“Father!”
After talking with mother, we returned to the parlour where Laurier and my father were chatting, and she immediately ran up to me when she saw me . Feeling healed by that bright smile, I gently pet Laurier's head as I spoke to her .
“Were you able to have a nice talk with your grandfather?”
“Yep!”
“I see… I'm happy to hear it . ”
I felt my jaw begin to slacken as my daughter gave me a happy grin, but I had to endure it for now . Recently, I feel like I've gotten better at keeping a straight face . Well, it's definitely hard to keep it up around Laurier and Sasha, but… I'd like to show those two Callis' cool side .
“Father, sorry for making you wait . ”
“Ah… yeah . Don't mention it . ”
Father still seemed a little confused as he watched me tussle Laurier's hair, taking a couple of moments to realize what I'd said . Well, it makes sense for Callis' parents to be a little surprised to see their son acting in a way he never had in front of them before, but… I'd like them to get used to it .
It seems as if mother has either already accepted it or didn't want to look down in front of her granddaughter, as she began to chat with her happily again .
Actually, maybe mother is acclimatizing to all this a little too fast, but… I suppose women are just better at dealing with things like this than men?
I would've liked to enjoy my time together with them as a family for a little more, but… unfortunately, work was already beginning to pile up, so I gave Laurier and my parents my apologies and reluctantly returned to work .
Uuu… I was consumed with jealousy for father and mother as I worked, thinking about how much fun they must be having playing with my adorable Laurier, but as I was mulling over those thoughts trying to finish of my work as soon as possible so I could join them, I suddenly heard a knock on the door .
“Callis, is now a good time?”
“Father? Please, come in . ”
My father entered after I invited him in . I thought he was still having tea with Laurier, but…
“Is something wrong?”
“Ah, well… no, merely… I felt a little out of place there, that's all . ”
“There… you mean the parlour where mother and Laurier are having tea?”
“Yes . I think Lishana might have taken to Laurier a little too fast…”
It seems that father felt a little bit awkward as mother began to dote heavily on her granddaughter . Well, I suppose it makes sense to feel a little uncomfortable as a third wheel if one person is doting on another .
Excuse me? What do you mean that's not a convincing line coming from me, just because I happen to dote on Sasha and Laurier all the time?
That's just because, you know… those two are irresistibly cute, right? It's only natural as a man to want to dote on his cute wife and daughter!
Of course, I didn't say something like that to my father, who had an awkward grimace on his face .
“Well, I suppose I didn't expect mother to fall in love with Laurier so quickly, either . ”
“Lishana has always had a soft spot for children, after all . ”
“I can't really remember much, but… do you get that kind of treatment from mother when you're alone, father?”
Father looked a touch embarrassed at the question .
“…That's a story for another time . ”
“I see… well, as your son, I'm happy to see that the two of you still get along well . ”
Apparently, it seemed like my mother was also quite sweet on father when they were alone . I'm sure that's where I… or rather, Callis, inherited a little something from mother, I thought to myself, as I noticed father's expression twist in surprise again .
“Is something wrong?”
“No… I was just thinking that you really have changed . ”
“Is that so?”
“Yes, how should I say it… you've softened, somewhat . Not just towards Lishana and I, but generally . ”
Softened… well, I suppose, if you compare me to the old Callis, I guess that's true? Maybe he thinks I've entered what they call a 'dere phase'? I'm not really sure how I feel about that… but, well, I can't deny the change in personality .
“What's more… I'd always thought that you harboured a distaste for Lishana and I . I never truly expected to see looks like that from you . ”
“…I have never hated either of you . ”
It's definitely the truth that Callis was quite blunt and straight forward with his parents, but… he really never disliked them . I suppose he just didn't know how to handle people…? I can see some of that in how awkward father was in front of me now as he tried to find the words he wanted to say . The truth was, Callis respected his father for raising him and was grateful to his mother for caring for him .
Father's own expression softened into a more relaxed smile at my words .
“I see… I'm sorry for interrupting your work . That said, I've always wanted to share a drink with you as father and son… would you like to join me?”
“Of course . Please take good care of Laurier until I finish work . ”
After that, my father turned and left the room… but, even though I was just staring at his back, he had a much happier atmosphere about him than when he entered .
Chapter end
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