Chapter 183

Stacey struggled to pronounce Hugo's name, then gave up. It didn't matter; they understood each other. After Hugo left, Hayden ushered everyone to their rooms. Lillian and Kevin, ecstatic, zoomed around their hotel suite.

"Where's Jeremy?" Stacey asked, gesturing for Hayden to sit.

"Kindergarten," he replied.

"Is he alone? Scared?" Stacey worried.

Hayden shook his head. "No. My grandparents are in Strico, looking after him. He loves them."

"Mr. and Mrs. Hoggard?" Stacey was surprised.

Hayden nodded. "Jeremy's having another surgery in a few days. He's had speech therapy; everyone's worried he'll be scared. My grandparents come a month early for each surgery to help him."

Stacey's concern deepened. "Can he be cured?"

"We started treatment early, so there's hope," Hayden said. "It's a long process, but he's made great progress. After this surgery, he should be able to try speaking."

Stacey's eyes widened. "Really?"

Hayden smiled at her genuine concern. "Yes."

"When's the surgery? Where? Can I be there?" she offered. "Jeremy likes me; it would help."

"Can we see Jeremy? I want to go!" Kevin chirped, scrambling to his mother. Stacey scooped him up, squeezing his cheek.

Lillian darted over. "I want to play with Jeremy, too!"

Hayden lifted Lillian. "You like Jeremy, Lily?"

"Yes!" she squealed.

"Me too!" Kevin yelled.

Hayden felt a surge of happiness. The children were so close. After a while, he excused himself. Stacey and the others were exhausted from their flight, and he needed to arrange more invitations for tomorrow's product launch.

Chapter 183

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Later, Lillian and Kevin relentlessly repeated, "Where's Daddy? Why'd Daddy leave? Why can't Daddy stay?"

Stacey, getting a headache, pulled them close. "Lily, Kev, that's Mr. Hoggard, not Daddy. Call him Mr. Hoggard, okay?"

Their protests were immediate and loud. They wanted Hayden as their dad. Debra intervened. "Becky, let's not correct them. I like Hay, too. Maybe he could be their godfather? And you, Jeremy's godmother? It'd be good for the kids."

"Calling him 'dad' feels more natural," Debra added thoughtfully. "Becky's kids call him 'Daddy,' Hay's son calls Becky 'Mommy.' Maybe it'll become real. Too much separation creates distance."

Debra sensed Stacey’s feelings for Hayden. She worried Stacey, still recovering from her divorce, couldn't see it clearly. She didn't want her daughter to miss her chance.

Stacey was confused. "Can we do this? But... it's not impossible, is it?" she mused, thinking of the children. They were adorable, and she knew Jeremy liked her. Lillian and Kevin needed a father figure.

Debra saw the consideration in Stacey’s eyes, her relief palpable. "No problem. Our families have been close for years. Grandma would be happy."

Stacey reflected on the bond between her grandmother and the Hoggards. She remembered only fragments, but she sensed a genuine connection during her brief visit to the Hoggard Manor. “Hayden and I being godparents… the eldest in our families should support this, right?”

"If you're okay with it, I'll mention it to Hay," Debra said, a smile playing on her lips.

"I want Mr. Hoggard to be my dad!" Lillian declared.

"Me too! He's good!" Kevin added emphatically.