After witnessing the touching moment between Kenzie and her father, Jack, everyone gathered around the dining table to eat their lunch.
It was a happy meal for everyone, just having cheerful conversations and catching up with one another.
Jack realized that he missed a lot of things while he was recuperating in the hospital. He promised that he would make it up for his daughter and spend more time with her. He would not waste this second chance that was given to him.
The welcome party for Master Jack lasted until evening. Kenzie's father was very lively and energetic today as he entertained the other guests.
Kenzie just watched her father on the veranda while he was talking to everyone. She just felt so happy seeing him lively and healthy.
Then she felt strong arms engulfing her. Daryl was now hugging her from behind.
"Congrats Baby, your father liked your welcome surprise to him," Daryl softly mumbled in her ear.
Kenzie nodded her head, smiling tenderly.
"Thanks, Darling, for helping me out. This is your idea too." She tilted her head and planted a soft kiss on his cheek.
"Time to go to bed. You are not allowed to stay late. It's not good for your health. Mom should sleep early so that baby can grow fast," Daryl said, gently rubbing her belly.
Kenzie let out a soft giggle. She was already used to the protective side of her husband.
"Alright, darling. But how about my father?"
"No need to worry about your Dad. I will accompany him here for a while. Go and sleep first. I will follow later. Okay?"
Kenzie didn't oppose her husband's suggestion. She obediently followed him. She also felt tired after entertaining their friends during this mini-gathering.
Daryl guided her into their room first. He tucked her on the bed and kissed her goodnight before leaving their room.
When he returned to the veranda, Kenzie's father was already alone. The last visitors already left.
He joined his father-in-law. They sat together while watching the night sky. He could see the feeling of contentment reflected in his father-in-law's eyes.
No one had spoken between them for several seconds. They just stayed there, enjoying the scenery and the peacefulness of the night.
It did not take long when Daryl felt a hand tapping his shoulder. When he turned to his side, his father-in-law's gentle smile greeted his sight.
"Thank you, Daryl, for everything. I'm so grateful to you because you are always there... loving, supporting, and protecting my precious daughter."
Daryl smiled faintly before shaking his head. "You don't have to thank me, Father. It's my job as her husband. I do it with my own will."
"I should be the one thanking you for raising an amazing woman like Kenzie. If not because of you, I will never meet my wife."
Daryl chuckled as he recalled how he wanted to curry favor from Mr. Chua and to get more clients through him. With that, he ended up stalking his daughter, Kenzie, and then Kenzie stalking him afterwards.
"Father, I want to tell you something."
"Hmm, what is it?"
"Do you know that you are my idol? I know it's not easy to take care of a spoiled brat like Kenzie, especially when you raised her as a single parent." There was a hint of admiration in his eyes when he said those words.
Jack laughed after hearing that. He felt flattered.
"Wow, you are good at flattering me, son!"
"I'm telling the truth, Father. You are a better father figure than my father."
A complex emotion flashed through his eyes at the mention of his father. Jack didn't say a word. He let Daryl speak, waiting for him to open up.
Daryl gazed up, looking at the starry night sky. He didn't know why but he just felt the urge to open up with his father-in-law tonight.
"I will become a father soon. As much as possible, I want to be a good father to my children."
"I'm so embarrassed to admit it but I never see my father as a role model for being a good father since he never was."
Jack was silently listening to his grandson-in-law. He appreciated that he was being honest with his feelings right now.
"I used to hate my father in the past. As soon as my mother died, my father brought his mistress to our home together with his stepson. How could a good father do that to his son who was still mourning the death of his mother?"
Jack patted Daryl's shoulder to console him. He understood Daryl where he was coming from.
"So I don't want to be like my father. Honestly, I am nervous. I am wondering if I can also do a better job in raising my children."
"Can you please give me some tips?" Daryl added, smiling shyly at his father-in-law.
Jack burst out laughing after seeing the embarrassed look on Daryl's face.
"Son, you don't have to worry about that. I am certain that you will be a good.. not only good but the best father in the world." Jack said with certainty in his voice.
"Really, Father? Or you are just telling me this to make me feel better?"
"Of course, not! I just know it. Since you are already worried about how to become a good father, it is already a sign that you are going to be a good father…"
Daryl just looked at his father-in-law in amusement.
"Just keep in mind that taking care of a child and raising a child will require patience, love, and genuine concern. And I can already see those three in you… you are very protective of Kenzie, I'm sure you will do a much better job being a father." Jack reassured him.
"Thanks, Father. Thank you for believing in me."
"You are always welcome, son. I am just here if ever you need my support. I can help you in taking care of my grandchild! I'm so excited to see my first grandchild!"
"Me too, Father. But it seems we need to be patient. We still have to wait several months before our first baby will be born."
The father-in-law and son-in-law duo just burst out laughing after that.
The heaviness in Daryl's heart had been lifted after sharing his thoughts and feelings with his father-in-law. Those troubling thoughts he had suddenly disappeared after talking to him.
His father-in-law was right. He should not doubt himself. He would just do his best to be a good father to his children.
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