Ice and Fire novel Chapter 353

"Uncle, did you ask Cherry to leave the company and stay home to take care of Great-Grandpa?" John looked into Jackson's eyes as he asked.

Jackson nodded explaining, "Kind of, yes. Since I am busy with work, I have little time to take care of Grandpa. I fear that neither Cherry nor I was with him when he fell ill."

John nodded in agreement. He thought his uncle asked Cherry to stay at home because she didn't do a good job, but this made more sense.

Jackson looked at John and said, "If you have time, come visit Grandpa."

"Okay, " said John, "I will come over when I have time."

"Don't talk with your mother about Cherry!" Jackson reminded him, " You know she doesn't like her! She always argues with Cherry when she comes over."

"I know." said John firmly.

Jackson thought his nephew had matured a lot in the past few years, and had even developed opinions of his own. Jackson thought the change in him was good. 'As long as he does well and makes an effort in his career, I will protect him in the future.' Jackson decided silently.

Andrew had enjoyed the family reunion so much that after seeing the Ye family off, he didn't want to go home and was still smiling.

Jackson was worried about Andrew as he stood outside next to him and he said concerned, "Grandpa, let's go back in, it's getting a little chilly out here."

"Okay." Andrew agreed, still watching in the direction the Ye family went and added under his breath, "I wonder if your sister will come visit soon."

"If you miss her, you can have the butler take you to Ye family's for a visit." reminded Jackson calmly. He cradled Andrew's elbow, supporting him as he walked and was thinking, 'I hope Lucia doesn't visit much. For Cherry's sake, I'd close the door on her.'

"Okay, maybe I will. We'll see." said Andrew, as they headed back into the house.

Jackson didn't say anything more on the subject; he just walked slowly and silently alongside Grandpa helping him into the house.

After dinner, Andrew went to his room to sleep while Jackson, Cherry and their beloved son Joe watched TV in the living room. Not much time went by before Joe asked his mother if she would tuck him because he was droozy. Looking down at Joe's adorable and sleepy face, Cherry couldn't help but say yes.

When they got to Joe's room, he looked at his Mommy and asked, "Mommy, How about we go as a family to the amusement park tomorrow? I want to ride ferris wheel!"

"Tomorrow?" Cherry thought for a while and told him, "I don't know if your Daddy has time tomorrow, but, I will find out."

"Then you will ask Daddy if it's okay? If he has time, he can come with us!" Joe took a breath and then went on, "If he doesn't have time, you and me, we can go!"

As Cherry looked down at her son, she wasn't sure how to respond. She didn't know if Jackson was free tomorrow and she didn't want to give Joe an answer till she had talked to Jackson.

Joe looked up at his Mommy with hopeful eyes, "Mommy, I really, really want to go."

The look on her lovely son's face melted her heat and Cherry couldn't disappoint him.

So she agreed, "Okay, even if Daddy doesn't have time to go, I will go with you."

"Yeah!" Joe happily started spinning around, "I get to go have fun tomorrow! Woohoo!"

When she saw how happy Joe was, Cherry smiled too. She would do anything for him to make Joe happy.

After a while, Cherry said, "Since we are going out tomorrow, you need to get to bed early. Go to take a bath and I will get clothes ready for you for tomorrow."

"Okay, Mommy! I am going to take my bath." said Joe, grabbing his pajamas and he then bounded off to the bathroom.

Cherry shook her head as she watched her lovely, stubborn son. Then she went to his closet and began tidying it.

Joe was finally cleaned up, tucked in and sound asleep an hour later. Cherry shut the light at the bedside and left his room.

When she was back in her room, she heard water running in the bathroom. She knew Jackson was taking a bath, so she sat on the bed.

Jackson sauntered out the bathroom still drying his hair with a towel a while later. Seeing Cherry sitting there on the bed, he asked, "Is Joe asleep?"

"Yes." said Cherry, as she got up and went to Jackson.

As she got nearer, Jackson put his arms around Cherry and pulled her close to him.

Cherry didn't say anything, instead, she took the towel from Jackson and stood on her tiptoes to dry Jackson's hair.

Cherry standing so closely as she toweled his hair off, made Jackson's heart race and skin heat up. He closed his eyes and enjoyed each second she stroked his head! Seeing she was having some difficulties keeping her balance, he grabbed at her hand outstretched in front of him, stopping her tender ministrations.

"It's dry enough." growled Jackson.

"What's the matter? Your hair isn't dry." Cherry said doubtfully.

"I can finish it, my heart aches watching you on tiptoes trying to reach it." said Jackson.

Cherry understood what Jackson meant, smiling she argued playfully, "Well, it's your fault for being so much taller than me."

"Yes, but, no one can ever reach you or harm you while you are in my arms." said Jackson as he enveloped Cherry's tiny frame in his arms, pulling her closer in his tight grip.