The one thing the couple regretted was not having a daughter–not that Jade didn’t want one, but Parrish didn’t dare try again.
When Jade was pregnant with Cole, everything went smoothly until the very end. Suddenly, nothing was working–the baby just wouldn’t <ie </i><i>out</i>. Parrish stayed by her side the entire time. She was inbor for over twenty–four hours, and her cries left Parrish so rattled that he barely slept for a month afterward, waking in a panic just to make sure his wife was still next to him.
By the end of that first month, Jade had gained a couple of pounds, but Parrish had dropped nearly fifteen. His cheeks were so hollow he looked like a different man.
While they were still at the birthing center, Jade once spotted another couple cuddling their baby girl and, offhandedly, asked if maybe they should try for a daughter. Parrish was so terrified by the idea that he booked a vasectomy the very next day, putting an end to Jade’s hopes once and for all.
In truth, the reason the three of them ended up moving here was all thanks to little Alessia. They had been wavering, but after one conversation with her, they made up their minds on the spot, signed the contract, and bought the house outright.
Sure enough, as soon as they settled in, they sent their son over with a gift they’d picked out long ago, hoping Cole’s poprity at preschool might just help him charm the neighbor girl into–well, not “lure,” but “invite” her over to y.
To their surprise, before Cole even got through the door, he was turned away by Alessia herself.
It was a rare thing to see their son stumble like that, so naturally, Jade–being his loving mother–couldn’t help but tease him.
Once Parrish got the full story, he crouched down to look Cole in the eye, ruffling his hair gently.
“This was your mistake, buddy. You shouldn’t have spoken with prejudice. Go tidy up your things and then have some dinner. Tomorrow, you need to apologize properly, understood?”
“That’s right–and why not invite her over while you’re at it? Dad’ll cook something special for her.”
Parrish nced at Jade, used to her ways by now, and said nothing to contradict her, just gave her hair a fond tousle.
Cole nodded, and the next day, he set off again for the Tates‘ house, gift in hand.
This time, he made it all the way into their living room and sat quietly on the sofa, hands in hisp, waiting patiently for his host toe downstairs.
“Miss Alessia, you have a visitor.”
“A visitor? Since when do I have friends?”
Despite her words, Alessia closed her book and came down the stairs.
“What, you here toin about me?”
The moment she saw Cole, Alessia assumed he was like all those kids from her old neighborhood–run to their parents whenever they couldn’t get their way, as if having backup made them special.
She looked at him with an air of disdain, her delicate features <i>set </i>in a mask of haughty indifference.
“No, I’m here to bring you a gift. I’m sorry about yesterday. I didn’t mean what I said–I just want to be your friend.”
Cole didn’t get angry at her attitude. Instead, he stood up and apologized seriously, offering up the present with both hands.
Alessia froze for a second. In her memory, this was the first time anyone had given her a gift.
“Hmph, you think a little trinket’s enough to win me over?” she scoffed, but her actions betrayed her as she took the gift anyway.
“My mom picked it out. She wants to invite you to our ce for dinner. And, well, I do too–if you want toe.”
Seeing Alessia ept the gift<b>, </b>Cole let out a breath of relief. He looked at her, eyes shining with hope, making it almost impossible to say no.
“We just moved here from another city. Do you want toe over and see our ce? I have a lot of toys–we could y together.”
For the first time in her life, someone was inviting Alessia into their home. She wasn’t sure how to react, but she was determined not to let it show.
She kept her face stiff, feigning indifference.
But Cole didn’t seem to notice, bouncing with excitement like a happy little puppy–you could almost imagine a wagging tail behind him.