Franco couldn’t stop smiling at the boy. He pointed at the boy as he talked to Linford, “This boy is just a typical Bradley. He’s not only like you. He also looks like your brother, Clyde.”
Saying that, he started to teach the boy how to assemble that gun.
Clyde…
Linford went silent as something suddenly hit him. He nodded to himself before he looked up again. The way Cody acted so enthusiastically toward the gun made him miss his second brother.
Cristelle noticed the look in his eyes. She looked away instantly because she sensed it was something private. Linford probably didn’t want her to see that.
Candace presented a bowl of salad before Franco. Her Mom said great-grandpa couldn’t have too much meat or sugar. She said it was not good for his health.
She thus had to give Pop the right food.
Franco laughed as he pulled out a little box, “Thank you, my princess. And this is for you.” The box also looked antique and expensive.
When Franco opened it, Candace saw a diamond necklace in it. Franco put the necklace on Candace, “Now you look like a real princess, sweetheart.”
Candace shook her head, taking the necklace off. She didn’t think she could have it. It looked expensive.
“You will break Pop’s heart if you don’t accept it,” Franco pretended to be sad.
Candace quickly cast Cristelle a glance. Cristelle also didn’t know if Candace should take it. The necklace looked hella expensive.
Linford said instantly, “Honey, just keep it. You will make Pop happy by doing so.”
Candace obediently nodded and took her gift as well, leaving a kiss on Franco’s cheek.
Franco was so happy that even the salad was not unbearable as usual.
Cristelle lowered her gaze toward her girl, “Candace, we can only have one piece of cake tonight because there will be other desserts later. Mommy doesn’t want you to stuff your stomach and make it hurt again. Okay?”
Candace patted her rounded stomach, saying silently that she wouldn’t feel pain and she could eat them all.
Cristelle frowned, “No, Honey. You really can’t eat anymore. You can’t dance if you gain too much weight.”
Hearing her Mom’s words, Candace just wanted to obey as she still wanted to dance. So she gave in, nodding sadly.
She watched as Cristelle took the rest of the cake into the kitchen.
Linford lifted her onto his lap, “Just wait for a second. Your favorite cookies will be here soon.”
Candace thus started to smile again. Cody couldn’t stop playing with his new toy. He didn’t even pay much attention to what he ate as he played with the gun. “Pop, have you really used this gun?” Cody asked as Cristelle hoisted him onto a tall chair.
Franco smiled as he nodded, “Of course. I used it to kill enemies. It has been untouched in my drawer since the inner war was over. Cody, this gun is my most precious asset. I didn’t even give it to your dad when he begged me. Promise me that you will cherish it, okay?”
Cody nodded seriously, “Of course, Grandpa. I’ll cherish it forever.” Saying that, he gave Linford a smug look.
Silently provoking his father.
See? Pop didn’t give it to you, but he easily gave it to me.
Franco spent the whole afternoon at Cristelle’s. Cristelle noticed how much he loved spending time with his grandchildren. So she cleaned an extra room, asking Franco to stay for the night.
Franco, however, refused to do so, “It will be too much trouble, dear. I’m too old to leave my own place. Would you bring Candace and Cody to visit me often, though?”
Cristelle smiled as she nodded.
The babies loved the gifts from their Pop. They all wanted to see him again. They promised that they would visit the old man soon.
After getting the promise, Franco left the apartment contentedly.
Linford drove him back.
Franco couldn’t stop talking about the babies on his way back. “Linford, you should take the babies to visit Clyde when you’re free. He will be so happy for you when he sees your babies.” Franco sighed.
Linford’s fingers tightened around the steering wheel. His knuckles whitened, “I will.”
Franco went silent for a while before continuing, “Linford, Clyde has never blamed you for anything. You should also stop blaming yourself.”
Linford’s heart started to pound against his chest. He couldn’t stop thinking about what had happened before, his voice hoarse and low, “I knew, Pop. You don’t have to say that.”
Franco noticed that even though he didn’t show much emotion, he seemed a bit more relaxed than before, so the old man became less worried, smiling as he said, “Cody seemed talented. He’s a good kid. Enzo must like him. Did he tell you that Cody should join the Army when he grows up?”
Franco was always proud of his first grandson. Enzo was the most mature and reliable man among the three. Franco was less worried about him compared with the other two.
Enzo was a tough man. He would definitely appreciate Cody’s talents if he had met the boy.
Linford’s lips curled up into a vague smile, “Enzo did say things like that. He said he wanted to train Cody himself when the boy grows up.”
“I knew it!” Franco laughed, “Speaking of your oldest brother, he just can’t get married. I forced him to take a day off so he could go on a blind date. But he had to run into you guys. When will he truly listen to what I say? I just wish he could be as happy and content as you. Only a perfect family makes a real man.”
Linford thought of Cody and what he had done. It was all his fault. Whenever he thought of his own son trying to make his wife marry another man, Linford wanted to break someone’s nose.
The car stopped before Franco’s mansion. Linford and Jack helped Franco get out of the car.
“Christ! I’m not that old yet. You guys don’t need to do this,” Franco complained, “By the way, I had a happy day. I don’t think I need any meds later.”