Chapter 40
“How many of these do you need?” Jace asked Ace. They are in the bookstore, buying the boy’s school things. The father and son were happy choosing from notebooks designed with cartoon characters.
“I only need a few, Dad,” Ace replied and started to choose the designs he wanted while Emerald watched them. She saw how happy her son was, although she was annoyed with Jace because he continuously teased her on their way to the bookstore. Jace insisted on driving for them, and as usual, their son was excited about it so Emerald agreed.
“Just a few? I can buy you everything here.” Jace replied, although Emerald knew that he was only joking, she couldn’t help but said,
“Don’t teach Ace to become arrogant. He can’t have everything.”
“I’m just joking, dear wife,” Jace replied, making young Morgan roll her eyes at him. Ace was so happy with how his father called his mother that he started to think that they would become a family soon.
“Yes, Mommy. I know that Dad was only joking. And I don’t need a lot.”
“As long as you know,” Emerald said as she lightly pinched her son’s nose, smiling. Then, they started to walk around again to complete the school supplies that Ace needed. Everyone was looking at them because the boy was so talkative that he kept saying something about himself to Jace, who was still listening eagerly no matter how many times he had heard him say it.
“Where do you want to eat, dear wife?” Asked Jace as he carried Ace. He grinned when he looked at Emerald and found her glaring at him.
“Stop calling me that!” She snapped.
“Why, Mom? It’s sweet. Are you not happy that Daddy is very sweet to you?” Ace asked curiously. He likes how his father did everything he could to please his mother.
“Your mommy is super, KJ; that’s why,” Jace replied, laughing, and so did Ace.
“Stop it, Jace. It’s not funny.”
“It’s okay, Mommy. Let’s make Daddy pay for our food for teasing you. And that’s what fathers do in the family.” Ace said, and Emerald couldn’t say anything. Jace took that chance and grabbed her hand before he started walking and led them to a restaurant.
Emerald says no more and just goes with the flow so Ace won’t notice anything. She doesn’t want her son to think she doesn’t like what they are doing, fearing that he would only worry about her feelings. Although the kid acted his age, Ace was very smart and could tell if something was wrong. He thinks like an adult, and Emerald knows that. She thinks Jace does, too, and he was using that to his advantage.
After their meal, Emerald decided to go home. Even if Jace didn’t want that, since their son agreed, he respected his family’s decision. For him, they are the most important people in his life, and he obliges himself to do whatever they want.
“Dear wife,” Jace said when they exited Ace’s bedroom. Like before, he bathed his son and had him sleep while Emerald watched them.
“Jace, I told you to stop it. Ace is not here anymore, so you better stop teasing.” Emerald said,
“I am not teasing you. You’re my wife, and I want to call you that way. Why? Do you prefer something else?” Jace asked, smiling.
“You don’t need to call me any endearment because I didn’t want to. When are you going to respect my decision? Oh, it’s because you’re arrogant and still think I am the same Emerald you thought you knew.”
“I may not fully know you, but I do know that you still respond to my kisses, and you can never hide that.” Jace said, “Go on, you can fight your feelings. But let me tell you this: the time will come when I am going to make you submit to me again. You were mine before, and you will be mine again.”
“Don’t be too sure about that,” Emerald replied, trying to compose herself since their faces were close, and she could smell his breath as he spoke. She was also anticipating the kiss he always gives her at times like it, but she didn’t want to show it either.
“Oh, dear wife. You should know how you look right now.” Young Morgan’s eyes widened, and she started thinking about whether she was being transparent.
‘No, I can’t show him that I’m wavering. He can’t know, or he will only use it against me.’ she thought.
“Don’t be afraid and let it go; I promise, this time, I’ll be a good and loyal husband to you,” Jace said with sincerity, hoping Emerald could see it. Their eyes are still locked on each other, and no one says anything for a few minutes until Jace breaks the silence. “I want you to know that my parents want to meet Ace already. I hope you don’t mind if I bring our son to their mansion this weekend.”
“What? No, I want to spend time with my-”
“Our son, Emerald. Our son.” Jace corrected her before she could finish her sentence.
“I want to spend time with Ace this weekend because his classes will start this Monday.” Emerald refused.
“Then I will tell my parents to come over here instead.”Content bel0ngs to Nôvel(D)r/a/ma.Org.
“How do you expect me to have time with Ace if your parents are here?” Emerald asked, annoyed.
“Dear wife, they are my parents and have the right to see their grandson.”
“I am not taking their rights away from Ace. I just said I want to spend the weekend with my– our son. What’s so hard to understand about it? And can you move away?” They were still close to each other, making Emerald feel more uneasy, and she didn’t like it. She pushed Jace a bit and turned her back before she started to walk her way to the stairs.
On the other hand, Jace does what she wants so she won’t get annoyed anymore. He didn’t want to push his luck, and it was enough for him to know he was right about his wife’s feelings towards him.
But since Emerald was not thinking straight and was affected by Jace’s presence, who was following her, she slipped. If not for young Higginson’s fast reflex, she would have ended up lying on the floor. “You have to be careful, dear wife,” Jace said after he caught her. Emerald’s eyes were on him, and she was mesmerized as Jace held him with his arm around her waist, pulling her up a bit to regain her footing, while their eyes locked on each other.
Young Higginson wanted to give Emerald time to get to know him while he wooed her, so he wasn’t planning on doing anything that would only anger his wife. But the look on Emerald’s face made him forget his plan as he slowly lowered his face to meet Emerald’s.
Young Morgan’s eyes were on Jace’s as if hypnotized. She saw how his face slowly got closer to hers, but she didn’t avoid it until their lips met. Emerald liked the feeling and slowly closed her eyes, forgetting everything Jace had done to her.