Ice and Fire novel Chapter 379

Instead of answering Derek's questions, Jackson went on, "Keep this between us for the time being, and help me prepare the paperwork needed for discharge from the army, please?"

After listening to Jackson, Derek thought for a second and said, "Okay, I'll prepare the paperwork for both of us. I'll put in a request for discharge from the army too."

Jackson's head shot up and he looked at Derek, and as he looked into Derek's eyes, he understood what Derek was thinking.

That afternoon, Lucia went to pray at Andrew's memorial before she left for home. She saw Jackson standing off to the side as she was leaving and approached him.

"Has everything at home been handled?" Lucia asked him casually. She knew the Chu Family had been busy receiving visitors offering their condolences lately, which would certainly make life chaotic.

"Yeah, everything is settled, " said Jackson, not looking up at Lucia.

"That's good. Please let me know if you need any help. Grandpa was always good to me and I would like to help, out of respect for him now, " said Lucia as she teared up again when she looked to where Andrew's memorial was.

"You need to promise you won't make any trouble at the funeral. If you dare lay a hand on Cherry again, I'll never let you off the hook!" Jackson promised slowly.

Lucia was taken aback at what Jackson said. She couldn't see Jackson's face clearly from the side, but she knew he was serious from the tone in his voice, calm but forceful as though he were giving an order. The faint emotion behind the calm made her fear him at that moment. Jackson didn't get mad at her when she smacked Cherry earlier that the morning, so she thought Jackson resented Cherry, and blamed her for Andrew's death too. It surprised her that he would defend her.

"My grudge against her won't end in this lifetime!" Lucia angrily spat out.

"If you dare hurt her when we have Grandpa's funeral, I promise you; I will kill every member of the Ye Family, and that includes you! I will bury you alongside Grandpa!" promised Jackson as he turned his head and glared at Lucia.

Lucia was so frightened she shuddered involuntarily, and as she looked into Jackson's eyes, she knew he would carry out his threat.

Lucia stood up. She stared at Jackson for a while, without a word, and then left.

Jackson watched Lucia as she walked away. He would kill anyone, even his closest relatives, if they were to make a scene ruining his Grandfather's funeral. He knew he had driven that message home to Lucia, and she wouldn't dare make any trouble at the funeral.

Andrew's funeral was calm, and as the day came to an end, Bill and Lily busily tidied up at home. Jackson hadn't left the home for several days, instead, spending the time in Grandpa's room.

Cherry saw Jackson. He looked thinned, which made her feel bad. She knew he was mourning Grandpa and needed space, so she left him alone. Andrew's passing had hurt him to the core, and he needed time to heal.

To keep herself from dwelling on the recent events, and having too much time on her hands; she focused on what she could do, which was taking good care of her son. Cherry drove Joe to school and picked him up after school every day.

On the day of the funeral, Cherry recalled seeing Mond hiding behind the some trees as she stood over Andrew's headstone. She knew from his expression that he was in pain too, although she didn't know the extent of why. She was focused on Jackson, who had been standing next to her. Jackson was so depressed, and worn out she was afraid he would just give up. So, she gave Jackson her full attention after she glancing at Mond.

She noticed Lily and Bill had rearranged the living room back to it's original layout when she returned from picking Joe up that afternoon.

Lily approached Cherry as soon as she saw her.

"Mrs. Cherry, welcome home, " politely greeted Lily.

"Hello, is dinner ready?" Cherry asked as she changed her shoes.

"Yes, it's ready, " said Lily.

"Where's Mr. Jackson?" asked Cherry.

"Mr. Jackson is still upstairs, he has not come down at all today, " replied Lily.

Joe stood quietly to the side. He didn't dare speak up lately, because the atmosphere at home was so tense.

Cherry told Lily, "Lily, take Joe to the dining room for dinner. I'll go ask Mr. Jackson to join me for dinner."

Cherry looked down at her son and said softly, "Joe, go have dinner with Lily. I'm going to see how Daddy is doing and try and get him to have something to eat."

"Okay, I will, " Joe responded sensibly.

Lily escorted Joe to the dining room, while Cherry walked up the stairs.

Cherry gently pushed the door to the study open, and saw Jackson sitting inside, so she went into the room.

Cherry stood next to Jackson looking down at the side of his face, noticing the toll the past few days had taken on him. There was an obvious weight loss. She knew he either stayed in Grandpa's room or in the study every day, and hadn't gone down stairs, talked to anyone or had anything to eat. She felt his pain seeing him hurting and grieving like this.

Cherry spoke softly, "Jackson."

Jackson didn't respond. He knew it was her, the minute Cherry entered the study. He didn't want to talk to her. He just wanted quiet, and to have peace for a while.