Ice and Fire novel Chapter 243

'She's right.' thought Andrew, 'Selina is very fond of Cherry and will definitely treat her well.'

"You're right." Andrew nodded, then changed the subject asking, "Cherry, how's everything with Joe? Is he doing okay with his studies?"

"He's good! He is doing very well at school too." Cherry told him.

"Good, good. I knew he would. He's a good boy." Andrew said laughing, "But he's also very naughty and bossy, just like Jackson when he was little."

Cherry glanced at Jackson saying, "Grandpa, I think that part of Jackson never changed."

Jackson reached out and pulled Cherry to him threatening, "Do you want me to show you how bossy I am in front of Grandpa?"

Cherry went red in the face in an instant, and struggled to push him away. She then anxiously warned him, "Stop it! Watch where you are."

It made Andrew happy seeing the couple clashing harmlessly. He could tell they were very happy together, and Jackson loved Cherry as deeply as ever.

Jackson just sat there gazing at Cherry's flushed cheeks quietly.

Cherry gave Andrew a shy look, growing more embarrassed.

She excused herself, extricating herself from Jackson, and rushed upstairs.

Jackson did not go after her. Instead, he stared after her, watching her figure walk away and beaming with happiness.

"Jackson, now that Cherry and Joe are back home with you, you have to take care of them, " Andrew reminded affectionately.

Jackson nodded and said, "I will, Grandpa."

"What's happened recently?" asked Andrew.

"Not much, " Jackson filled him in, "Everything is going well at the barracks. Derek and I will handle anything that arises. All of us are good, as you saw."

Andrew nodded with relief. As long as they were happy, nothing else mattered.

Jackson studied Andrew a moment before deciding not to tell him anything regarding Jean. He believed he could handle the matter himself and wanted to keep Jean as far away from his peaceful family life as possible. If he told Andrew about Jean, he was not sure what Andrew would do with Jean, and maybe things would get out of control.

By noon, Joe had given out all the presents he prepared for his friends, and he decided to give his great-grandfather a present at lunch. When they were having their meal, he carried the present to Andrew and said, "Great-grandpa, I have a gift for you. I hope you like it."

Andrew was delighted at Joe's thoughtful present and tussled his hair as he said, "Thank you! I like it very much."

Joe didn't say anything but gave his great-grandpa a big, cute smile.

Jackson and Cherry laughed heartily.

To everyone's surprise, Andrew announced, "Joe, I have a gift for you. Just wait one second."

Joe hadn't expected a gift from his great-grandfather and was flabbergasted. Jackson and Cherry exchanged looks.

Andrew walked to the desk in the corner of the room, took a bank card out of the drawer, and returned to the table. He grabbed Joe's hand and put the card in it.

Joe looked confused as he stared down at the card.

Andrew told Joe, "This is my gift to you, Joe. Take it. There is enough money for you to spend the rest of your life."