Chapter 311 Looking at Faces
Seb gave Sweetie's tiny nose a gentle boop, and she let out the cutest cooing sounds, melting Seb's heart on the spot.
Cradling Sweetie, Seb shot a look at Jack. "My kid's all chill, and you can't even keep her calm?"
Jack was at a loss for words. Honestly, he had no clue what he was doing wrong.
He'd been trying to soothe Sweetie for over ten minutes. Seeing her about to cry her lungs out, he knew Seb would flip if she did. So, Jack had no choice but to call for backup.
Why did Sweetie turn into a little angel the second Seb held her?
"The sun's out and shining. Take Sweetie for a stroll and let her soak up some rays. She loves the sun," Seb said, handing Sweetie over to Jack.
"Got it, Mr. Landon." Jack took her carefully.
But as soon as Seb let go, Sweetie started wailing like there was no tomorrow.
Seb's eyes narrowed at Jack, who stood there like a statue, too scared to move.
Seb circled Jack and finally figured it out. "You're holding her wrong. Do it like this, and this."
Jack adjusted his hold, following Seb's lead.
But five minutes later, after trying every position in the book, Sweetie was still crying her heart out.
Seb was worn out from all the instructions and started seriously doubting Jack's skills for the first time.
Jack was speechless. This was the biggest crisis he'd faced in his career.
He could handle any company issue and was a pro at cooking and cleaning, but Sweetie had him stumped!
Isabella, watching from the sidelines, got it. "Seb, Sweetie probably only recognizes you."
Seb took Sweetie back, and just like that, she stopped crying and turned into the quiet, sweet baby again.
Even with her eyes closed the whole time, she was as precise as a well-oiled machine.
Seb looked at Jack and said, "My daughter's a genius. She can judge people by their looks already."
Jack thought, 'So, does that mean I'm ugly?'
Seb took Sweetie inside, and Isabella patted Jack's shoulder with a smile, trying to cheer him up, "Don't sweat it. Sweetie takes after me."
Jack was speechless.
The next day, Seb chartered a plane and flew back to Lakina.
When they landed, a big crowd was waiting at the gate.
As soon as Isabella and the crew walked over, everyone swarmed them.
"Nina." Isabella called out, but Nina walked right past her like she was invisible.
Everyone else did the same, ignoring Isabella and Seb, and went straight for Sweetie, surrounding her.
Nina said, "She's so tiny, so sweet, and so cute. No wonder she's called Sweetie; it's perfect."
During the flight, Sweetie had been snoozing in Seb's arms. Apparently, she had enough sleep and was now wide awake. She opened her sleepy eyes and smiled at anyone who played with her.
"She smiled at me," Kelsey said, all excited.
"I'm your grandma; let me hold you," Margaret said lovingly.
Zaire kept his distance but couldn't help chuckling. "Mom, she doesn't even have teeth yet, and you want her to call you grandma? Isn't that a bit much?"
Margaret shot Zaire a look that could kill.
Zaire zipped it and noticed Miley snapping pics of Sweetie. He squinted.
"Miley, you into boys or girls?" Margaret asked, not-so-subtly.
Miley grinned. "I like girls."
"Well, isn't that something? Zaire likes girls too. Steven and I are all about girls. If you have a girl, she'll be as gorgeous as you," Margaret said, laying it on thick.
Miley, amused and a bit helpless, glanced at Zaire.
Zaire turned away and started chatting with Seb.
"Must be over the moon," Zaire said, a hint of jealousy in his voice, "having a little princess."
Seb nodded.
Zaire was at a loss for words.
Zaire nudged Seb with his shoulder. "Come on, man, show a little humility."
Seb looked at Zaire dead serious. "Why should I? It's the truth."
The crew headed back to Isabella and Seb's place, and the gifts Isabella had bought for everyone had just arrived. She handed them out right then and there.
The ladies were downstairs, tearing into their presents, while the guys headed upstairs to chill.
Seeing Seb still holding Sweetie, Zaire raised an eyebrow and smirked. "Can't you put her down for a sec? Aren't your arms tired?"
Seb replied, "Nope, not at all."
Zaire shook his head. "I'm getting tired just watching you."
Seb shot back, "You wouldn't get it. You don't have a daughter."
Zaire was speechless. He shook his head with a grin. "Alright, alright, you're showing off now? Is having a daughter really that awesome?"
Seb said, "Yep. And I'll keep showing off, so get used to it. Having a daughter is the best."
Zaire was too exasperated to respond.
He waved his hand. "The kid's back, and the Landon family is toast. When's the wedding?"
Seb said, "I'm planning it soon. Got any good ideas?"
Zaire, green with envy, started giving Seb the worst suggestions. "How about an aerial wedding? Rent a helicopter, pick up the bride, and circle over Lakina. Then, scatter flowers from the sky, letting all of Lakina see your epic wedding."
Seb thought for a moment and nodded. "Sounds cool. What else?"
Zaire said, "A water wedding could be awesome too. Rent a yacht and a submarine, and dive into the deep sea to check out sharks. How epic would that be?"
Seb said, "Yeah, that's good too."
Zaire suggested, "Or you could rent a castle and have the wedding there. Every girl's dream, right? Isabella would never forget it."
Seb frowned. "A castle, huh."
Zaire jumped in, "I can rent you my castle at a discount. Friendly price. What do you say?"
Seb glanced at him. "Who wants yours?"
He turned to Jack. "Note down Zaire's ideas and refine the details later. There are a few tweaks. No need to rent the helicopter and yacht; buy new ones. If we can't buy a submarine, we'll rent one. And for the castle, let's build a new one."
Zaire was floored!
