Chapter 432
The flight back was emotionally different from the flight there, but neither could be considered pleasant.
The only thing she found comfort in was the fact that, on both journeys, her children were by her side.
After receiving Adrian Blackwood’s message, Jacob had informed Mr. and Mrs. Blackwood about the children’s situation just before boarding the plane.
Shocked and silent for some time, the Blackwoods had finally said, “We’ll come back right away. What time is your flight? We’ll pick you up at the airport p>
When Jacob relayed this message to Eva, she felt a twinge of embarrassment. She hadn’t seen them in a long time and wondered how she would reconnect with them after being away for five years.
Unaware of her tumultuous thoughts, Jacob could only guess at her feelings from her expression. Seeing that she didn’t look too pleased, he cautiously offered, “Ms. Hansen, Mr. Blackwood indicated that if ever you feel uncomfortable or have any concerns, you can let me know at any time, and we can put a hold on this entire situation p>
“Cancel it?” Eva asked, looking at Jacob with a mix of surprise and confusion.
Jacob nodded affirmatively. “Yes p>
“But haven’t you already told them?” she countered. It was one thing to cancel before making the arrangements, but now that it was all out in the open, cancellation would bring disappointment to all parties involved. “Yes,” he admitted.
The dialogue was designed to flow naturally, mirroring the ways people in the United States communicate and react in similar situations, preserving authentic speech patterns and cultural nuances, while ensuring clarity and coherence for an American audience.
Jacob nodded. “But Mr. Blackwood insisted that everything should center around how Ms. Hansen feels. If this causes you any worry or discomfort, Ms. Hansen, we can stop at any time. The final say is entirely yours. And please don’t fret about what follows; I’ll handle everything p>
To her surprise, his words were sincere.
With that thought, Eva’s lips curved into a gentle smile. “There’s no discomfort. It’s just that the last time we met was five years ago. It’s been so long, I hardly know how to face them or interact with them now p>
Jacob was taken aback by her response. Overjoyed on behalf of his employer, Adrian Blackwood, he quickly reassured her, “Rest assured, Ms. Hansen, Mrs. Blackwood was very concerned about you and asked after you when I last spoke with her p>
“Really?” The memory of her abrupt departure years ago surfaced; her grandmother had passed away after she left, and she never got to say goodbye.
She had thought she would never cross paths with that family again, yet, life had come full circle.
Eva decided it was time to clue in her two little ones, who were still in the dark. “Ruby, Dylan, after we land back home, someone will come to pick us up p>
Predictably, the kids perked up at this. “Mommy, who’s coming to get us?” they asked with wide-eyed curiosity.
“Well, to put it simply, your grandparents,” Eva said carefully, choosing her words before revealing the titles to Ruby and Dylan.
“Grandma and Grandpa p>
“Yes p>
Holding their hands gently, Eva whispered, “Haven’t you always wished for Uncle Adrian to become your daddy p>
Ruby’s eyes sparkled at the mention. “Mommy, did you agree to let Uncle Adrian be our daddy p>
Dylan, too, was surprised. Before boarding the plane, Mommy hadn’t consented, yet something seemed to have changed mid-flight. Could something have happened that he didn’t know about? Eva nodded affirmatively. “Yes, are you happy? You’ve always wanted him to be your daddy, haven’t you p>
“Happy,” Ruby chimed, her face lit up with joy. She reached out to hug her mother, but they were both strapped into their airplane seats, so she settled for holding her mother’s hand tightly instead. “Mommy, does Uncle Adrian know yet p>
Did he know?
The corners of Eva’s lips lifted in a tender smile as her eyes filled with warmth.
By the time he gets back to the States, he’ll catch on, right?
“He’ll figure it out later p>
“What about Grandma and Grandpa, Mommy? Are they Uncle Adrian’s parents p>
“Yes, darling, they are Uncle Adrian’s folks. They’re very kind and easy to get along with. Don’t worry, they are p>
Eva hesitated for a second before finishing, “They are your real grandparents p>
Ruby Hansen’s eyes widened in shock.
“My real grandparents p>
“Mhm p>
Eva gently stroked Ruby’s head and then turned to Dylan Hansen. “Ruby, Dylan, do you understand what Mommy is telling you? Uncle Adrian is your biological father.” Dylan nodded quickly, signaling he understood.
Ruby, however, took much longer to digest the information, her eyes widening as if she had just made the connection. “But Mommy, didn’t you say before that… that Ruby and Dylan’s daddy had passed away?” There was an awkward silence from Eva.
And from Jacob, who was eavesdropping nearby.
Well, this was awkward.
“What’s going on p>
Eva felt a bit uncomfortable. If Jacob hadn’t been there, it would have been easier; she could have explained it to the kids. But with Jacob listening in p>
Nevertheless, how could she have known five years ago that she and Adrian Blackwood would get back together? That was something she could never have anticipated; she was just following her heart at the time. With that thought, Eva could only offer a slight smile, softly saying, “Well, he’s… come back to life now p>
Jacob’s lips twitched on the side.
If he weren’t worried about offending Eva, he’d want to exclaim, “Ms. Hansen, could this get any more far-fetched p>
Claiming the man was dead and now saying he had come back to life clearly baffled the little ones.
Seeing their stunned faces, Eva chuckled and lightly tapped both their noses. “I was just kidding, you two! Did you actually believe that p>
Ruby clutched her chest. “You scared me p>
“Listen up, guys, when we get off the plane, remember to be polite and say hello, alright p>
“We got it, Mommy,” they chimed in unison, their behavior the picture of obedience. They also understood that Eva’s change of topic meant she wasn’t keen to revisit the previous conversation.
But Eva couldn’t help recalling the past anyway when the kids were younger and didn’t understand these complexities. As they began to mix with the neighbors and friends, inevitably, they started to grasp a bit more.
On a day like any other, when the two children returned home, they tugged at their mother’s skirt and asked, “Mommy, Mommy, why do all the other kids have daddies, but we don’t p>
At that moment, Eva was in a state of utter desolation. She had consigned herself to a lifetime without crossing paths with Adrian Blackwood ever again. Thus, when the kids posed the question, she responded bluntly, “Because he’s dead.” She knew it might frighten them, but to nip their curiosity in the bud, Eva decided to cut the matter short.
Little did she know that one day she would be eating her words.
What was said was said, and now it was her job to smooth it over.