Director Li had been watching the children of the orphanage finding their forever hos for more than four decades. But, never once did she witness sothing like the one experienced by Calliope now.
Smiling to herself, she quietly watched Calix and Leslie hugging the crying Calliope on the couch. The little girl nestled herself in between their arms, calling them Papa and Mama.
That alone was enough to say Calliope was not averse to the idea of reuniting with her birth parents. She might leave sooner than expected, sothing that inevitably saddened Director Li.
’I’m sad to let another one of my children go but, I’m happy for her.’
Director Li had always treated the children as if her own. She even welcod the children who had outgrown the care back if they wanted. So of them ca to visit during big festivals.
Even though the incoming farewell would be a sorrowful one, Director Li believed Calliope’s life would have significant improvents.
Calix and Leslie possessed the traits of being stellar parents. Director Li’s experienced eyes could tell that.
Aside from their imnse wealth that would allow Calliope to explore various opportunities in the future, their excellent personalities also would contribute to building a happy ho.
"Let’s just pray nothing will go wrong for them.’
Director Li didn’t know the full truth behind Calliope’s separation from Leslie but, she hoped that evil scum wouldn’t co in between the mother and daughter again.
’Mr. Xu will protect them, surely.’
Director Li shifted her eyes from Calliope to Leslie before they settled on Calix. The man was patiently coaxing his crying child and his sobbing wife. The look of slight panic on his face earned a chuckle from the older lady.
’Ti to give them so privacy.’
Without alerting anyone, Director Li quietly stepped away from the couch, heading to the door. The family of three needed so alone ti after the heartwrenching revelation.
Stepping out of the office, Director Li silently closed the door. She threw her gaze around the hallway, finding one of her staff nearby. The latter had just co out from the small library.
"Debby!"
The young female staff ca running to Director Li. The older woman instructed her to tidy the guest room.
"Will Mr. and Mrs. Xu use that room later?" asked Debby, her eyes drifting to the closed door of the director’s office.
"Perhaps," Director Li chuckled, "I think they might need a place to rest for a while."
"Okay."
Debby hurriedly left toward the guest room. The place had always been kept tidy even though they rarely had guests using the room. She just needed to check it once to ensure nothing was amiss.
As Debby left, Director Li threw one last look at the office. Intending to wait for the family of three to co out, she headed toward a bench placed in the hallway.
’I wonder how long will they stay inside. Poppy, don’t cry too much ah.’
Nevertheless, Director Li was genuinely happy with the unfolding event. She reminded herself to send Calliope off with good wishes soon.
Neither Calix nor Leslie noticed Director Li’s absence from the office until later. They were more preoccupied with comforting Calliope as the little one’s cries didn’t subside.
"Don’t leave Poppy here... Take ..."
"Mama, Papa... love Poppy?"
"Sob... Poppy won’t be naughty..."
Calliope tightly clung to Calix and Leslie as if she had fully acknowledged the fact they were her birth parents.
Instead of showing any anger or frustration, Calliope only cried about taking her along with them, even promising to be on her best behavior.
"We’ll bring Poppy ho with us. Don’t cry, my dear."
"Mama and Papa won’t leave Poppy here..."
Seeing Calliope’s crying distressed Leslie and Calix. She even coughed a few tis, hurting her throat because of her nonstop crying feats. As it happened, Calix hurriedly got her so water.
"Poppy will be a good girl..."
"Poppy won’t be mad... just... take Poppy too..."
"Mama and Papa... won’t leave Poppy again?"
Each of Calliope’s words tore into Calix and Leslie’s hearts. They patiently but firmly told the little one they wouldn’t ever be separated again.
In the end, Calliope cried herself to sleep. She lay her small head against Leslie’s chest while one of her hands held Calix’s shirt. Streaks of tears left marks on her blotchy face.
"Thank goodness..." Leslie smiled faintly. She ran one of her index fingers under Calliope’s eyes, "She’d tire herself... if she kept crying..."
"She reacted better," Calix let out a sigh. Chuckling, he stared at Calliope’s hand tugging at his shirt, "I thought she’d reject us first."
That was Calix and Leslie’s greatest fear. Even if they wouldn’t give up on Calliope despite her refusals, being accepted from the beginning would serve them better.
Calix shifted his eyes to Leslie. His countenance expressed how much of a weight lifted off his shoulders. He also noticed the sa on her.
"Let’s talk more once she wakes up. She might still be in shock tho. Oh..." Calix smiled at Leslie before softly saying, "You’ve done a good job, Leslie. You truly did."
"...en?"
Blinking, Leslie blankly stared at the smiling Calix. The llowness of his smile entranced her, taking so of her consciousness off the sleeping Calliope.
"You did a good job too..." replied Leslie quietly, being earnest with Calix. She curled up her lips, expressing her gratitude, "You’ve been... supporting from the start... Because of you, I... I an we... reunited with Poppy..."
Leslie couldn’t ever repay Calix back for his continuous help and support all this ti. She had been relying on him from the first day she transmigrated to this world.
Leslie first knew Calix Xu as one of the novel’s supporting characters but, he was no longer that to her. This man was soone who was much much better than what was written on the pages.
And...
Calix was Calliope’s father in this world.
Without any doubt, Leslie believed Calix would give Calliope the fatherly love she hadn’t experienced before.
Soon, it was ti to bring Calliope ho with them.
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