Chapter 146 Joseph's reaction to the news that he was going to be a great-grandfather was everything I could've hoped for- and then some. For a few long seconds, he didn't move at all, as if his mind needed time to catch up with the words Christian had just spoken. Then his eyes filled with tears, and a radiant, almost childlike smile spread across his wrinkled face. "A baby," he whispered, his voice trembling with emotion. "A baby... in the family... after so many years..." And then he exploded with pure joy.

He jumped up from his chair with surprising agility and pulled us both into a tight embrace that lasted for what felt like forever. His words tumbled out in a mix of Maravinese and rapid Valentian, overflowing with happiness. "This is the best news ever!" he cried, kissing the top of my head again and again. "The family's baby! Finally, finally!" Dinner turned into an impromptu celebration. Joseph insisted on opening the best bottle of wine from the cellar so he and Christian could toast, while I raised my glass of sparkling water.

He wouldn't stop asking questions- when the baby was due, whether we knew the gender yet, if I was feeling well, and if we wanted him to bring in the best doctors in the country. "Grandpa, breathe," Christian laughed at one point. "We still have five months to go." "Five months!" Joseph clapped his hands together, nearly knocking over his glass. "There's so much to do! The nursery, the furniture-we need to renovate the room next to the master bedroom! And-" It was impossible not to be moved by his excitement.

Seeing the sheer, genuine joy on his face made me realize that moving to Highridge Valley had been absolutely the right decision. Hours later, I was in our room getting ready for bed. Christian had gone down to his office to handle some urgent business emails, leaving me alone with my thoughts-and the quiet hum of a house that was starting to feel like home. I was changing into my nightgown when there was a soft knock at the door. "Come in," I called, assuming it was Christian. To my surprise, Joseph appeared, carrying something wrapped in crisp white tissue paper.

I'm not disturbing you, sweetheart," he said shyly. "I know it's been a long day, but I brought something I wanted you to see." "Of course not, Grandpa," I said, sitting down on the bed and motioning for him to join me. "What is it?" Joseph approached slowly, his hands trembling slightly as he carefully unwrapped the bundle. When the paper fell away, I gasped softly. It was the most delicate baby blanket I had ever seen-a soft, pale yellow knit

for his arrival." I held the blanket gently, feeling the incredible softness of the wool beneath my fingers. Tiny grapevines were embroidered along the edges, and in one corner, the name Kensington was stitched in gold thread, elegant and timeless.

bed. "Thank you," I said, truly touched. "Tell me about when Christian was born." Joseph smiled, his eyes taking on that faraway gleam of someone slipping back into cherished memories. "Ah, what a

forth like a caged lion..." He paused, chuckling softly at the memory, the sound warm and nostalgic. "Sophie kept scolding me," Joseph said with a laugh, his accent thickening as he slipped between languages.

little blanket Sophie made." His voice softened, full of warmth and memory. "When the nurse handed him to me for the first time, he opened those big blue eyes and just stared at me-so serious, so calm. Like

first steps holding onto my hand. And his first word wasn't dada or mama." He chuckled softly. "It was Grandpa." The tears were flowing

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