Imperfect Desires

722 Might Of Your Ba

Looking at everyone's questioning gaze, he feigned ignorance, "What?"

"What did you just say?" asked Clara and Francesca, both in unison.

"Nothing." Darren shook his head. "I just said, how dangerous it could have been for her health. Ouch!" He turned his eyes towards Xiu who had thrown the pillow at him and seeing her glaring at him, he smiled sheepishly, "It was a slip of a tongue."

Xiu growled like a tiger on the hunt, "I told you it was my surprise!"

Darren smiled awkwardly at her before saying, "It was not really a surprise though. Most people in this room already know." He slowly pointed at each person who knew Xiu was pregnant, starting from Xin Zimen to Zhao Huan to Xin Xiaoli to Jackie.

Yes, even Jackie knew about it. After all, Xiu being the best elder sister would never hide something like this from her little brother.

Jackie raised his hand and pointed at his father saying, "Dad also knows."

Xiu gaped at Jackie and said, "Little brother, it was supposed to be between us."

Jackie looked at her innocently as he replied, "But you said there are no secrets in the family."

Nora scoffed at that, "So does mom and I are not supposed to be in this family?"

Jackie ignored her as he looked at his mother and replied, "We planned a big surprise for mom that's why we wanted to wait for a little."

"Hold on!"

"Wait a minute!"

Both Francesca and Clara were in a trance even now. They both were in disbelief as they looked at Xiu and cautiously asked, "Sweetie, you're pregnant?"

Xiu looked at these two stunned women and her earlier frustration towards having her surprise ruined poofed away. She smiled and nodded her head eagerly.

Francesca covered her mouth to stop herself from screaming in joy while Clara Cartwright who usually had everything under her control, now seemed at a loss. For a moment, she even forgot how she was supposed to react to this news.

Jing Ge had to nudge her as he said, "You're gonna be a grandmother again."

Clara's hands were shaking as she held Xiu's hands and looked into her eyes, "How long?"

"5 weeks," replied Xiu.

She took Darren's hand in her other and didn't know what to say at all. Her tears fell down and it shocked Xiu, "Clara mom, why are you crying?"

"I'm so happy," replied Clara. "It just seems like yesterday when you came to our house and now, you're gonna have a baby of your own. Oh my gosh! I can't stop these tears!"

"Mama, this is not something we'd joke about," said Xiu. "Oh, get a hold of your emotions. You promised to take care of our child. How will you do it if you're not even able to handle your emotions?"

Francesca hugged both Darren and Xiu saying, "Fuck my emotions! Right now, I only care about my babies who are gonna have a baby." She pushed Darren away while saying to Xiu, "I really hope my future grandchild is like you. I don't want another broody kid like him."

"Mama!"

Francesca ignored Darren's protest as she continued, "Trust me, it's not a joke raising a kid who doesn't act like a kid!"

"Tell me about it," agreed Clara as she looked at her own son.

Seeing his mom sighing like this, Jackie wrapped his arms around her waist trying to act cute. "You don't have to be like this, my little ancestor."

While there was a festive mood in this corner, the other corner was brooding in silence before the silence was broken by Xin Zemin who looked at his wife and then at his brother, "You both knew about it?" Seeing how they both stayed quiet, he was enraged, "I'm the last person to hear this news?"

"Third Father-in-law!" called out Darren. "When I said we come in a package, I meant it's a combo package."

Xin Zemin sat down to gather his thoughts as he mumbled, "I just became a father and on the same day, I'm on the road to become a grandfather? It's truly like Heaven is showering me with all the blessing on the same day."

"Xiu, how could hide something like this from me? You even told Jackie but hid it from me? I'm supposed to be your best friend!"

Xiu looked at Nora's aggrieved look and said, "Should I remind you of what you did?"

"Are you getting back at me for that?" grumbled Nora feeling even more annoyed now. That one dark spot on her flawless history was really becoming the bane of her life. Everyone loved to remind her of what she did back then. Although she agreed she was at fault for hiding something like that from Xiu, still how could she return the favor like this?

"I'm not interested in getting back at you. I was just waiting for the right time to tell everyone. Besides, I only learned about it two days ago."

"Then how come so many people already know while I've been kept in the dark?"

Xiu sighed out, "Ah-Xin knows because he went to the doctor with me. How does Zhao Huan... Oh, I mean, how does mom or Li bro found out, I have no clue. I personally only told Jackie who supposedly told Uncle Jing. So, you see, not my fault here."

Nora thought about it and felt it was right. She couldn't be angry with Xiu. Well, she could never be angry with her anyway. So, running over, she squished Xiu in her arms saying, "I'm gonna be an aunt, I feel old!"

Xiu hit her shoulder, "You're already a mother, doesn't that make you feel old?"

Nora shook her head, "Being a mother is like being reborn. You don't feel old, you become young."

Xiu pretended to gag, "Where did this philosopher come from? Where is my dumb Nora?" Then she pushed her off herself saying, "Get off of me, I need to do some introductions here." Nora nodded her head and stepped back while, Xiu took Clara's hand and pointed towards Zhao Huan and Xin Zemin, "Clara mom, that's my real mother. And that's my father."

Clara was taken aback to hear that but since Xiu was talking, she would never question anything. So, she simply nodded at them.

Then Xiu said to Zhao Huan and Xin Zemin, "And mom and dad, this is my Clara mom. She is not only the best criminal lawyer, she is also the best mother." Clara smiled gently at her while she continued, "And this is my Uncle Jing. He is the world's best father!"

"Agreed! Agreed!" Nora chimed in without hesitation. "After all, he is my dad. He needs to be as awesome as I am."

"Get lost!" said Xiu and pushed her away. "He is not just yours."

Nora made a face but couldn't even claim her father as just her own. If she did, these two other siblings would eat her alive. It was better to stay quiet in this situation.

Xiu tiredly leaned against Darren's shoulder as she said, "I feel like the family just got bigger. I'm tired after greeting everyone."

"If you're tired, take some rest."

"Yes, yes. You should take a nap."

"We should all leave so that she can relax here."

Xiu looked at their enthusiasm and was lost for words. Darren placed an arm around her shoulder and said, "Now, you'll know that I wasn't actually overreacting. They all are gonna treat you like a fragile doll from now on. Let's see how you take a step down now."

Xiu tilted her head to look at him, "Don't tell me you revealed it on purpose?"

"I did not," replied Darren.

Nora tugged at her father's jacket and said, "Dad, I just realized."

"What?"

"If Darren didn't help Xiu, she could have fallen down from the stage and would definitely get injured. Or worse, might have even gotten a miscarriage. This is certainly attempted murder!"

Jing Ge's face hardened as he nodded, "That's what exactly I thought so."

Grinning widely, Nora offered, "So, should I bring your bat? I really think it's very necessary to show the might of your bat right now."

"Nora! Shut up!" said Xiu. "Stop cooking up crazy ideas!"

"We are not letting this go! Now, we have all the more reason!"

"It's rare for my elder daughter to say something wise," agreed Clara. "But we don't have to resort to violence. If we are gonna have a bloody war, I'd rather fight it in court!"