Chapter 406: Doesn’t He Like Babies?

"No, you need to sleep outside tonight."

As she spoke, she opened the door, stuffed the pillow into his arms, and closed the door again.

Christopher still wanted to knock on the door, but he heard the sound of locking. He glanced at the pillow in his arms. It seemed that he could only sleep in the guest room tonight.

He sighed silently, turned around, and left.

The more Janice thought about it, the angrier she became. She listened to him when he said he wanted her to undergo confinement at home. She listened to him when he said she couldn’t watch TV or use mobile phones. What’s more, she didn’t even get angry when he decorated the house like this.

But why couldn’t he promise her once?

She just wanted to let her babies stay by her side. Was there anything wrong with that?

Moreover, she was the mother of her children. Was it wrong for her to take care of them personally?

When the babies were born, they had to stay in the incubators, which she could do nothing about. Since she missed the chance of using her breast milk to feed them, she already felt very sorry for them.

Now that she couldn’t even take care of them every day, was she still a qualified mother?

The more Janice thought about it, the more she felt guilty.

Thinking of Christopher’s unreasonable behavior just now, Janice couldn’t help wondering if he didn’t like their babies.

When she was in the hospital, she found that he was not as happy as she had imagined.

God knew how happy others would be if they became fathers.

But what about him?

If she hadn’t forced him to see the babies, he wouldn’t even want to take a look at them.

Later on, even when he went to see the twins, he seemed to be not interested.

She thought, "Doesn’t he like babies?"

The more Janice thought about it, the more upset she felt.

As night fell, she was still unable to fall asleep. She quietly ran to the nursery room while the nursery teachers and nannies were resting.

She had wanted to sneak in and take a look at the babies when they were not around. Unexpectedly, the lights in the baby room were still on. When she stepped closer, she found that it was Christopher inside.

She thought, "It is so weird. Why was he inside instead of going to sleep?"

Without making a sound, she stood outside the door and watched quietly.

She watched as he picked up the milk bottle, placed it in the disinfectant, and disinfected it. Then, he poured some hot water into the bottle, tested the temperature of the water, and scooped up a few spoonsful of milk powder. After gently shaking the bottle a few times and testing the temperature, he bent down to pick up the baby from the crib. He held the baby in one hand and the milk bottle in the other.

He was extremely focused. Although he did not show much expression on his face, his cold eyes showed a hint of gentleness.

Just like that, he fed one baby to another.

After that, he changed the diapers. Given his familiar movements, she could tell that he was not new to this.

At least, he seemed to be much more experienced than her.

She thought it looked too strange.

Since the babies had just returned from the hospital today, how could he become so experienced in taking care of the babies?

While she was wondering, she saw that he was about to come out after switching off the light. She quickly moved into the guest room next door.

She didn’t come out of the guest room until he entered the opposite study.

In order to make it convenient for him to take care of her, Christopher had especially moved the study upstairs, facing the door of the nursery room.

Thinking about how strange he had been just now, Janice followed after him.

When she walked to the door, she found that it was not closed, leaving a small gap.

Through the gap, she saw him take something out of the cabinet.

Looking from her angle, she couldn’t see it clearly. Only when Christopher placed it on the platform did she see that it was a rubber doll, similar to the one used by lecturers in parenting class.

She thought, "That’s odd. What is he doing with the rubber doll?"

With these questions, Janice continued to observe him.

...

He laid the doll on the table, repeated the action of changing its diaper, and then did it one more time, seeming to be unsatisfied with himself.

It was not until he had repeated it three or four times that he decided to put away the doll.

Janice realized it was because he had practiced it behind her back that he dealt with the babies with such adroitness, and she had wronged him.

He wouldn’t have practiced it so devotedly were he not fond of them. But why did he behave so impassively before?

As Janice was lost in thought, she heard Christopher’s steps approaching and tiptoed rapidly back to her room.

Christopher came in shortly after she lay down.

The footsteps came to a stop beside the bed.

Janice knew by instinct he must be staring at her.

And she was right. He contemplated her for a while and tucked her up in bed.

She heard a faint rustle, and then the footsteps sounded again. She opened her eyes and caught sight of, in the dim light, his disappearing figure, and she sat up and shouted, "Don’t leave me alone."

Chris halted and turned around.

