Chapter 294 Out With the Old, in With the New
Freya stayed at the Monaghans’ mansion until the evening before driving back home.
After Freya had dinner with Braxton and Sylvia, the three of them sat in the living room and
chatted.
Braxton laughed and said, “Mom, Isabella will come tomorrow and celebrate the New Year with us.”
“Isabella is coming? But tomorrow is New Year’s Eve. How can the Parkers bear to let her go?” Sylvia was in a great mood. “If that’s the case, I’ll have the kitchen staff prepare some dishes and snacks that Isabella likes. And when it’s New Year’s Day, don’t stay at home. Go to the Parkers’ house to celebrate the New Year.”
According to the customs of Caltun, after getting married, the man should go to the woman’s house during festivals and bring some gifts to show his sincerity.
This was called the festival gifts.
Braxton had already sent the festival gift two days ago when he was at the Parkers’ house. He even stayed there for a day.
Freya stared at Braxton with a mischievous smile. “Brax, how much do you miss Isabella? It’s New Year’s Eve, and you still want to stick with her. You can spend the eve at our house and go to her house on New Year’s Day.”
Freya teased him, looking mischievous.
Sylvia reached out and patted her. “Don’t make fun of your brother. He’s doing well. He found himself a wife, but what about you?”
Freya said weakly, “I have Jolly.”
The three of them chatted for a while before going back to their rooms to sleep.
The next day.
It was New Year’s Eve.
The weather was very fitting, as it started snowing heavily. When Freya woke up, her windowsill was already covered with a layer of soft snow.
She picked out a red coat with a traditional collar, along with a pleated long skirt from her wardrobe.
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Then she went to Jolly’s room and saw two nannies dressing him.
The clothes were chosen by Sylvia. It was a red outfit embroidered with golden letters.
Freya covered her face and laughed. “You look just like a doll, Jolly.”
The nannies smiled and said, “Miss, you look beautiful as well.”
Freya coughed lightly. “It’s the day to bid farewell to the old and welcome the new. We should dress festively.”
Freya carried Jolly downstairs. Sylvia had also decorated the living room with a festive. atmosphere.
There were snacks, some melon seeds, and dried fruits on the table.
The TV was on.
Freya smiled and said to Jolly, “Jolly, go and greet Grandma.”
She lightly tapped Jolly’s head from behind with her finger, making him bow his head as if he was groveling.
Sylvia glared at Freya and then looked at Jolly with a radiant smile.
“Our Jolly is only six months old. Don’t touch his head like that!” Sylvia held Jolly and sat on the couch, looking satisfied. She took a toy from the table and handed it to Jolly.
Freya sat next to Sylvia, resting her chin on her hand as she watched Jolly.
Jolly played with the toy in his hand, his big black eyes moving around. His eyelashes were long and lush.
Freya stared at Jolly and couldn’t help but feel that she could see some resemblance to Radley on his face.
Freya whispered to Sylvia, “Mom, do you think Jolly looks a bit like someone?”
Someone?
Sylvia immediately understood what Freya said as she carefully observed her grandson.
“He does look a bit like that man, but he’s much cuter!” Sylvia smiled as she played with Jolly.
Freya felt a bit worried.
It wouldn’t be a good thing if Jolly looked more and more like Radley Monaghan when he
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grew up.
If Jolly grew up and looked even more like Radley, what should she do?
People would see through the secret too easily.
Freya frowned.
“Alright, don’t think about it too much. Now, everyone in Caltun thinks that Jolly is Matthew’s child, right?” Sylvia held Jolly and mentioned.
“But Jolly doesn’t look like Matthew at all, and I’m not going to marry Matthew. It’s just a cover,” Freya said anxiously. “I’m worried about the future.”
“We’ll deal with the future when it comes. Today is New Year’s Eve. It’s the end of the year, so you should be happy. Understand?”
Freya nodded and put aside those troubling thoughts.
“You’re right. Today is New Year’s Eve. Let’s not think about those things.”
As Freya spoke, she looked out the window.
“Mom, it seems like the snow is getting heavier. Has Brax gone to pick up Isabella?”
“There’s a lot of traffic during the New Year. He’s probably stuck in traffic.”
As the two of them sat on the couch and chatted, Jolly suddenly called out.
“Mia-”
Freya was startled and immediately looked at Jolly.
“Mom, did Jolly just call me ‘mama?”
Sylvia Marshall also heard it. “He’s only six months old. It’s quite early.”
Freya smiled happily. “I read online that some smart children start talking at six months old. It means that the baby has a talent for language and a high IQ.”
With this appearance and intelligence…
Just as expected of Radley’s and my genes, Freya suddenly thought.
Then, she furrowed her brows.
Why did she think of Radley again?
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“Jolly, say it again. Mama. Mama.” Freya smiled and played with Jolly, hoping that he would say it again.
But Jolly just played with his toy, opening and closing his cute little mouth as he made small
sounds.
A while later, Braxton brought Isabella home.
Isabella rushed in and went straight to Freya. “Frey! Did you miss me?”
“I did! You went to Vroria recently, so I didn’t think I would see you,” Freya said happily.
Isabella turned to Sylvia and greeted her with a smile. “Hello, Aunt Sylvia.”
“Isabella, come sit.”
The four of them, along with the baby, sat on the couch. Sylvia and Isabella started talking about the wedding arrangements after the New Year.
Sylvia was determined to give her daughter-in-law the most satisfying wedding, but she didn’t want to reveal the details in advance. So, she could only ask indirect questions.
Freya found it amusing. She chatted with Braxton while holding Jolly.
“Brax, Jolly called me ‘mama’ just now.”
Braxton widened his eyes in surprise. “Really?”
“Yes. Mom heard it too.”
“He’s only six months old, and he can already talk?” Braxton reached out his hand. “Come, Jolly, let me hold you!”
Freya handed Jolly to Braxton.
When Jolly was just born, Braxton was very anxious.
At that time, he didn’t want to hold Jolly at all, saying that the baby looked small and fragile, and he felt like he would hurt the baby with just a touch.
But now, Freya watched as Braxton skillfully held Jolly in his arms and smiled. “Jolly, call me
‘uncle”,”
Jolly blinked his big black eyes and grabbed Braxton’s hair.
Braxton was speechless. “Jolly, be good and let go.”
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Sylvia laughed. “Uncle is too difficult to pronounce. He won’t be able to learn it for now
Braxton persisted and continued to teach Jolly after the child let go.
“Call me uncle. Uncle.”
Freya silently turned her head and looked around the room.
The smiles on her mother’s and brother’s faces were genuine. Isabella and Braxton were finally getting married too.
A smile appeared on Freya’s face. Now, she also had Jolly to accompany
her.
This year hadn’t been that bad at all.
