Chapter 366 Fostering
Until now, Charles had never really interacted with pets.
As he watched the heartwarming display, he couldn't help but smile.
He rarely did, and that made Chicago and Jessie work even harder to entertain him.
Bob and Grace were both smiling, enjoying every moment.
As lunchtime approached, the couple politely declined Darwin's invitation to stay for a meal. They ambled back home with Jessie in tow, wrapped in the warmth of the morning’s memories.
Jessie's excitement at being near Chicago had vanished.
She walked slowly and deliberately, as if she was afraid of tripping and injuring her aging grandparents.
Bob watched her and felt an unexpected pang in his heart.
"Dear, perhaps we should consider giving Jessie to Chicago to care for?" Bob suddenly suggested. "Aurora always complains about the shedding and drooling and she even hit the poor dog last night. Chicago and her dad saw it happen, but heaven knows how many times it's happened when we weren't around."
"But... I know, I know... Jessie is all we have left to remember Jay by..." Grace said as she wiped away her tears.
Jessie, walking ahead, seemed to sense her grandmother's distress.
She stopped immediately, turned back, let out a concerned whine, then circled around Grace, nuzzling her.
"There, there Jessie, Grandma's alright," Grace said, her voice choked with emotion.
The discussion about whether to rehome the dog was left unresolved.
When the elderly couple returned home, Aurora, dressed in a sharp, professional outfit, greeted her grandparents with a cold look. "Out walking the dog in the middle of the day? Are you two alright?"
Bob glanced at her, his face stormy.
He led Jessie to the backyard without a word.
"What's gotten into you? Do you have a bone to pick with me this early in the morning?" Aurora could dish out attitude to her elders, but when her grandfather looked displeased, it bothered her, and she would complain.
"Enough!" Grace lowered her voice. "Aurora, tell me, did you hit Jessie?"
Aurora paused, then laughed incredulously, "So grandpa's mad at me just because I hit the dog,?"
"That dog was your brother's!" Grace said firmly, "Jessie is a good dog. You shouldn't have hit her. From now on, you don't have to walk her. If we're not up to it, the housekeeper will take her out."
"Grandma, Jay's gone. Do you really care more about the dog than me?" Aurora asked coldly, "Can a dog take care of you in your old age?"
"Enough!" Grace scolded sharply.
Aurora had gone abroad to study since she was very young.
The family didn't spend much time together, but Jay had grown up by his grandparents' side, and naturally, their bond was different.
Aurora stared at Grace, then left without another word, slamming the door behind her.
Grace was so upset she felt a sharp pain in her chest.
When Bob heard the door slam, he rushed over.
"That child‘s getting out of hand!" Bob said, his face darkening.
"Let it be..." Grace gestured with a wave of her hand.
Bob helped her to the couch.
At that moment, Jessie made her way over and laid her chin on her grandmother's knee, looking up with concern.
Grace's heart softened, and she reached down to pet the dog's head.
"Honey, you ask first," she said, her voice choking up with emotion. "See if Chicago’s folks want..."
"Sure thing, I'll ask," Bob said, holding his wife's hand. "Look, we all live in the same neighborhood, so it'll be easy to see Jessie. We'll just keep in touch with Chicago’s family."
"Mm."
Grace fell silent.
She hadn't shared the real reason for her sudden change of heart with her partner.
She remembered having a huge fight with Aurora at home before Jay's death. She had accused the family of favoring boys over girls.
After the argument, she stormed out.
Grace had chased after her and stopped her at the door.
Aurora had given her that same look she had just now, before Jay was tragically killed in a car accident the next day.
*
After lunch, Darwin received a call from Bob.
"I appreciate your trust in Chicago, and I would love for our kids to have daily playdates with friends, but family decisions are up to my wife. I need to discuss it with her first," Darwin explained.
Bob chuckled. "I get it, I get it. Same here. I'll wait to hear from you."
"Okay."
The call ended.
Now, Darwin had a good reason to reach out to Fiona.
But...
As soon as she picked up the phone, the call disconnected.
Then, Darwin received a curt text from Fiona: "I’m in a meeting."
Darwin felt frustrated.
Suddenly, he remembered the five years when Fiona had been by his side, enduring many similar moments.
He sighed softly.
He started to draft a message: "A couple (Bob and Grace) from the little park where Chicago made friends wants to give us their Golden Retriever. Is that okay?"
Fiona was really in a meeting.
She had just forcefully intervened in a packaging design issue that had been stalled by RH Company.
They were finalizing the last set of changes right now.
After that, she planned to visit RH Company personally, to meet with Roy's aunt.
When she saw Darwin's text, Fiona's brows knit together subconsciously.
"Let's pause for a moment," Fiona looked up. "Take a ten-minute break, then we'll continue."
With that, Fiona stood up and stepped out to call Darwin back.
He answered immediately.
"Why would that family suddenly want to give away a Golden Retriever that’s been well-cared for? You didn't pressure them because Chicago took a liking to it, did you?"
That was, after all, typical Darwin.
Darwin protested, "I didn't..." He quickly explained what happened the night before—the menacing stranger, Jessie getting hit—and concluded with, "That Golden Retriever was originally their grandson's pet. After he passed away, they worried the dog might end up in the wrong hands, which is why they kept it."
Fiona paused for a moment, her voice tinged with reluctance. "Charles can't live with animals like cats and dogs."
She knew just how well Chicago had bonded with the Golden Retriever down the street. And she knew how much Chicago longed for a pet of her own, a kitten or a puppy.
"Do one of the kids have to give up what they love?" Darwin asked seriously.
"Darwin, we have to be realistic," Fiona sighed, her tone resigned. "Let's not tell Chicago about this, so she doesn’t have to deal with the disappointment."
"What if I can take care of your concerns?" Darwin interjected.
"How would you do that?" Fiona inquired.
"Just answer me—if I figure it out, can Chicago keep Jessie?" Darwin pressed.
Fiona leaned wearily against the wall. "Of course, she can, if you figure out a way to make it work."
She wanted to fulfill both her children’s wishes.
"Alright, I'll handle it," Darwin declared confidently, then swiftly changed the subject. "Are you still stuck in meetings at this hour? Have you had lunch?"
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