CHAPTER 89: CHAPTER 89: PRETTY GRANDMA, I LIKE YOU

Hawthorne Family.

When Poppy Hale and Declan Hawthorne returned, Florence Lynch was playing games with Mrs. Hawthorne.

The moment Mrs. Hawthorne saw Florence, she was immensely fond of her.

Isn’t this the granddaughter from her dreams?

Ever since she had caught a glimpse of her in the video that day, Mrs. Hawthorne’s heart had been lingering on that porcelain doll.

In her dreams, she even dreamed of that little girl chasing after her, calling her grandma.

Grandma, come play with me.

Grandma, why doesn’t Daddy want me? Is it because he doesn’t like me and doesn’t want me to come to your house?

In her dream, Mrs. Hawthorne was so anxious she broke into a sweat, chasing Florence and shouting.

No, it’s not like that.

Chasing after her, she saw the little girl picking up trash under a bridge, eating discarded food.

Mrs. Hawthorne was so anxious her hands and feet were waving in the air.

She wanted to go up and bring the little girl back.

Mr. Hawthorne then held her hand.

Waking Mrs. Hawthorne from a state of shock.

Mrs. Hawthorne was still thinking about the dream, lost in thought all day, and unexpectedly, that afternoon after school, Iris Quill brought the little girl from the dream home!

Mrs. Hawthorne felt that this was destiny’s arrangement, didn’t she?

Even Ms. Valerie Barrett, Heather’s mother, said, "This little girl looks just like you, and like me too."

Mrs. Hawthorne and Ms. Valerie Barrett are biological sisters, so naturally, they look alike.

Florence looking like Mrs. Hawthorne also carries some resemblance to Ms. Valerie Barrett, thus having similarities with Heather too.

Mrs. Hawthorne held Florence in her arms, deeply attached and reluctant to part.

She took out all the toys in the house, showing them to Florence.

Florence shook her head, sweetly saying, "I don’t want anything, Mommy said to tell her if I want something and not to ask others."

At just two years old, she was already this sensible.

Hearing this, Heather lifted her foot and gave a kick to Iris Quill, who was only focused on eating.

Iris Quill turned around to look at Heather, pouting.

She was just about to cry when she saw Poppy Hale standing at the door.

Before she could stand still, Poppy Hale was hit by a little chubby kid who ran up while shouting.

"Aunt Poppy! I miss you so much!"

Iris Quill is unmistakably a little chubby child.

Last month’s child health check, fresh from the oven, thirty-five pounds.

Upon hitting Poppy Hale, she heard a muffled groan from herself.

Declan Hawthorne’s fingers pinched Iris Quill’s back neck.

He pulled him away.

The little chubby kid’s arms and legs flailed in the air.

"Aunt Poppy!"

He was overwhelming with enthusiasm.

Poppy Hale had no choice but to agree with him reluctantly, "Hello, little Iris. I’m here to take Florence home."

Heather brought out some fruits.

"You haven’t eaten yet, have you? Have a bite before you go, so you don’t have to fuss around when you get back."

Children get hungry early.

They had already had a meal with the two kids.

Poppy Hale was about to refuse when Aunt Cheney had already turned to the kitchen.

She chuckled, "Young Master hasn’t eaten yet either, has he? Join us for a meal, Young Master, what would you like to eat?"

Declan Hawthorne took off his suit jacket and hung it up.

"Mustard greens dumplings, seven for her. Anything for me."

Aunt Cheney has been in the Hawthorne Family for many years.

She was well-acquainted with Declan Hawthorne’s preferences and temperament.

Now hearing him arrange dinner for a woman in such a familiar tone, Aunt Cheney and Mrs. Hawthorne couldn’t help but glance over.

Aunt Cheney rubbed her hands on her apron.

Looking at Poppy Hale, she couldn’t help but size her up.

Tall and slender, fair-skinned, with a cool and elegant demeanor, her face was as small as a palm, sparklingly pretty.

