Falling in Love : I love you, Today and Forever

"Dad, what was that?" She whispered as she caught up with her father.

Samuel gave Oliver a knowing glance before he separated from the group, leaving the father and the daughter to have their conversation in peace.

"What was what?" Oliver shrugged in confusion as though he had no idea what Ivy was referring to. He feigned ignorance even though he knew what Ivy was trying to find out from him. His lips arched up on one side discreetly before he composed himself and trained his gaze on his daughter.

"I mean...Mr. Carter....What was that?" Ivy was too dumbfounded and she stumbled over her words, unable to form a coherent sentence.

"What about him?" Oliver stopped suddenly, pretending to realize what Ivy was trying to question him about. "Ohhh...." He dragged dramatically. "Are you talking about my small, harmless conversation with Samuel just now?"

Ivy's lips twitched when she heard her father. From addressing him as Mr. Carter, it had now reduced to Samuel and Ivy had an inkling that in no time, she would be hearing the term bro from her father.

'What the fuck!! How the hell did I get distracted?' She patted her cheeks lightly to brush her absurd thoughts away and Oliver chuckled softly.

"Small, harmless conversation?" Ivy blinked at her father helplessly. "Dad, that did not seem like a small, harmless conversation. I could smell gunpowder in the air and just when I thought you two would quarrel and fight each other out, you made peace. What's happening? What am I missing?"

"Were you waiting for us to fight, Ivy?" Oliver gave Ivy an incredulous look and Ivy nodded in reply, not hiding her true thoughts, only to freeze the next instant when she realized what she had done.

"Is this what you think about me?" Oliver raised his brow questioningly and shook his head as though he was hurt.

"Dad, I know you very well. You do not have to show it time and again that you are a horrible actor." Ivy caught onto his act immediately and sighed helplessly, not knowing if she should laugh or cry at her father's antics. Even though he was a grown man, he was still a child at heart.

"Oops, busted." Oliver raised his hands in surrender and let out a cheeky smile. "I thought I could tease you a little more. But you..." He shook his head in regret. Google search 𝑓𝗿e𝐞𝓌𝙚𝙗𝑛o𝚟e𝙡. c𝚘𝚖

"Now, will you tell me what happened between you and Mr. Carter?" Ivy did not allow her father to start being dramatic again and brought him back to the topic.

"Let us just say it was a talk between two fathers."

Although her father's reply was vague, Ivy immediately understood the meaning behind his words and she nodded in realization.

"Ohh, then, is everything alright now?"

"Absolutely. You have nothing to worry about." Oliver patted her head, smiling at her dotingly. "I'll visit the older Carter now. Do you want to accompany me?"

"No, Dad. You go ahead. But I'll walk you to the ward."

Ivy looked behind her, her eyes searching for Joshua and Oliver's smile widened.

'Even if I am unsure about their families, at least the men my girls like are amazing and with them around, nothing will ever happen to them. I trust Noah and Joshua to protect them and I trust them never to break this trust of mine.' Oliver looked up as though he was conversing with Susan and his eyes teared up in relief.

'Susan, you can now rest in peace. Our girls are capable and safe.'

Ivy did not notice Oliver's somber mood and kept looking for Joshua behind her. Confused about not finding him, she was just about to look for him when the man in question appeared in her sight, forcing her frown to disappear instantly.

"Is everything good?" Joshua smiled at Oliver before he looked at Ivy.

"Yes, Dad wanted to meet Grandpa Carter. We were just about to stop by his ward. Do you want to accompany us or do you want to come?"

"I'll come with you guys. I'll drop you two to the agency before I leave for work." Although Joshua was smiling, his eyes were filled with worry and Ivy stared at him for a moment, wondering if she should ask him about it. But eventually, she decided against it.

'If he wants to tell me, he will do it on his own. I should not force him to reveal everything to me.' So Ivy thought and nodded at him before the group of three proceeded towards the ward.

"Dad, we will wait for you here."

Ivy and Joshua stopped outside the ward while Oliver took a deep breath and knocked at the door before entering it. Samuel and Hailey were already inside and they smiled at him faintly, moving away from the old Carter to give Oliver some space.

"Hello, Mr. Carter." Oliver took the chair beside the bed and looked at the man who was sleeping peacefully. In just one night, he had turned into a patient and looked fragile. His wrinkly face was covered with the oxygen mask and Oliver had difficulty deciphering his thoughts.

"Please get well soon. Your family is waiting for you." He mumbled, not knowing what else to say and it was the truth.

Even though he was still suspicious of the old man, he was also worried about Noah and he sincerely wished for the old Carter to gain consciousness and put everyone out of their worry.

"You need to hold on and fight, if not for yourself, for Noah at least and I know you love grandson the most." Oliver continued, his eyes filled with complicated emotions.

"Also, I am sorry for what happened between us previously. Let us have a good chat once you are awake and well. I will wait for you until then, Mr. Carter." Oliver stayed silent for a few moments before he stood up.

"I'll take my leave now, Mrs. Carter, Mr. Carter." He nodded at the couple and looked at the unconscious man one last time before he left the ward.