Calliope donned a pair of light yellow pajamas after having a bath. White bunny and red strawberry prints added colors to the clothes. She loved the frilly hems of the pajamas, chanting how cute it was.
Before bringing Calliope to Graceville Manor, Calix had made a few arrangents for her including preparing so clothes, towels and toiletries. He was tempted to buy everything for the little one but, Leslie persuaded him out of it.
"We can take Calliope shopping... with us later... She’ll be happier to choose herself..."
Calix agreed after thinking of Leslie’s idea. They could spend more quality family ti with their daughter as they tried to settle her in comfortably.
Dangling her short legs from the bed, Calliope humd to a tune. The echoes bounced off the bedroom walls. She happily let Leslie comb her hair after wiping it dry.
Both the mother and daughter changed into sleepwear already. They were enjoying the intimate ti between the two of them before dinner.
"Mama’s gown is yellow like Poppy’s~ Papa wears yellow too?"
Asking in a sing-song voice, Calliope wondered about Calix. Her question earned a chuckle from Leslie as she slowly ran the brush through her daughter’s long hair, taking in the lingering sweet berry scent of Calliope’s shampoo.
"Poppy can ask Papa when... we have dinner later..." suggested Leslie, her lips blossoming into a smile, "Poppy wants Papa and Mama to... accompany Poppy to sleep, right?"
The image of Calix sleeping like a statue last night ca to Leslie’s mind. She bit her lower lip, trying not to laugh out loud.
"Yup! Yup!" Calliope burst into feats of giggles, her whole face beaming with anticipation, "Poppy wanna sleep together with Mama and Papa last night but~ Poppy wanna sleep with Ruby, Daisy and many friends too."
The little munchkin was actually deeply conflicted about the sleeping arrangent. She was tempted to slumber with her parents but, she didn’t want to miss the chance to sleep with her friends too.
After all, she couldn’t get to et them as easily as before anymore.
"Poppy made a right choice ah... Mama’s darling daughter is smart..." Leslie showered Calliope with praises. Putting the comb down, she whispered fondly, "Your friends will surely... enjoy having a sleepover with you... last night..."
Leslie still rembered how tearful Calliope’s farewell was this morning. Her daughter acted better than she expected, filling her heart with so much pride.
"Poppy will miss Ruby, Daisy, Granny Li, Grandpa Mo and everyone," said Calliope, her tone having a hint of sadness, "But, Poppy has Mama and Papa now."
Leslie smiled in helplessness as she watched Calliope’s head droop like a wilting flower. Lifting one hand, she ran her palm over her daughter’s small head.
"Your papa has sent your photos... to Director Li... Wanna talk to her after dinner?"
"Want!"
Calliope quickly regained her sunny and energetic self, prompting Leslie to laugh in amusent. She hugged her daughter from behind, showering the little one’s face and head with tiny kisses.
"Mama~ Hehehe, ticklish ah~" Calliope giggled, her face flushing red. Her tiny hands flailed as she squird.
"Eh? Why? Mama wanna kiss Poppy a lot..."
"Hahaha!"
The faint echo of the mother and daughter’s laughter reached Calix as he walked toward Leslie’s bedroom. He had just returned from the kitchen. Intrigued by what they were doing, he quickened his steps.
Knocking on the door twice, Calix pushed it open. His voice was laced with a smile, "Ready for dinner?"
"Papa!"
Still laughing, Leslie released Calliope from her shower of kisses. Calix shrugged, smiling in helplessness as he approached the bed.
"Papa, look! Poppy matches with Mama!"
Jumping to her feet, Calliope stood on the bed. She happily tugged at her pajama shirt, showing it off to Calix.
"Hahaha, you two indeed match," responded Calix, followed by more laughter. Pausing in front of Calliope and Leslie, he said, "Let’s have dinner. It won’t taste good if the dishes get cold."
"Papa, wear yellow pajamas too," said Calliope as Calix picked her up from the bed, "Let’s matchy-matchy."
"Papa hasn’t showered ah," Calix slowly put Calliope down to the floor, letting her wear the bunny slippers, "I’ll do it before bed. I sll like at and tomato now."
Calix inwardly sighed in relief once he thought of his wardrobe. He had a few pajamas in the color yellow. He just needed to pick the one in the closest shade to Calliope’s and Leslie’s nightwear.
Well, shouldn’t they take more family photos too?
Calliope’s hearty laughter shattered Calix’s imagination.
"Hahaha! Papa slls like food ah!"
Calliope pinched her nose, pretending to sll sothing bad from Calix. The man responded by poking her chubby cheeks, earning protests from her.
"What did you say? You don’t want the spaghetti and puddings? Papa made so garlic bread too."
Gasping, Calliope quickly replied, her eyes flashing, "Want! Poppy wants all!"
She was hungry ah! How could she say no to all those foods ah?
"Oh? Can your small tummy finish them all?"
Calix raised his brows, enjoying the adorable pouty look on Calliope’s small face.
"Poppy can! Poppy wants spaghetti, pudding and bread!" declared Calliope as she patted her round tummy, "Papa, hurry! Let’s go and eat. Poppy’s hungry."
"Mama is hungry too..." Leslie chid in as she scooted closer to the edge of the bed. Laughter continued rolling out her mouth, "What should we do after... dinner? Are you sleepy already? Or, Poppy... wanna see the lake at... nightti?"
"Can we? Mama, can we?"
Ignoring Calix, Calliope abruptly shifted her attention to Leslie.
"Hurm? Papa only wanna bring Mama there ah," teased Calix, smirking at Calliope, "A young child like you should only stay ho at night."
"No~ Poppy wanna follow!"
Following the father and daughter’s banter, the family of three headed downstairs. Calix had already served the food in the dining room before coming to get Leslie and Calliope.
The manor was generally quiet, enveloped in the tranquility after the hours of sundown. The beautiful sumr night marked the beginning of the family of three’s new life together.
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