Meanwhile, in Justin's home, two of their neighbors supervised the kids as they waited for Chloe to come home. With Stefan's help in paying her medical bill, the doctor immediately scheduled her for surgery as soon as Chloe agreed to it. Chloe's mental health was positive as she looked forward to spending more time with Justin and the other children together with their grandma.
The operation lasted for almost 4 hours but when the doctor came out and brought them the good news, Cayenne hugged her husband with overwhelming happiness. They were able to save another life. She only needed to rest and make sure to take her medications on time. At the same time, the doctor made sure to schedule her discharge on the 24th of December if nothing goes wrong.
Right now, Chloe was boarding the taxi with her grandmother. Supposedly, a bodyguard would send them home but the old lady refused to take more of the man's time. She wanted him to go home and spend time with his family as well. Thankfully, there was a taxi nearby. After recording the details of the cab as well as the driver, the bodyguard let them go.
Justin was cooking something for Christmas Eve and their neighbors were helping him to make things easier. They decorated the house and the kids helped arrange the table and the utensils. They were preparing a simple celebration at the same time; they were all looking forward to this day because Chloe would be coming home.
Every time they hear a motor engine, they would run out of the house to see if the little girl has come home but they got disappointed each time because the vehicle didn't stop at their house.
"C'mon, guys. Chloe will be home in a while. I know you are excited but you have to be patient." One of the adults said when she saw how dejected the kids look. "By the way, my eldest son has come home from his year-long duty. He has prepared something for you."
"I don't want anything else. I just want Chloe to come home," one of the little girls commented and started crying. "It is scary when someone goes away and will not come back anymore like grandpa. I don't want Chloe to go with grandpa."
"What are you talking about? Chloe is not going with grandpa. She's cured already. She will be home in a minute."
"You said it earlier as well. We waited and waited. Very many minutes passed by already and she is not here yet!"
The two adults were helpless with the kids. They were fond of their tight bond but they didn't expect that it could be annoying as well.
Seeing the mess that the other kids created, causing the adults some stress, Justin walked over to the children and had his hands on his hips. "Go over there and sit." The kids immediately stopped crying and walked to the wooden bench. One after another, they sat quietly while looking at Justin. "Stay there and don't make any noise. You have to behave or Chloe won't come home.
I will throw anyone who will make some noise." The kids nodded their heads and Justin went back to work.
Although he was putting on a calm façade, Justin was also nervous as the time continued to tick away. He was worried about why they were taking so long when they should have arrived already.
Everyone looked at the source of the voice and they found a handsome man standing there. The kids wanted to say something but when they remembered Justin's words, they shut their mouths.
Seeing their reaction and their closed mouth, the handsome man laughed awkwardly. "Ah. Uhh. Am I not welcome?"
"Oh! You are here. Don't mind the kids. Justin just gave them a lecture," the adult woman expressed and welcomed her son inside the house. "Justin is in the kitchen."
"Strict as ever." The man commented as he removed his shoes and went inside the house. The kids were looking at him as if they wanted to say something but they remained quiet. "I'm glad that they are listening to Justin now."
The man went to the kitchen and as soon as he saw the young lad, he hugged the kid and gently patted his head. "I heard you are working already. Are you really not planning to take my offer? You can study and find a decent job in the future."
"You just came back and that is what you are telling me? Go away. I am cooking."
The man sighed as he placed the things he brought on the table. "I rarely get home because of work. It must be the reason why you don't want to become like me. However, you have to think how you can provide more for their future if you want to continue staying with them."
Justin stopped moving his hands from stirring the pasta and looked back at the man who smiled faintly at him. "It's too late to play the part of being my father now. I don't need your concern."
Not long after, Justin heard a commotion outside and when he took a peek, he found Chloe surrounded by the other kids. He turned off the stove and ran towards his grandma and the little girl, ignoring the man he left behind in the kitchen.
"I'm home," Chloe mumbled and hugged Justin. "Thank you for everything."
Justin just hugged her back and smiled. He can't leave. He won't exchange his happiness right now for something so distant like his future. He just wanted to cherish every moment he has with the kids. Everything else can go down the drain. He didn't care.
Working now and working later after studying was the same for him. Besides, he wasn't even sure if you would find kind and generous employers like Stefan and Cayenne.
With Chloe and their grandma home, Justin and the other kids waited for Christmas Eve. When his grandma saw Justin's father in the kitchen, she only sighed and patted his shoulder. "You can take him once I'm dead."