Chapter 386: Another Day
Tristan had informed everyone in advance, so when they arrived, everyone was busy preparing a sumptuous lunch.
Katniss noticed a new play castle for a child in the garden and many unopened toys and small clothes in the living room.
As soon as she and Tristan got out of the car, Adelaide came out of the villa, her cloudy eyes fixed on Evie in Katniss's arms, and she quickly walked down the steps.
But suddenly, being in a strange environment, even in Katniss's arms, Evie was very wary.
She looked around with wide eyes and was particularly resistant to Adelaide, who suddenly came over to hold her.
She kicked her legs twice, her small hands tightly clutching Katniss's clothes.
"She doesn't recognize me?" Adelaide didn't force it and withdrew her hands. "Let's go inside first. She'll get used to it after a while."
Katniss and Tristan took Evie inside, the whole house filled with the aroma of lunch.
But seeing the people still busy in the kitchen, Katniss knew that lunch was not ready yet.
She and Tristan were pulled by Adelaide to sit in the living room, where a deep red book with gold edges on the table had a very old feel to it.
Adelaide opened the book and flipped through a few pages, densely recording the recent generations of the Forbes family.
"I've checked, today is a good day. Although it's a bit rushed, let's add Evie and Katniss to the family tree first."
She had already informed the Forbes family branch about this in advance.
Originally, they planned to find a good day to hold a big event, which would be the biggest happy event for the Forbes family in recent years.
But when she heard that Tristan was bringing Katniss and Evie back today, she couldn't wait.
Tristan's eyes deepened a bit, and he said with a slight lift of his thin lips, "It's too rushed, let's do it another day."
"When did you start paying so much attention to these formalities?" Adelaide's smile faded. "I'll make it up to them with a ceremony another day, is that not okay?"
Katniss was a bit surprised that Tristan would refuse Adelaide's arrangement.
Adelaide pressed her lips together and watched as Tristan continued to refuse, "Another day, I'll personally choose a good day and then add them to the family tree."
His insistence made Adelaide very unhappy. "I've already informed the branch, and now you're saying we won't add them?"
"Grandma, Evie currently has the last name Grey. Are you planning to write her last name as Grey in the Forbes family tree?" Tristan reasoned with her since she was insistent.
Hearing this, Adelaide said confidently, "That won't do. Didn't you say her name is Sylvia? I think Sylvia Forbes sounds pretty good, too."
Tristan added, "If the last name in the family tree is different from the legal one, the family tree is invalid."
"Then..." Adelaide didn't finish her sentence, as if she suddenly thought of something, and looked at Katniss.
Change the last name?
"Katniss, actually, a last name is just a title, you see..." Her tone was probing, not very direct.
Katniss frowned, but before she could say anything, Tristan spoke again, "Grandma, Katniss and I have discussed it. The next child, regardless of gender, will have the last name Forbes, and then we'll add them to the family tree."
Tristan was married into the Gray family, so it didn't make sense for the child to take his last name.
Now that Evie already had the last name Grey, it wasn't impossible to change it, looking at Katniss's expression.
But if they wanted one child with each last name, and the second one happened to be a boy, Adelaide wouldn't have a reason to change the last name back!
After much consideration, Adelaide closed the family tree book. "Since this is your decision, I won't interfere. But you have to keep your word, the next one must have the last name Forbes."
"Okay." Katniss couldn't help but smile, completely unaware of all the thoughts Adelaide had.
After playing with Evie for a while, Evie was still very wary of this strange place.
Seeing this, most of Adelaide's joy was dissipated.
When lunch was ready, they moved to the dining room.
There were a few baby foods specially made by a chef Adelaide had hired.
Since they had to fly to another city in the evening, Katniss and Tristan prepared to leave after lunch.
While Adelaide was busy with Evie, reluctant to let her go, Tristan had a private conversation with Royce.
"It's getting cold, and this big yard is empty with just Grandma living here. Can you talk to her about spending the winter in the mountain residence?"
Royce couldn't help but laugh. "Mrs. Adelaide Forbes felt isolated in the mountains before, like she was cut off from the world and couldn't get any news. Now that she has Ms. Evie Grey, I don't think she'll go back to the mountains. She'll probably stay home every day."
Tristan looked at Adelaide, who was completely focused on Evie, and asked, "How's Grandma's health recently?"
"Don't worry, she's in good health. She's been seeing doctors to get stronger, planning to take Ms. Evie Grey out to play when she starts running around." Royce replied with a smile.
After all, Evie was Tristan's first child, and Adelaide was very fond of her.
Until Katniss and Tristan left with Evie, Adelaide's disappointment was evident on her face.
On the way back, Evie fell asleep.
She slept soundly until they got home, and since she was sleeping so well, Katniss had Sophia take her to sleep in Sophia's room.
Katniss then went to their room to pack Tristan's luggage.
"How many days will you be gone?" she asked, looking at the two suitcases, one large and one small.
Tristan sat at the foot of the bed, supporting himself with his hands, and looked up at her. "Not long, just pack a few things."
Katniss took the small suitcase, opened it, and started packing a few suits, along with some underwear and ties.
"The temperature in the other city is similar to here, so you don't need to bring very thick clothes. But if you get cold, you can always buy some there."
Having been with Tristan for so long, she was used to his business trips.
But now with Evie, especially after what they had just been through, she couldn't leave.
As she packed, a feeling of loss surged in her heart.
She sat on the floor, placed the last piece of clothing in the suitcase, and looked up at him. "Why don't Evie and I go with you?"
"No." Tristan refused firmly.
"Why not?" Katniss said. "Evie's emotions are unstable, but as long as I'm there, she'll be much better."
And she would be much better with him there, too.
Otherwise, the thought of him being away for several days made her feel empty and hard to breathe.
Tristan leaned forward, facing her directly, his eyes slightly flickering. "Take good care of her. If you both are well, I can be at ease."
"Okay." Katniss didn't insist. Reluctant as she was, she couldn't drag Evie around.
Such a small Evie couldn't be taken everywhere.
The flight was at nine in the evening, still several hours away.
But Tristan always felt that the time was too short.
He watched Katniss busy packing his things, chattering away with reluctance.
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