18 Worth of every praise...

The corner of his lips arched up into a big grin, as Joseph's mind started imagining the beautiful face of a certain someone while his mouth finally opened to speak out his thoughts, "You won't be alone, Ethan. I've already arranged someone to accompany you for the rest of your life."

Ethan who still hadn't recovered from the primary shock, got more confused at his grandfather's last statement.

Couldn't able to suppress his curiosity anymore, he finally enquired him, "Whom you have arranged to accompany me? It can't be my parents for sure as they seldom have any time to spend with me. So who is this?"

Joseph sighed at his question and patted the back of his hand before saying, "You'll come to know about it when the perfect time comes, Ethan...

Just keep one thing in your mind that my every decision will be for your benefits only. I'd never wish for something which won't be related to your betterment.."

Ethan was still perplexed about the whole matter but thought to not dwell on this topic anymore.

Noticing his grandson getting silent, Joseph thought to break the silence to have a conservation about the most important topic for now, "Ethan.. Can you promise me one thing?"

"Yes, Grandpa. You don't even have to ask me for it. Just command me and every wish of yours will be fulfilled in the next second.." Ethan assured him with a nod of his head.

Smiling at his antics, Joseph finally started speaking, "I don't want you to inform Wayne and his family about my health condition right now. Tell them about my death after my funeral only. I don't want to make them sad because of me...

In fact, I want to take my last breath, leaving them with my good memories only. They'll surely be disappointed with my decision after my demise but the grief will be lot lesser than predicted."

Ethan nodded his head, understanding the depth of his grandfather's feelings and said, "I promise you, Grandpa that no one will be able to know about anything related to you..

But you too have to promise me that you'll take care of yourself from now onwards. I'm also gonna take a break from my office so that I can spend the rest of the months with you."

Joseph knew it was better to not argue with his grandson on this matter.

So he just smiled before muttering to himself, "Now, I can finally die in peace.."

------

Four and half months later…

Blackwood family house...

The whole family was still mourning for Joseph's death who left the world ten days ago only.

However, as Ethan promised to his grandfather, the Blackwood family and others came to know about this after his cremation and funeral only which was held just a week ago..

Katherine who became too much attached to Joseph, couldn't digest the news and completely broke down.

Seeing her condition, her parents decided to let her stay in her friend, Olivia's home for few days..

"Dad is too much shocked. He isn't taking his food properly. The death of his best friend fell like a lightning on him." Reno said, shaking his head.

"It was hard for us too, Uncle. But Grandpa took a promise from me to not inform anyone about this until we held his funeral." Ethan replied, trying hardly to not break down in front of them.

Right now, the whole Jones family had come to visit the Blackwood family for a special purpose which was still unknown by the latter.

"Uncle Joseph used to talk about you a lot when he was living with us. He was really proud of you. Now I'm finally understanding why he used to praise you so much because you're worth of every praise.." Sophia said with a sad smile playing on his lips.

Ethan just smiled at her and said, "I wish, he was with us right now."

"We too wish that, son!" Reno replied, reminiscing through the old memories that they spent with Joseph.

An eerie silence fell in the whole room, as everyone drowned into their own set of thoughts.

It was only few minutes later, when Lisa thought to break the awkward silence as she said, "Uhmm.. Reno and Sophia.. Actually we've come here with a special request of ours."

The Blackwood couple looked at her in confusion, not knowing what kind of request they wanna make to them.

So they just preferred to keep quiet and listened to them before leaving any comment over the matter.

Lisa eyed her husband, Austin a little who nodded his head in affirmation while Ethan just sat there silently with his head bowed down and hands hanging between both of his knees..

Giving them a glance, Austin finally revealed what he wanted to tell them by muttering, "We want to ask for your daughter, Katherine's hand for our son, Ethan.."