CHAPTER 149: SURPRISE

After almost two hours of swimming practice, Zeke, who had been right beside Claire the whole time, reached out and pulled her float closer. Lifting her gently into his arms, he waded to the pool’s edge.

"Alright, Princess, that’s enough for today. We’ll keep learning next time, okay?" he said as he set her down carefully.

"Okay, Daddy!" Claire replied, her voice full of cheer, her neatly braided hair now soaked and sticking to her shoulders.

"Good job. You did really well today," Zeke praised, brushing a few wet strands of hair from her face.

He raised his hand with a grin. "High five, Princess."

Claire giggled and slapped his palm with her small, wet hand.

Cassidy, who had been standing nearby, stepped forward and wrapped a towel snugly around Claire before lifting her up to stand. She began gently drying her little body, starting from her shoulders down.

Zeke pulled himself out of the pool, water streaming from his hair and clothes. Nolan, who had been quietly watching from the side the whole time, immediately stepped forward and handed him a towel.

"Thanks," Zeke said, taking it and rubbing it over his head first before moving on to dry his shoulders and the rest of his body.

After leaving the pool, they headed to Zeke’s parents’ house to change into fresh clothes.

Not long after, dinnertime arrived. Together with Margaret, they made their way to Bastiano’s home.

Bastiano had been waiting for them in the living room.

The moment a staff member informed him of their arrival, his face broke into a wide smile. He rose from his seat, eager to greet them at the door.

"Great Grandpa!" Claire shouted with glee the moment she saw Bastiano, running straight into his arms.

Bastiano chuckled warmly, his large hand gently ruffling the top of Claire’s damp hair. "I heard you went swimming today?"

"Yes, Great Grandpa!" Claire chirped, bouncing a little on her toes. "Daddy taught me how to swim, and I can hold my breath for sooo long under the water!" She spread her arms wide, as if to show just how long.

Bastiano laughed. "That’s amazing. When I was your age, I wasn’t nearly as good as you."

The praise made Claire beam even brighter. She covered her mouth with her small hands, giggling, her cheeks flushed with delight.

Bastiano then said fondly, "After swimming, you must be hungry, right? Come, let’s eat. I’ve prepared lots of delicious food just for you."

"I’m really hungry, Great Grandpa!" Claire said earnestly, quickly grabbing his big hand with both of her tiny ones. She happily skipped alongside him as he led them toward the dining room.

As they stepped into the dining room, Zeke shook his head slightly, hardly believing his eyes.

Bastiano’s long dining table was now completely covered with dishes, so many that it looked more like a royal feast than a family dinner.

Beside the table stood a chocolate fountain, its glossy streams flowing endlessly, ready for dipping strawberries and other fresh fruits. Around it were plates of delicate desserts, each one arranged like a work of art.

The moment Claire saw the fountain, she shouted, "Wow! Chocolate fountain!" and ran straight toward it.

"Grandpa, isn’t this a bit too much for dinner for just five people... and one little kid?" Zeke commented, glancing at Bastiano, who was smiling in satisfaction at having made Claire so happy.

"Too much? This is for my great-granddaughter. Nothing is too much. She deserves the best," Bastiano scolded, clearly displeased at having his actions questioned.

Zeke let out a small sigh and stayed quiet. He knew that saying more would only earn him a longer lecture.

"Let’s sit," Bastiano said, gesturing for everyone to take their seats.

Bastiano sat at the head of the table, with Zeke to his left and Cassidy next to Zeke. Margaret took the seat on Bastiano’s right.

"Claire, come sit down, Princess," Cassidy called to the little girl, who was still mesmerized by the dessert.

Claire obeyed and walked toward the dining table.

"Sit with me, sweetie," Margaret said, moving to the side so Claire could sit next to her and closer to Bastiano.

"Yes, Grandma," Claire replied with a sweet smile before settling into the seat beside Margaret.

They began their meal.

Margaret turned to Claire and asked, "What would you like to eat, sweetie? Let Grandma get it for you."

Claire rested her little hand under her chin, thinking for a moment before saying, "I want fried chicken, Grandma."

Margaret frowned slightly when she scanned the dishes on the table and realized there wasn’t any fried chicken.

"I’m sorry, sweetie, there’s no fried chicken," she said apologetically.

Hearing that, Claire pouted.

"You want fried chicken?" Bastiano asked, and Claire nodded eagerly.

