Chapter 498 The Father-Daughter Alliance
Fiona glanced at the time.
"That should do it."
Charles hastily patted Chicago on the back. "Chicago, let's go see the fireflies."
Chicago was ecstatic.
She eagerly put on her little mosquito netting jacket to avoid bug bites.
While Fiona was helping Charles and Chicago with their jackets, Darwin had already cleaned up the remains of their meal.
He made sure not to pack away everything—just in case his wife hadn’t eaten enough.
The pots were cleaned and the leftover food was neatly stored away.
Chicago, who had put on her jacket first, came running over with the pitter-patter of her little feet.
Darwin's mind wandered back to the conversation between Chicago and Charles he'd overheard earlier.
He used to be a staunch atheist.
However, after Fiona's plane crash, he began praying to every power imaginable in hope for a miracle.
All he wanted was for his loved one to be returned to him.
So, he didn't find Chicago's words absurd in the slightest.
"What's wrong?" Chicago looked up at Darwin. "Aren't you happy?"
Darwin shook his head, squatted down to hug Chicago, and patted her back, whispering, "Chicago, I am so grateful to you and your brother. You saved Mommy, and you saved me too."
Darwin couldn't bear to think about what might have happened.
If he had found Fiona that day, and she hadn't survived, and then to find out she was carrying their child at the time, he would've likely gone completely mad.
How could he have imagined a blissful life like the one they have now, enviable even by fairy-tale standards?
"I don’t understand," she said with a touch of confusion.
"It's okay." Darwin let go of her, smiling warmly as he gently caressed her cheek. "It just means I love Mommy and you guys so much."
For some reason, Chicago felt her eyes well up.
Her lips pouted, and her beautiful eyes were misted with tears.
Then, she hugged Darwin tightly.
"What are the two of you up to?" Fiona called out, holding Charles's hand as they came into view.
Chicago sniffled.
After letting go of Darwin, she turned to Fiona and with a tearful voice, replied, "Daddy said he loves you."
Fiona was at a loss for words.
Darwin, in his heart, couldn't help but admire his little Chicago's emotional intelligence—it was incredible.
"Yeah, yeah, I hear you, come on, let's go," Fiona said, brushing off the sentiment.
She turned and walked away with Charles in tow.
Chicago ran up to take Fiona's other hand, looked up at her, and repeated, "Mommy, Daddy said he loves you."
"I heard him, look, fireflies!" Fiona said, spotting a firefly.
Her attention was diverted to the twinkling lights of the fireflies dotting the night, and Chicago's focus shifted to the tiny glowing creatures.
"Charles, there's more over there!"
"Take it easy!" Charles released Fiona's hand and caught up.
Darwin trailed a few steps behind.
Fiona glanced back with a look of exasperation and warning.
Darwin hurriedly jogged to keep pace.
"Can you not teach Chicago any weird stuff, please?" Fiona whispered with a voice tinged with silent reproof.
"Is saying 'I love you' considered weird stuff?" Darwin asked.
He really couldn't undermine Chicago's efforts.
"You..." Fiona frowned, "Just don't say it, okay?"
"No way, I'm going to say it! Definitely going to say it!"
"Darwin!"
However, before Fiona could finish her statement.
Darwin unexpectedly planted a quick kiss on her lips.
Fiona was speechless.
"I'm not just going to say it, I'm going to say it every single day," Darwin declared with a look that challenged her to stop him.
"Then, enjoy sleeping in the guest room forever."
Fiona walked briskly toward the children after speaking her mind.
Darwin followed with a smile.
By the time Fiona caught up to the wildly running Chicago.
She heard Darwin calling from behind.
"Honey, I love you!"
"Daddy loves you," Chicago laughed, obviously thrilled.
"Don't learn from him," Fiona warned.
"Why?" Chicago tilted his chin up slightly. "When I find someone I love in the future, I should tell them loudly, just like Daddy, 'I love you'!"
That was it.
If things kept going this way.
Darwin was sure to develop a lovesick brain.
"Is that Chicago?"
At that moment, a family, who had spent the afternoon crabbing with them, came out to watch the fireflies and stumbled upon Chicago’s family.
"Bobby!" Chicago wriggled free from Fiona's grasp and dashed over like the wind.
Soon after, the families met in the darkness.
"Aunties, uncles, friends, this is my mom and my twin brother," Chicago eagerly introduced his family to the new acquaintances.
"Chicago’s mom is so pretty, like a movie star. Your husband is incredibly handsome; no wonder your kids are as beautiful and adorable as they are!" Bobby's mom chuckled, "While we were crabbing this afternoon, oh boy, I was so tempted to trade kids with your husband!"
Bobby was pudgy with small eyes, giving him a very honest appearance.
"I wish!"
"As long as Chicago didn't cause any trouble for you," Fiona said kindly.
"Not at all, she's like a little angel. She shared all the candy we gave her with the other kids without a second thought," another mom added.
Then, the group decided to head together to the valley where the fireflies were most abundant.
The firefly population hadn't yet reached its peak for the season.
The valley had only a sparse number of them.
That, however, did nothing to dampen the spirits of the playful children.
As they engaged in their games, the adults gathered to chat among themselves.
These parents, a cut above the rest, didn’t dwell on trivial matters concerning their kids.
After sharing details about their jobs, they delved into work-related discussions.
It was quite fortuitous.
Fiona had a grasp on every profession mentioned.
While not the most talkative, she could always offer insightful solutions when someone faced a challenge.
Thus, everyone found talking with Fiona and Darwin both enjoyable and rewarding.
Charles rarely mingled with kids his age, but tonight, he was thoroughly enjoying himself.
Two children expressed a keen interest in mathematics.
Hearing from Chicago that Charles excelled at math, both, being in the gifted program, wondered just how good he could be,
So, they decided to test him.
To their surprise, the problems they presented were no more than child's play for Charles.
Then, both kids revered him, bringing forth problems they couldn't solve.
Charles's logical skills were off the charts; he could simplify the most intricate problems and make them easily understandable.
As midnight approached, Chicago, worn out, fell asleep cuddled against Fiona.
Consequently, Fiona and Darwin bid farewell to everyone to head back.
The kids working on math problems even burst into tears.
"I still have questions! Why does time have to fly?" one lamented.
"Big brother, can't you come over to our tent tonight?" they sobbed.
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