Ice and Fire novel Chapter 401

The next morning, Cherry and Jackson got up early. Cherry went downstairs and headed for the kitchen to start cooking breakfast. Jackson followed her downstairs but went towards the opposite direction leading to the garden to do his morning exercises.

When Joe woke up, he hurriedly ran down the stairs. He saw his dad entering the house from the yard. Wondering where his father came from, Joe asked, "Daddy, didn't you stay here last night?"

"I was here the whole night, " Jackson answered, confused by his son's question. He stopped his pace and looked at his son, curious as to what led his son to conclude that he stayed out.

Joe then asked, "Then why did you come from outside?"

Jackson replied, "Oh, I did my morning exercise in the garden, just now."

Joe nodded his head and smiled. He now understood what was going on. In his panic he jumped into the wrong conclusion. So he said, "Well that explains everything."

While this was happening, Cherry went out of the kitchen and saw that the two men of the house were exchanging words, she smiled and announced, "Good morning you two, breakfast is ready."

Joe replied, "Okay, Mommy." Then he happily ran towards his Mother to give her a hug.

In the dining room, the three sat at the table and ate their breakfast together. While Joe was eating, he said, "Daddy, Mommy, let's have a family meeting, okay?"

Cherry, surprised by his son's declaration glanced at Jackson. She had no idea what Joe was about to say to them.

Jackson, though surprised by this sudden declaration of meeting by his son, was amused. He slightly smiled and wanted to see what kind of family meeting Joe wanted to have.

So Jackson said, " Why don't you tell us first the agenda of the meeting and we'll see."

Joe held his two chopsticks in his two hands, trying to be formal and serious said "Currently, in our family, Mommy goes to work in my uncle's company and she also drives me to and from school. Daddy, now that you're back home with us, maybe you should help Mommy? That way, mommy can rest early and I get to spend more time with you."

Cherry, amazed but still taken aback by what his son said, called his attention in a gentle but reprimanding tone, "Joe." She was unaware that Joe had been observing the family activities inside the house. He noted how his Mommy was busy with her work schedule while making sure that he was given the attention and care that he needed. Jackson was busier then her, but, Joe had no idea. Jackson had so many things to deal with since Andrew's death.

Jackson thought for a while, nodded his head and said to Joe, "You know, you're right. Your Mommy is really busy."

Joe then asked, "So you're going help my Mommy?"

Jackson asked in return, "So what should I do? How can I help her" He asked his son to see what idea his smart child could come up with. Jackson was certain that Joe has already thought of this a hundred times and already had an answer prepared.

"You should come back home on time every day. Help Mommy cook dinner and, " Joe paused for a second, and added, "play games with me." After he finished stating his solution to his father, Joe smiled, sheepishly.

After hearing his son's recommendation, Jackson laughed. He didn't expect that his clever son would be able to give such a solution. Hitting two birds with one stone, giving Cherry a small break and him spending more time with Joe.

Cherry stared at her son with a dazed expression on her face. She never thought that Joe would be so outspoken to his father.

Joe looked into his Mommy's eyes and sweetly said, "Mommy, don't worry. At first, when we arrived here I thought that it would only be the two of us. But now Daddy is here, too. He followed us, and he is now with us. I believe that Daddy will go wherever you are, so we don't need to worry where Daddy is. Daddy will always be with us no matter where we go."