Catherine's POV
I was wearing a long white knitted coat, my hair flowing down my back.
I led the two little ones to wash their hands and get ready for dinner. On the way upstairs, I told them not to speak to Richard and Nick unless they spoke first. They agreed, so they stayed quiet and followed me closely.
After washing their hands, Nick approached with a smile. "Hedwig, Noah, I brought you gifts. Do you want them?"
Hedwig blinked her big eyes, looking pretty tempted.
However, Noah spoke up first. "Daddy has already bought us everything we want. Thank you, Uncle Nick."
Nick's expression froze. He looked kinda awkward.
Richard walked over and patted Nick's shoulder. "Looks like you really like kids. Maybe you should find a woman and have one of your own."
Nick's gaze suddenly shifted to me, lingering on my face for a moment.
I happened to look up and met his eyes. Instantly, a wave of discomfort washed over me. I frowned, quickly looking away.
Perhaps because of that brief eye contact, Nick seemed to be in a good mood. He smiled and said, "Yeah, seeing Hedwig and Noah makes me want kids of my own."
I took the kids to the living room. Hedwig climbed into Blake's lap, her little hands playfully touching his face and kissing him now and then. She was giggling happily.
Blake laughed, holding her tiny hands as they played together.
Dinner was ready. The family gathered around the table. Even Emerson, who rarely left his bed, had come downstairs in his wheelchair.
Patricia suddenly suggested, "After dinner, let's take a family photo!"
No one objected. During the meal, Dowen took several photos.
Patricia flipped through the pictures, nodding and smiling. "These are great. Hedwig is so playful—she even made a funny face! Noah looks a bit too serious, but that's cool too. Dowen, could you please develop these photos tomorrow and frame them for me?"
"Patricia, it's a shame Leo didn't come," someone remarked.
Patricia sighed. "Yeah, and Emily's not here either. We can never get everyone together. Oh well, can't force it." She looked kinda sad.
Richard suddenly asked Emerson, "Dad, I've got a get-together with some old friends tomorrow. You wanna come?"
Emerson didn't look too good, but seeing his youngest son, he perked up a bit. "Who'd you invite?"
Richard listed a few names, all people Emerson knew well. Emerson nodded. "Alright, I'll go tomorrow."
Patricia frowned. "I don't think you should go out. I'm worried."
Richard smiled. "Mom, you're always worrying about Dad. Don't sweat it. I'll be with him."
Patricia and Emerson exchanged a glance. Emerson seemed eager to get out, so Patricia finally agreed. "Fine, but only for a few hours in the morning. Get him back in time for his meds."
"Mom, what meds does Dad need? I'll make sure he takes 'em," Richard asked, all concerned.
Patricia nodded. "Alright, I'll get the meds ready for you. Nick, you coming too?"
"I'm swamped lately. I don't think I'll have time," Nick said, shaking his head.
Dinner ended. Everyone left the table with their own thoughts. Richard didn't stick around and left in Nick's car.
I went back to my room, still thinking about everything that happened today.
The kids were playing nearby as I watched them, thinking about what the future might hold.
Blake walked over and gently wrapped his arms around me. We didn't say anything, just enjoyed the quiet moment together.
Third Person's POV
Richard didn't stay and left in Nick's car.
Inside the car, Richard and Nick had a lot to talk about.
"Dad, why hasn't the info I gave you been exposed yet? They're about to get engaged!"
Nick was still pretty upset. Just thinking about Blake and Catherine getting engaged made him lose his appetite and feel all choked up.
"Do you like Catherine?" Richard finally figured something out during dinner—his son kept looking at Catherine with this kinda infatuated look.
Nick didn't hide it. He nodded. "Yeah, I like her."
"Your taste is terrible. She's Blake's girl and she's got two kids. How could you fall for her? What kind of standards do you have?" Richard was pissed because things were slipping out of his control.
"Dad, have you ever been in love?" Nick asked instead of answering.
"Why are you asking that?" Richard frowned, not liking the question.
"I know you have, but it wasn't with my mom," Nick said with a mocking laugh.
Richard's expression changed. He got all serious. "Don't bring that up. I don't wanna talk about it."
"Don't worry, I'm not asking because I'm mad at you for not loving my mom. I'm just curious about which woman made you fall for her," Nick said, still feeling a bit bitter. Even though Richard only married his mom and never remarried, Nick knew that his mom was just a good wife to Richard—never the one who made his heart race.