Chapter 3858
The group walked toward the parking lot, laughing and chatting along the way. Duncan and Liberty climbed into one car with Sonny, while Zachary and Serenity took another. Several bodyguard vehicles escorted them as the two luxury cars left the airport and headed downtown.
Once they arrived in the city, Liberty decided to go to her home first to settle in. After dropping off her luggage and relaxing for a bit, she joined Serenity and Zachary at Wildridge Manor. That evening, they all enjoyed dinner together at the York residence. They spent hours catching up, sharing stories about Jensburg, and chatting with the family elders until most of the day had passed.
Since Liberty was back, Sonny planned to stay with her at her home. After lunch, he eagerly dashed upstairs to pack his things and gather his favorite toys. While the adults continued their conversation, Sonny came downstairs, dragging a small suitcase and clutching two stuffed animals.
“Is Sonny leaving?” Tania asked, noticing him with his suitcase. She rose and walked over, speaking softly, “Won’t you stay a couple more days? We’ll miss you so much.” Sonny’s presence always brought warmth and energy to the house, and the York family elders adored him.
Tania took Sonny’s little suitcase, freeing her other hand to hold his as they made their way downstairs together. “Grandma Tania,” Sonny said, “I’ll come see you every day. Aunt Seren and Uncle Zack are on break, so whenever I can, I’ll come play and keep you company. But now that my mom’s back, I want to be with her.”
It had been a long time since Sonny had lived with Liberty. “And I want to play with Uncle Rowan too,” Sonny added.
“Grandma Tania, please tell Uncle Rowan to finish his homework quickly so he can take me to set off fireworks for New Year!” Fireworks were prohibited in the city, but Wildridge Manor, located in the suburbs, had a large lawn that made it safe to light them. The York family had already stocked up on an impressive array of fireworks for the New Year celebrations.
What kid doesn’t love fireworks? Sonny could hardly contain his excitement and even wanted to light some himself. Rowan had purchased smaller, safer ones specifically for him, and Sonny had been eagerly anticipating them for quite some time.
At the bottom of the hill, other children had already begun playing with their small fireworks. However, Serenity was strict about safety and only allowed Sonny to play when Rowan was nearby.
Rowan’s mother chuckled, adding, “Rowan has already completed his homework and is now working on more assignments. His brothers gifted him several sets of practice papers for New Year!”
Sonny shook his head with a sympathetic smile. “Good thing I don’t have that many brothers. No one is going to give me a bunch of papers for New Year!”
Even at his young age, Sonny understood that receiving extra homework as a holiday gift was hardly a treat. He felt sorry for Uncle Rowan, thinking it might be better not to have too many brothers. Eight sets of papers for the holiday? That sounded exhausting!
The family chuckled at his earnest expression. The family’s matriarch then called Sonny over, and he snuggled into her arms as she lifted him up. “Sonny,” she said with a gentle smile.
With an earnest expression, the family matriarch beckoned Sonny over. He nestled into her arms as she lifted him up. “Sonny,” she said with a gentle smile, “go home and spend time with your mom, but be sure to come back for New Year’s. Your great-grandmother will miss you.”
Liberty’s return offered a brief opportunity for mother and son to be together once more. After the New Year, she would need to go back to Jensburg, and it could be months—perhaps even half a year—before she returned. Until circumstances settled down there, Liberty and Sonny would have to endure yet another long separation.