he might not bother intervening."
"He's quite straightforward," Ursula chuckled, "And that's how you became friends?"
"Yeah. He wanted to settle down there because his girlfriend was from that city. But when she dumped him, he lost interest in everything, and his business collapsed. Later, when he found out she had his son, he got back on his feet. He moved his company back here when he knew I was returning."
Ursula nodded, impressed, "Sounds like a man of conviction."
"I just hope he finds what he's looking for," Jocelyn truly hoped Castiel would reunite with Hermia and live happily as a family ever after.
"But how did you end up as his son's mother?" Ursula was intrigued.
"His girlfriend left the baby at the orphanage and then messaged him. When he went to pick up the child, the orphanage demanded to see a marriage certificate. They only give children to married couples. So, I did a good deed and played along," Jocelyn shrugged, finding the whole saga quite extraordinary.
Ursula finally pieced the entire story together.
After chatting a while longer, Harrison called. Ursula answered and gave him the address. It wasn't long before he arrived.
Euston had just woken up.
Jocelyn went to bring Euston and followed Ursula outside, where Harrison stood at the doorway, his gaze settling on Jocelyn.
Jocelyn was draped in a cozy white cable knit sweater, her hair casually swept up in a bun, cradling the child in a scene of utter warmth. A soft halo of light seemed to emanate from her, casting an aura of serenity and beauty.
"Look at the time! Why don't you two stay for dinner before heading out?" Jocelyn offered, "Lila's already fixing something up in the kitchen."
"Thanks, but no," Ursula said, slipping off her shoes. "I've managed to book a table at a trendy spot downtown for tonight, planning a dinner date with him."
Jocelyn chuckled, "Ah, got it. A romantic evening for two. I won't keep you then."
"Just remember to try on that dress," Ursula reminded her. "If it doesn't fit you, let me know. There's still time for alterations."
"Will do."
"Alright, we're off." Ursula waved goodbye and leaned in to take a peek at Euston. "Hey there, cutie, you treat your mommy well, okay?"
Euston's grape-like eyes fixed on Ursula and suddenly, he flashed a toothless grin.
Ursula was excited, "He smiled at me!"
"He likes you," Jocelyn said, beaming at Euston. "Right, Euston? We should tell Auntie Ursula to have a little one of her own soon so you'll have a playmate, huh?"
At the mention of this, Ursula's cheeks flushed with a rosy hue, gesturing for her to drop the subject.
After all, Harrison was here.
"I'm off," Ursula waved a goodbye, not lingering any longer.
She left without looking back, eager to escape any further baby talk from Jocelyn.
Harrison glanced at Jocelyn and the child in her arms, giving a slight nod, "We should go."
"Sure," Jocelyn lifted Euston's tiny hand to wave, "Say bye-bye to Harrison."
Euston just stared at him.
Harrison cracked a smile, "Bye-bye."
Back in the car, Harrison looked distracted.
He glanced again at Jocelyn, who was standing in the doorway and holding the child.
Ursula caught his gaze and felt a sharp pang in her heart. She finally understood that the feeling she had wasn't unfounded. It had started the moment Jocelyn returned.
"Jocelyn seems really happy now," Ursula said, trying to sound nonchalant.
Harrison realized he had been distracted and quickly started the car, "Yeah."
"Looks like she got her wish," Ursula continued. "Married with a kid before thirty."
Harrison didn't respond this time.
Ursula took a deep breath, looking to the road ahead.
She was feeling a bit wicked, for not revealing to Harrison that Castiel actually wasn't Jocelyn's husband, nor was the child hers.
Ursula had believed that after two years, Harrison had truly fallen for her.
Wedding talks had begun; dates were being discussed. But the moment when Jocelyn appeared, everything seemed to change.