The day before Memorial Day, at the Wilson's residence.
In the living room, Olivia, who had returned home for the break, and Jasper, who had already graduated, sat together. The two siblings were chatting with their heads close to each other. Olivia was affectionately holding onto Jasper, who occasionally nodded with a subdued expression, much like Trevon. However, upon closer inspection, one could tell his facial features looked more like Natalie's.
When Natalie and Trevon came downstairs, they saw their daughter in wide-leg jeans and a Chanel top while their son was wearing a white hoodie and black sweatpants. They were huddled together and chatting.
Similar to Natalie, Olivia also disliked wearing dresses or high heels. She preferred jeans, wide-leg pants, and casual trousers. She was fine wearing any attire as long as it wasn't a dress.
Seeing their parents come downstairs, Olivia stood up from the sofa, quickly walked over to Trevon, and took hold of his wrist. "Dad, Mom, we were discussing which day to go and visit the graves."
Natalie followed behind. She smiled at her daughter and sat down beside her son.
Trevon was indulgent toward both daughters. Just like when they were younger, he gently ruffled Olivia's hair as she led him to sit on the sofa. He asked her gently, "Why did you come back alone? Didn't you want me to pick you up?"
Olivia tilted her head back, shaking it while sporting a playful smile. "No way! I just thought you and Mom were too busy. Besides, I study at Athana Medical University, which isn't far from home. I can come back myself. My motorcycle isn't slower than your car, right, Mom?"
Olivia rode Natalie's motorcycle to the university. When she didn't have much luggage, she usually used her mom's motorcycle to go to university. She also disliked traffic congestion. Her personality was very similar to Natalie's. Even their way of thinking was alike.
The only difference was that Olivia was very good at being coquettish, while Natalie had just a bit of that skill, which she had picked up after marriage. Perhaps if Natalie had had loving parents when she was young, she might have learned to be coquettish too.
When Olivia was young, her dream was to become a teacher. However, as she grew older, her aspirations changed. She opted for a major in surgery, either general or orthopedic, when applying for university. Natalie knew that Olivia's devotion was to cure Caleb's leg.
Sophia fulfilled her dream and got into a military academy. This determined girl was adamant about not studying in the country and insisted on going abroad. She said that if she studied in the country, her dad would pull some strings for her. She wanted to challenge herself abroad and make her own way.
After a lot of pleading, tantrums, threats, and even a bit of coquettishness, Trevon couldn't resist his daughter's persistence and ultimately agreed. He went to great lengths to send his cherished daughter to the foreign military academy.
Natalie reminisced about the time she and Trevon stayed at a hotel near Sophia's school for over a week when they sent her abroad. They had hoped against the odds that Sophia, feeling the hardship, would give up and come back home. But it didn't happen.
Sophia was clever too. She realized her dad wouldn't feel at ease and guessed he was at the hotel. She deliberately called him to make him return home.
On the first night back in Athana, Trevon hid in the study, looking at photos of his three children. As he gazed at them, he unexpectedly began to cry. It was Natalie who eventually comforted him, spending several hours consoling him. She used a charming and alluring tactic, an activity that Trevon certainly enjoyed. And unbelievably, he shamelessly gave this activity a nickname, the "Blossoming Show."
Unable to visit Evergreen Gardens, they continued to reside long-term at the Wilson's residence, shifting from computerized counting to manual counting. After each round, he made sure to report the counts.
After reminiscing, Natalie smiled and responded to her daughter's comment, "Your dad misses you but feels awkward saying it. Drive carefully and mind the speed. Safety always comes first. Otherwise, I will take the motorcycle back."
Olivia said, "Got it, I'm driving really slow. Are Grandpa and Grandma napping?"
Natalie replied, "Grandpa and Grandma are taking an afternoon nap. Your dad heard you were home, so he skipped work and also dragged me along."
Olivia smiled happily and looked up at his father. Trevon stroked his daughter's hair.
Trevon glanced at his son, who had been quiet all the time. He was so quiet that he seemed to have become invisible. He continued asking his daughter, "Want to practice what you've learned on Grandpa's leg first?"
Olivia shook her head. "No, I just miss Grandpa and Grandma a bit. They're taking a nap, and I don't want to disturb them."
"Aren't we going to visit the grave tomorrow? Do you have other plans?" Trevon asked leisurely, glancing at his son, who was sitting opposite him.
Upon hearing this, Jasper lifted his gaze to meet his father's eyes and remained silent for a while. Then, he said, "Well, I'll go to the Blackwell family's grave for you."
At this, Natalie playfully held her fist to her nose tip to conceal her smile. The entire family knew this joke, and her son saying it so blatantly was quite amusing.
However, the three children did not know the exact reason why Trevon Wilson went to visit the Blackwell family's grave every year. Whenever they attempted to ask, Trevon always evaded the topic.
The history behind it wasn't particularly glorious, and Trevon surely didn't want to lose face in his children's eyes.
On the other hand, Jasper seemed to treat it as a routine matter. He only wanted to help his father. There was no trace of anything specific in his tone as he said, "At your age, it's not suitable to visit Mr. Blackwell's grave, but not going is also not appropriate. So, I'll go on your behalf. This is the best solution."
Trevon squinted and looked at his son. He felt this brat had grown up. He was a bit offended that the boy was openly criticizing his age in front of his wife and daughter. "Am I 80 years old? Am I that old?" he retorted.
The mother and daughter chuckled at the exchange between the father and son. Jasper didn't praise his dad for being youthful. He simply pursed his lips and did not reply.
Seeing his son's silence, Trevon grew more agitated. He asked in annoyance, "So I should thank you then?"
His tone lacked any trace of gratitude as he stared intently at his clever son.
Jasper smoothly replied, "You're welcome. It's what a son should do."
Natalie was afraid that the father and son would go against each other, so she quickly added, "Since Jasper can go on your behalf, that's even better. You're already so old, yet you're still going to Mr. Blackwell's grave. Aren't you afraid that everyone will tease you? In the future, let Jasper help you. Do you really plan to visit the Blackwell family's cemetery until you're 80 years old?"
Trevon didn't dare to argue with his wife's words and didn't compete with his son to go to the graveyard. "Who dares to tease me?"
The two siblings agreed that their mother was the only one who could manage their father.
Natalie was tired of dealing with the unreasonable Trevon. Olivia diverted the conversation after casting a glance at her brother. "Dad, just let Jasper go then. By the way, do you know when Sophia will be back?"
Trevon persisted with his son, saying, "Since you're helping me out, and it's been a month since you graduated, start working at the company after the holiday."
Jasper did not object and agreed readily. "Sure, okay."
Only after his son agreed did Trevon respond to his precious daughter. He also missed Sophia a lot. That ungrateful girl stopped calling him after she was sent to the military academy. They had agreed on a call every week, and initially, she was punctual. Now, it took her a month to make one call. Trevon said, "I reckon she might come back for Christmas. That girl's completely obsessed with her military academy life."
Trevon still couldn't understand why his daughter wanted to become special forces. What was she thinking about?
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