Lionel suddenly felt that his son was in his way! Indeed, he had felt this way for the last three years. Lionel really wanted Larry to sleep in his own room, but the child was extremely adorable and was birthed by Lionel's beloved wife. Hence, he could not bear to leave Larry all alone.
Karen Joy discontentedly said, "Larry, didn't I tell you that you shouldn't interrupt us when we kiss? Why don't you listen?"
Larry rushed over and hugged his father's thigh. "But you haven't kissed me yet. If you don't kiss me, I won't be able to sleep."
Lionel scooped him up and said, "Okay, I'll give our little third wheel a kiss first."
Larry was so happy to be kissed by his father that he proclaimed proudly, "Dad, I'll protect mom when you're not home."
Lionel nodded and praised him, "You did a good job! Let me give you another kiss"
Karen Joy huffed, "Well, you two can keep kissing each other. I'm leaving."
Lionel and Larry said together, "No, we love you the most."
Karen Joy said, "You know what to do, then."
Lionel, with Larry in his arms, walked over to Karen Joy and kissed her on both cheeks. They said, "Don't be angry."
Karen Joy raised her eyebrows and chuckled, "That's more like it."
Larry waved his hand. "Okay, everyone has kissed. We can go to sleep now."
Karen Joy and Lionel were silent.
This child was truly naughty.
The couple had to work together to coax Larry to sleep first. Only then did they have the time to talk.
Lionel led Karen Joy's hand to his chest, "Tell me what happened today?"
Karen Joy said, "You don't have to worry about family matters. Just focus on your work."
Lionel argued, "I am also a member of this family."
Karen Joy poked at him. "Nobody said you aren't a member of this family, so why are you so worked up? I just don't want you to worry and feel exhausted. You're always working so hard to keep us well cared for, but I can't help you with your work! So how could I burden you with more worries?"
Lionel reassured her, "I'd be glad to worry about things related to you. Really."
Karen Joy smiled and said, "I know you would."
Lionel tried to hold Karen Joy in his arms, but with Larry in between them, there was not much they could do. "Two more months. Just two more months and we'll let this little guy sleep on his own."
Karen Joy said, "Are you willing to part with him?"
Karen Joy thought that since Larry was a boy, they should let go and let him learn to be independent earlier. However, Lionel had been the one who could not bear to part with him. He was afraid that Larry would not be able to sleep alone, and would cry in the middle of the night, looking for his parents.
Lionel carefully carried Larry to one side of the big bed, making it easier for him to embrace Karen Joy into his arms. "From now on, once he falls asleep, I'll move him to the side. Then, we can sleep together."
Karen Joy laughed, "Childish!"
Lionel continued, "Julien is an adult who knows what he's doing. Although love and marriage involve two families, the prerequisite is that the couple must be in love. In that way, they'd be able to make it through, no matter how tough it is."
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