SWNOVELS Chapter 219
Jocelyn found Yasmine, who was cradling Euston in her arms. The little one had succumbed to sleep.
"What's going on?" Jocelyn whispered.
"Acute gastroenteritis," Yasmine replied, her voice tinged with worry. "They've taken blood samples for testing. Looks like some bacterial and viral infection. We're still waiting on the results."
The words 'acute gastroenteritis' made Jocelyn's heart sink. "How could he have gotten that?"
"Don't stress too much, Jocelyn. The doctors here are top-notch. Euston's gonna be just fine," Yasmine reassured her.
Jocelyn wanted so badly to believe that. It tore her apart seeing Euston so young and already facing such pain.
Watching Jocelyn's eyes glisten with unshed tears, Melvin remembered the time when Yasmine was giving birth to Preston. She was in agony and had to go with a C-section.
Melvin had shed tears for Yasmine himself when she was undergoing pains.
As Preston grew, he had his share of childhood illnesses. The first-time mom Yasmine was often at a loss. If it hadn't been for Zachary's support, Melvin wasn't sure how she would have coped alone. Now, seeing Jocelyn so distraught, a heaviness settled in his chest.
Without him and Yasmine to support her, what would she do?
That guy was just so irresponsible.
How could the woman he once loved to his core be treated this way?
There was a moment when Melvin wished that Castiel would just disappear into the South Myst region for good.
If a man can't be a decent husband or father, what's the point of him sticking around?
After a long wait, Jocelyn went to get the test results.
"Sit, Jocelyn, I'll get it," Melvin offered.
Jocelyn handed him Euston's health insurance card and Melvin headed to the results kiosk.
Once he had the report, he sought out the doctor. After reviewing it, the doctor said it was acute gastroenteritis brought on by a chill-a common ailment easily treated with the right medication. With the temperature dropping, even a sunny stroll outside with a child could lead to catching a cold.
Melvin collected the medicine and handed it to Jocelyn before offering Yasmine a hand. "Let me hold him."
Yasmine glanced at Jocelyn, uncertain if she wanted Melvin to touch the child.
Jocelyn said nothing, and Melvin took it as consent.
He shot Yasmine a look-trust was apparently still an issue even with his own sister.
Did she think he'd run off with the child?
Holding Euston, Melvin led the way to the car, with Yasmine and Jocelyn trailing behind.
"Can't believe Melvin's actually holding a child," Yasmine muttered sarcastically.
Jocelyn watched as Melvin handled Euston, his movements careful but not entirely awkward.
"He's got a good hold," Jocelyn noted.
"Yeah, he had plenty of practice when Preston was little," Yasmine chuckled. "He claims he doesn't like kids, but he'll play along just fine if you give him one." Jocelyn smiled slightly.
As they reached the car, Melvin turned to them.
Jocelyn understood the cue and hurried to open the door.
"Here, I'll hold him."
"You get in first."
Once Jocelyn was seated, Melvin leaned into the car and transferred Euston into her arms carefully.
They were close, their breaths mingling unexpectedly.
If it weren't for the child between them, Melvin wasn't sure what he might do.
Jocelyn settled Euston down and cleared her throat, signaling Melvin should back away now.
He gave her a lingering look before stepping out, taking a deep breath.
Yasmine, understanding his inner turmoil, rolled her eyes and took the passenger seat.
"Hold on a sec," Yasmine said suddenly. "I have a dress on hold at that boutique over there, they called me a few days ago to pick it up. Just stop there and wait for me, it'll only take a few minutes." Melvin dutifully drove down the road Yasmine had indicated.
Jocelyn was nervous, knowing the route was close to the place where Ursula was having her wedding.
She hoped the guests would have dispersed by now, fearing an awkward encounter.
When the car stopped, Yasmine got out, while Jocelyn stayed put, feeling a bit awkward alone in the back with a sleeping child.
Yasmine called Melvin. "I need a little alteration done, it might take some time. Go ahead and drop Jocelyn off first."
Melvin muttered something before restarting the car.
As they drove past the wedding place, Jocelyn spotted Ursula and Harrison saying goodbye to guests, including her own parents. Keegan and Elise were there too.
She knew how much Daisy had fancied Harrison. It was just unfortunate how things turned out.
Waiting at a red light, Melvin also noticed the crowd, a picture of harmony.
"Your parents must be pretty hurt," he said out of the blue.
Jocelyn's gaze returned to meet his in the rear-view mirror.
Melvin's lips quirked into a lonely smile. "On another note, has your current husband met your parents yet? And, his parents are they around? Why aren't they helping you with the kid?" These questions were like daggers to Jocelyn.
"The holidays are coming. If your husband doesn't show up, you'll have to take him to visit your parents, right?" Melvin pressed the accelerator as the traffic light turned green, his questions unrelenting. "Your parents seem pretty traditional. They were so eager for you to marry and have kids, they shouldn't be okay with you handling it all on your own."
Jocelyn feared where Melvin's train of thought might lead to. The more questions he asked, the more excuses should she find for her story.
She felt staying silent was the best defense.
Noting her silence, Melvin's unreadable expression screamed volumes. He felt excluded, even if she was sitting in the passenger seat of his car right now.
The tension hung between them noticeably.
Suddenly, her phone buzzed to life, breaking the uncomfortable quiet.
Euston was still napping peacefully in the backseat.
Jocelyn quickly snatched up her phone, her heart skipping a beat when she saw the caller ID.
It was Calvin.
A wave of anxiety washed over her, but she answered the call regardless.
"Hey, Dad," she whispered, careful not to stir the slumbering child.
"Have you sorted out your stuff yet? Quinta and her parents are coming over tonight. Your mom and I are planning to head back to the town with them tomorrow. We're visiting your grandparents' grave the day after. What are your plans?" he inquired.
The sudden mention of family plans caught Jocelyn off-guard.
"Is it for Christmas back home?" she asked, her voice barely above a murmur.
"Yeah," Calvin confirmed. "Your mom's been missing the old traditions, thought we'd celebrate it there since it's been a few years."
Faced with the raw sentiment in her father's voice, Jocelyn found it impossible to refuse.
She'd have to break the news to them about the child.
"Have you guys been back home?" she asked.
"Just stepped through the front door."
"I'll come over in a bit to talk," she resolved.
"Alright."
Ending the call, Jocelyn turned to Melvin. "Would you mind dropping me off at my parents' place?"
Melvin hadn't caught the specifics of the conversation, but the mere mention of "Christmas back home" gave him a clue about the nature of the call.
Without probing further, he drove straight to her parents' suburban neighborhood.
Parking the car, Melvin got out and opened the back door, offering his assistance. "Let me help with the baby."
Jocelyn, still not quite ready to exit the car herself, handed Euston over to him.
After Melvin cradled the child, Jocelyn stepped out and took him back into her arms.
"Do you need me to wait here?" Melvin asked, uncertain.
Unsure of how long the family inquisition would last, Jocelyn shook her head. "No need, thanks."
Melvin, aware that his presence in her life was now a closed chapter, didn't insist. He simply nodded in return.
"The medicine is in the back," Jocelyn reminded him to give her the medication she had left there.
Handing her the medicine, Melvin asked, "Need any help?"
"It's fine," she said, taking the bag from him.
All of a sudden, Melvin's gaze fixed on someone past Jocelyn's shoulder.
Oblivious, Jocelyn murmured a "thank you" and turned around. The she found herself locking eyes with Calvin, who had just stepped out to take out the trash.