Imperfect Desires

They spent quite a while in the park enjoying themselves and only decided to go back home when the girls were tired of playing around. Along with Rowan, these two pretty much annoyed the hell out of Sweet Pea. 

Xiu silently lit a candle for this majestic cat.

Oh, sorry! She didn't look majestic any longer. She looked like a fleeing prisoner. She was so scared of these kids annoying her but she couldn't even run away since they kept her in their arms. Her fur was rubbed so much that its glossiness was nowhere to be seen. Xiu felt pity for the cat but it didn't last long since she was more infected by the happiness of the kids.

And that's why when they decided to go back home, everyone was not willing to say goodbye to the cat. As Bo Jiu looked at her cat whom she put in the cat bag she carried around, she sighed out and told them, "I live nearby. Don't worry, when I don't have time to take care of her, I'll leave Sweet Pea with you guys."

"Yay!" They all perked up instantly.

Right after that, Xiu brought the kids home. Usually, they'd be back by 6 o'clock. But today because of Sweet Pea, they only reached home around 7 o'clock. What surprised Xiu was that she didn't receive any call to rush her back home.

Strange!

Did Baobei not miss her at all? 

See, how pitiful she is! 

Just a few hours and her Baobei forgot all about her!

Xiu was still lamenting to herself when she entered through the door. She helped all of them change their shoes into home slippers. 

"Xiu, I want slippers with cat ears," said Ava.

"Me too," added Asteria.

"Momma, don't forget me," Rowan also didn't forget to add. Even though his eyes were drooping down but he would never forget to chime in. He'd agree with anything his elder sisters said. He was the typical little brother!

"Okay," agreed Xiu without any hesitations. She'd never say no unless their wishes were excessive. And currently, they only asked for cat slippers. Was it that big of a deal? No way! "But why don't we adopt a cat of our own?" suggested Xiu as she looked at them carefully. She knew they'll not agree but she wanted to know what these kids had to say about this.

"No," said Rowan. "Not getting one."

"Why?" asked Xiu.

"We are too young to take care of the kitty," said Asteria as the oldest one here. 

"Yes, we won't be able to raise her well," added Ava.

Xiu looked at her son who also added in his milky voice, "Momma will get tired if she has to take care of the kitty for us."

"Aww. How thoughtful!" said Xiu. "But don't think I'm an idiot. I know you don't want to bring a cat home only because if we brought one, she might win in cuteness then what will you all use to against me?"

As she expected, all of them lowered their heads. They were busted! Certainly, they didn't want to lose their position in the family. Not even to a cat!

Xiu was amused by that as she laughed out. But suddenly, she stopped. She just heard the sound of sobbing. Didn't she?

"Am I hearing things?" she asked out loud. "Why do I feel like someone is crying at home?"

"Xiu, I also hear that," said Asteria as she tugged her clothes. "Someone is really crying."

Xiu told them, "You all go and wash up. Change your clothes first. I'm gonna check who is crying."

"Why don't we come with you?"

"No, my little darlings! Just go take care of yourself. I'll take care of this matter on my own," said Xiu as she directed them to go upstairs. She called the house help and asked her to help her son in washing up and changing into new clothes. As for the girls, they were old enough. She didn't have to worry at all about them.

"Mama, will you please stop crying?" Xiu heard Darren's voice as she came near the lounge area. She frowned and hurried over. There she found, Francesca burying her face in her hands as she bawled her eyes out. Darren was sitting beside her, rubbing her back to soothe her with a helpless look on his face. 

Even Francesca's husband, Han Yiheng was also sitting on the opposite side with a distressed look on his face. Xiu's heart dropped when she heard Francesca's sobs. She stepped over and asked, "Mama, what's wrong?"

"Sweets, you're back," said Darren. His expression took a turn for the better as if he found his emotional support.

"En. I'm back but what's wrong with Mama?" asked Xiu as she sat down with Francesca.

"Xiu," Francesca called out in a hoarse voice and turned to hug Xiu tightly. She was crying like the sky was falling down and it really made Xiu unable to understand the situation at all. And the way she hugged her so tightly made Xiu's heart clench. She felt like something really bad happened for Francesca to cry like this. She had never seen her cry like this before.

She was really at a loss now. What was she supposed to do in this situation? She just continued to pat Francesca's back gently and she soothed, "Mama, it's okay. Stop crying." She looked at Darren and said, "Regan, go and get some water."

Darren nodded his head and was about to leave when he found that the house help was already standing with water at the side. He took the glass and pass it to Xiu as he told her, "Mama's been crying for an hour now but she won't tell me what happened. Please, ask her what's going on. My heart is about to stop."

Xiu nodded her head. She could tell what condition he was in by just looking at him. She knew her husband best. And she knew what Francesca meant to him as well.