Chapter 1233
Before the sun dipped below the horizon, Fiona hustled everyone to take a quick bath and change into dry clothes.
After they were all cleaned up, they gathered to whip up some dinner.
Chicago, except when she was splashing around in the water, was busy snapping photos with her new Polaroid camera. She was capturing everything in sight.
She treasured those photos like gold.
Along with the photos, she also picked up a beautiful stone. She found it in the creek and thought it was super pretty, so she pocketed it right away.
That little stone was a gift she had in mind for Melissa.
When night rolled in, Charles unveiled his homemade bug-catching lamp.
Stuart and Christopher set up a bug-catching tent in a wide-open spot away from the main camp.
Once the lamp was switched on, a swarm of insects buzzed towards the light.
They covered the tent in a creepy-crawly blanket.
Christopher, who wasn't afraid of much, found bugs pretty gross.
But what could he do?
Charlotte loved them!
So, Christopher had no choice but to stick around with her.
That night, tons of bugs flew in, and Charlotte was in heaven, catching them one by one and letting them crawl on her hand.
She even recorded it all with her camera.
Stuart noticed and gave Christopher a nudge. "Maybe Charlotte will be an entomologist someday!"
Christopher glanced at Stuart.
A year ago, Simon had kidnapped Charlotte, and he didn't even know if he'd ever see her alive again.
Now, a year later, here she was, out in nature, surrounded by friends and the bugs she adored. And Stuart was suggesting she might become an entomologist.
The contrast was mind-blowing.
Christopher's eyes welled up, and he felt like he might just break down and cry.
But instead, all those emotions turned into a warm feeling in his chest.
Christopher made up his mind to dedicate his life to Fiona.
"Guess I better start making some serious cash," Christopher said, rubbing his eyes. "I once went undercover in a research family, and I heard this kind of research costs a fortune!"
Fiona watched from a distance.
She was really freaked out by those bugs, and not even motherly love could change that.
Darwin naturally stayed by her side.
"Since we got out here, the kids have really let loose; even Charles is extra lively today," he said, wrapping an arm around Fiona's waist. "Let's bring them out to play more often, okay?"
Fiona looked at Darwin, her eyes soft, and nodded. "Okay."
Darwin was thrilled.
His gaze drifted back to Charles and Chicago.
Every now and then, he could hear Chicago's excited cheers.
Darwin felt hopeful about the future.
Charlotte kept playing until after 1:00 a.m., and no one could get her to come back.
It wasn't until Christopher mentioned Fiona that the kids reluctantly returned to camp.
They were buzzing with excitement at first.
But once they got back to the tent, washed up, and changed into their pajamas, Fiona wanted to chat a bit more with Charles and Chicago, but they were out like a light.
The next day, they played all day again.
In autumn, the chestnut trees in the mountains were loaded with fruit.
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