Chapter 123: Chapter 123

To say that Shelby had even expected that kiss was an understatement! It was so unexpected that her eyes remained wide open as if her soul had left her body, but that kiss’s intense emotion and thrill were just too much! When Ian had cautioned her, she had almost scoffed in her head. ’How bad can it be? All I want to do is to eat Ava’s meal like a ’normal’ person!’

However, she was shocked because of the audience they had: her parents-in-law, the children, her friend and brother, not to mention the workers and even Brad.

However, Ian held onto her chin tightly and devoured her lips as if they were alone and behind closed doors, and there was no one there.

For a moment, even the workers who were serving the meals stopped dead in their tracks. They were as baffled as the one being kissed. Ingrid reacted quickly and leaned over, clamping her hands over Gabriel’s eyes while closing hers tightly.

"What are you doing? I want to see too!" Ingrid did not budge even as Gabriel tried to wiggle himself off of her!

Samantha looked away angrily, whispering,

"So irresponsible! And no regard for children!" But then her eyes met that of Rocky, and she blushed.

The kiss seemed to Shelby to be so long that it never ended. Ian brought out one hand and flattered her wide eyes closed, then smacked her on the lips. He smiled. A cunning smile that left Shelby even more flustered than she already was.

Ian winked and pecked her on the lips. It was rather like he licked her lips, his beard gently scratching her.

"What did you do that for?" She hush-whispered, her face so red that she could feel herself burn up. She buried her face in his chest, so embarrassed.

He patted her back and chuckled.

"You didn’t tell me it was about this!" Her voice came out muffled as she was plastered across his chest.

Ian held her snugly and turned to his plate, pooping another berry into his mouth nonchalantly as if he had not just kissed her senselessly in the open.

"That’s what I am talking about!" Geneva nodded, feeling very proud of herself as she looked on at her eldest son and his wife.

"Katie!" She called out.

"Remember to bring out my knitting! I need to complete it before he comes!"

Alex looked on, confused, and asked, "Before who comes?"

"The baby!" Katie hush-whispered to him.

Alex shook his head at his wife, and his thoughtful gaze returned to Ian and his wife. He did not even know how to react to that information in that instance!

Rocky only peeked at his sister and her husband, but his eyes had remained on his crush throughout. He had limited time with her and had to relish each second. Ian’s open display of affection just affirmed his thoughts and he had reassured himself that Shelby was okay with Ian. With the way Ian handled her gently and never let her out of his sight, Rocky was more than okay, and all reservations he had about Ian had been thrown out of the window.

It was Ava who noticed the look on Samantha’s face change. The little girl was smitten!

’Was this another young Rocky in the making?’ Ava shook her head.

’It’ll probably not last long,’ she reasoned. However, one may wonder: ’Why did Ava care about this?’ It had nothing to do with her in the least!

"What are you all doing standing there like statues?" Geneva’s sharp voice echoed out, snapping all the workers back into their frenzy. They were used to all sorts of things at their workplace but never anything like a man who wanted to devour his wife right in front of everyone.

The ladies, still blushing at the scene, hurried and started serving the meal’s main course. Palatable-looking diverse dishes were placed on each table simultaneously. There was so much food that it was impossible for them to finish it all.

The workers took turns doing the serving and any other related work so that most of them remained seated at all times that evening. Mainly, only Brad had not dared look at the kissing couple openly. How could he?

Rocky turned to the older couple whom he had met briefly when he had arrived.

"I hear that you are now in medical school. Do not follow in the footsteps of your father...."

It was so like Geneva to say such. Rocky took no offence as he was more embarrassed at his father’s actions. He nodded just as Geneva added:

"You’ve grown up to be a fine young man despite the environment."

"As Shelby’s only brother, you are welcome here anytime. Just drop by whenever you want."

"Thank you once again, Ma’am."

Geneva nodded and then turned back to her meal while she made small talk with her husband.

