SWNOVELS Chapter 222
Daisy called Jocelyn and asked her to come over for a family lunch in the morning. They would be heading back to the town later that afternoon. Jocelyn didn't want to leave Yasmine out, so she invited her to join them.
But Yasmine didn't want to intrude on a family meal, so she made up an excuse to decline the offer.
"Would you mind looking after Euston for me then?" Jocelyn asked.
The neighborhood was bustling with people returning home for the holidays, and it was a bit cumbersome to bring a child along.
Yasmine was surprised, considering it was a visit to the child's grandparents, but she agreed happily.
"You trust me enough to leave your kid with me? I'm flattered," Yasmine said with a smile. "You're not worried I might run off with him?" Jocelyn paused and then laughed, "No, you wouldn't do that."
"Is that trust in me, or trust in Melvin?" Yasmine teased.
"I trust you," Jocelyn affirmed.
Holding Euston, Yasmine beamed with gratitude. "Thanks for your trust."
"It's me who should thank you," said Jocelyn genuinely.
"You enjoy your time with your family, and I'll take great care of Euston." Yasmine replied.
"Thanks."
Jocelyn and Quinta drove off. Holding the child, Yasmine called Melvin to pick them up for an outing.
When Melvin arrived, he was puzzled. "Why did she dump the kid on you?"
"I'm clueless," admitted Yasmine. "Maybe she just wanted some quiet time with her parents."
Melvin wasn't convinced.
Without overthinking it, Yasmine suggested, "Let's hit the zoo."
"Isn't the kid sick?"
"He was better last night, no vomiting or anything. And if we stick to the indoor exhibits, we should be fine." Yasmine bundled up Euston in warm clothes, handed him over to Melvin and packed the essentials. Watching her bustling about, Melvin couldn't help but remark, "You're so good with kids, why not have another one?"
"With whom?" Yasmine checked her bag one last time before zipping it up.
"Anyone you fancy."
Yasmine scoffed, "Forget it. I'll just wait for you to get hitched and have kids, then I'll babysit for you."
"You might not be up for it by then."
Yasmine glared at him, "Have some ambition."
Cradling Euston, Melvin felt an uncomfortable twinge in his chest.
He couldn't imagine wanting to have a child with anyone.
Even the thought of a woman other than Jocelyn getting close to him was enough to make him feel physically ill.
At the zoo, Euston was fascinated by the animals, his eyes wide and gleeful sounds escaping his lips now and then.
Yasmine held the child, and Melvin snapped photos. When Yasmine got tired, Melvin would take over, and she sent some pictures to Jocelyn.
Jocelyn was in the kitchen helping with the cooking when her phone buzzed. She checked it immediately, worried about Euston.
The photos from Yasmine showed Melvin holding Euston, pointing out a tiger, the child's face alight with curiosity.
Melvin's gaze was tender and full of an indescribable emotion as he looked at Euston.
There were many photos, each one revealing Melvin's kind-hearted nature.
Peering over Jocelyn's shoulder at the photos, Quinta was impressed. "He's good with the baby. He'll make a great dad someday." Jocelyn stepped away and put down her phone, "Maybe."
Perhaps it was the maturity that came with age, but everything seemed just right.
The impatience of youth had faded, and everyone had learned restraint.
After the meal, Jocelyn drove them to the train station and watched them go through the checkpoint before returning to her car.
She called Yasmine to ask where they were.
The address Yasmine gave left her stunned.
Wasn't that Melvin's old hangout spot?
Why would they take a child to a place like that?
Jocelyn didn't ask questions. She just drove to the location.
Entering the club, she was dumbfounded.
The usually raucous crowd was quietly playing cards, speaking in hushed tones, and there was no smoke or alcohol in sight.
The table was laden with candy and toys. Euston was sound asleep, nestled in a pile of coats on a couch.
Jocelyn was bewildered.
The card players looked up at her, and she stared back at them in confusion.
Melvin put down his cards and asked, "Ready to go?"
Jocelyn gestured at Euston and asked, "How long has he been asleep?"
"Just a bit," Melvin replied. "If you're not in a rush, maybe wait it out."
Jocelyn nodded, deciding to let the child sleep.
She sat by Euston, noticing Melvin's coat draped over him.
The thought of Melvin carefully covering Euston with his coat softened Jocelyn's heart.
It was touching to see these young men sacrificing their own joy for a child's sleep.
Where Yasmine had wandered off to didn't matter.
Deep down, Jocelyn still trusted Melvin.
Aside from matters of the heart, he was reliable.
Watching the silent card game, Jocelyn found the situation amusing, wondering who had the idea to play this silent version and how they were managing without a peep.
Her eyes often drifted to Melvin. Dressed in a black sweater, his sharp features were still strikingly handsome.
It must have been nerves or perhaps sheer frustration that caused the cards to fly across the room with more fanfare than intended. Melvin shot a chilling glance in the direction of the commotion, and the offender was quick to cradle the deck in both hands, casting a nervous glance towards Jocelyn.
Jocelyn played it cool, relieved she hadn't drawn attention to herself.
She cleared her throat and said, "You know, a regular volume is fine, guys. Kids don't need to sleep in complete silence. They should get used to some noise around."
Her words seemed to breathe a collective sigh of relief into the group.
Only Melvin scanned the room, his voice low, "Keep it down, though."
"Got it, Melvin," the rebuked player muttered, not daring to push back.
After watching them tiptoe around a silent game of cards, Jocelyn couldn't help but feel a twinge of sympathy.
Thankfully, little Euston woke up.
He didn't cry or fuss, just started kicking his chubby legs and gazing around with big eyes.
"Awake, huh?" Jocelyn cooed, gently tapping the tot's cheek before setting Melvin's jacket aside and scooping Euston into her arms. "Did you have fun today?"
Euston's response was a beaming smile.
Seeing this, Jocelyn chuckled. "Looks like you had a great time."
"Of course he did, with his dad," someone chimed in, sounding as though a gag had just been removed. He continued in a sucking-up tone, "Jocelyn, you should just let Melvin take care of the kiddo more often. It's quite a show watching him all tied up in knots."
Jocelyn's gaze settled on Melvin, waiting for an explanation.
Instead of explaining, Melvin tossed the cards at the speaker and frowned, "Shut up!"
He grabbed his things and stood up. "Let's go, I'll drive you home."
Jocelyn noticed his embarrassed expression and followed him out of the club.
"Where's your car?" Melvin asked her.
Jocelyn pointed it out.
"Keys," Melvin said, reaching out his hand.
With Euston in one arm, Jocelyn fumbled with her purse.
Seeing her struggle, Melvin didn't hesitate to delve into her bag and found the keys. He didn't give Jocelyn a second glance as he opened the car door, stashed their stuff, and then motioned to her, "Get in." A strange familiarity washed over Jocelyn.
Maybe she'd seen something similar with others, or perhaps it was a fragment of her dreams.
They were acting like any ordinary family of three, nothing out of the ordinary, yet with an air of happiness that seemed to surround them.