章節 22: No School!
Jace sighed in resignation. He never knew a day like this would come when he would have to fight with a complete stranger for his son's attention.
The moment Charles heard the sound of the wheelchair, he scrambled down from the couch even before Grace and the wheelchair came into view.
A beautiful smile that Jace rarely saw lit up his chubby face as soon as Grace appeared.
Grace's face also lit up with a smile when she saw Charles hurrying over to her.
"Hello, Pumpkin," she gently caressed Charles' rosy cheeks. It's so good to see you, did you sleep well last night?"
Standing beside the wheelchair, Charles' little head which had the same hair style as his father's went up and down in a nod.
Jace's jaw went slack as he stared at the pair who were obviously in a world of their own, completely ignoring his existence and for a moment he even forgot to be jealous.
He couldn't help but feel that they formed the perfect picture of an affectionate mother and her son who truly loved and cared for each other.
Snapping out of his daze, he coughed slightly and the duo finally remembered they were not the only ones in the room, at least he could say that about Grace who looked up at him with some residue of the smile still lingering on her face.
"Have you had breakfast, Pumpkin?" She asked Charles who was following her obediently as she wheeled herself further into the living room.
Jace's forehead furrowed in a frown. "Pumpkin?" This was the second time she was calling him that in the space of two minutes.
"His name is Charles. Charles Brandon in case you've forgotten," Jace reminded tersely. Was he going to keep reminding everyone of them to use the correct name?
"Oh, I'm sorry, I'll stop if you don't want me to call him that," Grace apologized.
"It's fine," Charles quickly scrambled down and showed it to Grace before his father could give his final judgment.
Jace's eyebrows shot up. "But you never liked it when your uncle called you that," he pointed out.
A glare from Charles told him it was better if he minded his own business.
It's not the same as when his uncle calls him that. But hearing the kind nanny calling him "Pumpkin" was more endearing and affectionate. It made him feel really special.
"Let's eat," Charles wrote down two words and Grace glanced at Jace for confirmation.
A shrug from Jace was the response she got and took it that he was okay with her eating on the same table with them again.
But how was she going to eat freely with him on the same table? She was able to maneuver her way around dinner last night because Caden had livened up the atmosphere, making her forget that she was actually having dinner with the wealthiest man in SF.
But it was quite difficult this morning with just the three of them who practically had nothing to talk about.
She exhaled a deep breath as she wheeled herself to the dining room and could only channel her energy into picking food for Charles when they started eating.
Luckily Jace concentrated on his breakfast and the few words heard at the table were words of encouragement from Grace for Charles as he obediently ate.
Somehow she was able to pull through when fifteen minutes later, Jace wiped his mouth and pulled back his chair.
"I'll be heading to the office. I know your leg is still recuperating, so take things easy. If there's anything you need, talk to Mr Fitz."
"Alright, sir. Have a nice day," Grace replied.
The corners of Jace's mouth creased in a smile as he ruffled Charles' head. "Hey, buddy. Dad is off to work."
However, Charles just waved his father goodbye and continued with his food, shocking Jace yet again.
Normally, Charles would want to follow him as he was going out, but today, Charles actually waved him goodbye without making a fuss.
'What is really going on?' He wondered but nonetheless, bent down and placed a kiss on Charles' forehead before turning to Grace.
"Mr Russell will be around to watch over Charles with you."
Grace's forehead puckered in a frown. "Isn't Charles going to kindergarten?"
"He has a home tutor and doesn't go to kindergarten," Jace said flatly and strolled off, leaving Grace more confused.
Was there anything wrong about what she asked. Why does he seem so angry?
Although it appeared he couldn't wait to rush out, Jace was still reluctant to part with Charles for such a long time. So when he got to the door, he turned back to glance at his son but the heartless fellow was happily eating his breakfast without a care in the world.
'That's strange. How can a five year old not attend school?" Grace wondered aloud and met Jace's angry gaze.
"I'm sorry," she muttered and bent down to help Charles with his food, but her mind seemed to have a will of their own as it took off from where it paused.
Was it because of his autistic condition? But from what she read, if he is exposed to mingle with other children his age in a comfortable environment, it will help in fostering his social and communication skills.
Isn't he aware of this little knowledge that anyone can get at a glance from the internet even without any in-depth study or does it not bother him that Charles cannot talk at this age?
"Don't you want to go to school?" Grace asked Charles after he was done with his breakfast and they were back in the living room.
"No school," Charles wrote down and seemed to lose his energetic vibe.
"Why sweetheart? There are so many children your age that are in school and would love to play with you," she tried to coax the guy but his face suddenly turned cold like his father's and his two eyes narrowed in anger.
"I'm sorry sweetheart. No school," she said and saw his face gradually relax.
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