Chapter 359 Do You Live in a Park?
Chicago didn't respond. If growing up was such a hassle, she wasn't keen on the idea.
When Darwin woke up, he was greeted by the serious conversation between Chicago and Charles.
He quickly sat up. "Charles, Chicago, I'm sorry. I fell asleep."
"Can we go now?" Chicago asked eagerly.
"Absolutely!"
Fiona didn't trust Darwin behind the wheel. So, when they left, the family of three took the nanny car that belonged to Charles and Chicago.
After a drive of about forty minutes, they finally reached their destination. Chicago leaned against the windowpane, looking outside curiously.
The entrance to the neighborhood was majestic, making the gated community look grand and imposing.
Strolling through the neighborhood was like walking into a park, with its thriving greenery and blooming flowers.
"Do you live in a park?" Chicago asked Darwin earnestly.
Darwin chuckled. "No, I don't."
Chicago nodded, gazing back out the window to admire two beautiful large dogs basking in the sunlight.
The Emerald Pool community was extensive, housing a total of 18 distinct mansions, each set at a comfortable distance apart from the others.
Darwin's home was in a prime location within the development.
It featured a private natural lake and an expansive, nearly thousand-square-meter garden, reminiscent of a small estate.
When Darwin had chosen this place as a gift for Fiona, it wasn't just its prestigious position he loved. It was the vast garden.
Fiona had always adored flowers and vegetation.
The garden was large enough to include areas for growing fruits and vegetables.
The nanny van came to a halt as it arrived at the parking area.
Stepping out, Chicago looked around curiously.
"Where's the kitten?" She turned to Darwin, seemingly indifferent to the grandeur of the house. Her heart was set on seeing the kitten.
"The kitten has its own little house," answered Darwin.
A moment later, he led Chicago to a shed that had been converted into a cozy space for the cat.
"We haven't had the kitten for long. and I hope you'll design its home," Darwin said as he crouched next to her. "We've set up this temporary cat house for now."
Just then, Chicago heard the kitten's meow, and her heart leaped with joy.
Her voice was strong, a sure sign that she was healthy.
Darwin opened the door. "Go on in."
Inside, Chicago spotted the cat on its climbing tree. She had gained weight and her previously bald spots were now covered with fur, just like Darwin said. Her eyes shone, and she was a vision of health, looking nothing like the poor creature she had been she was first found.
Darwin watched Chicago approach the kitten cautiously from the doorway.
The kitten seemed to remember her.
Chicago reached out, then hesitated, but the kitten nuzzled against her palm.
She turned around in surprise, her face radiant.
Charles tugged at Darwin's sleeve. "You should go in."
Darwin looked at Charles and shook his head with a smile. "That cat has always been a bit wary of me. I don't want to interrupt their reunion."
After a pause, Darwin asked, "Charles, do you like it here?"
Looking around, Charles replied, "It's beautiful, and the air is fresh."
"Right, take a look over there," Darwin said with pride, as if unveiling a treasure. "I've planted cherry trees, peach trees, and plum trees—all your mom's favorite fruits. Next year, they'll be bloom and bear fruit."
Charles glanced in the direction Darwin pointed. "You don't need to convince me. I’ll be wherever my mom and sister are."
Darwin looked at Charles, his eyes brimming with affection. "You're such a good boy, Charles," he said earnestly. "You've taken on so much while I was away, and I really appreciate it."
Charles remained silent, turning his gaze back to Chicago, who had by now cuddled a kitten in her arms.
"Are you going to give the kitty away?" Charles asked.
"No," Darwin replied.
Charles was somewhat surprised. "Aren't you worried about..."
Darwin nodded determinedly. "Of course, I’m worried about your health, so I'll be extremely cautious from now on. I'll meet your sister's needs while protecting you."
Charles was even more surprised. He had argued with Mom and Great Grandma about letting his sister have the pets she loved many times. But in the end, he always lost the battle. Charles had even spent his own money to buy a kitten for his sister before the new year, but Grandma Rhoads found out before it even made it to the island. She intercepted it and gave it to someone else to care for.
That was the first time Charles had gotten really angry with Mom and Great Grandma. It was also the reason he had left the island after the holidays. He hadn’t expected Darwin to agree with him.
“Thank you,” Charles said sincerely. “I’ll convince sis and Mom to move here. Please keep your promise, and don't send my sister's kitten away, even if I have an asthma attack because of allergies."
"I won't," Darwin assured him, squatting down to hug Charles and gently patting his back. “You won’t have an asthma attack, and I won’t send your sister's kitten away. I promise."
"Okay."
Charles gave a small nod.
The kitten's energy was limited, but Chicago's was boundless. An hour later, the kitten was exhausted. Darwin stepped in to rescue it.
"Chicago, the kitty’s still very young. She needs lots of rest. How about we play with her another time, okay?" Darwin consulted with Chicago.
"Alright."
Chicago reluctantly handed the kitten back to Darwin. He put the kitten back in her bed, and she immediately curled up and fell sound asleep, clearly worn out. Darwin couldn't help but smile.
Before taking Chicago outside, Darwin carefully removed all the cat hair from her clothes and sprayed her with a child-safe disinfectant. Only when he was sure all bases were covered did he lead her back out.
"That kitten is so adorable, Charles!" Chicago exclaimed as she bounded up to Charles, maintaining a slight distance. She might have felt that she'd gotten a bit too close to the cat earlier and didn't want to overstep with her brother.
"Are you happy?" Charles asked.
"Yeah!" Chicago nodded earnestly.
"I was thinking of taking a look around here. Do you want to join me?" He continued.
"Sure!" Chicago agreed readily, her spirits evidently high.
Darwin cast a grateful glance at Charles, then led them to the elevator and upstairs.
Once inside, Chicago's eyes immediately fell on her art.
"Wow!" She ran over and looked up in awe.
"That's Chicago's painting!"
"Yes, it is," Darwin said with pride. "It's fantastic, so I had it hung here where all our guests can see it when they come over."
Chicago gave him a glance, then turned back to her painting, lost in thought.
As they continued inside, Chicago's eyes remained bright and shiny.
Like father, like daughter, Darwin's taste in art greatly aligned with Chicago's.
As he saw his daughter so exuberant, Darwin felt a profound sense of paternal pride.
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