Imperfect Desires

Xiu had asked the maids to take plenty of photos from today's tea party and now, she was sitting down before her desk with all the photos. In her hand was a scissor that she used to make cut-outs then she placed the photos in the diary.

Darren looked at her writing the diary for their unborn baby. She had been doing it since the beginning. She used the same diary to even tell him that he was gonna be a father. And then she never stopped. She wrote down every small detail in this diary with love and care. 

Darren couldn't help smiling when he read her words. In fact, he seemed to be reading it in a baby voice. He couldn't help it, Xiu set the tone of her words like that.

For instance, the page before him had the words...

'Today, baby tiger's gender was revealed. Mommy invited everyone from the family and organized a tea party. Mommy even baked special cookies herself. The cookies were beautiful and delicious.' Underneath that, there was even a photo of the cookies to prove that they looked beautiful and delicious. And as always, Xiu didn't mind calling the cookies that she baked as delicious. Her narcissism was at the peak right now. 

Darren placed his chin on the top of her head and hugged her shoulders from behind, "Are you planning on writing all the milestones?"

"Yes," replied Xiu. "I'll let our baby tiger know that he didn't miss anything. I'll make him feel like a part of it all."

Darren was amused by her thought process. He kissed her head and went to bed, "When are you gonna give it to him?"

Xiu tapped the back of the pen on her chin thoughtfully, "On his sweet sixteen party."

Darren's eyes widened at her reply, "Sweets, boys don't usually celebrate their sweet sixteen."

Xiu turned her head to give him a hard stare, "It's my baby tiger. He is definitely gonna have his own sweet sixteen birthday party. There is no way I'm compromising over that."

Darren chuckled at her reaction, "Okay. You do what you want to do." Then he took a momentary pause to add, "But don't you think we should start thinking about his name now? You're certainly not planning on calling him baby tiger forever, are you?"

Xiu scrunched up her nose before grumbling, "I'll think about his name."

Darren was glad to hear that she was willing to think seriously about the name of their son. He certainly didn't want his son to be bullied in school for his name. And neither did he want their son to feel like his parents didn't love him enough to give him a good name.

Xiu suddenly closed the diary and came to the bed as she asked, "Baobei, why did Nora drag you out in the middle of the tea party? What did she tell you? Spill it!"

Darren's face stiffened when she brought this up. He tried to avoid her eyes, "Oh, it was nothing much."

"Baobei, you can't even lie to me. Why are you even trying?" 

Darren sighed out, "Then don't ask me. I promised her I won't tell you anything. Please, don't put me in a difficult position. I'm already having trouble keeping this secret."

Xiu observed Darren's expressions and nodded. Even she could see that he was having a hard time here. He certainly couldn't keep anything from her. 

"Fine. I won't push you," said Xiu while caressing his face. "But is it a surprise for me?"

Darren's face softened as he nodded and leaned into her hand, "Yes, it's a big surprise for you. And you'll certainly love it."

"Since you say it like that, I'm quite looking forward to it now," said Xiu and settled in to get some sleep. 

"You should go to sleep now," said Darren. "We have to go for the parenting class tomorrow as well."

Xiu nodded her head, "I know." She closed her eyes to sleep but suddenly opened her eyes again, "Regan, why did Mama look a little down? Did she want a granddaughter instead of a grandson?"

Darren chuckled at her, "What? What kind of nonsense are you thinking about? Mama doesn't care whether it's a boy or a girl. She was over the moon to know that she is a grandson."

"But I certainly felt like something was wrong with her today," said Xiu in a certain tone.

Darren pinched her nose softly, "You and your observation skills are really dangerous." Xiu slapped his hand away and glared at him. Darren tapped her nose and went on, "You're right. She was a little out of sort but definitely not because of what's on your mind."

"Then?"

Darren briefed her about the situation from both Francesca's point of view and from what he learned from Han Bohai. He looked happy as he told her, "I don't know why she was upset. It wasn't even a big deal."

"It's not a big deal to us but it is to her," replied Xiu. "She truly believes that she didn't play much of a role in raising you. So, she really wants to be a good mother to Ashley. Besides, since she is caring about it so much, it shows how much she values her relationship with Han Yiheng. She is serious about spending her life with him." She took a pause and went on, "It's just like when I was nervous about meeting your mother for the first time. It's the same for her. The only difference is, I needed approval from my mother-in-law, she needs approval from a daughter. At the end of the day, it's all the same."

Darren hummed in reply and went on, "I told her not to worry at all. And I also reassured her that she just needs to be herself. But it seems my words aren't as effective."

Xiu thought about it and sat up, she picked up her phone and made a call to Francesca at this time.

"Xiu? Why are you calling me so late? Is everything alright?" Francesca was worried to see her calling at this time.

"Mama, I have something to talk to you about," said Xiu.

"What is it?"

"It's about Ashley."

Francesca sighed out as she shook her head, "Did Regi tell you everything? Why is he bothering you during this time? I'm gonna have a serious talk with him."

"Forget about that," Xiu stopped her from continuing. "I just want you to know that you don't need to worry at all. You're really the best mother. Believe in my words. As for Ashley, we'll work together to make her see how amazing you are."

Francesca was smiling when she heard her words. She couldn't help it, she found her daughter-in-law to be too cute for her health. Who wouldn't love this girl?

Recalling something she said, "I heard from Yiheng that Ashley likes to eat Asian food a lot. I was thinking maybe I should try cooking for her, what do you say?" Before Xiu could say anything she added, "But we all know I'm a disaster in the kitchen. So, I need your help to teach me something simple and delicious."

"Leave it to me," replied Xiu. "Whatever it is, I'll help you."

"Mama, I can help you as well," Darren spoke from the side.

"You can't help me, you're only good with western food. Xiu is the best with Asian cuisine. And besides, you always nitpick. I don't want you to be my teacher. I want Xiu to help me."

Darren tsked at that, "Everyone is changing parties now."

"So what if I'm on Xiu's side? You're also on her side."

Darren grinned at that, "That's true. I'm also on Sweets' side. Always and forever."

Xiu pushed him away saying, "Stop being sappy in the middle of the night."

"Sweets~~"

Francesca laughed when she heard their voices over the phone. She felt so full in her heart and also felt a sudden pang of melancholy in her heart as well. The thought that her sister missed these beautiful moments in her son's life really made her feel sad for Darren.

"Mama, you should come over tomorrow. No, I'll come over to your place after the class. We'll spend the rest of the evening in the kitchen. With me around, you'll definitely be able to become a MasterChef in no time. Besides, food is the way to a person's heart."

"Oh? Is that why my son is hovering around you all the time?"

"Don't you know I lured him in with a cupcake? The moment he took the first bite of that cupcake, he was already in the palm of my hand."

Hearing her evil laugh, Darren gasped, "Sweets, I can't believe you did that."

"Oh really? You definitely love the fact that I did that."

Darren shrugged his shoulders, "That's true. I do love it all. You, your cupcake, our baby tiger, I love everything right now."

"Both of you, I'm still on the call!" Francesca exclaimed from the other side when she heard the flirting even when she was on the call.