Chapter 354 Mr. Solomon Takes Charge of the Kids
Darwin’s emotions had gone through a roller coaster in a matter of seconds. His face lit up with a grin. "Does that mean Chicago doesn't hate me as much?"
Fiona smirked and shrugged. "I wouldn't go that far."
Just like that, Darwin entered.
But Chicago didn't come downstairs during lunch. Wendy packed up the lunch and brought it to the studio.
"Chicago's always like this when she's painting. It's nothing personal," Fiona tried to reassure him.
Darwin silently nodded.
After lunch, Fiona, who hadn't slept much the night before, went upstairs for a nap. When she woke up, only Charles and Darwin were left at home, engrossed in a game of chess in the living room.
Dressed in thin, white loungewear, hair slightly disheveled and gaze still clouded with sleep, Fiona asked Darwin, "Why haven't you left yet?"
"I’m in no rush to get back. I’m just keeping Charles company for a bit," Darwin forced his gaze away from Fiona.
"Didn't you take a nap, son?" Fiona sat beside Charles, touching his forehead instinctively.
P"Too much sleep dulls the mind," Charles quipped.
Fiona chuckled, settling in to watch them finish their game.
"Alright," Darwin said, looking at Charles, "Why don't you take a break, buddy? Mom and Dad need to talk for a bit."
"Okay." Charles nodded, stowing the chessboard before rising to his feet. He glanced at his parents, caution in his gaze. "You should have a civil conversation, okay? If there's any more fighting..."
His eyes fixed on Darwin, Charles's tone carried a firm warning. "You won't be welcome here anymore."
With a helpless smile, Darwin replied, "I understand."
Only then did Charles leave, his mind at ease.
Once Charles had left, Darwin couldn't help but make a sour comment. "Both your son and daughter really stand up for you, don't they?"
"What are you trying to say?" Fiona asked, her voice cool.
"It's about Grandma's funeral. We've been putting it off for too long," Darwin said. "I was thinking of picking a good day in the next couple to lay her to rest. Will you join us?"
Fiona lowered her eyelids in thought before responding. "Let's wait a few more days. Once I've smoothed things over with Chicago, I'll bring them along."
Darwin was taken aback. He clearly hadn’t expected that answer.
"Is that okay?" Fiona pressed him when she didn’t get a reply.
Darwin quickly nodded. "Of course, that's fine!"
"You said something, now it's my turn." Fiona leaned back casually. "As you know, I'm currently busy with the RH Company project. Everything is going well. After this project, I'll be taking over the Rhoads family business, so I want this project to be flawless."
"What do you need from me?" Darwin asked earnestly.
"I need you to take care of the kids," she said simply.
Darwin blinked, puzzled. "What?"
"Charles and Chicago need someone around. Babysitters and housekeepers aren't enough. It's been tough for me to manage everything alone. Now that you’re back, I expect you to step up as their dad."
"I understand," Darwin nodded.
"There’s just one condition," Fiona continued, "You can take Charles and Chicago wherever you think is best, as long as they're willing. You must never force them to do anything they don’t want to."
"Of course," Darwin responded with a solemn nod.
"Are we agreed, then?"
"Yes," Darwin nodded again.
"Alright." Fiona stood up and headed toward the kitchen.
Darwin rose to follow her. "What exactly will I need to do for the kids?"
"Meals and nutritional snacks in the morning and afternoon," Fiona explained, opening the fridge to retrieve a fruit container labeled with Chicago’s name. Selecting a banana, she said, "For instance, it's time for Chicago's smoothie right now."
Darwin watched gravely as Fiona prepared the smoothie for Chicago.
Chicago enjoys a cool drink, but too much can upset your stomach, so in the summer, add just a tiny bit of ice - that's plenty."
Darwin nodded. "Got it."
“Besides meals, Charles and Chicago don’t have too many shared activities. Charles spends most of his time buried in books and coding. Chicago can usually be found with her crayons and canvas, though she also has lots of friends in the small park nearby and heads out around 7:30 every morning."
"A lot of friends?" Darwin seemed momentarily lost in thought. "Did she mention they were some local grandparents and a bunch of cats and dogs?"
"That's right." Fiona glanced at him. "What else has she told you?"
Sitting at the kitchen island, Darwin murmured, "Quite a bit. Stories about pets from other countries, mainly. She doesn't talk about home much."
"That's the rule around here." Fiona poured the milkshake into Chicago's favorite cup. "She may talk your ear off, but she knows not to break that one."
"You've taught her well," Darwin said sincerely.
Fiona's eyes lingered on the milkshake before she handed it to him. "Just don't spoil her, Mr. Solomon. If I hadn’t been there at the supermarket today, I bet you would have bought out the entire store."
Darwin coughed lightly. "I'm not very experienced with this. I'll be more careful next time."
Fiona shook her head, instinctively feeling that Darwin was the kind of dad who would spoil his child.
Fiona climbed the stairs with the milkshake and knocked on the door of Chicago's art studio. "It’s milkshake time, sweetheart!"
"Thank you, Mommy." Chicago took the cup graciously and popped out the straw, hugging the chubby cup as she began to sip contentedly.
Fiona watched with a smile. "I love watching you eat. You work so hard, and you’re adorable. And you make it look delicious!"
Chicago removed the straw from her mouth.
"Is he still here?"
"You mean Daddy?"
Chicago nodded, slightly uneasy.
"He hasn't left. Do you want to see him?" Fiona asked.
Chicago shook her head, quickly finishing her milkshake. "Thanks, Mommy. You work hard too. I’ll get back to drawing now."
With that, she handed the empty cup back to Fiona and locked herself back in the studio.
Fiona descended the stairs, feeling helpless. Darwin was still there, standing by the kitchen side door, gazing at the tiny garden outside.
"She finished it already?" Darwin turned in surprise as he heard footsteps.
Fiona quickly washed the cup in the sink. "Who knows what she's been painting? It's been days, and she’s spending all her energy on that."
"Maybe she's making a blessing for her brother," Darwin speculated.
“What are you looking at?” Fiona asked curiously, peering into the partially barren backyard where no flowers had been planted yet.
“Chicago mentioned wanting a flower garden at home,” Darwin replied, his gaze returning from the small patch of earth.
Fiona's eyes glazed over for a moment. “Right. She loved the sunlight here because it was just below her art studio. We talked about buying some beautiful flowers to fill the garden with color. But... with one thing and another, we never got around to it.”
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