While adults might still be fine with traveling in quick succession, it might not be the same with kids.
“Okay.” Erin nodded, agreeing with James too.
They decided to go out tomorrow-just the two of them, since they were just married.
Neither Tommy nor Baby were willing to stay still in the house, so Diarmuid went out with them.
Minerva was a country with rich culture, and there were plenty of places to visit-they had the time to bring the children out to take in the culture and sight of the country. Tommy was a little excited.
It was rare for the whole family to travel together, after all.
Abigail tousled Tommyβs hair and said, “You’re that happy, huh?”
Tommy nodded and hugged her, asking, “Where are we going?”
Abigail had no idea, so she asked the man who was driving, β Where are we going?”
She needed to take care of Baby and Tommy, so she had to stay in the backseat, while only Diarmuid sat in the front row.
“I’ll decide for the day. How about that?” he said.
“Okay.” Abigail smiled-there were plenty of places worth visiting, but Diarmuid was used to most and was therefore not interested.
Moreover, the children might not be interested as well, so he had gone out of his way to find some that would suit the children.
They drove for a way, passing multiple neighborhoods with plenty of detached housing. It was sparsely populated and a lot less congested than Zidonia, making for a good living environment-other factors notwithstanding.
It was not surprising Mick Gooding would get to this place and refuse to move afterward.
The car stopped outside a spot covered under bright green foliage, and the very air was fresh.
Diarmuid picked Baby out of the car. The latter was quite heavy now and developed a stubborn streak, refusing to be carried around and always wanting to walk on his own.
However, he was very slow on his short little legs and was certainly being difficult.
Only Diarmuid was able to carry him too.
Abigail took Tommy’s hand and headed inside side-by-side with Diarmuid.
They certainly looked like a happy family, with one carrying a child and the other leading another by his hand.
If only Baby was a daughter, it would have been more perfect.
Still, the sight alone was envious.
“What is this place…” Abigail began to ask, but she was soon captivated by the scenery before her.
Past the small woods was a crystalline lake, and the ground was covered with vibrant green grass-it was a place for picnics and other outdoor activities.
A gentle breeze brushed against them just then, filling the air with invigorating freshness.
Tommy quickly let go of Abigail’s hand and ran happily toward the lake-it seems that he liked being outdoors.
Abigail smiled. “I should have brought food if I knew.”
Diarmuid gave her a look. “It feels like you’re saying that Iβm not well-prepared.”
Abigail giggled. “I was the one who did not prepare.”
However, she soon saw that Zachary and Mrs. Watson had arrived as well, leaving her surprised. “How?”
Diarmuid had come here for the first time, but he was scouting the route and the woods before calling Zachary over since this was definitely a good place.
Zachary and Mrs. Watson in turn brought everything from food to toys for a picnic and basically everything they needed.
Tommy was naturally the most pleased about that, since he was the eldest and could eat and run around without anyone minding him, while Baby did the same.
The greenery and the crystalline lake was just right for relaxing and unwinding.
Zachary sighed emotionally just then. “It would be perfect if we brought a grill set.”
Abigail turned toward him. “Quite the glutton, aren’t we?’
“It’s just the right place for it,” Zachary said. “And it’s not that many of us… If only James and his bride were here too.”
Abigail frowned. “You’re unmarried, but you’re an adult. Would he have time to spend with you?”
Zachary was speechless-Abigail’s words were certainly unsettling.
Even so…
“What do you mean, I’m unmarried? Heck, I was a divorcee, or did you forget?”
Abigail was speechless-she really did!
Still, Abigail scoffed. “Well, I can give you that much. But was it glamorous?”
Zachary was speechless in turn-his marriage was certainly a dark part of his history and mentioning it was just hurting himself.
He quickly changed the subject. “Do you like grapes? We washed them before bringing them overβIβll get it for you.β
Abigail caught his sleeve. “By the way, does it count as your second marriage if you marry again?”
Zachary sighed. “You used to respect me so much, but you’ve really changed. You’re just like Diarmuid now.β
Diarmuid shot Zachary a cool, warning glare right then. “Does it kill you to stay quiet?”
“How boring would it be for everyone if I did?” Zachary retorted calmly and feebly. “It’s a nice day out with nice weather but we have nothing to do. Staying quiet would be a waste, so Iβm just making the best out of a difficult situation, you know.”
“What’s difficult about your situation? Don’t you have a daughter? What more do you want?” Diarmuid asked, still upset about how
Zachary bragged about having a daughter before.
“But she doesn’t have a mother.” Zachary sighed.
It was certainly the greatest regret he had-something felt missing since her daughter did not have a complete family.
Abigail finally saw that Zachary was just hiding his mood by being talkative.
Yes, he was happy to have a daughter, but it hurt that she would not have a mother.
The more she looked at Zachary’s smile now, the more it felt less earnest.
She actually felt like she had not shown him enough concern right then, both as a lowerclassman and as a friend.
As such, she said, “You wanted a grill, was it? Just ask someone to bring it over.”
Zachary said, “And cold beer.”
Abigail wanted to roll her eyes at him-give him an inch, and he would ask for a mile.
“You have a daughter,” she told him. “Self-indulgence sets a bad example. You should be a good father.”
“Fair enough.” Zachary smiled. “Let’s do it.”
Naturally, Abigail asked Diarmuid to do it, since she did not have the connections.
It was a rare day out to relax, so Diarmuid indulged her for once and whipped out his phone to call someone.
Abigail had no idea who it was, but they worked quickly to send tools and ingredients, along with a cook and his helper.
And with that, a simple picnic became a grill party, though having people work meant no problems, nor did it take time to get the food done.
Tommy thought the skewers looked fun and tried to grill something himself, while Zachary kept an eye on him or he might burn himself.
Abigail was in turn leaning against Diarmuid’s shoulder as they both lay on the grass, watching as Baby shambled forward.
His cheeks were pink and he was holding a chunk of cake, with crumbs all around his mouth.
His teeth were growing slower though he could walk already, and he only had four-two of which he bared whenever he smiled.
“It’s the first time we’re enjoying ourselves in such peace and quiet, don’t you think?” She smiled faintly.
Diarmuid held her hand. “I’ll spend more time with all of you when we get back.”
Abigail had given up on her ambition for family, so he could not get obsessed over work too.
Mommy.” Tommy ran up to them cheerfully with an aromatic beef skewer and handed it to Abigail. “I cooked this myself.”
Abigail was appreciative enough to have a chunk, while Tommy asked hopefully, “Is it good?”
He was certainly eager to get praised.
However, Abigail could tell that the tenderness, doneness, and condiments were just rightβclearly not his work.
Still, she did not ask and smiled in praise. “It’s great. You’re amazing, Tommy.”
Then, she held up the skewers to Diarmuid’s lips. “You try it too.”
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredanaβs father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with βgood newsβ after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.
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