While laughing, Jane said to Ben, “Lilian has Tim wrapped around her little finger."
"That's their thing as a couple. It takes two to tango."
Ben chuckled.
Lilian had Tim eating at the palm of her hand. It was not like Tim could win her in a fight or an argument. Plus, Lilian was well-versed in medicine and poison. She could slip him a toxin and put Tim through hell and back if he ever upset her.
Tim was the one who wanted to marry Lilian. At the time, Lilian was not interested. All she was after was his seed to have a baby and give the legendary doctor a grandchild.
It took a lot of shameless pestering from Tim to bag Lilian and marry her.
He chose his wife, so he was stuck with her for better or worse.
Of course, Tim and Lilian were happily married. Tim spoiled his wife as much as Ben did Jane.
His feelings were reciprocated, too. She was not one to poison Tim unnecessarily.
At most, she would only scare him into throwing his hands in the air and surrendering.
"It's late. We should get some rest. You need to let Laurence know ahead of time when you're heading over."
"Got it."
Jane and Ben got up and went upstairs, hand-in-hand.
Tim, dragged home by Lilian after an unsuccessful attempt to get Ben's help, texted Oliver in secret, asking him to cry the roof down just like way back then. Then, Tim would have an excuse not to look after the child and could join Lilian's trip to Havenmill.
Oliver had to read the message from Tim several times before he was sure his eyes were not deceiving him. He asked, [Dad, do you know my age?
[I know I was a handful when I was a child, and that was then. Kids cry. I'm in my twenties now. I'll be turning thirty in a few years. Why are you telling me to bawl my eyes out?
[Dad, I still have my dignity. No wonder Mom doesn't want to take you along. Why would she? You're a total embarrassment.]
Tim was lost for words.
Oliver sent another text, saying, [Dad, if you ever ask me something so ridiculous again, I'll show Mom the message, and she'll fix you up.]
Tim still had no words.
Oliver was supposed to be his son.
He was his flesh and blood.
...
Back in Havenmill, Laurence received word from Jane the next day that she and Lilian would be visiting in a couple of days.
Laurence read the message and told Noelle, "Get the house in the medicine field ready. Mommy Jane and my mentor are coming over in two days. They can stay there, and Lilian can help me tend to the crops."
Noelle looked up at him. "Are you planning to go public with who you are?"
Laurence grinned. "How did tidying up a place for both of them connect to me revealing my identity?
"You've been here for quite a few years. Even though you haven't really kept in touch with everybody, you're basically announcing to the world who you are by giving Mommy Jane and Lilian a warm welcome."
"Do you think the time is right?" Laurence asked instead.
Noelle replied, “It couldn't be more perfect even if you tried."
Laurence laughed.
He, too, believed the right moment had arrived.