Chapter 485 The Great Baby Battle
Randy's piano practice typically lasted two hours, always after dinner upon returning home from school. On weekends, he took lessons with Joe White in the morning, then practiced at home in the afternoon, sometimes longer if he felt inspired, or shorter if fatigue set in.
Today, he was in high spirits. He emerged from the music room after a solid three hours of practice.
When he exited the music room and saw Shane and the other two in the living room, he was momentarily taken aback. A flicker of guilt crossed his eyes as he instinctively searched for Charles, who was nowhere to be found in the living room.
Patricia shot him a look. "Stop searching; he's not here."
Randy cringed, laughed sheepishly, and approached Patricia, saying, "I'm sorry, Mommy."
Patricia asked sternly, "What did you do wrong?"
Fumbling with the hem of his shirt, Randy looked down and said softly, "I shouldn't have caused trouble with my brother. I should've told you right away when I got back."
Patricia had a soft spot for contrition, so seeing his genuine remorse, she couldn't stay upset.
Shane felt a wave of affection for his great-grandson, gently taking Randy's hand. "Great-grandpa's not mad at you. If you and your brother hadn't led us there, how would I have found your grandma's keepsakes?"
"Great-grandpa?" Randy looked curiously at Patricia.
Wasn't his great-grandpa supposed to be at the old Langley family estate? Where'd this other great-grandpa spring from?
Patricia repeated her explanation to Randy.
Randy nodded. "Oh, you're my mom's grandpa! Got it."
Patricia urged, "Greet them."
Obediently, Randy called out one by one, "Hello, great-grandpa, auntie, uncle!"
"Good boy!" Shane, out of habit, reached into his pocket, only to find nothing and feel a bit embarrassed. "I didn't bring any gift for you today. How about I give you a big one next time we meet?"
Randy shook his head. "That's okay, great-grandpa. You don't have to do that. We don't need anything."
Shane chuckled heartily at his response. "The money you have is yours, but a gift from your great-grandpa is a token of affection. It's different."
Randy didn't understand these social niceties. He didn't want to dwell on it and just nodded agreeably.
Since the house was full of family today, and their home wasn't as spacious as those in Ellenstein Villa District, Martin decided they'd eat out for dinner.
At first, Charles didn't want to go, preferring to eat something simple at home alone. However, under Martin's stern look, he eventually relented.
They weren't planning on taking Maria, but she had just woken up, and Jeremy, unable to bear parting with her, decided to bring her along. Jeremy and Ariel were like two kids, playfully competing to hold Maria.
Maria was such an easygoing baby, grinning happily no matter who held her, never fussy, and would even lean in to kiss whoever was cuddling her. Her little lips were soft and rosy; kissing her cheek felt like squishing a marshmallow, melting everyone's hearts. This made Jeremy and Ariel even less inclined to let go, nearly coming to blows over her. If Shane wasn't advanced in years, he might have joined the battle for the baby.
Jeremy, unable to win, blurted out, "Why don't you just have your own kids instead of always wrestling her away from me?"
That comment instantly froze the atmosphere.
Ariel's grip loosened unconsciously, and in an instant, Jeremy snatched away Maria. Oddly enough, he seemed oblivious to the tension in the air, smug about getting Maria back and playfully engaging with the little munchkin.
Ariel’s gaze fell, a trace of sadness flickering in her eyes.
Shane, livid, picked up his cane and thwacked Jeremy on the head. "Zip it if you've got nothing good to say!"
Patricia sensed something was amiss and asked in concern, "Sis, Jeremy's right; you're not getting any younger. Why not have a child of your own?"
Ariel gently touched her flat stomach, her voice tinged with desolation. "It's not that I don't want to but that I am unable to."
Patricia immediately realized her blunder. "I'm so sorry. I didn't know this was a sensitive topic."
Ariel smiled and shook her head. Despite her smile, anyone with eyes could see the strain and bitterness it carried. "It's no secret, you don't have to apologize to me."
Patricia was at a loss whether to continue the topic or not.
Ariel said, "I've been married for years and tried everything. Meds and injections, all sorts of treatments, but nothing worked."
"What's the problem, exactly?" Patricia asked.
Ariel replied, "They said both my fallopian tubes are blocked."
"Have you tried IVF or artificial insemination?" Patricia inquired.
Ariel nodded. "Several times, but all attempts have failed. The doctors even said my uterine lining is too thin, and with my condition that doctors call 'chronic coldness,' implantation is difficult. I might never be able to carry my own child."
The atmosphere turned unbearably heavy and oppressive.
Patricia didn't know how to comfort her. After all, for a woman who loved children, the inability to have her own child could be a lifelong sorrow. No words of comfort seemed right.
Fortunately, Ariel was an optimistic and cheerful person. She took a deep breath, quickly regained her composure, and smiled. "No worries, if I can't conceive, I'll adopt one."
Patricia’s eyes widened. "Adopt?"
Ariel nodded affirmatively. "Yes. Jim suggested adoption. It's our way of filling the void."
Patricia smiled and said, "He's truly amazing."
If it had been some other guy, he probably would've been asking for a divorce by now.
Ariel nodded with a sweet smile. "Yeah! He's really been great to me, willing to marry into the Koch family for my sake, and even agreeing to adopt a child who isn't biologically ours. When we first found out I couldn't get pregnant, I thought about getting a divorce, to let him find another woman. But he wouldn't have it. He said he's committed to me for life, even if it means we can't have kids."
At this, her cheeks turned a soft pink. "So, for the rest of my life, I'm just as committed to him."
Patricia took Ariel's hand. "It's not easy to find a man who truly loves you. You've got to cherish him."
Ariel nodded. "Yeah, I will."
Patricia asked, "When are you guys planning to adopt?"
"Well, we're starting the process right after we get back. Jim has been researching orphanages, and we think we've found a potential match. If I like the child too, we'll bring them straight home."
Patricia nodded.
Just then, the waiter brought over their meal.
Ariel took out a bottle of pills from her purse. Noticing Patricia's curious gaze, she explained, "Even though the doctor has written me off, I'm not giving up hope. You never know; life is full of surprises."
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