Imperfect Desires

Whether Rowan Derek Salvay became elders' favorite grandson or not is a discussion for another time. But that little tiger certainly became the instant favorite of the younger generation. Neither Asteria was willing to let him go nor was Ava. Both little girls had fallen in love with this little bun.

Apparently, Jackie was also ignored by Ava since she found a cute, round baby with beautiful grey eyes blinking at her and giving her a toothless grin. 

Xiu was really surprised that her dear son who had been giving her a headache for a month was so well-behaved in this crowd. Rowan was like a fish in water, so comfortable that it felt like he had always been a part of this family. 

As she said, he was her scheming son. He certainly held back his bad habits to irritate her only while being the best baby before everyone else to gather all the love and praises. Oh, and it seems this little one was already fond of praises like his mother.

"Regi," Francesca called out to Darren. "I have something to tell you both."

Xiu also put down her chopsticks and looked at Francesca, "What is it, Mama?"

Francesca bit her lips and took a while before she lifted her left hand. Xiu gasped at the big diamond ring perched on her ring finger while Darren blanked out for a second. "I'm getting married."

While Darren was blanked out, Xiu jumped up and hugged Francesca tightly, "Congrats, Mama!" She held her hand to look at the ring in excitement. "This is beautiful."

Francesca looked at Darren who still stood still and felt apprehensive. "Regi..." She called out again.

Xiu slapped his shoulder, "What are you blanking out for?"

Darren was pulled out of his daydreaming and he stepped up to engulf his mother in his arms, "Congratulations, Mama! I'm so happy for you."

"Really?" asked Francesca.

Darren nodded his head, "I am." He took a pause to ask, "Are you happy?"

"Very."

Darren kissed her head, "Then what's the worry? Didn't I tell you, your happiness is my happiness? I only blanked out because this came as a surprise so suddenly. But I really am happy for you."

Francesca could finally put her heart at ease when she heard this from her son. 

"Mama, when is the wedding?" inquired Xiu. "Give me the date, I'll arrange everything for the wedding. I'm already so excited."

Francesca chuckled seeing Xiu's excitement and asked, "Will you even have time now?"

"Why not?" retorted Xiu.

Francesca pointed at Rowan saying, "Babies can be a handful. You might not even be able to find some time for yourself with him around."

Xiu waved her off, "Don't worry about my son. He is just like me. He loves to eat and sleep. I won't let him get in the way."

"Mama, you should let Sweets accompany you." Darren also agreed with his wife.

"But we aren't planning a grand wedding," said Francesca.

"But we are!" said both Xiu and Darren simultaneously. 

Francesca was surprised by their reaction. "It's your wedding," said Xiu. "We have to make it a beautiful one." She smiled widely as she went on, "Consider it a gift from it."

"A gift?" questioned Francesca.

Xiu nodded her head, "You gave me Regan. I want to give you a grand, beautiful, and memorable wedding in return."

"Did you tell them?" Han Yiheng came from behind and wrapped his arm around Francesca's shoulder naturally. Francesca nodded in reply to his question. Then he looked at Darren and said, "We are planning to have the wedding this summer. Ashley would also be on vacations during that time."

"If it's a summer wedding, how about a beach ceremony?" suggested Xiu with sparkly eyes.

As the most excited kid around here, Xiu continued to drop random suggestions for the wedding making everyone amused. Perhaps, she had stayed inside the house for way too long and now was itching to spread her wings and soar. 

By the end of the banquet, Xiu had almost convinced Francesca and Han Yiheng for everything. Thinking and planning was her job, the couple's job was to nod their heads or shake their heads.

When everyone was leaving, Darren walked up to Han Yiheng and shook his hand before saying, "You better take care of my mama. If she ever got hurt, sad, or upset because of you, I won't be nice to you."

"Regi!" Francesca glared at her son for this warning. 

Darren laughed it off saying, "Sorry! I just always wanted to say it to someone. You see, too many people gave me similar warnings since the time Sweets have come into my life. So, I always wanted to return the favor." He looked at Han Yiheng and added, "You should be glad, it's only me in your case. Back in my time, I had three imposing fathers-in-law staring me down. And adding four brothers of my wife, I was seriously in a pitiful condition."

Han Yiheng laughed at her words saying, "I don't mind it. And don't worry, I'll take care of Francesca. You'll never have to worry about anything."

Darren could feel his sincerity and felt even more reassured leaving his mother with him. 

Han Yiheng took a moment and added, "By the way, I am glad you only gave a warning, unlike your wife who straight-up threatened me."

Darren's lips twitched as he asked, "What did she say?"

Han Yiheng quoted Xiu's words, "'If you dare hurt my mother-in-law, believe me, I'll skin you alive.'"

Darren's lips curled up in a smile since that was so like something his wife would say. He wasn't even surprised by it. How could he be? He was more than familiar with his Sweets.

  "Well, I'll advise you to take her words seriously. She is capable of doing what she says." Darren patted Han Yiheng's shoulder before waving them goodbye.

Francesca had knitted brows as she questioned, "Yiheng, Xiu was talking to both of us all this time. How come I didn't hear her saying this?"

Han Yiheng pulled her in his arms as they walked out of the hall as he told her, "She purposely leaned over to show you her phone and that's when she whispered it into my ear. And something in her voice told me, I should take her words seriously."

Francesca shook her head, "I'm sorry for this. Both of them are a little..."

"They love you very much," added Han Yiheng. "And there is nothing wrong with that."