Chapter 340: A Complete Family

Chapter 340: A Complete Family

Kindergarten

There were still a few minutes until dismissal, but the parents picking up their kids had already formed a long line outside the kindergarten.

Mia parked the car and glanced at Lily in the passenger seat, and asked with concern, "Lily, are you okay?"


"I'm fine." Lily smiled at Mia and shook her head slightly.

She unbuckled her seatbelt, got out of the car, and headed inside to find James with Mia.

He had arrived half an hour earlier.

James stood out immediately in the crowd of waiting parents.

Standing next to him was Bruce.

Two equally outstanding men standing among the crowd, like spotlights. But both of them seemed oblivious to the attention around them, chatting casually.

Suddenly, their conversation stopped abruptly.

James was like he had a radar installed on Mia when she appeared, his gaze locked onto her gently, "Mia, I'm over here."

The moment Mia appeared, James started finding Bruce's presence annoying.

He nudged Bruce with his elbow and signaling him to move aside because the spot next to him was already reserved for Mia and Bruce was completely speechless as if he was dying to stand so close to him.
Rolling his eyes at James, Bruce's expression turned tender and doting when he looked at Lily, "Honey."

He strode over and wrapped his arm around her waist while pulling her into his embrace.

Mia was walking to James's side, standing shoulder to shoulderwith about a fist's distance between them.

Bruce was holding Lily, walked over and raised his eyebrows at James smugly.

Bruce had his wife in his arms.



James was totally speechless.

James gently hooked Mia's finger with his own, testing the waters.

Bruce was watching and immediately holding Lily intimately, it would be a lie to say he wasn't envious.

It's just that Mia and Pax still hadn't given him the green light.

He was at the bottom of the hierarchy.

Quite humble indeed.

Mia noticed his little move and found it amusing. When he hooked her pinky, she took the initiative to hold his hand and intertwined their fingers.

Giving him some face in public.

James perked up instantly.

His back straightened, and he deliberately moved their clasped hands forward a bit, showing Bruce.



'He had this too!' he thought while Mia and Lily exchanged glances.

That saying was true that men are boys until they die.

No matter how decisive they were in business, privately, they always had their childish side.

Soon it was time, and the four of them spotted the two little ones inside.

Pax was holding Celestia's hand as they got closer. The four adults noticed something was wrong with Celestia.

Usually energetic and enthusiastic, Celestia was clearly unhappy today. Made them gathered around anxiously.

Bruce picked up Celestia with concern, asking tenderly, "Baby, what's wrong?"

"Daddy, Uriah isn't going to school here anymore. Does that mean I won't get to see him anymore?"

As Celestia spoke, her eyes started to turn red.

She really liked Uriah and had even packed two extra pieces of chocolate this morning.

One for Pax, one for Uriah.

But unexpectedly, when she went to find Uriah, and the teacher said he wouldn't be coming to this school anymore.

She felt so sad.

"Mommy, is it because I didn't agree to stay at his house that Uriah got mad?"

Lily suppressed the ache in her heart and smiled to comfort Celestia, "No, baby, you're so sweet, how could Uriah be mad at you?"

"He just needs to change kindergartens because of his dad's situation, just like you need to change kindergartens when I go back to Imperial City, right?"

"Oh, I see!"

Celestia felt much better after hearing it and it wasn't because he was mad at her.

"Mommy, when I grow up, can I see Uriah again?"

When she changed kindergartens, she made promises with her old friends to meet when they grew up.

When she grew up, she could take a plane to visit them!

"Yes! When you grow up!"

Celestia was still young - not letting her know Benjamin was the best protection for her.

She understood this clearly, and so did Benjamin.

He was honoring her choice, not wanting to affect her life anymore.

"Then I need to grow up fast!"

Celestia had always been carefree and her emotions changed quickly.

"Daddy, I want to eat lots of yummy food tonight!"

Celestia declared boldly, using all ten fingers she could!

Pax was holding Mia's hand, had been a bit worried. But, now hearing Celestia's words, he couldn't help but say, "Are you a bottomless pit??"

Bruce was in a good mood.

Hearing that Uriah wouldn't be attending kindergarten here, he was visibly relieved.

Holding Celestia with one arm, he tapped her nose with his index finger.

Lily smiled. But, her heart ached.

Mia quietly squeezed Lily's hand tightly. Meanwhile, Lily squeezed back.

......

James drove and glancing at Mia beside him who seemed off, asking with concern, "What's wrong?"

"Nothing."

If Bruce wasn't James's good friend, she wouldn't need to hide this.

But, between her man and her good friend, Mia chose her good friend without hesitation.

She just felt bad for Lily, which not able to be with the man she love and she was the one hurting the most.

Seeing she wouldn't say, James didn't press further.

The car headed to the supermarket.

Before, things at home were replaced by the butler or servants.

Now, James did it himself. The family of three often went to the supermarket together.

After Pax recovered, he gradually started interacting with people.

Under Celestia's influence, he also came to enjoy the play areas in the supermarket.

James parked the car.

Pax got out by himself and immediately took Mia's hand.

Mia had told him many times that no matter who he went out with, he must hold an adult's hand tightly.

And never ever go out alone by himself again.

Mia said that he was her most precious baby and if he ran off and she couldn't find him, she would be very, very sad.

He knew his running off last time had scared Mia badly, so he obediently promised, "Mommy, I won't run off again."

After that, he'd been very good and always holding Mia's hand wherever they went.

When Mia wasn't there, he'd hold James's hand.

The family of three entered the supermarket.

The two held Pax's hands, planning to let him play for a while before shopping.

Pax suddenly stopped in his tracks.

Looking at a child about his age sitting on his dad's shoulders in the distance.

A father's shoulders were something children's hearts yearned for.

After Pax started interacting with people, he'd seen this many times and felt that longing inside.

He wanted to ride on shoulders like other kids too.

James saw the envy in Pax's eyes, and his heart ached.

Whatever others had, Pax must have too.

Without hesitation, James stepped forward and crouched down in front of Pax.

Pax looked at the broad shoulders before him.

When he'd been held in those arms before, he knew they were strong, that embrace felt safe.

"Baby, do you want me to carry you on my shoulders?"

Mia bent down, asking softly.

"Yes!"

Pax bravely expressed his inner desire!

Pax's excitement couldn't be hidden.

Mia lifted him up and sat him on James's shoulders.

James held Pax's hands.

Once he was settled, James slowly stood up.

Pax felt his view getting higher and higher, much higher than when he was usually held.

"Mommy, I can see so far!"

Pax was genuinely happy, his voice excited.

His usually cool little face was much more animated now.

Today especially, the smile never left his face.

......

When playing in the play area, he was even happier than usual.

James and Mia waited outside.

Watching Pax, James gently hugged her from behind, resting his chin on her shoulder while asking in her ear, "Mia, when Pax accepts me, let's give him a complete family, okay?"