The Bond Between Us (Anastasia and Herman) novel Chapter 685

Hank returned to Southridge Estates with the twins, and Judy was pleasantly surprised and overjoyed. She had been staying there with little Patty, feeling the emptiness of the house and missing her grandkids terribly, yet unable to see them.

As soon as Hank saw Judy, he handed little Emmy to her, saying, "Mom, can you hold her for a bit? My arms are getting tired."

A baby weighing only a few pounds making someone's arms tired? That was just his excuse, knowing Judy was longing for a cuddle.

Judy chuckled, "Sure, just a sec. I'll wash my hands first. I've been cleaning, covered in dust."

With nothing much to do, Judy had tidied up the house. Though they had a housekeeper, Judy couldn't sit still; luxury living just wasn't in her bones. Even if she wasn't fussy, being covered in dust and having dirty hands, she indeed needed a wash first.

After washing her hands and disinfecting them with sanitizer, she finally went to hold her granddaughter. Patty, hearing her siblings had returned, came downstairs, craning her neck to see. Judy lowered Emmy so Patty could get a better look.

Katelyn, holding little Nate, said with a smile, "Judy, I have to apologize. I threw away the amulets you gave the babies. I'm really sorry, I just thought they might harbor germs, or the string could strangle them, nothing more. Please, don't take it the wrong way."

Katelyn's upfront apology took Judy by surprise, but she wasn't one to hold grudges, smiling, "No worries, we're family. No need for formalities."

Seeing the air cleared between them, Hank chimed in, "Mom, I've got to head back to the hospital."

"Go on, dear," Katelyn added, "I’ll have someone bring over the baby stuff soon."

Unable to reach, Patty leaned in, smiling at her brother, who beamed back. Such a young child's smile might be subtle, but this time it was genuine. His tiny hand grasping Patty's face showed his affection. Perhaps, this was the magic of blood relations.

Patty loved her brother and, seeing him reach out, attempted to pick him up. Just then, Katelyn's scream echoed, "Patty, what are you doing?"

Katelyn, checking on the baby, panicked at seeing Patty reach for her little brother, fearing the worst. Startled by the shout, Patty quickly withdrew her hands, gesturing that her brother wanted her to hold him.

Katelyn rushed in, first making sure Nate was alright, then sternly said, "Patty, he's too small for you to hold. What if you dropped him? And, did you sanitize your hands? He's very delicate, and our hands carry all sorts of germs. You need to wash and disinfect your hands, got it?"