Chapter 1448
Fiona watched, her eyes getting a bit misty.
After crying enough and shaking off her drowsiness, Chicago was suddenly full of energy.
She grabbed Darwin and pulled him out of the room to show him her art studio.
She had painted a lot this year.
And her style had changed significantly.
Her use of color had become more masterful.
As they looked around, Chicago sneaked a glance at Charles, who was talking to Fiona.
"Dad, did you get a gift for Charles, too? You didn't just buy flowers for me and forget about him, did you?" Chicago whispered seriously in Darwin's ear.
"No," Darwin shook his head. "I got Charles a different gift. It'll be ready in a few days."
"Make sure you tell him," Chicago said earnestly. "Charles doesn't talk much, and he doesn't show his feelings, but kids can still get hurt."
"Got it," Darwin said, gently pinching her nose.
"Dad, I haven't finished my painting yet, so don't bother me for a while. I'll come find you later!" Chicago said loudly on purpose.
She didn't want Charles to feel left out.
"Okay, I won't bother you," Darwin replied.
"Great!"
Darwin patted Chicago's head and walked out of the studio.
"Charles, come with me."
Darwin held out his hand to Charles.
Charles hesitated but then took Darwin's hand, and the two of them walked to the living room.
Fiona glanced into the studio.
She saw Chicago craning her neck to watch them. When Chicago noticed Fiona looking, she stuck out her tongue and quickly turned back to her painting.
Fiona knew exactly what she was up to.
She smiled and shook her head, then followed Darwin and Charles.
In the living room, Darwin and Charles sat down facing each other.
Darwin handed Charles an iPad. "This is your gift."
"I already have an iPad," Charles said, but he took it anyway.
He unlocked it and saw a detailed travel plan.
"Insect Research Trip," Charles read the title, then looked at Darwin in surprise.
"Summer's here, and there will be more types of insects. Remember that insect-attracting lamp you made when we went camping? We can take it with us and collect and observe insects along the way. How does that sound?"
Charles looked at Fiona.
Fiona shrugged and spread her hands, indicating it wasn't her idea.
"Okay," Charles nodded, his ears turning a bit red. "Is everyone going?"
"Everyone's going," Fiona answered for Darwin.
Charles nodded again and flipped through the travel plan.
Each stop on the plan listed the unique insects they might find there.
Charles looked at Darwin. "Did you make this?"
"Yes," Darwin nodded.
Charles didn't say anything, just flipped through a few more pages and then turned off the screen.
Darwin was slightly taken aback.
"You don't like it?"
Charles shook his head and hugged the iPad. "I love it. Thank you, Dad. This is the best gift I've ever received."
Darwin was stunned.
Fiona felt very pleased.
Charles was a quiet child, and the adults always worried about what to get him for his birthday and other occasions.
The things you could buy were simple enough for Charles to get if he wanted.
But the things you couldn't buy were much harder to get right.
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