Chapter 164


    Evangeline stood right by Cole, blushing a file from the atte


    attention


    That''s right, I''ve got to grow up so I can take good care


    ying along with Cole''s sentiment


    Her sweet words made Cole''s heart swell with pride.


    "Sweetheart, you''re so charming!Upstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g


    andpal" she chimed in,


    As they chatted, a thought seemed to strike Cole out of the blue. "You know, when ites to being dutiful, Walter''s really something. Without him getting that top doctor, Dr. George, I wouldn''t have bounced back so fast. Now, all I''m waiting for is some great news from you "If you could give me the chance to cuddle my precious great-grandkid, I could close my eyes this very second and say I''ve lived a full life!"


    Evangeline could not help but roll her eyes at the non-stoppliments.


    Was Walter that generous? She had to make a trade for his help, did she not?


    That was something she could not admit, though. Grandpa Cole was just starting to get better, and if anything about her and Walter set back his recovery, that would be on her.


    The uncles had better keep a poker face about it all, or Cole might catch on!


    "Grandpa, you''re talking nonsense. Walter and I, bringing up a kid? When it''s time, you''ll be the one teaching your treasured great-grandkid all the ropes!" Evangeline finished, her eyes darting cautiously to her uncles, only to notice their smiles seemed a bit forced.


    Luckily, Cole was too focused on Evangeline to pick up on anything else, or it would have been noticed.


    A sh of joy crossed Cole''s eyes, but it disappeared as quickly as it came, and he shook his head. "I''m old, not as sharp as I used to be, and definitely out of touch. How could I possibly help with a kid? You''re just trying to keep me happy with those words." "Come on, you wouldn''t really trust anyone else besides yourself with your precious great-grandkid, would you? So, Grandpa, you''ve got to stay healthy, you know?"


    Cole was on the mend at the old family home, with a team of doctors to look after his every need. The house was like a fortress though, sealed off from the world leaving Cole clueless about what was happening outside.


    "I get it, I get it," he said with a chuckle. "If this old guy can still pitch in for you youngsters, then you bet I''ll keep myself in top shape!"


    Cole used to be the kind of guy whose word wasw, and just the sight of him would send kids scurrying.


    Time had softened him though, and he became the picture of kindness.


    The room erupted withughter at his words, a warm, happy scene that wrapped Evangeline in a nket offort.


    This was exactly what she longed for, was it not?


    The cozy feeling of family, surrounded by the people she held dear.


    The only bittersweet part was that the guy she liked would never be part of her world.


    Still, what if...


    Without thinking, Evangeline''s hand drifted to her belly. If she could really have Walter''s baby, maybe she would have no regrets after all.


    A sudden sadness squeezed her chest, and after a quick word to her uncles, she stepped out for some air.


    Next thing she knew, she was driving to the hospital, as if some unseen force had taken the wheel. When she snapped back to reality, she was standing at Walter''s hospital room door.


    Dusk had settled in, and through the room''s little window, she saw her mother-inw Aria, nodding off beside Walter''s bed.


    Waltery there, his face a ghostly pale, a stark contrast to his usual vibrant, exasperating self.


    Evangeline had never pictured him so vulnerable, so drained of life.