I Walked Away Seven Years Too Late But Right on Time novel Chapter 257

Gavin and Harold's flights were only forty minutes apart, so they left the house together the next morning.

Ethan clung to Gavin's neck, reluctant to let go.

"You count on your fingers, just ten more days and Daddy will be back." Gavin pressed a kiss to his son's chubby cheek.

Harold cupped Ethan's little fists in his palm and said softly, "Grandpa will come back and see you next month."

Sophie and Sarah pushed Ethan in his stroller, walking them downstairs.

After walking a distance, the men looked back and saw the women still standing under the tree, gazing at their retreating figures.

A wave of tenderness washed over both Gavin and Harold. Home was wherever someone was waiting for you.

As the car merged onto the airport highway, Harold stared out the window. Over the past year, he had traveled this very road countless times.

Every time he arrived, his heart was full of hope; every time he left, an undeniable melancholy lingered.

"The scenery in the mountains is beautiful in April. When you come back, we'll spend a few days at The Blue Ridge Lodge."

Gavin suggested.

"Sounds perfect." Harold turned back, responding with a warm smile.

He fully understood and appreciated Gavin's kindness.

In early April, upon hearing that Sophie was planning a vacation to The Blue Ridge Lodge, Gwen and Jason's family eagerly tagged along.

Gwen had finally made it past her first trimester of morning sickness, transitioning into a phase where she had a ravenous appetite. While everyone else was going to enjoy a spring getaway, she was going on a date with food.

"Grilled trout, braised beef, roasted chicken, and buttery mashed potatoes..."

In the car, Gwen started listing off the menu. After enduring three months of practically a vegetarian diet, she was determined to make up for all the missed meat in one fell swoop.

"Gwen, you're going to turn into a little piggy if you eat all that."

Mia couldn't help but laugh.

Just the other day, she had overheard Gwen interrogating Jason, demanding to know, "Would you still love me if I got fat?" And now, she was completely letting herself go.

"Jason, will you despise me if I gain weight?" Gwen asked him directly.

Before Jason could even answer, George, sitting in the passenger seat, let out a cold scoff through his nose. "He wouldn't dare."

Gwen burst out laughing. Even though her father often annoyed her, he never missed a chance to pull rank as the father-in-law and fiercely defend her in front of Jason.

"Of course not." Jason met Gwen's eyes in the rearview mirror, mouthing the words "I love you," then winked, silently signaling her not to be mischievous in the car. With the kids and the older generation present, it wasn't the place for overly affectionate talk.

Gavin brought everyone to the same lodge he had taken Sophie to before.

"As you get older, you just need less sleep. I'm going back to check on Mia."

Harold watched Sarah's retreating figure, remaining silent.

Sarah used to love sleeping in. Back in their school days, she would always rush into the classroom right at the bell.

After they started dating, he would ride his bike to her window and wait, tossing little pebbles to wake her up.

Over the years, his own sleep had deteriorated as well. He struggled to fall asleep, often tossing and turning until the early hours of the morning.

Older people often felt the days dragged on, mostly because they slept less and had too many waking hours to fill.

Spending three days at the lodge, falling asleep to the sound of crickets and waking up to the chirping of birds—likely thanks to the abundant negative oxygen ions in the mountains—they both enjoyed rare, restful sleep.

Sarah clearly loved it here too; she smiled far more than usual.

Harold toyed with the idea of buying a retirement villa in The Blue Ridge Mountains.

Unfortunately, as soon as he brought it up, Gavin informed him that private villa construction was strictly prohibited in the area.

Some things simply couldn't be bought, no matter how much money you had.

"If you like peace and quiet, come to our town. It's serene, and the houses are cheap. I have a place in town I can sell you for a friendly price."