Chapter 563

A week later...

Around eleven in the morning, the doorbell buzzed.

Caleb swung the door open.

Susan stood there, juggling two bags of groceries and holding Oliver's hand.

"Hey there!" Susan beamed.

"Why didn't you holler for me to help with all that?" Caleb grinned as soon as he saw her.

"No biggie, they're light."

Susan and Oliver stepped inside.

They scoped out the new crib, a cozy 2000-square-foot duplex, decked out in the minimalist style she loved.

"This place is gorgeous." Susan's eyes sparkled. Caleb had pitched the idea of buying a house for their future family of five, and she was all in.

"Yeah, it's got your vibe all over it."

"Where's Candy?"

"In her room. Candy, Candy, Susan's here!"

After a few shouts, Candy nervously shuffled out of her room, head slightly down.

"Susan," Candy mumbled shyly.

"Hey there." Susan smiled.

"Candy, good morning!" Oliver waved like a maniac.

"Candy, Mom and I got your fave shrimp and carrots. Mom's cooking is bomb, you'll love it."

"I also snagged you a toy. Check out this cute doll, do you like it?"

"Yeah, I like it..." Candy still seemed a bit uneasy.

"Let's play then." Oliver grabbed Candy's hand.

"You guys have fun, I'll whip up lunch." Susan said, heading to the kitchen with the bags.

As she set the groceries on the counter, Caleb wrapped his arms around her from behind, kissing her ear and murmuring sweetly, "I missed you so much."

"Didn't we just hang out the day before yesterday?"

"You have no idea how nuts I get missing you even for a day." His voice was warm, and so was his body.

"What about you? Did you miss me?"

"Of course I missed you," Susan replied.

"How are your folks doing?"

"They've chilled out now."

"That's good. Looks like it won't be long before you can move in with me." Caleb said eagerly, emphasizing. "I'm really stoked for our life after marriage, like, super stoked."

"To wake up and see you first thing in the morning, and to see you last thing before I crash. And with Oliver and Candy, and our baby... What a dream life that would be. What about you? Are you pumped?"

"Totally," Susan smiled. "But Candy might freak out if I move in now. Better to wait till she gets used to us. Rushing it will just mess things up."

"Yeah, I get it. It's just tough waiting. Being held back by my own kid..." Caleb shook his head wistfully.

"You gotta accept it, you're held back by your precious daughter. And isn't it sweet to have something to look forward to? The harder it is, the more you'll treasure it when you get it."

"No matter what, I'll cherish you and our family."

"Alright, alright, if we keep yapping, lunch won't make itself." Susan teased, "Go hang with them, I'll cook."

"No way, I wanna stick with you. Oliver can keep Candy company, and I wanna be with you."

"You'll just be in my way." Susan joked.

"I've got a chef's certificate, and you're still brushing me off?"

"I know you're awesome, but today I promised to whip up a feast for Candy. You can't steal my thunder."

"Got it. You're the head chef, I'll just be your sous-chef, won't hog your spotlight." Caleb playfully pinched her nose.

"Okay, but remember to hype me up in front of Candy later."

"Deal. One kiss for each compliment. Let me take a 'down payment' first." Caleb said, giving her a quick peck on the lips.

"You're such a pain. Let's get cooking."

"Alright." Caleb pulled out two matching aprons.

"Why'd you get these?" Susan asked, pleasantly surprised.

"How could we miss this in our married life? Cooking together is so romantic."

"Yeah, yeah, Mr. Romantic." Susan teased.

"You wash the veggies, I'll devein the shrimp." Caleb grabbed the shrimp. "By the way, has the baby been giving you any trouble lately?"

"Hmm? Trouble?" Susan tied her shoulder-length hair into a ponytail.

"Yeah, you had morning sickness before, right?"

"Not these past few days, the baby's been chill. When I was pregnant with Oliver, it was a nightmare with all the vomiting and diarrhea." Susan shook her head, remembering the rough times.

"See, my gut feeling was right."

"Hmm?"

"Daughters are well-behaved, so the morning sickness isn't as bad."

Susan shook her head, "Here we go again with your unscientific theories. Enough already."

"It's true. What's wrong with wanting a daughter?" Caleb said confidently, a playful glint in his eyes.

"Nothing wrong, you're always right. Let's get cooking, or we'll be having dinner by the time we're done."

Outside...

Oliver opened a small suitcase he had packed, "Candy, check it out, I've got a ton of toys in here."

Candy couldn't help but peek inside.

"I didn't know what you like, so I brought everything I thought was fun. Want to do a puzzle?" Oliver shook a box.

Candy shook her head.

"Checkers?"

"I don't know how."

"Chess?"

Candy shook her head again.

"How about we play Ludo? It's simple and fun."

"I... I don't want to play board games..." Candy's voice was soft and sweet.

"Transformers? This is my favorite Iron Man, it's my treasure."

Candy kept shaking her head.

"Oh right, maybe you prefer playing with dolls. How about we dress up the dolls together? My mom got a gift box with a bunch of outfits."

Candy's eyes lit up, and after a moment of hesitation, she nodded.

This was her favorite game.

"Here, open it."

"Th-thank you." Candy quickly opened it and took out the beautiful Barbie princess, "What a beautiful princess."

"No matter how beautiful, she's not as beautiful as you, Candy. You're the real, most beautiful princess. You're my little princess."

"Really?" Candy blushed a little from the compliment.

"Yes, I'm the knight, and I'll always protect you, the beautiful princess." Oliver stood proudly, "Candy, if anyone messes with you in kindergarten, just tell me, I'll handle them."

"Okay, okay." Candy lowered her head and secretly gave a small smile to the Barbie doll.