Bastiano immediately called over a servant and told them to have his private chef make fried chicken right away. But Cassidy stopped him. "That’s not necessary, Grandpa."

Turning to Claire, she said gently, "There’s no fried chicken, but there’s some delicious meat dishes. Don’t you love eating meat, sweetheart?"

Just like that, Claire’s face lit up again.

Cassidy picked up a plate for Claire, took some tender pieces of meat, and carefully cut them into small bites before handing it to Margaret, who set it down in front of Claire.

"Woah... this looks yummy," Claire said, licking her lips in anticipation.

After finishing the meal, Margaret excused herself for a moment and called Claire to go with her.

"Sweetie, would you like to come with Grandma for a bit?"

Claire nodded in agreement, and the two of them left the dining room.

Not long after, they returned—Margaret holding a birthday cake while Claire sang Happy Birthday in her sweet, clear voice.

As they walked toward Bastiano, Cassidy and Zeke joined in, singing along to wish him well.

On the way to Bastiano’s house earlier, Margaret had already shared her plan with them to surprise Bastiano.

Bastiano, pleasantly shocked by the gesture, beamed and chuckled warmly. "Why did you go to all this trouble?" he asked, looking at Margaret and Claire.

"No trouble, Dad. Your birthday deserves to be celebrated. Even if it’s just us, we still wish you health, happiness, and a long life," Margaret said warmly.

"Thank you, Margaret."

"Blow the candles, Great Grandpa!" Claire exclaimed, bouncing with excitement.

Bastiano chuckled, taking the cake from Margaret. He lowered it so it was level with Claire’s face, closed his eyes for a brief prayer, and then blew out the candles together with her.

"Hooray! Happy birthday, Great Grandpa!" Claire cheered, hugging Bastiano’s waist as he sat, her smile stretching from ear to ear.

"Thank you, darling," Bastiano said, hugging Claire, his smile never fading.

They lingered in the dining room for a while, chatting as Claire happily enjoyed her dessert.

Afterward, they moved to the living room, still wanting to spend more time together.

"Sweetie, how about you stay at Grandma’s tonight and sleep with me?" Margaret suggested, sitting right beside Claire.

"You wanna sleep with me, Grandma?" Claire asked in her small, curious voice.

"Yeah, Grandma feels lonely sleeping by herself. Will you keep me company tonight?" Margaret said, pretending to look sad.

Claire turned to Cassidy and Zeke. "Mommy, can I sleep with Grandma? I wanna make her happy."

"Of course, Princess. You can sleep with Grandma," Zeke replied right away, secretly pleased at the thought of finally having a night alone with Cassidy.

Lately, Claire had been happily sleeping between them every night. And while Zeke loved having his little girl close, it was still a kind of sweet torture—having to resist the hunger for the warmth of Cassidy’s body.

When Zeke heard Margaret ask Claire to sleep with her, he felt a rush of excitement, he couldn’t wait to finally sleep next to Cassidy. There were so many things he wanted to do, and this was the perfect chance.

"Daddy and Mommy are sleeping at Grandma’s too!" he added, his heart racing with anticipation.

"Okay, Daddy!" Claire replied, clapping her hands with joy.

They stayed at Bastiano’s house until around 10 p.m. before saying their goodbyes and heading to Margaret’s home.

Once inside, Cassidy told Claire to brush her teeth and wash her face. After that, she walked her to Margaret’s room.

"You have to sleep well, sweetheart. Don’t bother Grandma with anything, okay?" Cassidy said gently.

"Okay, Mommy," Claire replied obediently.

Cassidy kissed the top of her daughter’s head and lightly knocked on Margaret’s door.

Margaret, already dressed in her pajamas, opened the door and scooped Claire into a warm hug. "Thank you for letting Claire sleep with me," she said softly to Cassidy, appreciating that she understood and agreed to her request.

Cassidy smiled in return. "Of course, Mom. Claire wanted to sleep with you too, right, Claire?"

Claire nodded enthusiastically.

Ever since reuniting with Zeke, even though they were divorced, Margaret still insisted that Cassidy call her "Mom," and Cassidy always respected that.

After Margaret closed the door, Cassidy left the room and returned to Zeke’s bedroom.

When she stepped inside, Cassidy was slightly surprised—the room was dark. The lights had been bright when she left moments ago and Zeke hadn’t gone to bed yet.

She paused, wondering if Zeke had already fallen asleep and turned off the lights without waiting for her.

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