Chapter 706 Merriment
The fish was grilled to perfection, and Vera had her fill of kebabs. She took a sip of water and said, "I'm gonna play in the water with Teddy. You guys enjoy the fish. My husband barely touched his food."
Before long, Teddy was back in his mom's arms, frowning like something was off.
As soon as Teddy's little face scrunched up, he started to show his displeasure.
Molly turned to Sebastian and said, "See, Sebastian? Not even ten minutes and the first round of crying has started."
Vera was used to Teddy's occasional cries. "Come on, let's go play in the water," she said, carrying him away.
"Vera, I'm coming too," Susan said, putting down her fish and following them.
Molly quickly took a couple of sips of her drink. "Wait for me, Vera. I'm coming too."
The three of them, with Teddy in tow, headed to the water's edge.
Watching the flowing water, Teddy quickly forgot about eating and started looking around eagerly.
Molly saw a group of kids playing with water guns and got envious. "Vera, I think Teddy needs a water gun. What do you think?"
Susan, eyeing a cheap fishing net, chimed in, "Vera, let's get Teddy a fishing net too."
Vera looked at Teddy, who couldn't even sit up on his own yet, and asked, "Do you really think Teddy can play with these?"
"No worries, we'll teach him from a young age," they replied.
Soon, one of them bought a water gun, and the other got a fishing net.
Vera found a step to sit on, took off her shoes, and dipped her feet in the water. Teddy watched her feet intently. Before long, Vera pulled off his socks too. "Let's see if your feet smell," she said, sniffing his little feet. "Not smelly at all."
Teddy laughed in Vera's arms.
Vera held Teddy close, splashed some water, and let it drip on his feet. Teddy reached out, trying to catch the droplets.
Vera picked up a small stone from the ground and tossed it into the water. Molly squirted water with the water gun, and Susan was busy scooping with the net.
Teddy didn't know what to focus on, his attention darting from one thing to another.
Patrick came over, placing a sun hat on Vera's head and taking Teddy in his arms. "Want to play in the water?"
"Patrick, be careful. Don't let Teddy fall in. The water's cold."
Patrick held Teddy tightly, dipping his little feet into the shallow water at the edge.
Feeling the water, Teddy burst into laughter, his giggles filling the air, even drooling from joy.
Patrick played with him, splashing his own feet around. Teddy, like a little fish, laughed excitedly, a sound they hadn't heard from him before.
Vera quickly recorded Teddy's happy moments on her phone and shared them in their WhatsApp group.
Cindy immediately responded, "Look, look! Teddy's playing in the water again, drooling from laughter."
Noah, working late on his thesis abroad, saw the adorable video and called. "Vera, where's Teddy?"
"Patrick's playing with him," Vera said, turning the camera to father and son. Teddy's face was flushed with laughter, and Patrick held him close. "Want to keep playing?"
Teddy babbled incoherently.
"Take a break and say hi to Noah," Vera suggested.
Noah chatted with Teddy for a bit. "Patrick, I miss home. You guys seem to be having such a good time, and I'm stuck here writing papers every week."
Patrick replied, "Come back, and Vera will give you a piece of her mind. I won't stop her."
Noah looked at Vera. "Vera, I want to come back. Please don't be mad."
"No way!" Vera said. "The path of learning isn't easy. Focus on your research. I'll visit you next month with Patrick and Teddy. I see it's getting cold there, so buy some warm clothes and don't catch a cold." Vera's phone always showed two locations' temperatures. Every morning, she checked the weather in Zandonick to dress Teddy appropriately, and also kept an eye on the weather abroad.
"Got it. You're really becoming a nagging mom," Noah teased.
Annoyed, Vera said, "Hang up now!" and ended the call.
Teddy sat in Patrick's lap for a while until Shawn called out, "Teddy, Grandpa's here to play with you."
Molly approached, "Dad, I bought a water gun. Want to try it?"
Shawn, supported by Sebastian, took the water gun. Just then, a shout from Susan caught everyone's attention.
"Randall, I caught a fish! Look!" Susan held up the net, her dress wet but she didn't care.
People on the shore watched Susan in the lake, amazed that there were actually fish to catch.
A group of kids excitedly ran over to see the fish.
Shawn was no longer interested in the water gun. He looked at Susan, her sleeves wet, and said, "Come up and show Grandpa the fish."
Randall stood silently on the shore, watching Susan for a long time without saying a word.
"Randall? I caught it," Susan said, her excitement fading, thinking Randall was upset.
Finally, Randall called out, "If you caught it, come up quickly. There are snakes in the water. They might bite you."
At his words, Molly, who was having fun in the water, immediately reached out, "Sebastian, pull me up quickly."
Vera, enjoying the water, quickly pulled her feet out and checked Teddy's feet.
The kids playing in the water also rushed to the shore.
Randall was speechless. He had only meant to scare Susan, not everyone else.
Susan, holding the small fish, came ashore. Randall grabbed the fish with one hand and helped her up with the other.
On the shore, Susan's dress dripped water continuously.
Susan said, "Randall, I'll grill this fish for you."
"Wait a moment," Randall said, squatting down and wringing out her dress.
With his strength, Randall wasn't gentle. The dress was wrinkled after he was done.
Susan looked down at Randall, biting her lip, feeling warm inside. She really liked Randall.
Randall stood up. "I already ate. Let's keep this little fish and raise it. We'll eat it when it's bigger next year."
"Okay!" Susan nodded enthusiastically.
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