Imperfect Desires

When Darren came back in the evening, he was surprised to see Francesca and Zhou Xichen at his home. In fact, he was more so surprised by Zhou Xichen's presence than Francesca's. After all, Francesca often came over to his house to spend time with Xiu and Rowan but his father didn't get that chance since he lived in the Capital.

"I didn't expect to see you both here," said Darren.

He moved over to kiss Xiu's head and as he tried to take his son into his arms, Xiu turned away. "No way! How many times do I have to remind you? If you want to hold him, wash your hands first. You just came from outside. Do you know how many germs you can transfer to our son?"

Darren bowed his head before his wife, "Yes, my lady! I'll wash my hands first."

Both Francesca and Zhou Xichen laughed at him, "Your wife is really particular about this. She even placed a maid at the door to make sure to disinfect anyone who enters the house."

Darren smiled at them, "Yeah. And in my case, just sanitizer isn't enough."

Xiu hid her son in her arms saying, "Why are you just standing here even now?"

"I'm going, my lady!" Darren dragged himself upstairs to wash up because as always, his wife won't let him touch his son unless she was certain it was safe to do so.

When he came downstairs, he found that his son was in his father's arms while Xiu was setting up the dining table for dinner. Then she called for everyone to take a seat. 

Darren held his son finally and kissed his cheek, "Little Tiger, did you have fun today? Did you miss daddy?"

"No, he didn't!" answered Xiu.

Darren gave her a look, "Sweets, he is giggling because he is happy to see me. Of course, he missed me."

"No, he really didn't," insisted Xiu. "Can't you see? Today he had no time to miss you since his grandmother and grandfather came to see him."

He cradled his son his arm and used the other hand to eat. Xiu continued to put food in his bowl to make it easier for him. Just with one bite, he looked at Xiu, "You cooked yourself tonight?"

"I did," answered Xiu. "Mama came after days. Besides, it isn't every day that father-in-law also eats with us."

"That's true," said Darren and continued to eat.

"Now, I might be able to come here a lot more," said Zhou Xichen. Darren looked up at his father who told him, "I told you I'm retiring. So, I've decided to move to An City. There is nothing particularly important in the Capital anyway."

"Oh, that's good, dad," said Darren. 

"France, since I'll be in the city if you need any help with the wedding, let me know."

Francesca shook her head, "There are already way too many people who are helping me. I don't even know what's the big deal. It's just a wedding, does all of you have to make a scene of it?"

"Dad, you ignore what she said," Darren chimed in. "If we need help, I'll tell you."

Zhou Xichen nodded his head.

After the dinner, while Xiu and Darren were busy with their son, Zhou Xichen whispered to Francesca, "You didn't tell him about Florence, did you?"

"He knows," answered Francesca.

Zhou Xichen was silent for a minute before he asked, "How did he react?"

"Normally," told Francesca. "He reacted like it had nothing to do with him at all."

Zhou Xichen bit his lips, "Still... She is his mother."

"She isn't," came Darren's voice from behind them which startled them both. As they both looked at Darren, he added, "You both should really move on from it now."

"It's not that I don't want to move on," said Francesca. "But son, I really think she owes you an apology for what she did. She owes an apology to even Zhou Xichen."

"No, she doesn't," Zhou Xichen interrupted her. "Yes, she owes an apology to my son. But she doesn't owe me anything. I couldn't protect her well enough, and that wasn't her fault. Nothing was her fault back then. That is why I believe she doesn't owe me anything."

Xiu suddenly chuckled when she heard that from him. "Father-in-law, you really mean it?"

"Yes," Zhou Xichen answered.

Xiu opened a drawer and pulled out an envelope before passing it to him. "You should see this."

"What is it?" questioned Francesca instead of Zhou Xichen. 

Meanwhile, Zhou Xichen opened the envelope and looked through the details inside. His body froze while Xiu explained it for him, "Florence Salvay has a son, just one year younger than Regan. She has two other kids as well. Do you still want to tell me she doesn't owe you anything? After all, you both never really got divorced."

Darren looked at Xiu in question who went on, "I didn't want to do it at first. But seeing how Mama was so down after just meeting her sister, we needed something like this. I thought all of you needed a closure of this. Especially you both." She pointed at Francesca and Zhou Xichen as she spoke. "She doesn't matter to Regan but she seems to still affect you both a lot."

Darren shook his head at his wife. He pulled her away from both of them since he knew they needed some time to adjust. Dragging Xiu away, he asked, "Why do something unnecessary?"

"Actually, I didn't do it," answered Xiu. "Cali sent me this information today. She seems to have some hard feelings towards Florence."

Darren wasn't surprised to hear that, "She and I have been friends for so long. Of course, she'd have some hard feelings. But I didn't think she'll look into this stuff."

Xiu held his hand and asked, "Regan, does it affect you that Florence built her own family?"

"No," answered Darren. "I only care about our family." Saying that he pinched his son's small nose who ended up sneezed cutely because of it making his parents laugh at his cute gesture.