Chapter 382 The Flirting Game
Darwin chuckled, then his laughter grew hearty.
Dinner was promptly served.
The kids had their meals, and the adults had a lavish spread too.
Charles was seated next to Darwin. Father and son didn't talk much, but their bond seemed stronger than ever.
For example, Darwin could immediately tell what Charles disliked and would swap something from his own plate that Charles would enjoy.
While he was engrossed in conversation with Fiona, Darwin would instinctively pass a drink to Charles without even looking when he noticed his son needed one.
Fiona saw everything.
Charles was visibly more relaxed than usual, and he felt a sense of security that was plain to see.
She used to think that with enough material wealth and her company, her child could grow up happy without a father figure.
But now she realized...
The love of a father can’t be replaced by material things.
"Wow, that tree's been trimmed into a giraffe, how cool," Chicago said, her attention finally wandering to the window after finishing her meal. "Mom, look, there's a bunny! And a bear!"
Chicago was brimming with excitement.
"If you like it, we can have something similar in our backyard," Darwin suggested.
Chicago glanced at him, then turned to Fiona.
Fiona laughed. "Why are you looking at me? Your dad's the one who offered."
Chicago suddenly lunged into Fiona's arms, hugging her and whispering in her ear, "Mama, are you going too?"
"Of course," Fiona replied. "Didn’t I mention that before? Did you forget?"
Chicago snuggled affectionately in her embrace.
Fiona couldn't help but laugh.
Until...
"Chicago," Charles said slowly, finishing a bite of his steak and looking up to call her name.
Chicago immediately released Fiona and scurried back to the window to continue looking out at the park.
Fiona was beside herself with laughter.
"It's strange, isn't it? How your sister can be so fond of you but also so afraid?" she asked Charles.
"That's just how big brothers are," Charles responded seriously.
Fiona's laughter grew even more joyful.
Darwin watched, delighted, but couldn't help feeling a twinge of regret.
He had missed out on so much because of a wrong decision, his pride, and lack of trust,.
"Have some more meat," he urged, shaking off his thoughts. He noticed that Fiona was slender, so he shifted several more slices of meat onto her plate from his own.
"Darwin, that's enough!" Fiona protested. "You ordered plenty. Are you trying to feed a hog?"
At that moment, Chicago nodded enthusiastically and added, "Yeah, we could have a piglet!"
Fiona looked at Chicago. She was busy counting how many animal-shaped bushes they could have in their new backyard on her fingers.
Just then, an announcement rang through the restaurant. "Attention all guests. The Fiona Fireworks will begin shortly. Those who want to watch may head to the viewing platform."
Of course, Darwin's family didn't need to move to the viewing platform.
The fireworks burst into the night sky brilliantly.
First came countless pink ducks illuminating the darkness, followed by bears and little piglets.
It was the first time Chicago had seen fireworks like this, and she was thrilled beyond words.
Darwin seized the moment to take a flurry of pictures of Chicago and Charles.
Fiona was astonished.
Where had Darwin's cool demeanor gone?
Had he stepped off his pedestal so easily?
The fireworks finale approached swiftly.
Darwin signaled for the eager server who had been on standby, ready to capture a family portrait.
Fiona instinctively wanted to object.
But Charles and Chicago had already scampered to their spots, their faces alight with excitement.
And so…
Darwin took Fiona's hand and led her behind Charles and Chicago.
"Perfect!" the server beamed. "I'll count down—1, 2, 3..."
As the final number fell from his lips, Darwin, who was standing shoulder-to-shoulder with Fiona, suddenly drew her closer into his embrace.
Surprised, she looked up at him.
Darwin took advantage of the situation to tilt her chin up and kiss her deeply.
At that moment, brilliant fireworks exploded in the night sky, culminating in a grand finale of countless blue hearts that cascaded behind the family. It was a surreal sight to behold.
The server frantically snapped photos, stopping just short of screaming in excitement.
Children? What children? No more second-guessing!
He would savor the sweetness while it was there!
Mr. Solomon really knew how to play his cards right.
How could anyone resist?
Come on, kiss him for ten, eight more minutes!
Of course, his wish wasn't fulfilled.
A few seconds later, Darwin broke the kiss, his face gleaming with a triumphant grin, and headed toward the server.
"Thank you so much," he said. "You've been a great help."
"My pleasure, it's... it's what I'm here for..." he handed back the phone, and as Darwin took it, the server quickly blurted out, "Wishing you a lifetime of happiness together!" before making a hasty retreat.
Darwin stood there, his smile deepening.
While 'a lifetime of happiness' wasn't nearly enough for him, he welcomed every blessing with open arms.
As the fireworks died down, Chicago turned with a bounce, clinging to her mother like a little koala.
Fiona came back to her senses, bent down and patted her head. "I’ve had too much to eat. I can't lift you right now."
Chicago looked at Fiona, then suddenly reached out to touch her ear.
"Mommy, your ears are so red, are you hurt? Does it hurt?" Chicago asked with a touch of alarm.
Fiona didn’t know what to say.
She soothed her daughter, saying, "I’m not hurt. I’m just excited. The fireworks were so beautiful, they just overwhelmed me, and my ears turned red. It doesn't hurt at all, don't worry."
What was she going to do with her daughter's worrisome nature?
"Is it because you're happy?"
At that moment, Darwin circled back.
The fireworks had ended, and it was much quieter, so Darwin heard Fiona's explanation loud and clear.
He knew it was meant to comfort Chicago, but it didn't stop him from teasing her.
Fiona glared at Darwin, wishing they could just vanish together.
Cheeky man!
"Happy now, Chicago?" Darwin approached Chicago and bent down with a smile.
Chicago was holding onto Fiona's left index finger, and she nodded earnestly in response. "Yeah, I’m happy."
"That's what I like to hear." Darwin's smile broadened. "All I want is for your mom and your brother Charles—and of course you, my little Chicago—to be happy."
Chicago glanced up at him, silently communicating more than her simple words could.
Hand in hand with Fiona, she urged gently, "Mom, you really should eat some more, you're way too thin!"
Darwin couldn't completely hide the hurt from Chicago's evasion, but he was prepared for the long haul.
He stood up slowly as Chicago passed him, leading Fiona by the hand, her face betraying no emotion.
In a flash, Fiona pinched him discreetly on the lower back.
Unfazed, she called to Charles in a soft voice, inviting him to join them at the dinner table.
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