Chapter 567

Susan swung the door open and saw Oliver fumbling with Candy's hair, looking all confused.

"What's up?"

"Mom, I'm trying to braid Candy's hair, but no matter how many times I try, it just looks like a mess." Oliver was getting pretty frustrated. It seemed so easy, but it was actually super tricky. Not many things could stump this little brainiac.

"Don't worry about it. You're a boy, and braiding hair isn't exactly something they teach you in school," Susan chuckled. "Go wash up. I'll take care of Candy's hair."

"Alright." Oliver let out a sigh of relief, scratching his head. "Candy, I gotta go freshen up. My mom's really good at this."

"Okay."

Oliver bolted to the bathroom.

Susan could tell Candy was still a bit on edge. She had warmed up to Oliver, but not completely.

But that was cool. The fact that they could chill in the same room was already a big step forward.

"Candy, want me to braid your hair?" Susan asked.

Candy nodded and sat down in front of the mirror.

Susan grabbed a hair tie and sat behind her. "Candy, your hair is so pretty, all curly and shiny, like a little doll."

"I've always wanted a daughter, to dress her up in cute little dresses, braid her hair, and make her look like a princess," Susan murmured, smiling at Candy in the mirror. "Don't tell Oliver; he might get jealous."

"Susan... last time... at the amusement park... I, I got lost on purpose... I'm sorry..." Candy stammered, looking down, clearly feeling bad.

Susan smiled. "It's okay, I'm not mad. I get why you did it."

"Candy, your mom will always be your mom. I've never wanted to replace her in your heart. If you don't want to, you can always call me by my name."

"No matter what you call me, I'll always treat you like my own daughter, take care of you, watch you grow up, and be there for you. So you don't have to worry about me taking your dad away or messing up your life. For you, it's just having one more person who loves you."

"It's totally fine if you can't fully accept me right now. I can wait. I believe time will help us get closer. What I want is not for you to call me mom, but for you to be happy every day. Okay?"

As Susan spoke, she braided two cute pigtails for her.

"So adorable."

Candy bit her lip, shyly saying, "Susan... I, I actually like you... I, I also like Oliver... I, I like living with you."

She had to muster a lot of courage to say that.

Susan was touched, "Candy, can I give you a hug?"

Candy pursed her lips and nodded.

Susan gently hugged Candy.

Even though Candy wasn't Susan's biological daughter, or even Caleb's, Susan felt no distance from Candy. It felt like holding her own daughter. Probably because she loved Caleb, she really loved this cute little girl too.

"Mom, I want a hug too." Oliver ran over, happily joining the hug.

On a sunny day, the morning sunlight spilled over the dining table as Susan, Caleb, Oliver, and Candy sat around having breakfast.

"Uncle Caleb's fried eggs are so good, I feel like I could eat two big plates," Oliver said, savoring the eggs.

"Don't just chow down on the eggs, have some OJ too," Susan handed him a glass. "Finish it up in fifteen minutes so it doesn't get all gross."

"Okay, Mom."

"Candy, want some too? It's packed with vitamin C."

"Thanks, Susan." Candy obediently took a sip.

Oliver chimed in, "Candy, girls need more vitamin C to stay pretty. Not that you need it, you're already super cute."

"Look at you, messy face and all." Susan laughed, wiping Oliver's mouth.

With her daughter on her left, her son on her right, and the man she loved sitting across from her, Susan felt like she was living in a dream. She was on cloud nine.

"Oliver, after this semester, you'll be transferring to the nearby kindergarten," Caleb said.

"But I just made some cool friends here," Oliver pouted.

"You'll be in the same class as Candy."

"Alright, no problem," Oliver perked up immediately, giving Candy a playful wink. "Candy, I'll be your bodyguard from now on."

"Okay, okay." Candy nodded enthusiastically.

"This area has some of the best private schools in the city, offering multilingual education from kindergarten through high school," Caleb added.

Susan laughed. "You've thought of everything."

"Of course, you didn't think I'd overlook the schools, did you?" Caleb raised an eyebrow. He was always thorough. Since this was the house they'd be living in for decades, he made sure everything was perfect. "Plus, there's a big park nearby. We can go for a picnic later."

"A picnic? Awesome!" Oliver clapped his hands in excitement.

"Isn't it too hot for a picnic in this heat? The sun's pretty strong," Susan worried.

"Just slap on some sunscreen," Caleb teased with a smile. "You little beauty queen."

"Hey, loving beauty is a good thing! Sunscreen is for preventing aging, okay? Running around in this sun is too much."

"Mom, I wanna go. I haven't been on a picnic in forever," Oliver pleaded. "It's only April, it's not hot at all. Let's go, please."

Susan looked at Candy. "Do you want to go?"

"Yes, I do." Candy nodded.

"Then let's go." For Candy, Susan was willing to go all out. "Thank you, Susan." Candy's smile revealed two cute dimples, making her look even sweeter.

"You are so adorable..." Susan couldn't help but pinch her little face.

Candy's cheeks turned rosy.

After breakfast, Susan helped Caleb make sandwiches. They packed some cookies, water, and milk into a small picnic basket, and the family of four set off together.

Caleb carried Candy in one arm and held Susan's hand with the other, while Susan held Oliver's hand with her free hand.

They attracted a lot of attention as soon as they arrived at the park.

"Look! Such a good-looking family of four! A boy and a girl, it's perfect, just like my dream life."

"The dad is so tall, no wonder the son and daughter have long legs."

"The mom is so pretty too."

"This proves that genes really do determine the looks of the next generation. My looks don't allow me to have such cute kids, I can only be envious."

"I'm jealous."

"I'm jealous too."