CHAPTER 156: CLAIRE’S FATHER

Before going to Georgia’s house, they stopped by Claire’s school to pick her up. Cassidy had already told Georgia that she wouldn’t be coming alone, that Zeke and Claire would be with her.

Georgia was thrilled and said she couldn’t wait to see them.

When they arrived, Georgia welcomed them with a big smile.

The moment Georgia saw Zeke, her face lit up. "Ezekiel! I’m so glad you came with Cassidy," she said warmly, kissing him on both cheeks.

It was their first time meeting since Cassidy and Zeke had found their way back to each other.

As happy as Georgia was, she also wanted to see for herself how Zeke treated her sister and Claire. If she felt he was sincere, then she would have no problem giving him her blessing.

"Georgia," Zeke greeted briefly, but with a polite smile. "Yeah, of course I should be here with Cassidy and Claire. Especially when it’s about meeting Cassidy’s family."

Georgia nodded softly. "You’re right." Then she bent down to greet Claire. "Hey, darling... I’ve missed you so much. And your cousins miss you too."

"I miss you too, Aunty Georgie. Where’s Freya and Jonah?" Claire asked, her eyes already darting around the room, searching for them.

"They’re in the back, swimming with their dad."

"Swimming? I want to swim too!" Claire burst out, excitement glowing in her eyes. But then her smile faltered and she sighed. "Ah... but I don’t know how to swim yet."

Seeing her face fall, Zeke gently stroked her head. "You want to swim, princess? How about Daddy goes with you?"

Claire’s whole face lit up again, her body bouncing with joy.

When Cassidy saw Claire bouncing with excitement at the thought of swimming with Zeke, it struck her—they hadn’t planned for swimming at all. She hadn’t even packed Claire’s swimsuit, since their trip was only meant to visit her mother. And Freya’s size was far too different to borrow.

"But sweetheart, you didn’t bring your swimsuit," Cassidy reminded gently. Claire’s face immediately dropped, her earlier glow dimming.

"It’s okay," Zeke said easily, already offering a way out. "I’ll have Nolan buy you a new one."

That was all it took. Claire threw her arms around him. "You’re the best, Daddy!"

Zeke chuckled, running his hand over her hair. "Anything for you, princess."

"Come on, Mom is sunbathing in the back while watching Freya and Jonah swim," Georgia said to Cassidy, inviting them to follow her.

Zeke didn’t forget to tell Nolan to buy swimsuits for both Claire and himself. Nolan, long used to handling such sudden requests, followed the order without hesitation.

"Freya, Jonah, look who’s here," Georgia called out to her two children, who were playing in the water with Thiago, as they arrived at the pool area.

Freya and Jonah immediately stopped what they were doing and turned toward Georgia. The moment they saw Claire, both of them shouted excitedly, calling her name with joy.

While Claire was busy watching her cousins, Cassidy’s eyes landed on a middle-aged woman sitting not far from where they stood, her gaze fixed on Freya and Jonah.

A wave of sadness mixed with longing washed over Cassidy the moment she saw her mother. She wanted to talk to her, to ask how she had been.

Zeke suddenly took Cassidy’s hand and gave it a gentle squeeze, as if passing his strength to her. "Go on. Talk to your mother first," he said softly.

"Okay," Cassidy whispered, before walking toward Teresa.

Cassidy walked over to her mother, feeling a little nervous. It was the first time they met since Teresa’s memory and awareness got better.

"Hey, Mom," she said when she reached her side.

Teresa turned at the familiar voice and gasped. "Cassidy... is that really you?" she asked in shock. In her mind, Cassidy was still in her twenties. But now the baby face was gone—she looked more grown, more mature.

"Yeah, it’s me, Mom," Cassidy said as she sat in the chair beside her. "How are you feeling now? I’m sorry I haven’t come to see you until today."

"Good, good. I’m fine. It’s all right, I heard from Georgia you’ve been busy," Teresa said with understanding, her smile gentle.

She still couldn’t believe that after waking up, her children had all grown up. Most of them already had families of their own. She was even a grandmother now, with many grandchildren around her.

"Yeah, I’ve been so busy this month. Aside from that day at the hospital, I haven’t had the chance to visit you. I’m glad you understand," Cassidy said. She didn’t explain more, afraid her mom would worry about her and Claire.

"Oh, and... I want you to meet my daughter, Mom." Then she called, "Claire, come here, sweetheart."

Hearing Cassidy call, Claire quickly ran over. "What is it, Mommy?" she asked, then turned to Teresa with a little smile. "Hey, Grandma."

But her eyes kept glancing back at the pool where Jonah and Freya were playing.

"Mom, this is Claire. My daughter," Cassidy introduced proudly.

Teresa looked at Claire with soft eyes. "She looks just like you when you were little," she said, remembering Cassidy as a child.

"Hey, darling. You’re very pretty, just like your mom," Teresa told Claire.

Claire’s smile grew wide. "Thank you, Grandma. You’re pretty too!"

Cassidy and Teresa both chuckled at Claire’s innocent words.

"Really? Grandma already has wrinkles—do I still look pretty?" Teresa teased.

Claire nodded seriously. "Still pretty."

Teresa looked at Zeke, who had been standing nearby the whole time, quietly watching.

She smiled at Cassidy and said, "That man behind us, the one who keeps watching—he must be your husband, right?"

Cassidy turned, her eyes meeting Zeke’s. She then called out, "Ezekiel, come here."

Zeke immediately walked over to them.

"Mom, this is Ezekiel. He’s Claire’s father."

Cassidy didn’t confirm Teresa’s assumption about Zeke being her husband. Since their status was still divorced, she chose to introduce Zeke only as the father of her child.

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