Joyce rarely returned home, so the family decided to take a few days off and bring her to Blossom Valley for a vacation. The last time Aveline visited, it was summer; now it was autumn, and the flowers would be different.
This time, with Julian and the others around, Aveline couldn’t share a room with Orion. Instead, Joyce, Aveline, and little Nash stayed together in one room.
As soon as they reached the scenic area, Joyce ran off excitedly. “So this is Blossom Valley-how beautiful! Mommy, Daddy, I’m going over there to take a look!”
“Be careful,” Aurora said, holding little Nash’s hand. Compared to Joyce, Nash was now the one they worried about the most. Even though the park had been cleared for their visit, there was always the possibility of danger.
Asher watched Joyce dart off like a butterfly. “Forget it. I don’t feel comfortable letting her run around on her own. I’ll go after her.”
“Thank you, Ashy.” Aurora smiled apologetically. Over the years, Asher had taken great care of Joyce.
“Don’t mention it.” Asher was already walking away as he spoke. Joyce had always been a free spirit. When she was younger, she had nearly gotten lost several times, leaving him with a lingering fear. Ever since then, Asher had made it a point to keep a close eye on her wherever they went.
“Asher has really done a great job looking after Joyce. She seems to adore him,” Julian remarked, watching their retreating figures.
“In two years, Joyce will be in high school. Whether she studies in Clothville or abroad, she’ll likely live on campus. Time flies-it’s been twelve years already. Ashy’s thirty-four this year. If he doesn’t settle down soon, it’ll be too late.”
Aurora had been worried about Asher’s love life ever since he was in his twenties. Now, all these years later, he was still single, and her concern had only grown.
Though Asher insisted his situation had nothing to do with Joyce, Aurora couldn’t help but think otherwise. A single man raising a child was bound to make potential partners hesitate.
“You’re right. But don’t worry-given Asher’s qualities, if he wanted to find someone, he could do it in no time,” Julian reassured her.
“Finding women isn’t the problem. The key is finding someone he truly loves. Do you think there’s something wrong with him? He used to say it was because of me, but that was years ago. He’s clearly moved on, so why hasn’t he started a new relationship?”
“Feelings are the hardest thing to predict in this world. Don’t stress about it. If it ever becomes unbearable, Asher will take action on his own. He’s still single simply because he hasn’t met the right person. You know as well as I do-love can’t be forced.”
“I hope so. It’s just that everyone around us seems to have found their match and started their families, while he’s still alone. No one can stay lonely forever.”
“Lonely? Not at all. Joyce is always with him. And if he truly doesn’t want to marry in the future, our children will treat him as their own. Stop worrying so much.”
“Mommy, I’ll definitely be good to Uncle Asher when I grow up,” Nash chimed in, half-understanding the conversation.
“Good boy.”
“It’s been a while since we’ve gone out together. Let’s go check out the maple grove over there,” Julian suggested, taking Nash’s hand.
The grove was ablaze with red leaves. “Mommy, the leaves are so beautiful!” Nash exclaimed, running into the grove to collect fallen leaves.
A gust of wind swept through, sending a cascade of leaves tumbling down, creating an enchanting scene.
Julian wrapped his arms around Aurora from behind.
“Stop it. Nash is still here,” Aurora said, even as her cheeks flushed.
Though she was now the mother of three, Julian’s love for her hadn’t diminished in the slightest. If anything, her maturity only made her more irresistible to him.
“It’s been so long since I’ve taken you out,” Julian murmured, resting his head on her shoulder and breathing in the scent of her hair.
“We’ve been too busy lately. Once things settle down, let’s go to Europe, okay?”
“As long as I’m with you, anywhere is fine.” Julian kissed her neck lightly, knowing full well how sensitive the area behind her ears was.
“Stop…”
“You’re still so sensitive after all these years,” Julian teased with a chuckle. He pulled her gently behind a tree and kissed her passionately.
Not far away, Nash continued playing with the fallen leaves, oblivious to what was happening. Aurora’s heart raced.
After Nash had turned three, he’d started sleeping in his own room. Before that, Julian had often struggled to restrain himself, always mindful of the little one. Lately, however, he had grown bolder, even with the child nearby.
Aurora’s face flushed even redder. “Julian, stop… The child…”
“Nash isn’t paying attention to us,” Julian replied, growing even more daring.
Just as he finished speaking, Nash’s voice rang out. “Daddy, Mommy, where are you?”
Aurora quickly pushed Julian away and stepped out from behind the tree, her face crimson.
“Mommy, look! I found a heart-shaped leaf. Huh? Mommy, why is your face so red? You look like an apple!” Nash said innocently.
“Mommy’s just feeling warm, that’s all. Let Daddy see the leaf you found,” Julian said, coming up with an excuse.
Aurora gave him a sharp pinch. This man was impossible-now even the child was starting to notice.
“Oh… I thought Daddy kissed Mommy again. Every time Daddy kisses Mommy, her face gets red,” Nash said seriously.
Aurora’s face turned even redder. She tightened her grip on Julian’s hand. This man was incorrigible, even a child could tell.
“Your mommy gets shy. Daddy kisses her because he loves her. So Nash, remember, you can’t kiss girls at random. You can only kiss the ones you love. And if you kiss them, you have to take responsibility,” Julian said, his tone serious.
“Isn’t it a bit early to tell him that?” Aurora sighed.
“Education starts young. Besides, when I met you, I was about Nash’s age, wasn’t I?”
“…You’re unbelievable,” Aurora muttered, at a loss for words. Who else but Julian would say something like that?
“Daddy, I understand. I won’t kiss anyone randomly in the future,” Nash said earnestly.
“That’s right. And one more thing-don’t fall for just anyone. But if you truly like someone, you have to treat her well for a lifetime.”
“Like how you treat Mommy?”
“Exactly. Girls are meant to be cherished,” Julian said, his expression serious, like a martial arts master passing down sacred knowledge.
Aurora couldn’t help but smile. That wasn’t such a bad lesson after all. The Barnet family had always been devoted in love. Any girl Nash cared for in the future would be very lucky.
“I’ll remember everything you said, Daddy,” Nash replied, his little face filled with determination.