Love Me Or Leave Me

Chapter 258

Stacey opened her mouth, intending to say something, but ultimately said nothing. She glanced at Jeremy, who was being held by Hayden. Jeremy’s eyes were red, and even though he was holding back his tears, they were visible. “Let me hold Jeremy,” Stacey suggested to Hayden.

When Jeremy heard her words, he immediately reached out his arms, wanting a hug from her. Seeing Jeremy’s eagerness, Hayden hesitated for a moment before passing Jeremy to Stacey and saying, “He’s quite heavy.” A three–year–old was not light at all, and carrying and comforting them for a long time could be exhausting even for an adult.

“Not at all,” Stacey replied, shaking her head slightly as she took Jeremy in her arms. She then walked over to the couch in the living room and sat down.

Hayden watched them for a moment before saying, “Please help me comfort him. I need to take care of some things upstairs.”

Hearing that, Stacey nodded quickly and said, “Okay.”

Meanwhile, Lillian and Kevin had gathered around their mother, curiously looking at Jeremy. “Jeremy, what’s wrong?” Kevin asked with concern.

Lillian, also worried, chimed in, “Are you not feeling well, Jeremy?”

Stacey looked at Jeremy. Thinking that the child was in a bad mood, she lowered her gaze to look at Lillian and Kevin and said in a low voice, “Lily and Kev, Jeremy is not in a good mood today. Please don’t disturb him.”

Not knowing how to comfort Jeremy, Stacey could only hold him quietly, trying to provide silent reassurance. After all, she was in an awkward position to talk about Queenie. Fortunately, Jeremy began to calm down after a while. Nevertheless, he still clung to her, reluctant to lift his head. In the end, Stacey’s arms went numb.

After finishing his work, Hayden came downstairs and found that Stacey was still holding Jeremy. With a frown, he walked toward them. Seeing that Jeremy had calmed down and was not crying anymore, Hayden looked at Stacey and said, “I’ll hold him in your stead.”

When Jeremy heard that, he immediately shook his head and snuggled closer into Stacey’s embrace. Hayden, looking at his son, said succinctly, “Becky has been holding you for such a long time. Her arms must be numb.” The moment Jeremy heard that, he froze in place.

Stacey, amused, gently chided Hayden, “Please don’t say that. You’re scaring Jeremy.” After saying that, she then looked down at Jeremy and asked softly, “I’m fine. Jeremy, are you still feeling upset?” Jeremy raised his head, looked at Becky carefully, and then reluctantly withdrew from her embrace. Stacey was still worried. She looked at Jeremy and said, “Jeremy-”

“I’m fine,” Jeremy said in a low voice. He then looked up at her with determination and asked, “Becky, you’re going to marry Daddy and be my mommy, right?”

Stacey was momentarily speechless. Hayden raised his eyebrows and couldn’t help but look at Stacey expectantly, secretly observing her reaction. However, before Stacey could even respond to Jeremy’s question, Hayden interjected with a smile, “Of course! But I need to propose to her first.”

Jeremy’s eyes lit up with excitement as he looked at his father. Hayden, glancing at Stacey, then back at Jeremy, continued, “I’ve already called to have an engagement ring made. Once it’s ready, I’ll propose to Becky, and she will become your mornmy.”

Stacey found Hayden’s reply amusing. Nonetheless, Hayden’s words saved her from any awkwardness, as his statement was not far off the mark.

“What are you all talking about?” Lillian, who was nearby, inquired, her pretty eyes sparkling with curiosity.

Kevin also appeared puzzled, stating earnestly, “I don’t understand what they are talking about at all.”

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Stacey couldn’t help but laugh, amused by the two children. Hayden and Jeremy also couldn’t help but chuckle at the same

time.

Then, as Jeremy began to explain the meaning of marriage to Lillian and Kevin, he took a serious tone. He told them that once Hayden married Becky, they would all be a real family, with Becky becoming his mother and his father becoming Lillian and Kevin’s father.

Despite Jeremy’s earnest explanation, Lillian and Kevin still didn’t quite understand. They wondered why Hayden would only be considered their true father after the marriage. After all, they had been

calling him “Daddy” for quite some time. Besides that, they also couldn’t understand why Jeremy referred to Stacey as Becky.

“Jeremy, you can call her ‘Mommy‘ now!” Lillian suggested in a solemn tone as she looked at Jeremy.

Kevin nodded in agreement, adding, “Yes, you can call her ‘Mommy‘ now!”

The two children’s innocent voices amused and bemused Stacey and Hayden. The kids were too young to grasp the complexities, but their earnestness was touching. Even though Jeremy already understood everything, he couldn’t help but be moved by Lillian and Kevin’s suggestions. Jeremy’s heartbeat quickened, and he could not help but look at Becky with anticipation.

When Stacey noticed that, she was momentarily stunned. ‘Is he going to? Is it okay for him now?‘ she pondered. Subconsciously, she glanced at Hayden.

Hayden also looked at her with a smile. “I think it’s okay now.”

Hearing that, Stacey felt resigned, but she realized there was no harm in it. After all, Lillian and Kevin had been calling Hayden “Daddy” for quite some time. “Okay. Feel free to call me Mommy if you want to,” Stacey said, smiling at Jeremy.

“Mommy!” Jeremy exclaimed joyfully, calling out loudly.

Stacey was taken back for a moment before she nodded and smiled. “That’s my boy!”

“Mommy!” Jeremy called her again, his eyes shining brightly as he looked at her.

The moment Stacey noticed that Jeremy’s eyes seemed to shine and heard him refer to her as “Mommy” repeatedly, her heart softened. She reached out to hug Jeremy and said, “Yes, I’m here

for you.” While saying that, she didn’t dare to look at Hayden. Her ears turned red because she knew that Hayden was watching as everything unfolded,

Lillian, following Jeremy’s lead, also started calling out, “Mommy!” For her, it was just a game, and she found Jeremy exclaiming “Mommy” funny.

Kevin also thought it was funny and joined in, yelling, “Mommy!”

“Mommy!” Lillian called again.

“Mommy!” Jeremy, eager not to be outdone, quickly echoed it, not wanting to say it any less than Lillian

Stacey, overwhelmed but touched, kept responding to their calls. The three children were overjoyed that day. Meanwhile, Stacey nearly lost her voice as she continued to respond to their call.