Chapter 28 Pleasant Family Reunion
“Speak for yourself. Olivia did not ask me to reimburse her,” Kate pointed out.
“If you’re not going to pay up, then be a bit more self-aware and get out of the car now.”
“Who do you think I came here for? If it wasn’t just to pick you up. When we came earlier, we thought we were going to be late so Olivia sped all the way here. My heart was literally up in my throat the whole time. She got here in less than 40 minutes when it’s supposed to take an hour. My soul felt like it almost left my body. You should be more considerate and also pay for my portion.”
Olivia looked at her through the rear-view mirror. “You should just tell him if you want him to pay for you. Don’t beat around the bush and talk about my driving instead of your own cowardice. You’re the first one to criticize my driving skills.”
He chimed in, “Exactly; and you still want me to pay on your behalf? Do you think you’re very pretty?”
Kate immediately lunged forward from the back and gripped his neck with both hands. “Say that one more time.”
Her grip was making it hard for him to talk. “I think you’re… the most… beautiful.”
After that, she let him go. “At least you’re not tactless.”
Massaging his neck, he said, “You’re so ruthless. I almost died here because of you.”
She snorted, “Whose fault is that?”
Olivia shook her head quietly.
It’s a love-hate relationship!
“Olivia, come with me to see my great-grandpa later! You can check on him too. He’s always in my thoughts. I can finally present myself in front of him now,” Nathan announced happily.
“Sure,” Olivia agreed.
They dropped Kate off first, then went to pick up the child and headed to the Nolan Residence.
Olivia was not expecting Eugene to be there too and explained bashfully, “Nathan was worried. He insisted that I should come along and have a look.”
Eugene gave a slight nod. “Yes, thank you.”
“Uncle Eugene!” North tilted his head as he greeted him. There was an unrestrained delight on his face.
Eugene walked over and caressed his small head then asked warmly, “Has your leg injury recovered?”
North nodded. “It doesn’t hurt anymore.”
“Uncle!” Nathan called.
Eugene nodded at him. “Did you just come back?’
“Yeah, I came here as soon as I got off the plane.”
“Go on and see Great-grandpa. He’s always talking about you!”
Nathan let out a murmur then looked back at Olivia. “Let’s go, Olivia.”
Thus, they went into Old Man Nolan’s room.
Old Man Nolan had gotten noticeably thinner. Wrinkles had appeared all over his dull and yellowish face. A small pinch of a goatee had grown on his chin that looked rather cute. He looked quite aware of his surroundings and was brimming with energy.
He immediately burst into tears when he saw Nathan.
Tugging at Nathan’s hand, he started to ask a lot of questions. How had he spent all those years overseas? How was the food? How was life there?
On the other hand, Nathan was worried about Old Man Nolan’s health and feelings.
The two of them held onto each other and talked for quite some time.
A while later, Old Man Nolan spotted Olivia and North. “These two are…”
He gave Nathan a questioning look and thought they were related to Nathan in some way. Nathan quickly introduced them, “Great-grandpa, this is the doctor that has been treating you, Doctor Maxwell, and this is her son. You’ve never met before?”
With his hands in his pockets, Eugene answered Old Man Nolan’s questioning gaze, “When Grandpa woke up last time, he was surrounded by the family right away so there was no time to introduce them.”
Old Man Nolan nodded his head after comprehending the situation. “Thank you, Doctor Maxwell!”
She smiled. “It’s my pleasure. I only did what I had to do.”
His gaze fell on North. “Come here. What is your name?”
North peeled his lips back as he inched closer. “Great-grandpa, I’m North Maxwell.”
His greeting filled Old Man Nolan with happiness. Old Man Nolan grasped North’s small hands with his wrinkled ones and asked, “Good child. How old are you? Have you started school yet?”
