Chapter 577 Birthday Cake is a Must
In a twinkling, Charles's math competition was upon them. This was the first time little Charles participated in a competition. After much thought, Fiona and Darwin decided to free up that day to support him, even if they couldn't accompany him on site.
"Our Charles is the youngest contestant in the batch," Fiona said proudly as she looked through the roster. "It’s not a surprise that he's going to achieve excellent results."
"Our Charles will definitely come in first place," Darwin said, holding up his index finger.
Fiona immediately smiled. "I checked, and the results will be announced right around your birthday."
Darwin paused for a moment. It had been a long time since he celebrated his birthday because the memories associated with it weren't pleasant. It used to be because of Lilian, and later on, because of the pained silhouette of Fiona's leaving.
"What's wrong?" she asked.
Fiona noticed a sudden shift in Darwin's mood.
She set the manual aside and reached out to touch his cheek.
Darwin glanced at her and shook his head.
"Don't feel like celebrating your birthday?" Fiona asked.
Darwin managed a wry smile. "I can't hide anything from my wife's keen eyes."
"Why not? You always celebrated it before." Fiona finished speaking but then her thoughts drifted to the shenanigans of Darwin's birthdays over the past five years.
He insisted on eating the specific flavor of cake that Lilian would buy.
And when she did buy it for him, he would get so irritated that he'd throw it away.
Or he would impulsively buy a plane ticket and take off to Europe.
Just think about it, Darwin was really quite unpredictable from the very start.
"Let's just forget about it," Fiona said nonchalantly.
Suddenly flustered, Darwin looked at her. "You want to celebrate my birthday? If you do, then let's celebrate it."
"Chicago must have heard from someone that it's almost your birthday. Seems like she's prepared a gift and is really looking forward to that day," Fiona replied.
"Then let's celebrate. It's been a long time since I've had a birthday!" Darwin exclaimed immediately.
It's been a long time since he celebrated his birthday.
She looked at him, puzzled. "Didn't Lilian celebrate your birthday for you afterward?"
Fiona was taken aback when she said it.
She just had to blurt out Lilian out of all sudden.
"Lilian wanted to, but I never let her." Darwin's eyes began to redden slowly. "But every time I got angry, I would remember, the first year you came into my life, the cake you bought for me. I thought I knew the dessert shop you like, and I tried finding it, going from store to store, but I never found that taste again."
Fiona suddenly understood.
Actually, when she first came into Darwin's life, aside from being a bit rough at night, he wasn't that cold during the rest of the time.
The night before his birthday that year, unexpectedly, he stayed over at her apartment.
The next morning, Fiona made him a cake.
However, she was afraid Darwin wouldn't want to eat anything she made.
So, she told him it was store-bought.
Darwin had a good appetite and finished it all.
She didn't know what changed after that.
His attitude toward her suddenly grew harsh.
"It was homemade," Fiona replied.
Darwin was taken aback. "Homemade? Then, why did you tell me it was bought?"
"I was afraid you wouldn't eat it, you never ate the desserts I made before," Fiona said calmly. "You said... Lilian couldn't make those, she was meant for painting."
Darwin paused for a moment and then dropped his gaze. "I'm sorry."
"Why are you apologizing all of a sudden?" Fiona genuinely didn't feel that Darwin had anything to apologize for regarding those times.
Their relationship was a transaction after all.
He gave her plenty of money and found the best doctors to extend her grandmother's life.
In those years at Solomon, she learned enough to fend for herself for a lifetime.
Darwin owed her an apology for never making up his mind between her and Lilian, never willing to let her go.
For his distrust of her which had almost cost her children their lives.
For leaving her for Lilian time and again after proposing.
"Alright, why bring up the past again?" Fiona interrupted before Darwin could speak, determinedly closing the topic. "Let's just agree to have the birthday party as usual, especially now that we've moved. We can invite more people over and have a great time!"
"Sure," Darwin agreed with a nod.
He took Fiona's hand and kissed it fervently.
"Honey, don't worry. Those things from the past won't happen again. If the sky falls, you're still my only choice."
"Gross..." Fiona teased, batting away his away.
Just then, the competition ended.
Led by their teacher, the students began to exit.
"Charles!" Fiona spotted her son immediately because he was short and walking at the front of the line.
His face was expressionless.
Dressed in his uniform, he looked distinguished and aloof.
Fiona pushed open the car door and got out.
She waved to Charles.
He seemed taken aback upon seeing her, then he quickly said something to his teacher.
The teacher looked toward Fiona.
Fiona nodded slightly, and the teacher, clearly a bit flustered, allowed Charles to walk over.
Charles usually took his time walking, but today his steps were brisk.
"Mommy, what are you doing here?" he asked, clearly excited, as he reached her.
Fiona squatted down and gave him a solid hug. "Today's my son’s first competition, I had to come!"
His mother's embrace seemed to dissipate the anxiety from the noisy crowd, bringing him immense comfort.
Her scent was always so calming, always able to heal him.
At that moment, the driver's side door opened.
Charles looked over and was even more surprised to see Darwin getting out.
Fiona let go of him. "I didn't want him to come, but he insisted!"
"Thank you," Charles said politely.
The next second, Darwin also squatted down and gave him a hug full of security.
"You worked hard," he said, patting Charles's head. "Mom and Dad will take you home."
Charles was a bit bewildered.
Darwin often hugged his sister, but it was rare, almost non-existent, for him to have such contact with Charles.
"Yeah," Charles replied softly.
Fiona glanced at Charles's little red ears.
The little guy was shy.
"Charles!" called a voice.
A child from across the way was calling out to Charles.
Darwin released his hold.
Charles turned around.
It was Frank and Evelyn.
Charles handed his small backpack to Darwin. "Wait for me for a second, I'm going to say hi."
"Did you have plans with your friends? Where are you guys off to?" Fiona asked.
“I turned them down,” Charles said, shaking his head.
"Why?"
Charles pursed his lips and then answered honestly, “They’re too loud.”
Fiona sighed in resignation.
Since he was little, Charles had always disliked noisy environments.
"Alright then, go greet your friends and have fun with us," Fiona said, patting his head.
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