Standing with Declan Hawthorne, they seemed inexplicably harmonious and well-matched.

Aunt Cheney gaily said, "Will seven pieces be enough? Young Master usually eats twenty-five of my mustard dumplings."

Aunt Cheney is a local of Arvum, very skilled in cooking.

Poppy Hale, under pressure, stiffly nodded.

"Enough, thank you Auntie."

The dumplings were soon served, and Aunt Cheney brought them out to them.

Declan Hawthorne casually picked up a spoon and handed it to Poppy Hale.

He remembered that she liked to use a spoon to eat dumplings, and didn’t like using chopsticks.

Poppy Hale took it, and they ate their meal quietly.

Mrs. Hawthorne saw Poppy Hale for the first time.

Initially, she wanted to ask something.

Heather blinked her eyes, signaling Mrs. Hawthorne not to ask too much.

Mrs. Hawthorne then watched Declan Hawthorne discreetly and considerately taking care of Poppy Hale while eating.

When had she ever seen, Declan Hawthorne not return to his study immediately after dinner?

Instead, he sat there quietly watching a girl eat her meal?

Just by looking, Mrs. Hawthorne felt like exclaiming.

Looking at the child in her arms, Mrs. Hawthorne whispered, "Baby, are your mom and dad still together?"

She hoped to see her son start a family.

This was the first woman her son brought home!

But there should be no moral issues.

Florence blinked.

She whispered, "Pretty grandma, I like you, so I’ll quietly tell you that I’ve never seen my dad."

Never seen.

That means she never lived with him from the beginning.

Or perhaps, they separated very early on.

Well then.

While the child is still young, it’s a good time to nurture a bond, coming to the Hawthorne Family to be her granddaughter, it’s perfect!

As for having been married and having a child, saying one is completely indifferent is impossible.

But it’s not the most important thing.

Initially, Mrs. Hawthorne had endless criteria for her future daughter-in-law’s appearance, wanting a match in status and a gentle personality.

Later, as long as Declan liked her, that was fine.

Having been married, so what? As long as she’s divorced.

Having a child is good, it proves she’s capable.

After marrying, she could have another child with Declan to continue the family line, it would be the same.

Mrs. Hawthorne has come to terms with these things.

There’s plenty of unmarried women without children, but not many caught Declan’s eye.

In Mrs. Hawthorne’s mind, she already started to plan.

Poppy Hale finished her meal and went to pick up Florence.

Mrs. Hawthorne gestured Poppy Hale to sit beside her.

She smiled warmly, "Poppy, right? Why don’t you and Florence stay the night?"

Poppy Hale: "..."

Mrs. Hawthorne was indeed playing by her own rules.

With just that suggestion, the whole family was stunned.

How could someone just outright invite a person to stay overnight?

Poppy Hale promptly stood up, "No, no, I have some matters to attend to, we won’t disturb you. Florence, let’s go home."

"Okay."

Florence reached out, hugging Poppy Hale’s neck, being carried up by her.

With the soft, fragrant doll missing from her arms, Mrs. Hawthorne’s heart felt a void rise.

Clutching her chest, she was out of breath.

"Oh my! I feel so uncomfortable! If Florence could stay to accompany me, I’d immediately feel better!"

Her face was covered with genuine performing traces of sincerity.

The adults present saw it clearly, yet unfortunately, a child took it seriously.

Florence climbed down, lay on Mrs. Hawthorne’s knees, and with her small hand rubbed her chest.

"Don’t feel bad, Grandma, Florence will blow gently. Florence will come see you tomorrow, okay? You have to be good."

A two-year-old child.

Comforting a sixty-year-old lady.

The people present couldn’t help it and burst into laughter.

With the promise of seeing each other the next day, Mrs. Hawthorne allowed Poppy Hale and her daughter to leave.

Watching Florence leave, Mrs. Hawthorne felt her heart suddenly empty.

"Declan, why can’t Florence be my real granddaughter..."