On the other table, Ingrid finally had let go of Gabriel by then, and his eyes opened as wide as saucers. The kiss was already forgotten as his ears had picked up something else.

"You’re Mama Shelby’s brother?"

Rocky turned from the elders to the young ones and nodded.

"That is so cool! What is your name?"

"Eww! Why did they name you like that? Like a Rock? That does not sound so nice!"

"Gabriel!" Ingrid pulled his sleeve and whispered something to him.

Rocky, on the other hand, was struck dumb! He had always thought that Rockwell was lame and Rocky was chic, but to be told that by a boy of barely five years hurt so much.

He heard Ava chuckle by him and wished he could disappear.

’This boy is savage!’

Gabriel turned back to him and, lowering his eyes, he said,

"I’m sorry.... That was not nice of me to say that, but your full name sounds nicer. Your chosen name is just okay, though."

"Well, thank you for saying sorry, Gabriel. I think you and I will get along just fine...."

"Of course I do!" Gabriel brightened up after that and went back to his meal. He did not directly interact with the shy kid and the older sister, whom Rocky did not know how to describe. Rocky just wished Shelby would have an okay time, as raising someone’s child was not easy. He had seen that first-hand growing up, but he knew if anyone could raise the children right, then it was his sister.

Shelby was still stuck on Ian, too embarrassed to take off her head.

"Was it nice?" Ian asked her.

Despite the ambiguity of the question posed, Shelby knew that he was not referring to the kiss. Surprisingly, the small fruit that Ian had pushed into her mouth was the first taste of an outsider’s meal after days. That was enough for Shelby to detach herself from him with shining eyes.

She closed her eyes as the remnants of the pastry fruit melted on her tongue.

"It tasted so good!" Ian’s lips curved upwards.

"See, I told you that Ava’s meals were the best!"

"So, should I continue to feed you?"

"What?" Shelby moved back so far and fast that she nearly bumped into Ava. She covered her lips and shook her head vigorously.

"Ok! I was just trying to help!" He shrugged.

Shelby narrowed her eyes at him in suspicion. She did not believe him one bit. Even though his method had worked, she could not see herself continuing to do that.

’Does that mean that I have to live from now on? This is so unfair!’

Ava chuckled on the side, and Shelby nudged her in the ribs. Even though Ava did not fully understand what Shelby was mumbling about, she at least understood Shelby’s reactions.

Just then, Rocky’s phone buzzed, and he pulled it out to check it out.

He listened to a bit and then sighed,

"I’ll be right there."

"I’m sorry sis... I have to go."

"What is it, Rocky? Do you need me to come with you?"

"No, it’s okay. I can handle it."

"I’ll see you off then. Will you come with us, Ava?"

Rocky grinned. He had been wondering how to get Ava to come with him for his farewell, and Shelby solved the problem for him.

’That’s why I love you, sissyyyy!!!’

"I’ll be right back," Shelby whispered to Ian and stood up after Rocky said his farewell to the older couple and the children as he viewed them as his nieces and nephew by marriage.

However, to Shelby’s surprise, the short walk included her, Rocky, Ava and Ian!

She walked slightly in the front with Rocky, and they whispered together.

"Is mum really okay?"

"She will be sis. Don’t worry about her. I’ll let you know if it gets too hard for me to handle."

Shelby nodded and gave Rocky a brief hug. "Take care,"

"Albert will send you back," Ian said in a tone that booked a room for no argument, and then he held Shelby’s hand and started going back almost immediately.

"What of Ava?" Shelby asked as she tried to look back.

"She’ll find her way back on her own," Ian replied, not even stopping once.

This made Rocky’s view of his brother-in-law go up even more.

"Alright, since Shelby is gone, you should go too," Ava said and started back, only to have Rocky side-step her by blocking her way.

Thank you so much to all for your votes and comments! I hope we can keep it up ^_^

Support the author by reading only on NovelHub :) ~Uploaded only on NovelHub by Loctovia ~