Web Fic
Chapter 245
Estrella looked around the ward, noticing many fresh fruits and snacks beside the cabinet. She had a rough idea of what was going on.
Estrella walked calmly into the ward, and Jason looked up, greeting her with a “You’re
here.”
In his arms, Isaac seemed oblivious to Estrella’s arrival, completely engrossed in playing
with his Lego bricks.
Estrella let out a noncommittal ‘hmm’ in response to Jason just as her phone buzzed in her pocket. It was a call from Autumn.
“Mom,” Estrella called out, and Autumn’s voice came through, “Estrella, I took Isaac to see Jason at the hospital this afternoon and twisted my ankle. Isaac refused to leave, so after getting it treated, I headed back home. If you’re coming back from Glimmering Lake, could you pick Isaac up on your way?”
“I’m already here, I’ll take Isaac home soon,” Estrella replied after ending the call.
She noticed Isaac still hadn’t realized her presence, his attention fully captured by the Lego set. Estrella’s face was a picture of exasperation. Pocketing her phone, Estrella moved closer to the bedside and ruffled Isaac’s hair, “Jeez, kid, you’ve got toys and you
wouldn’t even notice your mother.”
Jason chuckled as he got out of bed, “He’s really focused, smart kid. And Isaac has grown so much lately, looks more like a two-and-a-half-year-old than under two.”
Jason’s roundabout hints made Estrella give him a look before casually remarking, “My mom knows how to feed him well.”
It was only then that Isaac slightly snapped out of his Lego world, looking up at Estrella and cheerfully calling out, “Mommy!”
Estrella tousled his hair again, “Time to head home, kiddo. It’s getting dark.”
Isaac was still serious about his Lego, “Wait for me, Mommy.”
Estrella was speechless as she observed the unfinished Lego set. How long was this going to take?
Jason, noticing Estrella’s distaste, tried to smooth things over, “When you’ve got something fun, nothing else matters, not even your ears.”
When Isaac first arrived at the hospital, he was excitedly calling Jason ‘Daddy,’ but once the Lego was in Isaac’s hands, the rest of the world ceased to exist for him. No matter how Jason called or spoke to him, Isaac was unresponsive.
Then, turning to Estrella, Jason mentioned, “You haven’t eaten yet, have you? Mom just
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brought some food over.”
As Jason spoke, he set the food on the table.
Kristin was more on the ball than Autumn, noticing Isaac’s visit and Autumn’s twisted ankle, Kristin immediately got Autumn’s foot treated and then sent her home. This allowed Jason the chance to bond with Isaac alone and also to invite Estrella over.
As Isaac appeared so absorbed with the Lego, Estrella didn’t stand on ceremony with Jason. She was feeling hungry herself as well.
All dishes Kristin prepared were Estrella’s favorites.
“Thanks.” Taking the cutlery Jason handed her, Estrella was quite polite.
Jason then turned to Isaac, “Come eat, Isaac.”
On the bed, Isaac was lost in his Lego, not hearing anyone speaking to him.
Estrella took a bite of the ribs, “Nothing will disturb him now, not even if the sky falls. You eat. We’ll save some for him.”
Jason pulled up a chair and sat down, “Such focus when he’s serious. I wonder if he takes after you or me.”
Estrella paused mid-bite, then looked up at him. Staring at Jason for a while, she said with amusement, “How does he suddenly look like you?” Before Jason could respond, she continued, “Jason, if you’re having doubts, the kid is with you. You can get a DNA test anytime.”
Since entering the room, Jason had been probing her twice, probably because Isaac had spent some time with him today, and Jason had grown suspicious.
Estrella, poised and calm, took a chicken leg Jason offered. Then Jason said indifferently, “Can’t he resemble me without that connection?”
Estrella continued eating, and when she finished and tried to clear the table, Jason wouldn’t let her. So, she didn’t insist and settled onto the couch with a cushion, resting while watching Isaac with the Lego.
For a two-year-old, he was incredibly skilled at something meant for older kids, a sure sign
of a nimble mind.
Watching Isaac, and noticing it was now 8:40 PM, Estrella yawned, “Buddy, how about we take the Lego home to play?”
After several nights of poor sleep and a full day’s work, Estrella was struggling to stay
awake.
Isaac, focused on the Lego, said in his childish voice, “Wait for me, Mommy.”
Estrella sighed. This kid was so patient for his age. Who did he take after?
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08:4
“Then eat before you play,” she told Isaac, who chose to ignore her and didn’t reply.
Estrella didn’t bother hurrying him and yawned, leaning back on the couch to rest her eyes. Jason had just finished a work call and, seeing Estrella asleep on the couch, walked over, draped a blanket gently over her. He softly brushed her forehead, moving stray hairs aside. Then he picked up a book and started reading by her side, the hospital room filled with an almost domestic warmth.
“Mommy, the plane is done.” It was past eleven when Isaac finally finished his airplane model, excitedly jumping on the bed.
Jason hushed him softly, “Isaac, Mommy’s tired and asleep. Let’s show her when she wakes up.”
Isaac glanced at the sleeping Estrella, put his finger to his lips, and nodded, understanding the need to be quiet. Barefoot, he hopped out of bed and eagerly presented his airplane model to Jason.
“You’re awesome, bud,” Jason praised Isaac, lifting him from the floor and gently patting his tiny feet. “No more running around without shoes, okay? If you catch a cold, Estrella is going to be super worried.”
“Okay.” The little guy nodded vigorously, then made the airplane take a loop-de-loop in front of Jason’s eyes.
Jason chuckled, then negotiated, “Isaac, it’s already pitch-dark outside, and mom’s knocked out from exhaustion. How about you two crash here tonight and head back home in the morning? Sound good?” Owned by NôvelDrama.Org.
Isaac bobbed his head enthusiastically. “Good” Home was wherever Estrella was. If Estrella had fallen asleep there, then that was home for tonight.
Jason ruffled his hair, “Alright, I’ll carry mom to bed.”
At that, Isaac rolled up his sleeves and declared, “I’ll do it.”