Chapter 361 Switching Moods Faster Than a Page Flip
Laura was speechless.
Why chase romance when you can chase money? That worldly thought ran through her head.
With those musings, she watched Fiona enter the office.
"Mommy!"
Chicago was as bubbly and spirited as ever, charging toward Fiona on sight.
Fiona stooped down for a hug. "Did you have fun today, sweetie?"
"I did!"
Chicago nodded enthusiastically, then popped something into Fiona's mouth.
Fiona was caught off guard and instinctively bit down. The sweetness of a cherry tomato burst across her taste buds.
Fiona's gaze brightened when she saw Chicago’s sparkling eyes.
Chicago blinked hopefully. "Is it tasty?"
"It’s delicious. Did you buy this for Mommy?" Fiona asked.
"I didn’t buy it," Chicago said proudly, her mood shifting as she glanced back at Darwin. She faced Fiona again, pointing behind her. "The gardener back at his place grew them."
Fiona stroked Chicago's cheek and straightened up.
Charles called out to her. "Mommy."
He seemed a bit worn out today and lacked his usual energy.
Fiona walked over, placing a hand on his forehead. "Are you feeling tired today?"
"I’m okay." Charles shook his head. "I slept in the morning and went to Emerald Pool with Chicago in the afternoon."
He paused, then continued, "He insisted on coming here for dinner with you, so here we are."
Fiona looked over at Darwin.
"Come on, dinner's getting cold," Darwin said, as he clumsily fumbled with the food containers and divided up the plates and silverware.
He obviously wasn't used to this, and Fiona nearly had a heart attack watching him, afraid he'd spill the food at any moment.
Luckily, disaster was averted.
Fiona thought Darwin must have been overwhelmed when he brought Charles and Chicago over.
But as dinner went on...
Darwin was surprisingly attentive, picking out what Chicago and Charles could and couldn't eat, showing that he knew his way around their palates.
"You really seem to have a knack for this," Fiona remarked with a playful tone as she glanced at Darwin.
Darwin looked back at her. "Charlie and Chicago are easy to take care of. They hardly require any effort. You've done a great job raising them."
Fiona, undaunted by this flattery, gladly accepted the praise without a hint of guilt.
Chicago was very happy today.
She was always eager to share her experiences and chatted away nonstop.
After she had finished eating, Fiona wiped the corners of Chicago's mouth and asked, "Did you really like it there?"
Chicago paused.
Her little face became guarded once more and she quickly changed the subject. "Are you done with work, Mommy? I still need to go home and feed Doodle."
Fiona felt a little helpless.
But she didn't want to push. "I need to work overtime tonight, sweetie. You be good and go home with Daddy and your brother, okay?"
Chicago seemed a bit downcast. "Okay, but will you come home to read a bedtime story?"
Fiona's face was full of regret. "Honey, I probably won’t be able to make it tonight. Daddy will tell you the story, won’t he?"
Fiona turned to Darwin.
She couldn't quite imagine Darwin spinning fairytales.
Darwin was briefly taken aback, but nodded. "Yes, I’ll read to you."
Chicago looked skeptical. "Will you really?"
"Of course. Daddy can do anything." Fiona kissed Chicago's cheek, then turned to give Charles a kiss as well. "Alright now, Mommy has lots to do. You guys head home with Daddy."
As Darwin left with Charlie and Chicago, he felt like he was walking on clouds.
Fiona's assurance echoed in his ears. "Daddy can do anything."
"Are you leaving, Mr. Solomon?"
Fiona’s studio colleagues greeted Darwin as he emerged.
Darwin nodded pleasantly in acknowledgment.
"Thanks for the seafood paella, Mr. Solomon!"
Darwin offered them a thin smile. "Please continue to support Chelsea."
"Absolutely," they agreed with enthusiasm.
The studio was filled with a warm and harmonious atmosphere.
Darwin, looked the very picture of a domestic family man as he trailed behind the little ones, leaving the studio.
Chicago was over the moon.
She sat in her car seat, kicking her little legs in glee.
"You’re feeling happy, huh?" Darwin fastened her seat belt with a smile.
Chicago nodded energetically. "Mommy never used to let us visit her at work!"
"That's because there’s lots of people in the studio. If something happened to you, Mommy would feel bad," Darwin explained, covering for Fiona.
But...
Chicago looked at him suspiciously. "That sounds like a story for a three-year-old."
Chicago glanced at the ruthless reporters who were hounding her mom's office and said, "Mom hates it when the paparazzi try to takes photos of us. She used to be scared, but she isn't anymore. Do you know why?"
Darwin cast his eyes downward.
The answer was obvious to him, but Chicago wasn’t sure if he knew, so she bluntly laid it out for him. "She was afraid you would find out. But now that you have, she's not scared anymore, duh."
"You're so smart, Chicago." Darwin complimented her with a tinge of pride in his voice.
"But even a smart cookie like me has lots of things I can’t figure out." Chicago gave him a look and turned her head away in annoyance. "Forget it, I don't want to talk anymore!"
Chicago could switch moods faster than flipping the pages of a book.
Charles had been silently enjoying the drama unfold.
The fact that Chicago was talking so much to Darwin meant she wasn't mad at him anymore.
Now, she just had a lot of puzzles in her mind for which she couldn't find the answers.
On the way back, Chicago fell silent.
Darwin dropped Charles off at home first, where Janna, who had arrived earlier, greeted them.
Then, he followed Chicago to feed Doodle.
After eating his fill, Doodle sought out Chicago for a cuddle.
But after checking the time, Chicago said, "Sorry Doodle, I can't hold you today."
She whispered something in Doodle's ear before she reluctantly set the cat down, left the cat room, and shut the glass door behind her.
Doodle sat sadly at the door, swaying his fluffy tail, meowing after Chicago's departure.
"Why don't you stay and play with Doodle for a while? We've got time," Darwin questioned curiously.
Chicago shot him a glance.
Why indeed, she mused.
Obviously, because she was worried that leaving later might mean missing the preparation for bedtime stories.
"I'm just tired today!" Chicago said as she started walking away. As they encountered Kenny's staff member, the rebellious façade melted away when Chicago greeted her warmly. "Goodnight Morgan, I'm heading home to sleep. Hope you have sweet dreams, too."
Morgan beamed with joy. "Sweet dreams to you as well, Miss Chicago. I'll make you some breakfast tomorrow morning."
"Okay!"
Chicago swallowed hard, clearly excited for the treat.
Then with a defiant air, she left with her father.
They didn't take the car home.
Strutting ahead proudly, Chicago walked with her small hands clasped behind her back.
Darwin followed, carrying her little bag, his gaze affectionately settled on the spirited little Chicago.