Stars Waited Above Empty Streets by Lorin Wren 162

Laurent: That just proves how incredible you are, Ava. I’m proud of you! 

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Keith: Even though Theodore is only the honorary president of Starry Heavens University and doesn’t handle the day–to–day administration, he still carries a lot of weight. Even the president has to defer to him. Now that you’re going to study there, I can finally breathe a sigh of relief. 

Ava: Why do I feel like I’m listening to my dad? Are you going through some kind of identity crisis? 

Keith: No! Absolutely not! Don’t you pin that label on me! 

Ryan: Hahaha! Hello, Dad. Goodbye, Dad. 

Mason: Ava’s an adult. If you treat her like a little girl, you’re really giving off major Dad vibes. She’s not 

wrong. 

Keith: Seriously, Mason? You’re a few years older than me. You’ve got a lot of nerve talking. 

Mason: I’m not the one treating Ava like a kid. 

Ava: Are you two elementary schoolers? Even kids aren’t this immature. 

Ryan: You two, shut it! Ava, I’m muting them both for ten minutes. 

Ethan: Ava, when are you planning to visit our place? We’ll come pick you up. 

Ava: How about tomorrow? Oh, right–Ryan, are Mr. Brock and Mrs. Brock free tomorrow? 

Ryan: Free, free, absolutely free. 

Ethan: It’s a date then. We’ll pick you up tomorrow morning. 

Ava thought for a moment, then tagged Laurent. 

Ava: When do you have to head back to your unit? I want to make sure I work around your schedule. I’ll be tied up with a month of freshman military training once school starts. 

Laurent: Got it. Don’t worry about me. Focus on getting yourself settled first. I’ve got things handled on my end. 

“Ms. Fairy, why are you sitting here all by yourself?” 

A bright, tiny voice chirped in her ear. Ava looked up to find a little boy standing in front of her. 

He had striking red eyes and a mop of ash–brown hair. He was adorably chubby, dressed in a green dinosaur onesie with a long, stuffed tail dragging behind him. 

Is this… Theodore and Ysabel’s son? Ava glanced around but didn’t see anyone else nearby. 

They were in the Jones family garden. She had snuck into a pavilion here for a breather. “Are you out here 

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Chapter 162 A Fairy From Heaven 

all alone? What’s your name?” she asked gently. 

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“My name is Preston Jones,” the toddler said. He scrambled up onto the bench beside her, his wide eyes. fixed on her in a curious stare. “Ms. Fairy, are you a fairy who came from heaven?” 

Ava couldn’t help but laugh. She reached out and ruffled his hair. “I’m not a fairy from heaven. I’m a regular person, just like you. But you can call me Ava.” 

“Ava,” Preston called out in his clear, bright voice. He sniffed the air, eyes lighting up. “Ava, you smell really nice.” 

Ava fought back a giggle. “Oh? What do I smell like?” 

Preston grinned, his eyes sparkling with precocious intelligence. “I don’t know. You just smell good! Ava, can you give me a hug?” 

Ava lifted him into her lap. Preston immediately wrapped his small arms around her neck, tucking his head against her shoulder. “I like Ava so much.” 

Ava thought the kid seemed to have inherited his mother’s outgoing personality rather than his father’s more reserved nature. 

“Ava, I’m sleepy,” Preston mumbled, letting out a tiny yawn. He snuggled into her lap and was out like a light in seconds. 

Ava cradled him close, pulling the edges of her coat around his small frame. She sent a quick voice note to the group chat, letting them know she’d be tied up for a bit, then switched off her Holoband. 

The sound of hurried footsteps echoed from the garden path. Ava looked up to see Larry emerging from the greenery, looking slightly anxious. 

He stopped short, clearly not expecting to find anyone in the pavilion His eyes flickered with surprise before looking down at the sleeping toddler in Ava’s arms. 

Larry stepped closer, his voice dropping to a whisper. “I’m so sorry. I turned my back for one second, and he completely vanished on me. Here, let me take him.” 

Ava looked down at the little boy, who was deep in a peaceful slumber. “He just fell asleep. Let him rest for a few more minutes. If you try to move him now, he’ll probably wake right back up.” 

Larry remained standing about three feet away, noticing how Preston’s tiny hand was still hooked firmly over Ava’s shoulder even in sleep. “He really seems to have taken a liking to you. He’s usually never this bold with guests.” 

Ava gave the back of the boy’s head a gentle pat. “I’m not sure why, but for some reason, I’ve always been a kid–magnet.” 

Noticing that Ava was struggling to keep the toddler bundled up in her own coat, Larry slipped off his jacket and stepped forward. “Here, use my jacket to cover him” 

Ava nodded gratefully and loosened her arms slightly so he could drape the fabric over the boy. 

Once Preston was wrapped, Larry immediately stepped back, maintaining a distance that was polite and respectful. “Aunt Ysabel mentioned your situation earlier. Uncle Theodore might come across as stern, but 

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Chapter 162 A Fairy From Heaven. 

he truly has a kind heart. He’s a wonderful man.” 

。