Chapter 303 – Second Chance Love of the Missing Groom Novel

However, she was too tired to even stand, and simply nestled against Diarmuid’s neck while pretending to sleep, reluctant to talk to Debbie.

Once outside, Debbie opened the door for Diarmuid, who carried Abigail inside.

They headed straight home, and Stephen returned home as well.

Sheryl Harris had cleaned the house and their rooms when she learned that Abigail was returning, while Mrs. Watson cooked up a storm.

Abigail felt that she was home for the first time in a while.

“Welcome home.’ Sheryl was beaming, and she had cajoled Tommy to welcome her as well.

Mrs. Watson stood nearby with a cheerful smile as well. “Ma’am.’

Abigail crumbled right then, and her tears were already gushing.

Sheryl walked up to her right then and wiped her tears. “No tears, or you’re going to cry easily from now on.”

Diarmuid had called ahead that Abigail had delivered their child prematurely, so the child had to be kept in an incubator for now.

Naturally, he just did not want Sheryl to ask about the child when she saw Abigail, avoiding the issue for the moment or Abigail would start hurting again.

He certainly did not want Sheryl to find out either-there was no way Sheryl could help, and there would be another person stressing themselves out.

Abigail’s throat felt pouched and her nostrils watery, but could not stop her tears despite trying her best.

‘Mom, I’ve missed you…” she choked through tears.

‘You’re an adult now,” Sheryl’s eyes welled with tears as well despite her gentle rebuke, but kept her emotions in check since it was supposed to be a good day. “Mrs. Watson and I went to work as soon as we got Diarmuid’s call, so we cooked a lot of food now.

It’s been a while since we had dinner together, so go take a bath and we can get started.”

Pausing for a moment, she added. “Don’t take too long, though.”

“Yeah,” Abigail replied.

That was when Tommy suddenly said, “Mama.”

Sheryl had taught him to say it when he saw Abigail-he actually felt nothing toward Abigail, since she was away from so long he basically forgot about her.

Sheryl naturally knew what mothers wanted.

On the other hand, Abigail was working hard to subdue her emotions, but she crumbled again because of Tommy.

“Let me down,” she relapsed, and Diarmuid gently did so.

She watched as Tommy wobbled toward herself and she abruptly dropped to a crouch, gathering his tiny frame in her arms.

Since his grandmother had told him not to push her away, he did not.

“I’m sorry… I’m so sorry…”

Her blanket sliding off her, Abigail was overwhelmed.

Diarmuid walked over and dropped to one knee beside her, putting the blanket over her so that she would not catch a cold.

“Calm down,” he said quietly. “You’re making US all worried.”

Abigail looked up then and saw the tears in Sheryl and Mrs. Watson’s eyes.

As Diarmuid dried her tears, she collected herself and said, “I’ve missed Tommy so much.”

In reality, she felt sorry for their child, and knowing that, Diarmuid said, “Let’s get you cleaned up, or the food will get cold.”

“You have all the time you want to spend with Tommy now. There’s no hurry,” Mrs. Watson said.

Abigail nodded, wiped her tears, and looked at Tommy with a forced smile. Tommy blinked and turned to Diarmuid to greet him.

As Diarmuid gave him a pinch on the cheek, he lunged toward Diarmuid, hugging him eagerly and giving him a peck on the cheek, probably unable to express himself otherwise.

Sensing Abigail’s despondence, Diarmuid patted Tommy’s head. “Go play with your toys.”

Tommy refused to let go, however, and started to nestle his little face against Diarmuid.

Diarmuid had to coax Tommy with his toys before the boy finally let go, and Sheryl scooped him up in her arms. “Come in already.”

“Yeah,” Diarmuid replied, and headed to the bedroom with a hand around Abigail’s shoulder.

Once he closed the door behind himself, he swiftly gathered her in his arms, knowing that she was saddened that Tommy had grown distant to her.

“I know you love him, and how difficult it was for you to keep him back then. He loves you, but he needs time to remember since you’ve been gone for a while.”

Abigail knew that, but she just could not help feeling despondent, so Diarmuid had to gently pat her on the back.

After a while and her mood improved, Diarmuid let go and said, “I’m getting a bath ready.”

He headed inside the bathroom, prepared a tub full of hot water that filled the room with vapor.

Then, he helped her undress, but Abigail caught his wrist. “I can do it myself- =

“I’ll help,” he insisted, not because of libido, but only because he wanted to take care of her.

It had just been three days since her C-section, and she was not supposed to come into contact with water.

Diarmuid soaked a towel to rub her body, gently and meticulously, and when that was done, he applied ointment to her scar and helped her put on the pajamas Sheryl prepared for her.

Once that was done, Diarmuid took a quick shower, changed into fresh clothes, and followed her downstairs.

After a brief moment of respite, everyone had calmed down.

Sheryl had Tommy sit beside Abigail, beside the table full of piping hot food.

Ladling a bowl full of steaming soup for Abigail, Sheryl said, “Here. This will keep you warm.”

“Yeah,” Abigail said, holding it with both hands and taking small sips.

She really did feel warmer.

After that, she started to put food on Tommy’s little plate,He was sitting in his highchair, able to eat on his own without help.

The food Abigail gave was his favorite, and he would scoop everything with his tiny spoon into his mouth, and Abigail felt her heart sing even as she watched.

Once dinner was over, Sheryl urged her to return to her room, since she was still in her postpartum stage and needed to be careful.

Abigail did so, returning to her room with Diarmuid since Sheryl and Mrs. Watson would clean up after them.

Still, she kept standing since she just ate, and asked, “Where’s James Cross?”

After all, she had only seen Debbie the secretary but not James.

Diarmuid’s expression changed slightly just then. “He… He’s incapacitated.”

It’s rare to see him being cagey, so Abigail pressed, “What happened?”

“He had an accident,” Diarmuid admitted-he would rather not mention it since it was terrible. “He’s now in a vegetative state.”

What?!

Abigail was at once shocked and heartbroken.

How did that happen to James?

“It’s fine-don’t worry about it. You should be resting.” Diarmuid pulled up a blanket and laid her down while saying, “I’m going to check on him now.”

Abigail nodded, since it was the least Diarmuid could do. “Yeah.”

Still, she suddenly remembered something as she lay down, and she called out to him. “Diarmuid…”

Diarmuid looked up at Abigail just then. “Yeah?”

She wanted to ask if Debbie was responsible, but realized that she had no proof.

“What is it?” Diarmuid held her gaze, sitting on the bed just then.

Abigail hesitated for a moment, but eventually asked, ‘ Did you tell Debbie to come back after James’s accident?”

“No,” Diarmuid replied. “James had her transfer back earlier.”

“Really?”

Abigail thought that Debbie did that to James just to make it back, but since the case was the exact opposite, it would look as if she had no motive.

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