SWNOVELS Chapter 228
Christmas Eve had wrapped the city in a festive mood.
Jocelyn sat at the dining table, silently savoring the comfort of the feast well prepared by Melvin. There was a mix of feelings tugging at her heartstrings.
In the play mat, little Euston was happily entertaining himself, while Melvin and Jocelyn sat opposite each other, enveloped in a silence that bespoke of years of shared life. Breaking the quiet, Melvin ventured, "I'll do my best to sort out Castiel's situation. Don't worry."
Jocelyn nodded in agreement. Holding belief was her only option now.
"Yasmine's coming home today," Melvin continued. "Would you like to join us for the Christmas celebration? Bring Euston along and we can look after him in turns."
Jocelyn pursed her lips, "My parents are coming over."
"Oh." Melvin's gaze fell.
It was rare to see him so subdued, so devoid of argument.
Jocelyn recalled her mother's words - how they spoke to her when believing Euston was her and Melvin's child, and that they wouldn't stand in the way if she truly wanted to be with him.
Over the last couple of years, her parents had eased off on the marriage talk, no longer comparing her to others who had got married or had a second child. But every time she saw them in the neighborhood, cooing over other children with that loving look, she knew what she had denied them.
They had accepted her decisions, yet their yearning for a grandchild never faded. It was merely suppressed.
The dream of doting on grandchildren in a home filled with laughter - who wouldn't want that? It was a simple wish of aged parents, not for themselves, but for the assurance that their lineage would continue and they wouldn't be left alone in their twilight years.
If she were to marry, Jocelyn mused, it had to be to someone she loved - and who loved her as well.
She decided not to invite Melvin to join her parents for the holiday. There was no reason to.
When Yasmine arrived that afternoon, Melvin went to pick her up.
"Why not invite Jocelyn to join us for dinner tonight?" Yasmine suggested, aware of his feelings. Though Jocelyn was married, they could still be friends.
Melvin's mood had dipped. "She's spending it with her parents."
"Oh." Yasmine didn't press further.
Her thoughts drifted to Zachary - not out of longing, but because he had said he might get hurt if he helped get Castiel out of trouble. It wasn't his usual talk and it foretold a tough battle ahead. Both siblings had their worries, casting a somber mood in the car.
When Calvin and Daisy returned home, Jocelyn decided not to host the Christmas dinner at home and to dine out instead. But she hadn't booked yet, and now most places were full. "Jocelyn!"
She turned to see Yasmine and Melvin, accompanied by Zephyr, Yannick, and a group of their friends.
"You booked here too?" Yasmine asked with curiosity.
Jocelyn shook her head. "We didn't plan ahead, so there's no tables left. We're just going to whip up something simple at home now."
"Isn't it a hassle to start cooking now?" Yasmine glanced at her watch, then offered, "If you don't mind, why not join us?"
Yasmine's warm, graceful demeanor was genuinely endearing.
"It doesn't seem right..." Calvin started, glancing at Melvin. It felt awkward to dine together with them.
"There's nothing wrong with it," Yasmine reassured them. "It's Christmas - the more the merrier. Besides, cooking now would be exhausting."
Daisy remained silent, deferring to Jocelyn.
"Jocelyn, what do you think?" Yasmine approached, eyeing little Euston in Jocelyn's arms. "Euston, tell your mommy how nice it would be to have a dinner together." Euston turned and reached out to Melvin, calling him "Daddy."
The word sent shock waves through the group.
Yasmine stared at Melvin in astonishment.
What had he done to earn the title of "Daddy" from Euston?
The friends behind them exchanged confused glances. So, Euston was Melvin's son after all?
Calvin and Daisy were also stunned.
Why was the child calling Melvin "Daddy"? Wasn't it said that he wasn't the father?
Amid the surprised stares, Melvin reached out to hold Euston. Jocelyn felt awkward, not knowing whether to let go or not. But Euston was reaching for Melvin.
"Let me hold him," said Melvin softly.
With Euston in his arms, Melvin truly looked like a father.
"Let's head inside; it's cold out here," Melvin said, leading the way.
As the child was taken, Jocelyn and her parents had no choice but to follow.
The group greeted Jocelyn, Calvin and Daisy with friendly hellos.
As they all moved inside, Jocelyn felt adrift in a whirlwind of emotions.
Still puzzled by Euston's calling Melvin "Daddy" and sensing something unspoken between Jocelyn and Melvin, Yasmine wondered what she had missed in just one day.
"Calvin, Daisy, please come in," Yasmine said, not wanting to leave them out in the cold.
Calvin and Daisy maintained their composure and refrained from inquiring about the awkward situation at hand.
Following Yasmine deeper into the establishment, Jocelyn took a deep breath, unsure of how to handle this embarrassing turn of events.
They had reserved a spacious private lounge with two tables suitable for card games and even a pool table. A karaoke machine was also available, adding to the room's entertainment options. With a kid around, the atmosphere was unusually subdued.
The sound system was playing a quirky rendition of "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star", and Zephyr, ever the goofball of the group, was using the mic to serenade Euston with "How I wonder what you are." Anyone walking in would have thought this bunch rather peculiar.
Observing everyone's calm demeanor, Calvin and Daisy couldn't help but find it odd.
After greeting the restaurant manager, Yasmine joined Calvin and Daisy, engaging in a friendly chat.
Daisy had a soft spot for Yasmine. If only Melvin hadn't treated Jocelyn the way he did, perhaps they could have all been one big happy family, gathering around the hearth for the holidays.
Little Euston was perched on Melvin's knee, occasionally grabbing at his feet, then looking back at Melvin and then at Zephyr, who was making silly faces in front of him. A few other men were bouncing around him to amuse him.
They might have been used to hitting the dance floor, but now they were digging around in playground, creating a scene that was nothing short of comical.
Jocelyn couldn't help but let out a smile.
Her smile drew Melvin's attention. It had been a long time since she had smiled in front of him.
Her smile used to be enchanting, alluring, with a hint of seduction.
But now, her smile was like a warm spring breeze, melting the coldness of the winter night, warming his chilled heart.
At that moment, the room was filled with a genuine sense of warmth and coziness.