Gideon stood among the crowd, listening to the jokes about Calliope and Ss. Eachugh and teasing remark felt like a thorn in his side.


    He couldn''t help but wonder-if he had been the one to marry Calliope, would thosements have been directed at him instead?


    Were Ss and Calliope thinking about having a baby?


    Gideon''s gaze locked onto Ss and Calliope, a wave of unease washing over him. The thought of them showing up at future family gatherings with a child in tow tied his stomach in knots. He felt an almost unbearable restlessness, like an itch he couldn''t scratch.


    "Ss, Callie, are you nning on having a kid this year?" Eamon asked, a hint of eagerness in his voice. Eamon was genuinely excited at the thought of bing a grandfather. Ss had never dated seriously or brought anyone home like his other children. Eamon had been worried about it for ages.


    Then, before Callie and Ss married, Callie talked to him about it, and Ss agreed. That had made Eamon quite happy.


    Eamon thought Gideon wasn''t quite the right match for Callie. Callie''s brilliance was a well-guarded secret, but Eamon was well aware of it. Even though Gideon was his grandson, Eamon knew thed''s limitations.


    Seeing Ss and Callie getting along so well filled him with joy.


    When he''d earlier teased them about having kids, Eamon knew Ss was joking along, but he couldn''t help feeling impatient, hence the question.


    Calliope paused, considering the idea of having a child with Ss. It wasn''t entirely up to her, after all. Ss had good genes, and she did like kids. Even if they parted ways in the future, she doubted she''d be interested in anyone else.


    So, if it were with Ss, she wouldn''t mind having a child. Whether Ss wanted a child or not didn''t matter much. She had enough resources to raise one on her own.


    Of course, it also depended on Ss. After all, there was still a woman in his heart, and Callie was only a temporary part of his life.


    "That depends on Callie," Ss said, shing Eamon a grin. "If Callie''s up for it, then I am, too. If she''d rather wait, I''m in no rush."


    Calliope was stunned. Was he shifting the responsibility onto her? Given their current situation, having a child seemed a bit premature.


    She was relieved when Eamon didn''t press further. He simply smiled and said, "Well, I won''t push it. Ss respects Callie, and so do I."


    Calliope exhaled, feeling a weight lift off her shoulders.


    As everyone settled down for dinner, Ss was attentive, always passing dishes to Calliope and peeling shrimp for her, gentle and considerate.


    In the business world, Ss was a powerhouse, but with Calliope, he was the most tender and caring partner.


    Gideon watched them, surprised by the jealousy that simmered within him.


    After dinner, Eamon invited Ss for a game of chess.


    Calliope took a stroll in the garden outside. She stopped in front of a wall covered with climbing roses, gazing at the moonlit blossoms.


    The roses were one of her favorites. The Baker family''s gardener took excellent care of them, and they bloomed beautifully in all but the winter months.


    Therge pink and white blooms filled the air with a sweet, intoxicating fragrance when the wind blew. Calliope stood there, her eyes lifted to the flowers, feeling a sense of peace.


    It was at that moment that Gideon stepped outside and saw her. Under the moonlight, surrounded by a sea of flowers, she looked like a fairy, a vision straight out of a dream.