Chapter 297
Caleb naturally wanted to agree, but before he could respond, Susan interjected, "Let's get some rest."
Oliver obediently closed his eyes, a content smile still lingering on his face.
"Goodnight, Uncle," he whispered.
"Goodnight, Oliver," Caleb replied softly, his heart filled with a sense of warmth.
"Let's go," Susan said, leading the way out of the ward.
"Thank you for being with Oliver on Christmas Eve." she expressed her gratitude.
"He's my son, too," Caleb responded, his words sincere.
Susan was at a loss for words. It was a complex situation, one she couldn't easily navigate, so she shifted the conversation. "Oliver's surgery is the day after tomorrow."
"Yes, I'm aware. I want to stay at the hospital with him," Caleb sought her approval with his gaze.
"No need. I'll take care of him. You should rest, especially since you have your own surgery," Susan insisted, concerned about the impact of the bone marrow donation on Caleb's health.
Despite her reservations, she couldn't help but feel grateful. "Thank you for everything you've done for Oliver."
"I'm his father. I owe him more than I can ever repay. Even if it might risk my life, I will do it," Caleb's words were filled with determination.
Susan couldn't bear the emotions in his eyes. "It's late. You should go home."
"Please let me stay until the surgery is over," Caleb pleaded earnestly.
"You make me feel guilty. I don't want to intrude on your family," Susan expressed her inner turmoil, her resolve wavering.
"You're not at fault, nor have you intruded. It's me who owes you an apology. Let's focus on the surgery, alright?" Caleb's eyes held a sense of sincerity. After a moment of hesitation, Susan sighed and nodded. Caleb felt a sense of relief.
As they returned to the ward, Oliver was already fast asleep. The little one restlessly kicked off his blanket, revealing his long legs.
These long legs were inherited from Caleb.
Susan went over to cover him with the blanket, whispering to Caleb, "You go wash your face first, get ready to rest."
"Okay." Caleb was pleased.
When he came out after washing his face, Susan had already laid out a blanket for him on the sofa.
"I slept in this blanket before."
"It's okay," Caleb hurriedly said. He liked the smell of her on the blanket.
"I'll sleep in the bed with Oliver these two nights. I'm sorry you need to sleep on the sofa."
"It's nothing." He would love that.
"Good night." Susan turned off the light.
In the darkness came Caleb's low "good night", gentle as the sound of a string.
Susan lay in bed, unable to sleep. She felt strange.
They seemed very much like... a family of three.
No, this thought was too terrifying. He was someone else's husband and someone else's father. She agreed to let him stay just for Oliver's surgery, nothing more.
"Mummy..." Oliver mumbled in his sleep, "Uncle... uncle..."
Susan's mood darkened a bit. She shouldn't have let Oliver interact with him so much. What if Oliver developed feelings for him?
Susan fell asleep after a moment of worry.
The next morning, she was awakened by Oliver's happy call.
"Mummy, mummy, you're finally awake. There's so much snow. There are so many people playing snowball fights downstairs. Let's go, too," Oliver excitedly shouted at her.
Laughter from the children downstairs.
Susan rubbed her eyes. Still groggy. She suddenly saw Caleb's smiling face.
Suddenly she remembered that he had been here last night.
She must look very ugly now. Susan felt embarrassed.
Caleb saw through her embarrassment and found her especially cute. This was the real Susan, hidden beneath that layer of strong armor.
"You go wash up quickly. Oliver can't wait."
Susan didn't have time to think. She was pushed into the bathroom by Oliver's urging. Looking in the mirror, her eyes were swollen from sleep, like an ugly frog.
She was too ugly just now, but on second thought, was it necessary to hide anything from Caleb? Whatever.
After a simple wash, Caleb had already helped Oliver put on his down jacket and hat.
Susan was a bit unaccustomed. She used to do this for Oliver. Suddenly, there was a man doing these things for Oliver. It felt strange and wonderful, indescribable, but Susan didn't hate it.
Thinking that Caleb could help Oliver dress so proficiently because he often took care of his daughter before, Susan felt a sense of guilt again.
She had broken up someone else's family after all.
Once Oliver's surgery was done, she wouldn't let Caleb see her again.
Just as she was thinking, Caleb brought a scarf over and naturally draped it over her shoulders. "It's cold outside."
Susan blushed, and she stepped back unnaturally to maintain distance. "Thank you."
"Mummy, uncle, let's hurry downstairs, or they'll finish playing." Oliver happily ran over, holding Susan's hand in one hand and Caleb's big palm in the other, bouncing around.
The nurse looked at the three in surprise. "Isn't Susan a single mom?"
"In this situation, the child's father is bound to show up. The bone marrow transplant surgery is tomorrow."
"I didn't expect Oliver's dad to be so handsome. Oliver will definitely be a handsome guy when she grows up."
"His dad looks familiar. I think I've seen him somewhere."
Susan's heart thudded, and she quickly let go of her hand out of guilt.
In the garden, the snow was very thick, and the adults and children were having a snowball fight.
A snowball was thrown at Susan.
"Watch out." Caleb's tall figure blocked her, and the snowball hit his back.
Susan's heart skipped a beat.
He had shielded her from danger.
This feeling of being protected stirred her heart, and a little deer began to jump around.
"Are you okay?" Caleb asked.
"Yes, I'm fine." Her heart was too disobedient.
"Uncle, save me! Help!" Oliver was being chased around.
Caleb picked up Oliver and put him on his shoulder. Oliver was throwing snowballs, having a great time with a few other father-son pairs.
"Hahaha... Uncle, run."
"Hit it!"
"Bingo! Great!"
"Yeah, uncle, we're so awesome!"
The father and son were running around in the snow, having a blast.
For the first time, Susan saw such a childish Caleb. He was happy, like a big kid. Infected by their laughter, she couldn't help but smile, but this smile quickly froze.
She had too much guilt toward her son.
At this moment, she suddenly realized clearly. In a child, especially a boy's growth process, paternal love was irreplaceable by maternal love. She couldn't accompany her son to play basketball, swim, or play video games like a father, and she couldn't teach him how to be a man.
She owed her son more than she thought.
As Susan was immersed in a sense of guilt, a warm and dry big palm suddenly grabbed her hand and pulled her to run together.
Caleb, carrying Oliver, ran in the snow with her hand in his.
The laughter of father and son was firmly imprinted in Susan's mind, unforgettable for a lifetime.