After breakfast at the Foley Mansion, Lilah got up and left while Cheyenne was so tired she hopped back to her bedroom on one leg.
She was too lazy to even take a shower, opting instead to lie in bed and catch up on some much-needed sleep.
She slept straight through until noon.
The autumn light outside was just right, with the gingko trees in the yard already turning yellow. A gust of wind blew by, causing gingko leaves to fall like butterflies from their branches.
Cierra wore a bright pink puffy skirt and had two braids tied up as she played under the tree. She had collected a pile of gingko leaves inside her skirt. After picking out the prettiest one, she ran excitedly upstairs with it.
Old Mr. Foley saw this and couldn’t help but remind her to slow down and be careful not to fall.
“I know Great-grandpa, I’m going to see Mommy,” Cierra said happily.
Cheyenne felt something tickling her nose as if something soft was gently stroking her face. The commotion woke her up from her nap.
With half-closed eyes, Cheyenne saw that it was Cierra standing before her. She reached out and grabbed Cierra by the collar, dragging her onto the bed.
“How did you get here?”
Cierra proudly showed off the gingko leaf in hand. “I brought this for Mommy! Great-grandpa said you were hurt; does it hurt?”
Looking at Cierra’s pretty little face with its soft voice full of concern for Cheyenne’s well-being made Cheyenne feel warm inside.
Holding onto Cierra tighter than ever before while planting a kiss on her cheek replied, “No dearie, I’m not hurting; don’t worry about me.”
“By the way, where is your Great-grandpa?”
“He’s downstairs feeding his fish.”
Cheyenne got ready after waking up, feeling refreshed enough.
Probably because she rarely lounged around at home during the day, Cierra seemed particularly clingy today, following her wherever she went.
She was even afraid Cierra would stumble and fall, so she would follow along to support her…
Having had a child for so long, for the first time, Cheyenne felt the warmth of her daughter’s care. It’s a good thing for children to be filial, there’s no need to stop them, so she relaxed and enjoyed her daughter’s affectionate service.
“Not bad, but use more force.”
“Tap my left shoulder too!”
“Go ahead pour me some water- not too cold or hot.”
“Wash this apple for me please.”
Cheyenne bossed around her daughter who wasn’t even three years old yet but enjoyed every moment of this relaxing afternoon.
Just them, some guests arrived.
On the left was Gordon, dressed in casual attire with a white shirt and black pants.
In the middle stood Iker, still donning his sharp green military uniform. His towering figure and haughty gaze made him seem difficult to approach.
And on the far right was Sean, who had hitched a ride with them. He was the smallest of the three in stature and age, but he exuded an air of elegance that couldn’t be ignored.
Cierra had never seen them before and couldn’t take her eyes off of them. Her cherry-red lips were slightly parted as she curiously examined these three handsome uncles who suddenly appeared in her home while her father was away on business.
Cheyenne saw them first and froze for a second before breaking into a happy smile. Cierra looked at her mother worriedly – would she be stolen away by one of these uncles? Should she tell Dad about this?
“How did you guys get here? Come on in… someone bring us some tea,” Cheyenne said quickly.
Gordon sat up straight on the couch with a serious posture, hands resting on his knees as he surveyed their surroundings quickly. Finally, his gaze settled on Cierra nestled in Cheyenne’s arms, there was an extra hint of tenderness in his eyes when he looked at her.
“Is this your little girl?” he asked softly.
Cheyenne nodded and presented Cierra to him. “This is my daughter Cierra. Cierra, this is Uncle Gordon,” she said pointing to Gordon and Iker, “and Uncle Iker.”
Iker gazed at this little girl who bore such striking resemblance to Cheyenne; it softened even his cold heart just looking at her cute face.
“Cierra,” he said gently as he scooped her up into his arms before Gordon could pat her head like he wanted to do earlier; their eyes met briefly but warmly during that exchange. “Hello there! I’m Iker, your mom’s friend! Can you tell me how old you are?”
Cierra stared at Iker without blinking, and in the next moment, she tiptoed and planted a kiss on his face with a loud smack.
“Hello Uncle Iker, I’m two and a half years old this year.”
“You’re such a good girl!”
Iker had no idea that there was a child at home. He came empty-handed and now he wanted to give the child a gift but found out that his pockets were empty.
He felt embarrassed instantly, annoyed that none of his people reminded him beforehand.
On the other hand, Gordon looked enviously at Iker. He didn’t understand why Cierra didn’t kiss him when he was clearly stronger and better-looking than Iker.
As for Sean, he looked at Cierra with puppy eyes.
Cheyenne chuckled before introducing Cierra to Sean. “This is your little uncle. Say hello to him.”
“Little uncle?”
This was the first time Cierra had met Sean.
She tilted her head to look up at him with her crystal-like eyes reflecting his gentle face.
Sean reached into his pocket and took out candy wrapped in colorful paper before handing it over to her. “Hello, Cierra! I am your little uncle here to treat you with candy.”
Children can never resist sweets’ temptation; neither could Cierra. Cheyenne usually forbade her from eating sweets but since it’s from her little uncle, today she couldn’t refuse it!
Thinking about this made Cierra quickly take the candy from Sean’s hands, then handed it over to Iker while batting those big innocent eyes of hers pleadingly, “Uncle Iker, can you help me peel this?”
She was so cute, and Iker had no reason to refuse. Clumsily, he peeled off the candy wrapper and then stuffed it into her mouth. Cierra got her snack, and her eyes squinted with joy, looking quite content.
She gave birth to her daughter, how could Cheyenne not see through her little thoughts?
Wasn’t it just because she was afraid she wouldn’t let her eat it?
She couldn’t help but laugh and cry.