“Come over here, Candace. This is our uncle,” Cody introduced.
Candace had been asleep when Enzo came to visit last night. She didn’t even know Enzo was here. She went forth and gave Enzo a hug. Enzo felt his heart was gonna melt.
Cristelle also showed up at the moment, “Cody, why haven’t you dressed up yet?”
“I’m just going to.” Cody left instantly.
Enzo was pretty sharp. He noticed things were a bit off between Linford and Cristelle instantly. He gave his brother a look. Were they in a fight?
Linford coughed, “Nothing happened, Enzo. Stop imagining things.”
And he still refused to admit it.
This little brother of his had been stubborn since he was a boy. Enzo shook his head, deciding to leave his issues to himself. They went to Cristelle’s apartment to have breakfast. After that, they drove to Cody and Candace’s kindergarten.
Cody was thrilled because Enzo also decided to come. He dragged Enzo along as they walked down the road. Linford was holding his daughter in his arms, following.
“Cristelle, I just got a 15-day break from the military. I want to take Cody to camp. Is it okay with you? Or do you need to discuss it with your husband first?” Enzo asked. He had discussed this with Cody the previous night. The boy was more than willing to come. Enzo just needed to consult the boy’s mother’s opinion.
Cristelle sighed, “Enzo… Linford is not my husband. We just agreed to raise the babies together.”
Cody was secretly happy when he heard his mother say that. Great!
Linford was so embarrassed, but he knew he couldn’t show it. He must pretend he didn’t feel hurt.
Enzo smiled, “But I’m already treating you as my sister-in-law. Even though you haven’t accepted Linford yet, the Bradley family has already accepted you as a family member.”
Cristelle faltered. She didn’t know how to react when Enzo told her that she was a family member now.
Cody also frowned. What did that even mean?
Cristelle checked out the look on Cody’s face. The boy’s eyes were filled with anticipation. He really wanted to go. They hadn’t had any family vacations for years. Cristelle knew how much he wanted to go out, but she was also scared that he would get lost.
“Don’t worry. I’ll bring the boy back safely after two weeks,” Enzo promised.
Linford also said, “Enzo always keeps his word. There won’t be any problems.”
Cristelle didn’t even want to talk to Linford anymore after last night. Cody also wanted to go, but he still said, “Mommy, I can stay if you’re worried.”
How sweet of her boy…
Cristelle bit on her bottom lip before making up her mind, “Cody is the strongest boy. Mommy won’t get worried wherever you decide to go. You can go with your uncle. Just don’t forget to Facetime me every night.”
“Okay, Mommy, I will!” A big smile broke Cody’s face before he added, “Mommy, you also need to take care of yourself, okay?”
Cristelle nodded, “Okay.”
****
When they finally made it to the classroom, Cody and Candace spotted Amy and Thomas instantly. They sat in the same row, laughing and talking. The parents also found their seats. After the incident happened a couple of weeks ago, the Bradleys hadn’t shown up once. There had been rumors going about. The end of this semester was gonna come, and the kindergarten decided to hold a meeting for parents.
Mrs. Weston announced that the kindergarten’s yearly tradition was going to begin after the summer break. The tradition required the parents to be on the stage and perform with their babies.
This contest aimed to strengthen the bond between parents and their babies. And no one could skip the competition.
Cody was smiling at Cristelle, “Mom! Let’s knock them off their feet when I come back!”
Cristelle smiled back, “Okay. Let’s figure out how to do this when you come back.”
Candace was also happy. After what happened last time, she didn’t want to go to school that much. Having a summer break made her relieved.
“Mommy’s gonna take Thomas and me to Italy for summer vacation. We probably can’t play together this summer,” Amy felt a bit sad.
Candace also pouted.
Helena smiled, “We’ll only stay in Italy for ten days. You guys will see each other soon.”
Cristelle promised, “If they don’t come back by then, I will bring you to see them, honey.”
Candace looked up. Linford smiled, “I’ll also go with you guys.”
Candace only felt better now.
“Cody, remember to pack your things up when we get back. The plane tickets are ready. We’ll leave this afternoon,” Enzo said when they sat in the car.
Cristelle’s eyes widened, “So soon?”
Linford explained, “Enzo only has a short break. He’s had everything prepared beforehand.”
Cristelle ignored him and looked at her boy, feeling a bit sad. Cody climbed on her lap and hooked her neck with his arms, “Mom, take care of yourself when I’m away, okay? Be careful of bad guys.” He was worried about his Mom so much. But that man was still sitting next to his Mom. He could only bring it up in a subtle way.
Cristelle left a kiss on the boy’s cheek.
Linford went rigid as he heard the two words “bad guys”. Enzo felt a bit awkward as well, looking out of the window.
Cristelle packed Cody’s things up for him when they got back. After that, Cody just spent the hours before his flight in Cristelle’s arms, telling her again and again how much he would miss her and that she must learn to protect herself when he is away.
He even started to regret it a bit because he didn’t know if this was one of Linford’s schemes. Making him go with Enzo so Linford could have Mom for himself.
Cristelle didn’t expect the boy to be so worried. She tried to make him relax, “Don’t worry, honey. I’ll be safe. I’ll call for help if anything happens.”
Cody nodded, “That’s right. You should call Jasper if anything happens. He’s a great person.”
Cristelle didn’t want to admit it. But after what had happened last night, Jasper just seemed to be way more civilized than Linford Bradley.
At least he had never forced her to do anything.