As the parade moved, the crowd followed along.
The two little ones, being small and short, could barely see anything even on tiptoes.
Seeing the float moving away, they grew anxious.
"Mommy, I can't see."
Chloe tugged at Deanna's sleeve.
Gregory looked over expectantly.
Deanna looked troubled. She was alone and didn't have the strength to lift both children at once.
Just as she was at a loss, the two little ones suddenly rose into the air.
She looked up in surprise to see Lance lifting a child in each arm.
"So high!"
Chloe shouted excitedly.
Gregory hugged Lance's neck, smiling softly.
Deanna, worried, reached out her hand. "Let me take Gregory. They're both heavy; be careful not to strain your injury!"
"It's fine. I can manage."
Lance avoided her hand and asked the children, "Can you see clearly now?"
"Yes, Uncle! You're amazing!"
Chloe waved her little hands happily.
Deanna watched with a helpless look in her eyes but let Lance hold the children.
Later, when the parade ended and the crowd dispersed, Deanna quickly asked Lance to put the children down.
This time, Lance didn't refuse. He set them down and couldn't help but shake his arms to relieve the soreness from holding them for so long.
The two little ones noticed and sensibly offered, "Uncle, squat down a bit. We'll massage you."
"No need."
Lance shook his head in refusal.
Deanna saw the sweat on his forehead and quickly took out a tissue from her bag to wipe it for him.
Her sudden action made Lance pause. He then looked at her with a gentle smile and said softly, "Thank you."
For some reason, Deanna felt a bit embarrassed. She withdrew her hand, cleared her throat, and changed the subject. "It's about time we head back. You haven't had your medicinal cuisine today."
Lance nodded and called Xavier to pick them up.
On the way back, perhaps tired from playing, the two little ones fell asleep leaning against Deanna.
An hour later, they returned to the villa.
Lance and Deanna each carried a child upstairs and settled them in their rooms.
Afterward, they stepped out of the room together.
Seeing the fatigue on Lance's face, Deanna said with concern, "You should rest too."
"What about you?"
Lance looked at her deeply.
Deanna smiled. "I'll start preparing your medicinal cuisine and then rest as well."
Hearing this, Lance didn't say anything more and turned back to his room.
Once there, he went to the dressing room and started undressing in front of the mirror.
As he removed his clothes, faint traces of blood appeared on his previously healed wound.
Lance frowned and turned to get some medicine but was interrupted by Deanna knocking and entering the room.
"Mr. Mercer, I..."
She stopped mid-sentence upon seeing his partially reopened wound and immediately frowned. "It really did reopen."
Seeing her displeased expression, Lance chuckled. "It's nothing. Just need some medicine."
But Deanna's face darkened further at his words.
"What do you mean 'just need some medicine'? I told you not to overdo it. Or it'll slow your recovery."
She scolded him sternly.
Lance knew she was concerned about him. Amused yet helpless, he stood there letting her lecture him.
Noticing his indulgent gaze, Deanna realized she might have overreacted. Feeling awkward, she said evasively, "I'll get the medicine. You wait for me on the bed."
"Alright, I'll wait for you on the bed."
Lance's tone was teasingly suggestive as he looked at her.
Deanna blushed with embarrassment but couldn't argue since she had said it first.
She glared at Lance angrily. "You know that's not what I meant! Stop thinking nonsense!"
Leaving those words behind, she exited the room and couldn't help but pat her flushed cheeks lightly.
"Deanna, calm down."
By the time she returned with the medicine, she had regained her composure.
Entering the room again, she found Lance indeed waiting on the bed with his upper body bare.
Under the light, his chest muscles were perfectly defined and chiseled.
Deanna swallowed hard involuntarily as ripples stirred in her heart once more.
Lance noticed her standing there and didn't miss the emotion in her eyes. Smiling slightly, he said enticingly, "Didn't you say you'd apply medicine? Why are you just standing there?"
"Uh... coming."
Deanna snapped out of it and silently berated herself for being so easily smitten again despite having seen Lance shirtless before.