"I... I don’t like to be left alone."

She bit her lip.

She switched on the bedside lamp.

The bedroom was shone bright.

And she noticed him contemplating her with a beam, a beam that rippled to the curve of his lips, a beam that glowed like a warm winter sun.

As though infected, she began to smile back at him.

In a good marriage, distinguishing between right and wrong is never a mission for a couple.

And when they are at odds, a simple smile would solve everything. No extra explanations will be needed.

"All right. I’ll be right back. Just gotta freshen myself up."

He turned on his heel and walked into the bathroom with a grin.

Janice let out a sigh of relief.

Recalling what she’d thought of him before, she realized her speculation was utterly puerile and ungrounded.

How could he not love his own children?

It seemed that she had been too idle to come up with such an idea.

Meanwhile, thousands of miles away, Yvonne was haunted by her own problem.

She had thought about confiding her fear to James, but dreaded it might shock him.

Then she figured she could adopt a roundabout way by telling him "a story of one of her friends", but again, it was denied, for she decided a fictitious story would only result in a fictitious answer.

Now Yvonne was at her wits’ end.

"What’s on your mind, Yvonne?"

Abruptly, James’ voice came from above.

She collected herself and looked up at him, but then looked away.

"Nothing."

"Get yourself dressed up. I’ll take you somewhere interesting," said James.

He didn’t bother to inquire further.

"It’s almost dinner time. Where are we going?" Yvonne was confused. James gave her a blink in response, an air of mystery on his face. "You’ll know it when we get there."

Yvonne refrained from asking more questions and did what she was told, despite curiosity.

The car stopped beside a river.

It being a dreary midwinter, there weren’t many people there.

There was a sole tourist boat on the river; it was coming slowly in their direction.

...

Yvonne looked around and wondered why he brought her there.

James was in no hurry to explain.

He unfastened his seatbelt and said, "Wrap the scarf tight. It’s chilly outside."

With that, he reached out his hand to help her with it.

"Let’s go."

He opened the door and got off.

Yvonne followed him.

"See the ship over there? Let’s go."

He took her hand and walked over.

When they got on board, Yvonne found that it was actually a restaurant.

She looked round the cabin and noticed there were plenty of guests in it.

"May I help you?" a waiter asked.

James nodded and said, "Yes, we’re here for a dinner, an unusual dinner."

An unusual dinner?

Yvonne didn’t understand what he meant.

She thought it was but an ordinary day like any other day, then why would they need "an unusual dinner"?

They walked in.

"Mr. Taylor, please allow me to show you your table. It’s over there," a well-dressed staff said politely.

Their table was near the window.

The window overlooked the river by which the city of Tomaville was surrounded.

It being one of the busiest moments of the day, the whole city was ablaze with sparkling green and red lights, which was perfectly reflected in the waters of the river.

The integration of the lucid water and the colorful reflection made a resplendent three-dimensional painting.

While having lived in this city for more than 20 years, Yvonne was never acquainted with such a good place.

"Beautiful, isn’t it?" James asked.

She nodded her consent.

"But I wonder what do you mean by ’unusual?’" asked Yvonne.

"Let’s order some food first." James decided to keep her in suspense.

Yvonne quieted. The job of ordering food was assigned to James since Yvonne was never an expert in it and had never been here before.

And her job now was to enjoy the night view of the city.

As the food was ordered, James turned around and saw Yvonne’s face in profile.

It effaced itself in the reflective glow of the water, which added a sense of mystery to its beauty, making it truly a pleasure to behold.

His eyes lit up.

Yvonne subconsciously turned and met her intoxicated gaze. She lowered her eyes and said, "I still can’t figure out why we’re here today."

James recovered himself and smiled, "It’s our acquaintance anniversary."

A year already?

Yvonne was slightly surprised.

It seemed that all just happened yesterday, but as a matter of fact 365 days had passed.

In the beginning, neither of them was fond of each other.

Then one found himself in love and started to pursue the other but was rejected, and then they married each other.

Yvonne was dredging up memories from the depths of her mind.

"Yvonne?"

She collected herself at that.

"Cheer for our anniversary."

His glass was filled and raised.

Yvonne paused for a moment and raised her glass.

They clinked glasses, their eyes met.

Yvonne, however, felt mixed emotions shortly after she put the glass down.