Chapter 279 | Thank You For Today

Chapter 279: 279 | Thank You For Today

Dexter would have stayed on that mat until midnight if the three women beside him had allowed it. Unfortunately, Lyra yawned.

She tried to hide it behind her hand, then immediately yawned again. Selene had gone quiet beside her, her fingers moving slowly over the little stuffed dragon and her large teddy bear, and even Mira’s answers had grown shorter, although she still managed to glare whenever Dexter looked too pleased with himself.

He glanced at the skies and spoke. "All right. Let’s go home."

Lyra lifted her head. ’Already?’

"Yeah. You girls must be tired"

Lyra shook her head. "I’m not really tired."

Dexter chuckled. "I saw you yawning just now."

’I was resting my mouth.’

"After everything you ate, it deserves a holiday."

She reached for the pillow again, and Dexter caught it before she could throw it, laughing as he stood.

Around them, families were folding blankets and gathering empty dishes. Soft music still drifted across the field.

Dexter looked at it once more before bending to collect their things.

He packed the remaining snacks and food, checked made sure nothing had been left beneath the mat, then he crouched beside Mira.

"Ready?"

She nodded and lifted her right arm toward him as he carefully lifted her and returned her to the wheelchair.

Once she was comfortable, he turned toward Old Lady Lucy.

She sat nearby with an empty cup in her hand, looking so ordinary that anyone passing would have mistaken her for a grandmother enjoying the evening breeze.

Dexter knew better.

For a moment, he remembered the white-haired elder scared if her.

His smile faded into something quieter as he approached her. "Grandma Lucy."

She looked up. "Leaving?"

"The girls are tired."

She sighed as she spoke. "Yeah, today was a bit hectic."

Dexter laughed under his breath, then brought a covered dish out of his spatial storage.

He had set aside a generous plate of the Grade Five meal before packing away the cooler, its lid sealed tightly to keep both the warmth and its rich aroma inside.

He offered it to her with both hands.

Lucy’s eyebrows rose. "What’s this?"

"My way of saying thank you."

She studied his face instead of the container, and Dexter held her gaze. He didn’t mention the forest and she knew what he meant.

Something softened around the old woman’s eyes. She nodded and accepted the gift, resting it carefully beside her. "All right. Little chef. Take care of yourself. Your wives are almost falling asleep."

Dexter glanced back to find Lyra immediately straightening and muttered. ’I wasn’t sleeping.’

Tessa came over while Dexter was gathering the last container. "You’re abandoning us?"

Dexter rolled his eyes at her. "We literally live next to each other.

She remained silent and Dexter gave her a suspicious look. "Did you want something?"

Tessa smiled brightly. "Were there any leftovers?"

Lyra’s head turned at once, and Dexter looked between them before shaking his head. "I’m surrounded."

He passed Tessa a small parcel of the remaining sharing food.

She accepted it happily and then waved to the girls while her father reminded them to drive safely.

"Good night, everyone," Dexter said.

Selene raised her hand, Mira nodded toward Lucy with her usual sharp expression gentler for a moment, and Lyra waved to them enthusiastically.

They followed the path toward the parking area, leaving the music and laughter behind them.

At the vehicle, Dexter opened the doors before returning to Mira. He lifted her into her seat, settled her legs properly, and fastened the supporting harness without allowing the straps to press against her neck.

She watched him check the buckle twice. "It hasn’t changed since this morning."

"There’s no harm checking again."

Mira rolled her eyes, but her right hand briefly touched his wrist before he stepped away. Dexter looked down, and she had already withdrawn it.

He smiled but didn’t say anything.

The journey home was quiet.

Festival lights slid across the windows, then gave way to the warm glow of streetlamps.

In the rearview mirror, Dexter saw Lyra watching the garden disappear behind them while Selene held her large teddy bear and small dragon against her stomach, her head turned toward the shifting patches of light outside.

"Can you see them?" he asked gently.

Selene nodded. "Only the colors."

A golden streetlamp passed over the roof, and her lips curved. "But I can tell when we go underneath one."

Dexter kept his eyes on the road, and his smile stayed with him all the way home.

When they reached the bungalow, he parked near the entrance and unfolded Mira’s wheelchair first.

Lyra stepped out carrying her teddy bear too, followed by Selene.

Dexter opened Mira’s door and waited while she placed her right arm around him, then lifted her carefully, keeping her close as he lowered her into the chair.

Inside, Dexter switched on the lights. Their little living room appeared exactly as they had left it, the clean air carrying the faint scent of the tea he had brewed that morning.

Lyra looked around, then released a long, pleased breath.

’We’re home.’

Dexter paused with his hand still on the door. She had said it casually, already walking toward the hallway but he stood there for another second before closing the door and checking the protection talisman.

’Home.’

He liked how she easiky said the word, as though she had completely accepted him and that this was their true home.

"We should go bathe," Selene said, touching the ends of her hair and there were a few leaves on it.

Lyra suddenly laughed as she pointed at Dexter. ’Your hair!’

Both Selene and Mira chuckled as they looked at Dexter ruffled hair with various leaves on it too.

Dexter huffed and pointed toward the hallway. "Bed. All of you."

Selene laughed softly, then stopped near their bedroom door. "Dexter."

He looked up from the bags.

"Thank you. For today."

Lyra nodded beside her, the playfulness fading into a warm smile. ’I really enjoyed it.’

Dexter’s chest tightened pleasantly and a certain warmth increased even more, radiating through his entire body as he replied. "Anytime."

"Good night," Selene replied.

’Good night, Dexter.’

"Good night..."