Chapter 0698
A week had passed since Laura had given birth. Little Adele was bright–eyed and alert, captivating everyone. The adults took turns caring for her during the night, but Emma and Alden were the most experienced when it came to handling babies.
Alden’s mind kept drifting back to when he became a father to Ethan. Things had been so different then. He was juggling school, work, caring for a newborn, and supporting his wife. Despite his father’s wealth, Peter had made sure not to make things easy for him.
At the time, Alden had resented him for it–hated him, even. Everything shifted the day Peter sat him down and said something that, only now, made sense:
“Do you think I’m cruel and strict with you? Wait until you see how the real world is. If I weren’t here, where would you and Grace be? What would you live on? Making a child is easy; raising one isn’t. I know I was never there for you, and I don’t know how to be, but what would’ve happened if I hadn’t stepped into your life?
“Grace and I would’ve managed.”
“Are you sure? I don’t think so. You’d have ended up as fish food. Your mother’s heart would’ve broken, Grace would’ve had to abort, your child would’ve ended up in the hospital’s trash bin, and she’d have been forced to marry some lecherous old man.
“Life isn’t fair, Alden. Life will eat you alive, and it’s up to you whether you let it or bite back. I’m preparing you for life. If I gave you everything, what would happen when I’m gone? The money I have is mine and Theodore’s. You haven’t earned any of it. So now, you need to earn every cent I spend on you and your wife. Yes, it’s hard, and it’s cruel–of course, it is!
“One day, you’ll understand why I want you to learn these things. One day, you won’t be 18 anymore. One day, you’ll be the father of a boy who will ask you for advice. And what will you tell him? That money solves everything for you? Of course not! So, you’d better hurry if you want to sleep tonight. I love you, Alden, but with me, you’re going to learn responsibility, and I won’t let up.”
Alden shook his head at the memory as he fed Adele her bottle. Laura had had a rough night. The baby’s colic had kept her awake, so Alden had taken over to let her rest.
“The infamous Uncle Peter was right after all. But don’t tell him that! Without everything I learned back then, I don’t know what I’d have done when you were born, my little squirrel with such a big appetite.”
“You look so sweet feeding and chatting with Adele,” Serenity said, walking into the room.
“Hey, love! How are the kids?”
“They’re fine, playing on the beach. You know Paul–he’s head over heels for that girl. Maurice’s with Emma, learning how to cook, of all things. Ethan and John are building sandcastles. But I came to see you. You’ve been holed up in here. Emma told me you were taking care of Adele, so I wanted to check on you.”
“I miss you. It’s been a week of… nothing, and I miss you.”
“Alden! We have a baby and her mom to take care of. There I be time for everything else later,” Serenity replied, a playful smile on her lips.
“You know, I love how you blush…”
“Do you?”
“Yes… a lot. When we have kids, I hope we have a girl. What do you think?”
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Chapter 0698
“A girl would be beautiful.”
“That’s what I think too! Here, let me burp her, and then we can lie down with her for a bit.”
Serenity watched as Alden handled Adele with such tenderness. She couldn’t help imagining how he’d be with their own baby someday. They hadn’t talked about it much amidst the chaos, but the thought lingered.
As she watched him, she absentmindedly touched the medal Alden had given her. It was a promise–a promise of marriage, a life together, and never being apart. But there was something more, something they needed to discuss soon. It wouldn’t stay hidden for long.
“Alright, she’s all set. She burped like a champ. Come on, let’s get to bed.”
“Alden, you’re crazy! Someone might see us.“.
“Didn’t you hear Laura? Everyone knows we’re together, and no one minds. So, what’s there to be afraid of? Besides, Adele will be between us. I’m not suggesting anything inappropriate here. Just a cuddle session with this little princess.”
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