Chapter 156 Stepping into Homeland
Chicago's mouth fell open in awe.
"So he is like the knight who defeated the evil dragon, right?"
"Kind of!" Fiona nodded.
Chicago turned to watch the receding figure, her eyes filled with unspoken admiration.
"But this is our secret, Chicago. You mustn't tell your brother!"
Charles was more sensitive and perceptive than Chicago, so hearing this might lead him to certain conclusions. Chicago was thrilled to have a secret just with Mummy. She stomped her feet and twirled. "Yeah! Babe and Mummy have a little secret!"
Chicago had always been good at keeping secrets, partly because she was forgetful, but mostly because she understood the importance of promises from a young age.
Fiona laughed, taking her daughter's hand as they walked home in the morning sun. After years away, Fiona found that returning wasn't as frightening as she had anticipated. The reunion was easier than expected.
They had breakfast at home, and Stuart returned from his errands. Their visit to the science museum was a success, with fewer visitors on a weekday. Ashton carried Chicago, while Stuart helped the shorter Charles see the exhibits.
Emerging technologies had flourished in recent years, and the science museum's array of exhibits overwhelmed Charles. Fiona rarely saw him so visibly elated. Ashton kissed Chicago, who beamed with pride.
"Big brother and I are twins; we can read each other's thoughts!"
"Where did you learn that?" Ashton asked, smiling.
"Our great-grandmother mentioned it!" Chicago sighed, mentioning Janna.
"I haven't seen Grandma Janna for a long time. Mummy, when is she coming to Armie Country?"
Janna Rhoads had been busy since early spring, meeting them only once after the new year.
"She'll visit soon. If she doesn't come here, we'll see her when we go back," Fiona reassured.
"But I want to show her the little and big dogs in the park, and she must try the delicious duck," Chicago said, counting on her fingers the things she wanted to share with Janna.
Fiona's phone rang. "My heart, Mummy will answer a call."
"Okay!" Chicago nodded.
Fiona kissed her cheek and stepped aside to take the call. Near a window framed by cherry blossoms, a gust of wind made her turn her face and sidestep.
A family taking a photo nearby inadvertently captured Fiona's profile. After the call, she rejoined the children. They visited the science museum and ate at a nearby restaurant with good children's meals.
Full and tired, they returned home. The children fell asleep quickly after their shower, while Fiona and Ashton lounged on the couch, lost in thought.
Ashton was visibly anxious, checking her phone constantly, but suddenly stopped. Even when a message arrived, she stared blankly at the ceiling.
"Your phone's been ringing," Fiona noted.
"It's from my mom in the group chat. It's not important," Ashton dismissed.
"Is she pressuring you to date?" Fiona probed.
"If she knew you were alive and single, she'd pressure you too," Ashton quipped.
"Why the resentment?" Fiona asked, sensing Ashton's frustration.
"It's nothing. She's just praising her blind date. She's so enamored she wants to marry him immediately," Ashton sighed, covering her eyes with her arm. "Even Master isn't as concerned as she is."
"Master is around thirty-five, right? Your aunt's impatience seems reasonable," Fiona observed.
Ashton sighed, admitting the pressure but expressing annoyance at the nagging.
"You used to long for a happy life with a good person. Why the indifference now?" Fiona asked, genuinely puzzled.
"Who's indifferent?" Ashton murmured. "I'm just too busy. Tomorrow, I'll find someone six years younger!"
Ashton's thoughts on Chris, her supposed childhood sweetheart, didn't count. She was six years younger than him!
"Take it easy," Fiona comforted, sensing something was wrong with Ashton.
"Got it," Ashton replied, her chest aching. She ignored further messages from Chris, tired of their years-long stalemate.
After Fiona retired to her room, Ashton slipped into the kids' room. Charles was comforting Chicago.
The next day, Fiona, accompanied by Chicago and Ashton, returned to Serene City, which was experiencing a cold snap. "Mother, grandparents, I'm home," Fiona whispered as they stepped onto familiar ground.
At the cemetery, they found fresh flowers and wine in front of the graves, courtesy of Darwin, which Stuart promptly removed.
Fiona offered her own tributes, her sunglasses hiding her tears. "Mom, grandparents, forgive my absence. My babies are healthy, thanks to your protection."
She introduced Charles and Chicago to their ancestors.
Charles promised to protect his mother and sister, while Fiona allowed the children's playful banter at the graveside.
Ashton took the children for ice cream, and Fiona continued to commune with her relatives.
Charles, troubled by a photo of Fiona on a tombstone, expressed his belief that their father was a bad person for making Fiona fake her death.
Ashton reassured him their father had died horribly and was not a good person, so there was no need to dwell on it.
Fiona lingered at the grave before leaving. She had taken care of the previous caretaker, Chris, providing him with a retirement benefit and covering his medical expenses.
Over the next two days, Fiona showed her children where she grew up and revisited old haunts. Then they returned to Bay City.
Invited to play golf, Fiona met with Roy, the boss of an upcoming project. Roy was taken aback by Fiona's youth and beauty.
"Roy, nice to meet you," Fiona said, extending her hand.
"Miss, your reputation precedes you!" Roy responded.
They discussed playing golf and Lego collecting, and Roy invited Fiona's son to choose a Lego set from his collection after she won a game.
Roy invited Fiona for tea to discuss business, impressed by her straightforwardness.
During their meeting, Roy was surprised by Fiona's attentiveness and lack of rejection to his ideas.
Afterward, Roy reflected on Fiona's polite and refined demeanor, regretting that she was already married with a child.
As Roy prepared to leave, Lilian approached, asking for a ride. Roy, captivated by her allure, agreed and offered to treat her to dinner.
Lilian's heart raced at the mention of the name Chelsea, but she couldn't find any connection to Fiona in the information she had. She resolved not to let Darwin see Chelsea, fearing the complications it could cause.
Fiona, prepared to meet Lilian, was not worried about their encounter. She sensed Lilian's possessiveness over Darwin and vowed not to let him see her again.
Roy and Fiona discussed the project over tea, and he was impressed by her professionalism. After Fiona left, Roy lamented her marital status, while his assistant reminded him they never confirmed if she was married.
Roy reflected on the secrecy of aristocratic families and was intrigued by the mysterious Rhoads family. As he was about to leave, Lilian, looking alluring, asked for a ride and offered to treat him to dinner. Roy, aware of her connection to Darwin, accepted her invitation, not wanting to offend Darwin's associate.
A few days ago, Grandfather spoke of a mining tycoon's daughter, reputed to have a commendable character. He wondered if he could meet her, expressing a wish for similarly adorable daughters.
"Mummy, who is that handsome man?" Chicago asked in a sweet, childlike voice.
After a moment's thought, Fiona replied earnestly, "He is a very kind person. When you and your brother were still in Mummy's tummy, a big villain tried to take you away. He saved us, or we wouldn't be together now!"
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