Chapter 88: A Harmonious and Loving Father and Children Trio
Getting used to it?
Caspian couldn’t help but think of how long he had been calling Alaric “Daddy.” Since he was a little kid, he’d been adapting to the role. But now, ironically, pretending to be someone else’s son in front of his real father felt almost comical.
“Daddy, can you take us to get something delicious?” Elisa asked, patting her stomach playfully.
Eat? Alaric glanced at the time. “But it’s not quite lunchtime yet.”
“Then it’s time for afternoon tea,” Elisa suggested with a cheeky smile. “A sweet treat, maybe some coffee—something like that. I’m craving it.”
This little girl was a true foodie. She even knew about afternoon tea! Alaric chuckled.
“Alright, kids, let’s go grab some brunch,” he said, scooping Elisa up with one arm and taking Caspian’s hand with the other, leading them to the car.
Caspian was doing his best to appear calm, though inside, he was uneasy. After all, Alaric was his real father. The guilt gnawed at him, but he had to keep up the façade.
They arrived at a classy American diner, and Alaric ordered a variety of sweets for Elisa. She eagerly devoured them, clearly delighted, while Caspian sat politely. He could feel Alaric’s eyes on him, and it made him uneasy. Alaric hadn’t fully recovered from the shock of seeing him and couldn’t shake the feeling that he was staring at his own son.
The intensity of Alaric’s gaze made Caspian even more anxious. Then, his eyes landed on something on the menu: biscuits and gravy. He despised gravy and couldn’t stand the taste. But what if eating it in front of his dad would dispel any suspicions?
Desperate times called for desperate measures.
“I’ll have the durian cake!” Caspian blurted out, trying to divert attention.
“You like biscuits and gravy?” Alaric asked, surprised, since he knew Caspian hated gravy.
“Yeah, I love gravy, the taste,” Caspian lied quickly.
“Harry, you like gravy?” Elisa asked, shocked. “Since when? I had no idea!”
“It’s because I’ve been considerate of you,” Caspian explained, trying to cover his tracks. “Since you don’t like the smell, I’ve refrained from eating it.”
“So now you’re not being considerate?” Elisa retorted with a frown. “If you eat it in front of me, I’ll still think it stinks.”
“Does that mean you disapprove?” Caspian silently prayed for her to stick to her guns.
“Umm… maybe I could just hold my nose while you eat it?” Elisa offered hesitantly.
“Never mind, I won’t have it then,” Caspian quietly rejoiced. Elisa had come through for him.
“It’s okay,” Alaric said with a chuckle. “I’ll take Harry out for some another day.”
Caspian let out a relieved sigh, but also felt a bit frustrated. That was definitely something his real dad would say.
“Sure, thanks… Dad,” Caspian said deliberately, changing the way he addressed Alaric.
Alaric smiled fondly, watching Caspian and Elisa continue to enjoy their brunch. He felt the quiet satisfaction of an older father watching his children’s happiness unfold.
“Hey, when are you finally going to marry my mom?” Elisa asked, her voice full of impatience. “Hurry up already.”
“Elisa, you’re in a rush?” Alaric laughed.
“Because I feel for my mom, you know?” Elisa said earnestly. “I don’t want her to struggle anymore. I want her to have a man who really loves and cherishes her. With you protecting her, she won’t have to work so hard.”
Her words tugged at Alaric’s heartstrings. Elisa was so thoughtful and caring, it was impossible not to admire her sincerity.
“I have to ask you something,” Elisa said, her voice suddenly serious as she turned toward Alaric. “Do you truly love my mom?”
Caspian, too, was thinking the same thing, watching Alaric closely as he awaited the answer.
“Yes,” Alaric replied simply, his voice firm.
“And no matter what happens, you will protect her?” Elisa pressed on.
“Of course,” Alaric responded.
“Pinky promise?” Elisa asked, extending her little finger toward him.
Without hesitation, Alaric linked his pinky with hers. “Alright, no backsies after a pinky promise,” Elisa giggled, satisfied.
“If you ever treat my mom poorly, I won’t forgive you,” Caspian added, his voice low and serious.
“Understood,” Alaric said, his smile unwavering, a promise in his voice.
Just as they finished this exchange, Harry’s phone rang—it was a call from Galatea.
“Hello, Mommy,” Caspian answered, trying to maintain his Harry persona.
“Harry, I just saw in the group chat that there’s an event at school today and you can leave early. Do you need me to pick you up now?” Galatea asked.
Before Caspian could respond, Alaric grabbed the phone from him, saying, “Harry, Elisa, and I are already together.”
“Alaric?” Galatea sounded surprised. “How come you’re picking up my kids?”
“Elisa called me, and when I found out they could leave early, I came straight here,” Alaric answered smoothly. “I’ll have my driver pick you up now. We’ll wait for you here.”
Galatea, still taken aback, was about to respond, but before she could, Alaric had already hung up.
Caspian felt a bit of frustration stir inside. They hadn’t mentioned anything about her—didn’t they care at all?
“Why does Mommy have to come too?” Caspian asked, trying to hide the unease in his voice.
“Because, Caspian, wouldn’t it be nice for the four of us to have dinner together tonight?” Alaric said with a welcoming smile.
“Wow, yes!” Elisa cheered excitedly before Caspian could say anything. “Having dinner with the family before you guys get married. Oh, by the way, Daddy, don’t you have another son? Invite him too.”
“No!” Caspian blurted out, his heart racing. “I don’t want to invite outsiders.”
“But once you and Mommy are married, his son will be our brother. He’s not an outsider, we’re family,” Elisa explained with confidence. “Don’t worry, Daddy, I’ll treat your son like my real brother. I’ll be a good sister for sure.”
Alaric smiled at Elisa’s enthusiasm. “Alright,” he said affectionately, before turning to Caspian, who was sweating bullets. He didn’t have a choice now but to struggle with the idea.
“That’s a matter for later. I don’t want to meet him right now,” Caspian muttered under his breath.
“If you don’t want to meet him, we’ll talk about it later,” Alaric replied, sensing the tension. “Tonight, it’ll just be the four of us for dinner.”
“Okay, we’ll be one family eventually, so there will be plenty of opportunities,” Elisa said cheerfully.
Hearing that Alaric wasn’t calling his other son gave Caspian a momentary sense of relief. At least for tonight, the secret would stay intact.
As the meal wound down, Caspian quietly sipped his juice, unable to fully relax. He didn’t want to think about the consequences of the truth coming to light.
When Galatea walked in, Elisa was the first to greet her with a big smile. “Mommy!” she exclaimed.
Galatea walked over, and Alaric turned to her with a smile. “Elisa has been especially good. I really like her,” Alaric said, his eyes filled with genuine fondness as he looked at Elisa.
Caspian felt a knot in his stomach. He couldn’t keep pretending forever, but for now, he had no choice.