Love Rents A Room
Chapter 214: The High Anticipation

Chapter 214: The High Anticipation

"Joanne knows, Philip," Christina said quietly. "She might be the first to realize you’re planning to name Jeffrey as your heir. And she’s already decided to support him, whatever that future may be."

Her voice was steady, but the subject was heavy. She loved Jeffrey dearly. But she had other children. Other grandchildren. And the idea of favoring one above the rest... it weighed on her.

Philip exhaled. "Jeffrey told me he wants to settle in Rockchapel."

Christina’s eyes softened. "They’re so in love, aren’t they?"

Philip heard the unspoken question in her tone. "You want me to let him go," he said. "Let him live quietly with her... build a life far away from all this."

He knew her too well. She didn’t need to ask out loud.

"Robert’s been working toward this his entire life. Even our son..." Christina sighed, leaning back in her chair. "I know you’ve thought it all through, and I know it must be done. But I’m a mother, Philip. A woman. I can’t help but feel how unfair it is... to one or the other. There’s a part of me that just wants to let Jeffrey go and be happy—with Joanne, on her quiet little farm. Jeffrey will be fine wherever he is, if he’s with her."

Philip remained silent, letting her words settle in the space between them.

"I brought Joanne to the vault today," she continued after a beat. "Greta disapproved—said I was favoring an outsider." Christina shook her head. "But I didn’t give her a single piece of jewelry. That girl wasn’t even interested. And still... Greta was spitting venom at her." She faltered. "I worry. I worry what kind of storm your announcement will cause when everyone is on the opinion that you only love Jeffrey."

Philip reached out and took her hand in his, lifting it to his lips. His kiss was soft—gentle and steady. Assuring.

"I understand," he said quietly. "But what must be done... must be done."

He shared her concerns. Deeply. But he was the patriarch of a proud and noble lineage, and such a role came with weighty responsibilities. Leaving affairs unresolved would not be mercy—it would be folly. And in a family like theirs, folly echoed through generations. He had seen it before. He would not allow it again.

To secure the legacy of the Winchesters, to ensure order after he was gone—that was no small thing.

Christina nodded slowly. She didn’t argue. Her heart might ache with worry, but she knew he was right.

Still... she worried. Wasn’t she allowed to?

"I’ll stand by your side, when you decide to reveal it," she said at last, her voice low but unwavering. She might long for peace to linger just a little longer, but the storm Philip would unleash was inevitable. And she had already made her choice—she would weather it with him.

"I’ll depend on you," Philip murmured, the corners of his mouth curling with quiet contentment.

She was all he needed.

And perhaps, just perhaps, their children and grandchildren would find a way to stand together, too.

He didn’t have much hope for that.

But even now, in the autumn of his life, his old heart still believed in impossible things.

-----

Jeffrey had wrapped up everything that needed his attention early that morning. After throwing Heather out and delivering a crippling blow to Imperium Logistics, there were only a few final details left—and he handled them swiftly.

On the way back, he contacted the family doctor—one bound by a strict NDA to serve only the Winchesters—and made arrangements regarding Joanne’s pregnancy. The doctor promised to visit discreetly later that evening.

But Jeffrey had another plan for the evening. And for that, he needed to speak to his grandfather.

He walked into Philip’s study, unsurprised to find his grandmother there too. He greeted them both and took the chair opposite them. Christina was looking at him with a strange sort of expectation, her eyes fixed like she was waiting for something specific.

Jeffrey raised an eyebrow. "Am I missing something?"

"She didn’t call you?" Christina asked, mildly surprised. Given how glued to their phones young people were these days, she assumed Joanne would’ve told Jeffrey all about the vault visit—perhaps shared her favorite pieces or sent a picture or two.

"About what? Ah—her phone," Jeffrey said, reaching into his trouser pocket. "I have it."

Philip blinked. "Did you take it for repairs?"

"Not exactly," Jeffrey said, placing the phone on the desk. "I was answering her calls this morning and accidentally walked off with it. But honestly, it worked out—she got some proper rest without all the noise."

Christina looked at him, visibly impressed. "She gave you her phone? You know her password and everything?"

"Well, yeah," Jeffrey replied, as though it were obvious. He was a little surprised by her reaction. But then again, this was Joanne. Of course she trusted him that deeply.

Philip smiled to himself.

Joanne trusted Jeffrey again.

Good.

Jeffrey turned to his grandfather, his expression shifting into something more serious.

"Grandpa," he began, "I’ve always heard a man is supposed to ask a girl’s father for her hand. Who should I ask in Joanne’s case? Patrick? Or should I go visit her parents’ grave before I propose? I don’t want to wait much longer..."

His voice held a mix of reverence and urgency. He wanted to do this properly.

Philip leaned back with a thoughtful nod, but his answer was simple. "You’ll need my blessing. That’s all."

Jeffrey looked up, surprised. "That’s enough?"

Philip’s gaze softened. "You can visit her parents after she says yes. I’d like that, too. But for now, you have mine."

He didn’t say it aloud, but there was a quiet hope in his heart—that Joanne might one day ask him to walk her down the aisle. He loved her like his own granddaughter. It would be an honor.

And, if he were honest, he was impatient. He wanted to see this wedding happen. Soon.

At that, Christina lit up with delight. She launched into excited chatter about the lace fabrics and designers she’d been keeping on standby—just in case. Of course, she had always hoped for this day. And now that it was coming, she intended to be thoroughly prepared.

"There isn’t much time," Philip said firmly. "We’ll need to announce the engagement this week and have the wedding by late spring, at the latest."

Jeffrey blinked. "What’s the rush? There’s so much to prepare—venue, guests, everything."

Both Philip and Christina turned to glare at him.

That was when it hit him.

Right. They didn’t want Joanne to be heavily pregnant at her own wedding. Honestly, she wouldn’t want that either. So yes, they needed to move quickly.

Still...

"I met her early summer. Can we at least wait until then for the wedding?" he asked, hoping for a compromise.

Philip shook his head with a sigh.

Jeffrey didn’t argue. He knew better. In the end, it wasn’t Philip he needed to convince—it was Joanne. Whatever she wanted would be what they did.